by G. F. Frost
He sat quietly as Massey talked. She started the conversation out by asking him to let her say all she had to say before jumping in with explanations. Theo agreed. She knew his years of classes on developing communication skills would allow her to finish her story without interruption, but she also knew that his training in critical thinking would push him to try to find an answer to every episode she related. Having an oil executive for a husband, she had learned to expect many of his reactions in life to come from his training. She would deal with that later.
Massey realized that each incident sounded more outrageous and unbelievable than the last. Theo’s eyes and facial expressions would change from time to time within the conversation to let her know he was thinking of each situation. He looked a bit surprised when she told him of Father Patrick’s nights at the house and even more surprised when he discovered the priest had experienced unusual happenings himself. Massey spoke as quickly as she could, afraid that Theo would jump in at any time and cause her to lose her train of thought. He didn’t.
At one point, Theo leaned back in his chair as though in deep thought. She knew that he was trying to rationalize the situation. Over an hour had passed by the time Massey finished telling him everything she could remember. Her little leather notebook lay in her lap, opened on the last notes. She chose to leave out last night’s dream.
Theo looked at the floor as if deciding how to respond. He stood, walked to the mantel of the parlor fireplace, and looked at the picture. Massey followed him and reached for the pair of baby stockings. She handed them to him, and he hesitated. She knew how Theo loved babies, and his reaction surprised her. It was as though he didn’t want to touch them, but he did. He allowed Massey to place the tiny soft booties in his large hand. He looked down at them sadly and taking the index finger of his left hand, rubbed it across them. He placed them back on the mantel and turned to his wife.
“Okay, that’s a lot to take in, and I don’t want you to feel that I don’t believe you and the good Father, but I’ll give it a lot of thought, and we will get to the bottom of it all,” Theo said in a bit of a business voice.
Massey felt relieved. She had gotten it out, at least. Now she knew she had to sit and listen to his opinion, and it would be a bit hard to swallow, but so be it. She was surprised. She knew Theo was the type that would have to have a ghost fly straight up his ass before he would admit to the remote possibility of the existence of such a thing, but he didn’t belittle her experiences in the least. Maybe that was part of his training in communication too, but she was relieved.
“Why don’t we sit on all this for a bit, honey? We’ll be busy with the Thanksgiving thing, and then we’ll take it from there. You’ve had a lot on you with the new house and my being gone. There are a lot of old things lying around this place that could influence anyone. I’ll take it all in, and if you want to discuss anything else, feel free. I’m here, and I’ll listen to whatever you have to say. I think you may need to let things lie a while now, and we’ll see what happens. In the meantime, stay busy with the party plans and get out more. You need to spend more time around other people. This place can get to feel a bit secluded. We’ll work it all out, dear.” Theo was trying to sound as understanding as possible. He knew how touchy Massey could be on subjects that she felt strongly about.
Massey looked at him, nodded, and then shrugged her shoulders. She had told him, that’s all she could do. She felt as if he was discussing a business issue at work, but she tried not to take it personally. At least he didn’t try to tell her that it was all in her head. That would have been bad. Even if Theo didn’t believe her, she knew Father Patrick did. She had told Theo everything she could and she felt a little better.
“I’m going to meet Mister Grant in a few minutes to have him take care of the leaves around the barn. Do you want to take a stroll around the property with me before he gets here?” Theo asked.
Massey took him by the hand and they walked through the yard past the cemetery towards the barn. She glanced back at the tombstone. She felt a bit of pride thinking how things seemed to look right now with the two back in place. Theo smiled as he caught her looking over her shoulder. They walked around the barn and discussed a few repairs needed here and there. Theo kicked at the high ruts made in the barn floor by Father Patrick’s car. He didn’t say anything though. Massey climbed up on the seat of the rusty tractor and watched as Theo thumbed through the boxes of old tools.
“Wonder if any of these old things are worth anything?” Theo asked as he pulled a crusty pair of pruning shears from a crate. Massey shrugged.
“Oh, my gosh, the attic!” Massey screamed.
Theo watched as she jumped from the old machine and started into the house.
“What about it?” Theo yelled as Massey darted out.
Just as she was about to enter the house, Mister Grant’s old truck plodded down the graveled drive. Massey stopped to give him a wave. She noticed Father Patrick’s car pulling up not far behind. The two greeted each other on the drive, but Massey could not hear what they were saying. Theo came out of the barn and approached them. Massey knew that she had better be there when Father Patrick spoke to Theo.
