by Amber Garza
“Maybe you’re right.”
“No maybe about it. This is different than last time, Kenzie. This time your mom has invited him in. And we both know she’s not going to ask him to leave. Besides, after all the things you’ve told me about her lately, I’m seriously concerned about her sanity.”
“Me too.”
“So you’ll call a pastor?”
“Yes sir,” I teased.
“And Kenzie, can you do one other thing for me?”
“Anything.”
“Can you please make some girlfriends? You’re killing me here with all this talk about Tanner.”
I chuckled. “Yes, I can do that.”
“I know you keep saying you two are just friends but I don’t believe a guy can hang out with someone as hot as you all the time and not develop feelings.”
Warmth spread from the top of my head to the tip of my toes at his sweet words. “Aww, thank you.”
“I mean it, I’m really kinda worried about it.” His voice was serious.
“You can trust me, Isaac.” Even as I said the words, I wondered if that was entirely true.
Haley didn’t go to school the whole week after her near death experience. The rumor mill worked overtime, though. Caleb and Ian weren’t at school either. Word was that they were arrested, but I didn’t know if that was true or not. In any case, I hoped they were facing big trouble.
On Saturday, exactly one week after the party, she showed up at my house.
“I came to say thank you,” Haley said. “For saving my life. The doctors said if you hadn’t shown up when you did I might not have made it.”
I threw my arms around her neck. “Oh Haley, I can’t imagine losing you.” The familiar scent of her apple shampoo brought tears to my eyes. I had missed her so much.
“Okay, okay, let go of me now. I’m still sore from having my stomach pumped.” She winced.
“I’m sorry.” I backed away, wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“Why did you do it?” Haley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her normally rosy cheeks were still pale.
“Do what?”
“Save me, after how awful I’ve treated you. I didn’t deserve it.”
I shrugged. “What are friends for?”
“I haven’t been a good friend to you, Kenzie. I’m sorry.”
“Okay, enough with the pity-party. I haven’t spent any time with my best friend in months. Finally she’s here and I’m ready to have fun. Soda, mint chip ice cream and one of those sappy romantic movies you love. What do you say?”
Haley smiled. “Do you still have a copy of The Notebook?”
“Yep.”
“Then I’m in.”
I smiled. “Okay, I’ll grab the sodas and ice cream and you put the movie in.” Racing into the kitchen, I felt happier than I had in a long time.
When I returned to the family room, Haley was gaping at the sculpture. “What is that thing?”
“It’s Mom’s. It’s a sculpture.”
“That is the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen. How can you stand it?”
“I can’t.” I shuddered and turned away from the sculptures evil gaze.
We sat together on the couch, staring at the television screen and stuffing ice cream into our mouths.
“So, what’s the scoop on you and Tanner?”
I blushed. “Nothing. We’re just friends.”
“Okay, seriously? I’m your best friend. I know you too well. You guys are totally into each other.”
I set down my spoon. “It’s just complicated, Hales. I mean, I’m still with Isaac and I love him. But Tanner and I have gotten really close. He’s been my only real friend…since…well…”
“Since I turned into a major witch.”
“You said it, not me.” I winked. “Hey, what about you? Are you still with Ian?”
“Are you kidding? After last weekend? You know, he drugged my drink, right?”
I thought of Tanner’s story and wondered if Drake was the one who sold him the drugs. Was that how he knew about the party and Haley?
“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry, Haley.”
“It’s okay. I’m pretty sure Caleb and Ian are going to get what they deserve.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I held up my can of coke and chugged it.
Haley giggled and did the same. When we came up for air, she looked at me. “You were right about Ian. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.”
“I’m sorry I was right. I was hoping he’d prove me wrong. You deserve a good guy, Hales.”
“Okay.” Haley held up her soda can. “Cheers to never choosing a boy over your girlfriend.”
“Cheers.” We clinked cans and then took a carbonated sip. Haley’s face grew serious. “You know, I saw something in the hospital.”
“What kind of something?”
“I don’t know. An angel, maybe. I know it sounds crazy, but there was this young man. He seemed inhuman. I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I can’t explain it. I’ve just never seen anyone like him. I think he brought me back.”
I nodded. “I don’t think you sound crazy.”
Haley giggled. “I knew you wouldn’t.”
Dramatic music swelled from the television set.
“So, do you believe then?”
Haley sighed. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I totally buy into all the spiritual stuff, but I know that the guy I saw was real.” She smiled. “I’m really sorry about teasing you, Kenzie. I never should have doubted you. People should be allowed to believe in whatever they want. And if you think you saw a demon, who am I to question that?”
The door swung open and Mom walked in, interrupting our moment. She wore skinny jeans, high black boots and a skin tight shirt. Her hair was pulled tightly back in a bun. I had never seen her wear that outfit, let alone a bun in her hair. In fact, I wondered how she’d even gotten all her unruly curls to cooperate long enough to stuff them into a knot. She reeked of hair-dye and lotion. At least that was familiar.
“So, you two kissed and made up, huh?” She closed the door and stepped further into the room.
“Nice to see you too, Ms. Smith.”
