Chapter Nine
Nathan took precautions on his way to the apothecary's. It was in a neighborhood some distance from their alley and serviced an eclectic clientele that ranged from upscale Bostonians to ex-slaves like him. He didn't want to attract the attention of any coppers or members of a rival gang of boys who claimed the apothecary's neighborhood as their territory.
Elijah Dungan, the apothecarist, was busy with a customer when Nathan entered his shop. This suited Nathan just fine as he liked to make his selections without the shopkeeper looking over his shoulder. He moved through the aisles, making his usual choices of Willow Bark, Belladonna, Iodine, Chamomile, Witch Hazel, Quinine, St. John's Wart, Yarrow, and a few others, before he moved over to an area designated to new mother's, babies, and children.
He had never been in this section before, but had listened intently, yet unobtrusively, any time he was in the apothecary and a young mother or a nursemaid came in, in search of some remedy that would soothe their child or charge. He picked out a bottle of creamy lotion that was suppose to be good for a baby's skin, and a tinned salve good for nappy rash.
He studied the other bottles, jugs, and tins; carefully reading their labels to see what they were supposed to be good for. He was still reading when he felt eyes upon him, and he turned to see Mr. Dungan standing behind him.
"Not your usual section is it, boy?"
"No Sir."
Nathan went back to his reading of the labels, finally choosing a jar of powder and a jellied substance in a tin that one was supposed to rub on a baby's gums while they were teething. All the while, Mr. Dungan stood behind him and watched his every move. He was relieved to move toward the counter, Mr. Dungan following silently behind him. He slowly put the items of his basket on the counter so the shopkeeper could add up the total of their worth. He had already added the total in his head and would know if the apothecarist tried to charge him more for his items than what the cost.
The total for his purchases was the highest he'd ever spent, but he was stocking up for their trip, and had added items necessary for them to properly care for JD. He paid Mr. Dungan, gathered up his packages, and was soon on his way home.