Juju

Juju ran up the block, he had no jacket on.  His thin wiry arms moving like a swimmers over the cement sidewalk.  Moving through a range of strokes over the cement sidewalk he approaches, running, frantic.

Juju sees me going through the gate of my house and runs towards me.  Caro, Caro, save me.  I laugh and say, calm down Juju, what’s up?

He arrives at the gate and jumps over it. Panting dramatically he folds over the black metal gate.   Owwww, he screams and stands straight up as the metal railing touches his belly. 

Her, that’s what’s up, he points backward towards Jamaica Avenue. Her, that crazy mama.  My crazy mama, that’s what’s up. I had to get out of there. She wants me involved in what she wants. 

What, I say? I’m distracted, shifting bags of groceries from hand to hand.   Want some coffee Juju?  Sure, he says,  they are looking for me.  Let me hide out for a while. We both laugh and Juju helps me bring my groceries in.  He grabs a few bags from me.  

We struggle with the bags through the two doors and bring the bags into the kitchen. Juju helps me put the groceries away. He shares his story with me while I put the coffee on the stove. We sit across from each other at the kitchen table.

So, I get home and there is a group of women in the house. Oh, I say, she had some friends over.  Juju laughs loudly, all dressed in white.   Oh, I say, with reverence, the powerful ones.  Yes, he says, them.  She brought them there, for me.  They wanted to circle me, he said and laughs. 

Everyone in the neighborhood knew who “they” were.  Solitary figures dressed in white, walking along the avenue with their bags.  They were the spiritual ladies, they worked magic. They had   connection. 

The older women knew. They understood the connection. You have to work at prayer. To have a conversation with spirit requires patience.  The realization that truly living can only be facilitated by prayer was never lost on them.

Juju, go back, I said instantly. Quick, go back, I jumped up and pushed my hand against his should so that he would get up.  This is bad Juju, you can’t mess with that.  I turned off the coffee.  Juju stared at me.  Don’t bring bad luck Juju, go back.  You think, he said slowly.  You think, he said the words slowly again.  I know, I replied just as slowly.  Now go back, I screamed loudly. Juju startled, jumped to his feet. 

Juju decided he better not mess around.  He went back. His mom was happy and proud.  For the good of Juju, she said.  For good, she said. The ladies work magic through prayer. 

Juju had good luck from that point on. Juju fell into good employment, straight into an apprenticeship and then opened a business.  When people ask about Juju, his mom says blessed.  His mom will say blessed and wink one eye slowly anytime anyone asks about Juju.