“Don’t Ms. Smith me, darling. I’m not old. Call me Josie.”
Haley looked perplexed. She’d been calling my mom Ms. Smith since seventh grade.
“Mom, cool it.”
“Whatever, I don’t need to take this crap.” Mom swiveled on her heels and left the room.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“What was that about?” Haley asked.
“Who knows. She’s been acting so weird lately.”
“I’ll say. Normally, you’ve got the cool Mom.”
“I know.”
“Is she still with that rich dude?”
I nodded.
“Well, maybe that’s why she’s acting and dressing different. To impress him.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
The couple on the television were locked in a passionate kiss. What was left of the ice cream was melting onto the coffee table, leaving behind sticky lime green trails like snail tracks.
“I better put this away.” I carried the dripping carton into the kitchen, all the while mulling over what Haley had said. Maybe she was right. Maybe Mom was just doing all this stuff for Drakes’ sake. Of course, that didn’t explain the sleepwalking.
Haley and I finished the movie and then sat and gabbed for awhile. It was just like old times. The sun was setting and the sky was awash in a soft salmon color. Haley stretched her legs out in front of her.
“I better get going. This was so much fun.”
Mom’s bedroom door opened and her footsteps sounded on the carpet. I turned around and did a double take. She was wearing one of her signature leopard print outfits, and her hair was down and frizzy again. At least she looked like her old self.
“Haley, I didn’t know you were here. So great to see you two hanging out again.”
Huh? I furrowed my brows in confusion.
“Uh…”Haley threw me a perplexed look. “Thanks, Josie. I’ve had a great time.”
Mom’s chin dropped. “Josie? So now that you’re a big senior, you’ve stopped calling me Ms. Smith?” She shook her head and chuckled. “It’s okay. I remember when I was your age. I thought I was so grown up.”
As Mom made her way into the kitchen, Haley looked at me and said, “What was that about?”
“I swear, it’s like she’s got two personalities lately.”
“Or maybe she’s possessed like that girl in the exorcist movie. Have you ever seen that? It’s totally freaky?”
“Do you really think she’s demon possessed?”
“Of course not. I was just making a joke.” Haley grinned.
I thought about what Haley had said. This whole time I thought Mom was suffering from some sort of mental instability, but maybe this was something else entirely.
When I awoke Mom was in my room. She was rifling through stuff on my dresser. I blinked and took a peek at my alarm clock. It was one thirty in the morning. What was Mom looking for in the middle of the night.
“Mom?” I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. In the darkness, I could barely make her out. She didn’t respond, but she threw something on the floor. It landed with a thud.
“Mom?” I stood up and moved toward her. My Bible and journal lay on the ground. When I got to her I could see she was sleepwalking again. Her eyes were glazed over, and her mouth moved in that unintelligible chant. In her hand she gripped something so tight her knuckles whitened from the effort.
I flipped on the wall switch, bathing the room in soft yellow light. Mom still wake up. Holding my arm out, I gently tapped her on the shoulder.
“Mom, wake up,” I said in a soft voice, trying not to startle her.
She still held that far away look and stared right through me. A chill snaked up my spine. Okay, enough was enough. I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.
“Mom, you need to wake up.”
She blinked and then gasped for air. Her head swiveled back and forth, taking in my room. “Oh, what am I doing in here?”
“I think you were sleepwalking, Mom.”
She shook her head, irritated. “No, I don’t do that anymore. Haven’t for years.” She held her hand in front of her, balled in a fist. Something gold protruded from it.
“What’s in your hand?”
She opened it, revealing my cross necklace. Why did she have that? I reached for it but she closed her fist back up, hiding it inside her palm.
“Can I please have it back?”
She looked down, seeming to be confused by her own actions. She dropped the necklace back down on the dresser and turned around.
“Good night, Kenzie. Sleep tight.”
When she left the room, I snatched up the necklace and fastened it securely to my neck.
Chapter Twenty
It was getting close to Thanksgiving, which was super depressing because holidays at my house were bleak and lonely. It would be even worse this year because I was pretty positive Drake would be joining us. He hadn’t been around very much since the night of Haley’s incident, but I knew Mom was still seeing him. She was out almost every night.
Her mood swings were worsening and I tried to avoid her at all costs. I shared my concerns with Tanner and he agreed with Isaac that we should tell our pastor. Only I was worried he’d want to intervene and that would only make matters worse between Mom and me. I was definitely treading on a fine line.
On the brighter side of things, Haley had joined my group of misfit friends. It was fun to share jokes with her about Rick and Janna’s PDA at lunch. She also got along well with Tanner, but she did keep insisting that we liked each other.
I think Isaac was happy Haley was back in my life now too, despite his earlier warning about her. He was just glad I wasn’t spending all my time with Tanner anymore.
It was Friday evening and I sat in my room doing math homework, which was about my least favorite thing in the world. However, I had no plans that night, so I decided to get all my homework done that way I would have all Thanksgiving week to do whatever I wanted. As I erased the same problem for about the hundredth time, I heard the front door open and close. Footsteps neared my door.
“Mom?” I called out.
No response came.
I dropped my pencil. “Mom?”
