Haunted

Saying Goodbye

Cady texted me later that afternoon “How is everything going,” She texts. “So far so good,” I send back to her. “Good to hear, we are getting a hold of Father Mike to see what went wrong with the last exorcism,” Colton comes into the kitchen, thankfully I had my phone on mute so he couldn’t hear it going off. “What is my beautiful wife up to,” He asks with a smile on his face. “Just cleaning as usual,” I answer trying to sound nonchalant. “Why don’t you let me help,” 

“I’m all done sorry, why don’t you go play your PlayStation 4,” I suggest hoping he would leave me alone just for a little while. “Oh, yeah, sure I can do that,” He says, walking off into the office. For a split second I could have sworn I heard him growl as he walked off. While relaxing in my big comfy chair in the living room, I texted Cady “So any information on what happened,” 

“No, not yet, we are reviewing the recording from the last exorcism,” 

“Oh, sorry I am just getting nervous I don’t know how long I can keep this up,” 

“It’s alright, just hang in there,” 

“I’ll try,” I sit back and flip through the channels trying to find something relaxing to watch. After going through the guide twice, I settled on Gone Girl. As I snuggled into my seat with my bowl of popcorn Jack came in and sat beside me on the couch. “This looks more interesting than playing that army game, do you mind if I join you,” He asks pleasantly. “Sure, you can join me, you don’t have to ask,” I reply trying to sound as nice as possible. The rest of the evening was very relaxing. Jack even rubbed my legs and feet after I had placed them across his lap. As I lay there enjoying my leg massage, I find myself conflicted between getting Alexander Hughes out of Jack and leaving him possessed. Next thing I know I’m waking up on the couch. I reach for my phone laying on the coffee table. “Eight-thirty in the morning,” I mumble rubbing my eyes trying to wake up. “Hey, sleepyhead,” Jack started. “You fell asleep on me so I just covered you up, you looked too peaceful to be woken up,”  

“I’m sorry, I guess I was more tired than I thought I was,” 

“Don’t apologize if you’re tired you are tired,” “Still I’m sorry.” “Hope you are hungry, I made you breakfast,” He said bringing me a tray of pancakes, fruit, bacon, along with a glass of coffee and orange juice. “Oh wow! You didn’t have to make me breakfast, thank you,” I reply trying to sound surprised. It’s getting harder day after day to sound surprised when he waits on me hand and foot. I’m so bored I have started doing yoga. I couldn’t take much more of this special treatment that I knew wasn’t coming from my husband but from Alexander Hughes the ghost that was possessing Jack. While he was out mowing, I called Cady and told her just that. “I was about to call you myself, well text you anyway,” She began. “We believe that you need an exorcism as well as Jack,” 

“What why do I need one,” I demand a little more harshly than I meant to. “Emily, we have been looking into your ghost Alexander Hughes’s life and what we discovered is that you look just like his late wife,” She divulged. “That explains a lot, but not why I have to have an exorcism,” 

“We believe that he has attached himself to you, all the while possessing Jack,” She explained matter-of-factly. “Fine when do you want to do it,” I asked, shaking my head at the thought of me having an exorcism done to get rid of my attachment. “How does tomorrow work for you,” Cady asked. “The sooner we do you we can do Jack and send Alexander Hughes's ghost to the great beyond,” 

