I guess it all started about 10 years ago. I was 30-ish, single, considered beautiful by most, and once in awhile enjoyed a drink or even a good smoke.
The booze I always got from a local liquor store with a card for 10% off.
My smoke on the other hand, was a road trip. I always got from the same person. Dicky Leeds. This guy was like this Vietnam vet or something. An older guy, long hair, kind kooky, but lived deep in the Pine barrens. You literally had to leave your car and walk about a football field length through the woods to find his house.
But he had the best weed I ever had. So what if he was a little spooky.
One day As I was walking back to my car, I stumbled on a rock half sticking out of the ground. A second look revealed it was carved. I didn't look further, I just threw it in my purse, climbed in my car, and headed home.
I got home, turned on the news, poured a drink, and checked out my "stuff."
The weed was exquisite, as it always was. I think he grows and cultivates it himself, but I never bother to ask.
But the other object I retrieved was shocking.
It was indeed made by someone or something.
It was a small statuette. Very intricately carved. Seemed made out of stone but it kind of warm to the touch. What was more shocking, was that the tiny figure was a carving of devil. The face as intricate and realistic as the rest of it.
The eyes, the toothy smile of a grinning evil unlike anything I have ever seen.
The wings outstretched like a gargoyle on patrol.
Suddenly everything came together for a moment of complete insanity.
Dicky LEEDS? a devil statue? Could this guy be related to the whole Jersey Devil thing I read about in high school?
I had to know more.
I took pictures of the object, and took them to the library to see what I can drum up. I grabbed every book off the shelf that had anything to do with the words jersey devil pine or barrens to make sure.
After sifting through many books, I found it, or what appears to be it. It was a drawing of a man carving a figure who claimed he uses it to control his brother. "I gave him what he needs," it read."Food, shelter, compassion, but I must be harsh to keep the devil in line. I make him work for all of it. Working a mine I had for a time. I'd summon him and give him what he wanted, usually a goat or something, and he worked that mine like 30 men.This is why he has not hurt anyone in 40 years, except for that camper in 74."
The man who had this control, and this figurine, was named Richard Leeds.
Richard Leeds? Dicky Leeds for short?
This report is dated 1735. Could my weed dealer have been around since 1735?
Could it also be possible, I have the power to summon the Jersey Devil?
I needed a drink, so I checked the book out like it was on fire and rushed home to read more.
The tome stated the figurine was able to summon the devil. You must give it what it needs, then take something in return, but it must be equal to what it takes or it can escape your control and you'll never retain it. I smoked another joint to ponder this thought as well as memorize the procedure to summon this devil from the pine barrens.
After a quiet dinner, a couple hits from the bong, another trip out for wine, I strip down to a T-shirt and panties, and settle on the bed in my room with my newfound toy, the remote, and glass of red wine.
I say a few words in plain English holding the figurine. No big magic words, no prayer to an unholy deity. Just "Brother I call to thee".While holding the statue.
I contemplate those words as I study the figure. Its odd, not exactly the worse thing on my knickknack shelf.
One more bong hit, I down the entire contents of my fresh glass of wine, close my eyes and say the words aloud. "Brother I call to thee".