It rolled off the desk and fell on to the carpet.
“Mom?” Barely breathing, I listened for a reply. I stood up and walked toward my doorway. The door was already open so I peeked out into the hallway.
I gasped. Mom was standing in the middle of the hallway looking lost.
“Mom?”
She blinked, staring at me.
“Are you okay?”
Still, she just stared. Then a slow smile spread across her face. Her head cocked to one side and she appraised me. “Scared you, didn’t I?”
I narrowed my eyes. Something was off. Mom didn’t play pranks like that and her voice was all wrong. Her eyes looked different too. They were too dark and the pupils were enlarged. Not to mention the fact that she was wearing an all black outfit I’d never seen, and her hair was pulled back in that sleek bun again. If I didn’t know better, I would say this woman, wearing my mom’s face and body, wasn’t my mom.
“What are you doing out in the hallway?”
She looked at me for a moment as if in deep thought. Then, like the flipping of a light switch, she turned on a smile. “I was looking for an earring I dropped.”
Her ears were bare. Another thing that was off. Mom always wore an abundance of costume jewelry. “But you’re not wearing any earrings.”
“I know, because I dropped them.” She let out an exasperated laugh, and bent down to look.
“Okay, well, good luck. I’m going to finish my homework.” I slipped back into my room and closed the door safely behind me, wishing I had a lock on it. That woman was not my mom. I was sure of it. The certainty of it terrified me deep into my bones. I made a beeline for my cell phone. Snatching it up, I dialed the familiar numbers.
Pick up, pick up, pick up.
I let out an audible groan when Isaac’s voice mail clicked on. Taking a deep breath, I hung up and dialed the next person on my list. Tanner picked up on the first ring. I walked to the far wall of my room and whispered, hoping that the lady in the living room, couldn’t hear me.
“Tanner, remember when I told you my suspicions about Mom being possessed?”
“Yeah?” His voice was laced with uncertainty.
“It’s more than a suspicion now.”
“What happened?”
“I can’t explain it. I just know she isn’t herself. She’s acting so different. Even her voice and eyes are all wrong.” A knot formed in my throat and I choked on it.
“Are you okay? She didn’t hurt you, did she?”
“No, but I wouldn’t put it past her at this point.” I remembered the night she spewed vicious words at me. I had finally shared the details of that night with Tanner just the other day. At the time, it was so difficult to get the words out but now I was glad I had. He needed to know what I was dealing with if he wanted to help me. And right now, I was desperate for his help.
“Kenzie, you need to get out of there right now.”
My heart raced. I reached for my tennis shoes.
“Get to the church and find a pastor.”
I froze. “Would he be at the church this late?”
“Yeah, I remember reading in the bulletin that there was some men’s thing tonight.”
“Okay, but do you really think I need a pastor? I mean, I have the Holy Spirit too, right? Shouldn’t I be able fight whatever evil has taken over my mom?”
“This is serious, Kenzie. You have no idea what you’re dealing with here. Besides, you shouldn’t walk into a situation like this alone. I’m pretty sure there’s something in the Bible about that. A pastor will know wha
t to do.”
He was right. Isaac had said the same thing to me before. I needed to listen to them.
I tied my shoes, and stood up. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Leave right now and call me when you get to the church. I’ll meet you there.”
I hung up, stuck my phone in my pocket and grabbed my jacket. When I swung open my bedroom door, I glanced around the hallway but Mom was nowhere to be seen. I breathed a sigh of relief and took a step forward.
“Where are you going?” She stood at the end of the hallway, blocking my way into the family room. Her voice was even deeper than before. She hadn’t changed her clothes or hair. Her eyes were like giant black beads stuck to her face. My stomach dropped.
“Just out, Mom. I’ll be back soon.” My voice shook despite my best efforts to sound normal.
“I’m sorry but I can’t let you do that.” She narrowed her black eyes at me.
“Why not? I’m just meeting a friend,” I lied.
Mom walked toward me, her eyes now turning a fiery red. “Do you think I’m stupid. I know where you’re going. I know you’re going to try to get rid of me.”
I swallowed hard and took a step backwards.
“But it’s not going to work this time.” Mom opened her mouth and let out a bone chilling cackle. “Why do you look so scared, Kenzie. Aren’t you happy to see me again?”
“W-w-wesley?”
“In the flesh. Literally.” He laughed again. “Did you really think you’d gotten rid of me for good. You should know better, you naïve girl. I’m more powerful than you think.”
I reached for my cross necklace and gripped it tightly.
“Even He can’t save you this time,” Wesley hissed. “This time you’re not the one in control. Your mom invited me here. In fact, she’s the reason I was in your life to begin with. After the rape, your mom was in so much pain and anguish. Bitterness took over. She turned to me for comfort and I was happy to oblige.”
I thought of what Carol said about my mom sleepwalking after I was born. Was Wesley controlling her then too?
“Then, after you so rudely dismissed me on the bridge, your mom invited me in again. With the help of one of my friends, of course.” He neared me, his eyes turning so red they resembled blood. Mom was looking more and more like him every second. He smelled like fire. An icy chill blanketed me and I shivered.
