That voodoo that you do

"So are you going to show me your doll collection?", I ask with pretended inocence.

"Dolls?"

"With pins and needles...", I tease, with a deliberate farce smile.

"That's actually the biggest and most common misconception...", you begin. Then you realize how preachy you sound and shyly smile back, eyes down.

I caress the mojo bag you're wearing through your shirt. Only you know which mixtures it holds or whether it is protecting you from evil or perhaps drawing love. It could be a mere good luck charm you wear to bring you success in gambling. Are you a gambler?

"Are you a gambler?". Your eyes meet mine and a twinkle in yours leads me to believe you had already read my question. Do my facial expressions give that much away?

"Not really. I do not believe in luck nor in game", you say in a rustle. "Something much more supernatural and crossed...", you let fade.

"Right. You're so the voodoo bokor...".

"No sorcerer, no Voodoo, no Hoodoo". You just said that on purpose, didn't you? You teaser. I can play the game, you remind me of the man...

"You remind me of the man", I begin.

"What man?". You don't see where I'm going yet, do you?

"The man with the power", I go on.

"The power? What power?". You are clearly still lost.

"The power of Hoodoo". Enter the game. Join me.

"Hoodoo?". You smile, now following knowingly. You are in, my friend.

"You do". I keep performing, but now you know it.

"Do what?" See? You know it.

"You remind me of the man...".

I let my voice drop at the end. I'm walking scarcely two steps ahead of you, still facing you, your almond eyes and dark skin shining at me. I could do this all day, you know.

"I could do this all day, you know". You don't say anything, but keep walking. The two steps seem to be shrinking.

Are we just strolling or are you taking me to some place in particular? I don't ask you this, I just think it. But you hear me just the same, don't you?

You nod. My smile broadens.

You suddenly speed up the pace and there is no two steps anymore.

"Explain it to me", I ask in a barely audible whisper.

"What? The so-called Mumbo Jumbo?", you mouth out.

I shake my head, without taking my eyes off yours.

"How do you do it?", I ask.

"Do what?" You keep looking at me. I keep looking at you. I smile. You smile.