from Courtney.
"There's a Union soldier in her," I whisper. "She's possessed."
"She's oppressed."
"What?" Semantics ... really? Now?
"I'll explain later," Loreen tells me and begins showering Courtney as she says the prayer to Saint Michael.
As if touched by molten lava, Courtney begins to twitch and squirm against the holy water, and then she collapses. Loreen continues to pray over her. I mean, Courtney's a bitch and all, but I don't want anything to happen to her just because she was trying to show me up.
While Courtney lies on the floor panting, I see the spirit of the Union soldier rise from her and stand tall, brushing at his uniform.
That was fun. I'll have to try it again.
"Like hell you will!" I say to him—and everyone.
He tips his hat to me and then is gone.
In the background, kids begin clapping, hooting, and hollering.
Sean Carmickle carefully shifts on his bum leg and says, "Man, that was better than last year when Josh Waters puked up green beans all over the place. You sure put on a helluva floorshow, Stephanie!"
The room erupts with laughter and more applause.
I know this show's not over. Not by a long shot.
***
"Here, sweetie, have some water," Miss Evelyn says to Courtney in the front parlor, away from everyone. Courtney seems completely out of it. "I couldn't reach your parents on their cells, so you'll spend the night here with us. We'll get you cleaned up and you can borrow some of Stephanie's pajamas."
Courtney takes the water and drinks it down, nodding obediently.
I can't believe she'd want to stay in this house after what happened. Not me, man. I'd get the hell out of here as fast as my feet—or Jason's Jeep—could carry me.
Over in the doorway, Loreen curls her index finger at me. "May I speak with you, Kendall?"
"Thanks for coming so quickly," I say, able to breathe easy for the first time in an hour. "I wasn't sure what to do."
Loreen's not amused though. "I can't believe you've allowed things to go this far in your feud with that girl."
My mouth drops open. "I had nothing to do with it, I swear. I was dancing and having a good time when I was told she had this séance going in the other room. Emily told me I had to stop her, and I did."
Her face softens. "Well, then ... I'm sorry."
Father Massimo comes into the room and goes to Miss Evelyn. They whisper with their heads bent together for a moment and then he checks on Courtney. She's more tired than anything else and doesn't seem to remember exactly what happened.
Crossing the room, Father Mass asks if I'm okay.
"Yeah. It was a little hairy there for a minute when I nearly got put in a headlock, but I managed. Emily told me I couldn't let Courtney continue because something bad was going to happen."
"Spirit possession?" he asks.
"Oppression," Loreen corrects. "It's when a spirit uses its powers in a cruel or unjust way, weighing down a human's body or mind for the spirit's own enjoyment or purpose."
"Do you normally sound like a dictionary?" Father Mass asks.
Loreen just levels her stare at him and almost dares him to doubt her.
"In any event," Father Mass says, turning away, "the young girl lost control of her own mind, body, and spirit."
"She invited it in," I say, although the adults seem to be more interested in duking it out between themselves.
"The girl has been trying to one-up Kendall by pretending to be psychic," Loreen explains to him. "I think the situation is more dire because there is now an entity involved who's using this girl as a tool for his enjoyment."
Father Mass's dark eyes settle on Loreen's face with curiosity. "And you are?"
Without faltering, she holds out her right hand. "Loreen Woods. I'm Kendall's mentor. And you are?"
Since he's wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans, it's hard to tell he's part of the clergy.
He takes her hand and shakes it politely. "I'm Father Massimo Castellano, from the Episcopal church."
Loreen seems slightly offended. "You brought your priest here too?" she asks me.
I have to literally choke back the snarky urge to say, I need a young priest and an old priest, á la The Exorcist. Not exactly the right time.
"I needed all the help I could get."
He continues, his eyes slicing up and down her. "Ahh ... so you're Loreen. I've heard a lot about you." Did he just check her out? I mean, I suppose she's cute in an older person way in her