“Hey, Padre, how’s life treating you on this fine fall day?” Theo asked courteously reaching out his hand towards the priest.
Father Patrick returned the gesture. He seemed a bit uncomfortable, but managed to smile and stand there as Theo gave instructions to Mister Grant. From time to time Father Patrick would glance at Massey and look towards the house. Massey knew what he had on his mind. She didn’t know how Theo would like it. Walking towards the three men, Massey reached her hand out to the priest. He took her hand in his and placed his other hand on top of hers. She felt that he was trying to let her know that he was back and ready for business. She smiled.
As Theo walked with Mister Grant to the barn, he looked back at Massey and Father Patrick. He knew there was something going on.
“I’m ready to perform the blessing today, Massey. Did you tell Theo about the last two weeks?” he asked as she followed him back to his vehicle.
“I did. He didn’t have much to say. I didn’t tell him about the blessing though,” she said as she watched him pull a large black bag from the front seat.
“Well, we’re going to tell him now,” Father Patrick said as he walked towards the barn.
Massey walked quickly beside Father Patrick and got to Theo before the priest.
“Can I talk to you?” Massey said pulling Theo towards the barn door.
Theo looked down at her hand on his arm. He followed her outside and stood in front of Father Patrick.
“Father is going to bless the house,” Massey blurted.
Theo smiled at Father Patrick and then at his wife. She was standing beside him holding her hands together as if she were a child awaiting punishment. Her eyes were wide and pleading.
“Well, I think that’s a great idea!” Theo responded.
“It will probably take care of everything,” he said as he winked at Father Patrick.
Massey looked at Theo as if she wanted to slap him, then she turned and walked to the house. Father Patrick felt uneasy. He knew Theo was humoring them and he felt as humiliated as Massey. Without a word, he turned and followed her inside. Theo realized his insult and felt that he shouldn‘t have reacted that way. He didn’t like having to apologize or excuse himself, ever. He always tried to avoid placing himself in a situation where he had to. He’d have to think it over and handle the situation with kid gloves from now on. He didn’t like it. He didn’t like it at all.
Chapter Fifteen
Massey stood in the large dining room silently watching as Father Patrick opened his small black leather bag on the dining table. He took out a book of prayers, a bible, and a plastic bottle and sat them on the table. He reached in, pulled a silver crucifix from deep within the bag, and turned to Massey. She didn’t say a word as he raised the icon toward her. She walked to the priest and took
it without questioning.
“This isn’t going to be weird, is it?” she asked. “I don’t want something out of The Exorcist going on around here. It would be too scary. I do have to live in this house,” Massey said as she looked down at the crucifix.
“It won’t be weird at all,” Father Patrick replied as he reached down and pulled the cross from off his chest, kissing it.
“We’re going to do the basic house blessing. It’s done every day in buildings around the world,” he said as he walked into the foyer.
Massey hesitated. For the first time, the black slacks and shirt with its brighter than white plastic collar seemed obviously religious to her. Even though she had been in the Catholic Church her entire life, she had always felt comfortable and never intimidated by the clergy and nuns. Today, for the first time, she saw Father Patrick as a real priest. She remembered the respect and awe that her grandparents showed when in the presence of men and women of the Church, but her generation had never subscribed to that. Her generation knew a different, more relaxed relationship with all aspects of Catholicism. She felt a chill as she looked at him.
Father Patrick handed Massey photocopied pages that he had taken from a file in his bag. She looked at them.
“I will need you to read over them, and you will have to say your part,” he said as he opened a small, thick black book.
“I really hoped Theo would join us. There is always strength in numbers. Plus, he lives here with you and is as important as you are in influencing the mood of these surroundings. He is the head of the house, so to speak,” Father Patrick said.
“I don’t know if he’ll be up for it,” Massey replied. “Do you want me to go and ask him?”.
Father Patrick thought for a moment before answering her.
“I understand what you mean. We will start without him for now,” he said.
“We’ll start here in the foyer since it is the main entry to the house. If you have any questions, just feel free to stop and ask. I’ll try to guide you along, but the pages are pretty self-explanatory. I want you to be the leader of this house blessing. You will have most of the reading to do. I will be sprinkling Holy Water along the doorways, windows, and corners as you read. I will make responses and we will do the prayer together. It isn’t difficult, but we should cover every room from the entry to the cellar and attic, the bathrooms, bedroom, kitchen, everything. Okay?” Father Patrick didn’t take his eyes from her as he spoke.
