Hello and welcome to my readers. I hope you have a happy Valentine's Day. Thank you for the votes, feedback and comments on my previous submittals. In this tale, Dave discovers the price he must pay to satisfy his desires. Enjoy.
_______________________
"Is the gentleman interested in a love potion this afternoon?"
Dave Colby flinched at the sound of the reedy voice behind him. He turned and saw a haggard old woman with long gray hair, her wrinkled lips parted in a toothless smile.
Creepy old broad, she looks like a witch.
"Uh, I'm just looking, yeah, just looking," he replied, suddenly embarrassed.
Who am I kidding. I could use a love potion right about now.
His ego had taken a hit since Mandy had left him last week. The jewelry store would not take back the engraved ring he'd bought her, so he decided to hock it.
He had seen the odd little shop when he was leaving the Pawn Emporium. 'Philters and Potions' its sign read, the cursive lettering exotic and mysterious. As he approached, he saw a sign tacked to the front door, 'Special things for Valentines Day'.
The shop's interior was dark and musty, the smell of age and decay reminding Dave of the attic in his grandparents house after a hard rain. Jars and bottles of all shapes and sizes were everywhere. Dave saw a red basket filled with small bottles on the counter. A hand lettered sign reading 'Love Potions' hung from its handle. He had started to read the writing on a label when the old woman surprised him.
"Oh, just looking? I think not, young man," she chuckled, her bony fingers plucking the bottle from his hand. "This will not bring her back. She no longer loves you. It is time to forget her."
Dave's mouth fell open in surprise.
How in the hell does she know Mandy left me. She is a witch, or something. I'm gettin' out of here…
"However," the woman continued, "I do have something here that may be more suitable." She shuffled to a cabinet and returned with a squat jar filled with bubbling green liquid. "You have always desired beautiful women and lusted after them. This will attract them to you and they will satisfy your every whim. In addition, it will also enhance your libido, although I doubt that a virile young man such as yourself would need such enhancements. You must be careful, for the mixture is quite potent."
Dave took the jar from the woman, turning it in his hands, watching the bubbles rise. "What's this gonna cost me?" he asked suspiciously. "What if you're puttin' me on and I just hand over my money for a bottle of green water?"
"My, you are a trusting soul," the woman chuckled. She handed Dave a folded sheet of paper. "Follow these instructions and enjoy the results. If they are not to your liking, return here for a refund. That will be twenty dollars please."
***
Dave removed his backpack and sat on his threadbare couch. Mandy had taken the good furniture when she moved out. Then again, it was her stuff. Dave had never cared much for decorating, or much of anything else except riding his bike and pursuing women. Being a bicycle messenger took care of the former, the latter…well. He thought Mandy was his true love, but when that cute server came on to him at lunch, he couldn't resist.
Mandy had caught them in bed and pitched a fit. He knew he shouldn't have hit her, but she wouldn't shut up. Even when the other girl was gone and he tried to explain what had happened. Mandy had just lain there on the floor, holding her jaw and staring at him with sorrow in her eyes. He had gone out for a drink to let her cool off. When he came back, she was gone.
Munching on a fast-food hamburger, he removed the jar from his backpack and stared at it.
Why is it always bubbling? Maybe it is magic. Maybe that old woman wasn't putting me on. I'm too beat to think about this now.
He pulled the paper she had given him from his pocket, placed it under the jar on the kitchen counter and went to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
***
