I cry on Gabby’s shoulder until my eyes are red and puffy and painful.
While I weep, I can hear a murmured conversation going on behind me - Sister Evelyn and Sister Cora are asking Father Ashdale about whether or not the exorcism he performed on me was really a success. Their voices are hushed and urgent, and I can hear the concern and the worry in every word.
They're trying to talk quietly, maybe hoping I won't hear - but I can make out most of what they're discussing.
My heart tightens when I hear the word ‘exorcism’, but deep down, even while it was happening, I had vaguely realised what the words Father Ashdale was chanting actually meant. I already knew. I feel violated, but was the exorcism really such a violation, compared to whatever it was that violated me in the first place