 “That’s fine, I’ll have to figure out how to get away from Jack for a while,” I say. “I will have the boss go pick him up for a guy's outing tomorrow, how does that sound,” She inquired enthusiastically. “It sounds like heaven to me anytime and for any reason to get away from him,” I avow loudly. I hear Cady laugh on the other end of the line “Okay, I’ll get it set up and I’ll also have Steve call Jack,” She says then hangs up after we say our “Goodbyes,” Jack comes in from mowing the backyard “I’m glad we have a small yard it’s hot outside,” He chuckled as he gets himself a glass of water. “Yes, it is, but you did a good job on the yard it looks nice,” I say with my jaw clenched shut. I then proceeded to start making supper while he went to clean up. “Awe peace again,” I laughed while I turn on some music as I chopped up peppers for the stir fry. While we were eating Steve called Jack to set up a time for their man date for tomorrow while it took some convincing on Steve’s and my part to get him to agree to it, he finally agreed. After they left the next day, I slid off to meet Cady at the church where she and Father Mike were waiting for me. “So, are you ready,” Cady asks gently, seeing that I was nervous. Father Mike put his hand on my shoulder and looks me squarely in the eyes “Don’t worry my dear, it will be fine,” I was led into the same room where Colton had his first exorcism. They have me sit in a chair as two men come into the room. One takes my right arm while the other takes my left. “Don’t worry, it’s just to keep you from hurting yourself or one of us if it gets too bad,” Cady explains as Father Mike walks into the room with his robes on holding a blessed cross. I take a deep breath as he starts my exorcism. At first, everything is going fine, but when Father Mike places the cross on top of my head a dark feeling comes over me. I no longer had control of my body as it slashes out at everyone in the room. I don’t know how long it was but when I finally open my eyes everything seemed brighter. “Emily, how are you feeling,” Father Mike asked as Cady hands me a cup of water. “A little dizzy, and I also feel lighter,” I groaned. “Great, that means the attachment is gone from you,” Father Mike explains. “So, I’m done,” I asked astonished by how fast it had been. When Jack had his exorcism it lasted forever? “Yes, my dear, you are all done,” Cady chimed in. “Steve should be bringing in Colton soon so you have time to relax until they get here,” She added. “Hang on, I have to be here for his exorcism,” I ask confused. “Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before, we need you here to make sure the ghost stays here, okay, so please stay,” Cady explained as Steve comes in followed by Jack who seemed a little intoxicated. “See I told you buddy that she would be here.” Steve tells 100 Colton as he puts an arm around his shoulder. “Yeah, you did man,” Jack slurred drunkenly. I grab his hand and lead him to the chair I had just been sitting in just a few moments before. “Sit here babe you don’t look so good,” I said, trying desperately to sound like a loving wife should. “Thanks, yeah I think I had way too much to drink,” Jack replied before he plopped into the chair. I glance over towards Steve, who mouths “Only half a glass,” I raise my eyebrows in a look of surprise. The two guys who held my arms grabbed ahold of Jack's arms. Father Mike began the second exorcism. I stand beside Cady leaning on a wall, rubbing the blessed Saint Michael medallion Father Mike had given me for strength and protection. After about six hours Colton buckled over and vomited on the floor. I started to run over to him when Cady grabbed my arm. “Don’t it’s not done yet” She whispered solemnly. I nodded at her in understanding as I sat down on the floor this time. I wake up the next day laying on the floor with Cady sitting next to me. I pull my phone out of my back pocket to see that it was eight o’clock in the morning. Father Mike was praying over Jack, who was still sitting in the chair in the middle of the room. “Hey, how did you sleep,” Cady whispered as to not disturb Father Mike. “I would have rather been in my comfy bed instead of on this floor,” I yawned. I sit back listening to Father Mike continued his exorcism until finally, he stopped. As I glance over I see him putting a cross on Jack's forehead with oil. He glances over at me and gives me a nod. I go over slowly to where they are hoping and praying that finally, our nightmare was over. “Emily,” Jack cried as if he hadn’t seen me in months. “Hi, babe, how are you feeling,” I asked hugging him tightly. “Like I have been asleep,” He said still crying. “It was like I had no control over my own body even though I knew what was going on,” 

“Can you come a bless our house also,” I asked Father Mike before we leave the church? “Yes can, I’ll follow you to your house,” He says as he begins packing his things up. When we get to the house Father Mike immediately begins the house blessing by putting crosses of oil in the doorways as soon as we enter the house. At the same time, he was sprinkling holy water around the house while saying the Lord’s Prayer. Before Father Mike leaves, he gives Jack a blessed Saint Michael medallion necklace to wear to keep him safe.