“Are you ready?” Do you have any questions?” he asked.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s get this going,” Massey said as she looked down at the pages.
Both of them made the sign of the cross across their chests and it began:
“Peace is with this house and with all who live here. Blessed be the name of the Lord,” Massey said.
They both replied, “Amen.”
Massey read:
“When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. Now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, and comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.”
Father Patrick continued with a reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians:
“You are God’s chosen race, his saints. He loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God; and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is the word of the Lord.”
“Thanks be to God,” they both responded.
At the entrance, Massey began to read as Father Patrick sprinkled the door and windows.
“O God, protect our going out and our coming in. Let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us, that those who enter here may know your love and peace. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
In the living room:
“O God, give your blessings to all who share this room, that we may be knit together in companionship. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
In the kitchen:
“O God, you fill the hungry with good things. Send your blessing on us, as we work in this kitchen, and make us ever thankful for our daily bread. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
In the dining room:
“Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, for you give us food and drink too. Sustain our lives and make our hearts glad. Help us to be grateful for all your mercies, and mindful of the needs of others. Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen.”
In the guest bedrooms, Massey read:
“Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his peace.”
“Amen.”
As Father Patrick led Massey into her bedroom, the air throughout the house became cold. Massey looked at him as if to see if he noticed anything. He paused before entering the room. He was feeling it too. He stepped into the room and looked around. The windows in the room began to rattle. Massey locked eyes with the priest. As he raised his cross to the center of the room, the windows began to rattle harder and the large antique mirror in the corner began to bounce along the floorboards.
Father Patrick and Massey froze. The mirror rocked violently back and forth. The windows began to bang open and closed loudly. Massey threw her hands up to her ears, dropping the pages and crucifix to the floor. The mirror spun around on its feet and flew towards Massey. She fell to the floor as Father Patrick flung himself over her. The mirror struck him in the side and they both screamed. Suddenly, Theo appeared in the doorway.
He ran to the couple hunched on the floor. Pulling at the mirror, he threw it from them and pulled Father Patrick to his feet. Massey was still huddled in a ball on the bedroom rug. Theo looked around the room and watched stunned as the windows flung open and closed. The lights and lamps began to flicker on and off and the television blared the news at them.
Massey began to gather up the pages as Father Patrick began to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Theo bent to help his wife with the pages.
“Read, Theo, read!” Massey screamed.
Theo looked confused at her as he tried to move her from the room. She tore herself away from him and pushed the pages towards him. Grabbing Massey by the arm, Theo began to read with her.
“Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep, we may rest in his peace.”
“Amen.”
Father Patrick was still reciting the Lord’s Prayer. His voice was loud and angry.
There was a loud roaring wind blowing through the room. As Father Patrick finished the prayer, silence came. Massey fell into Theo’s arms and began to sob. Father Patrick stood staring at the couple.
“We cannot stop. We cannot stop now. Do not allow this to sway us from the blessing!” Father Patrick’s voice sounded strong and sure.
Massey led Theo out of the room behind Father Patrick. Theo was walking as if he was a robot. He could not believe what he had just seen, but said nothing.
Without a pause, Father Patrick led them into the bathroom. Massey could hear Jenkins barking in the foyer. Except for
the sound of the dog, there was total silence throughout the house.
Father Patrick nodded to Massey. In the bathroom, Massey’s shaky voice began to read:
“Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. You formed us in wisdom and love.
Refresh us in body and in spirit, and keep us in good health that we might serve you.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.”
“Amen,” all three of them replied.
Father Patrick, Theo, and Massey returned to the starting place in the foyer. The three had run down the stairs, Theo checking constantly to see if anything was behind them.
Each of them kissed the cross Massey held before she put it in a permanent place of honor on the wall of the foyer.
They began to recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Massey began to read:
“Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we are away, and our welcome guest when we return, and at last receive us into the dwelling place you have prepared for us in your Father’s house, where you live forever and ever.”
“Amen.”
They made the sign of the cross as Massey read:
“May the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and may the word of Christ in all its richness dwell in us, so that whatever we do in word and in work, we will do in the name of the Lord.”
They all replied, “Amen.”
Father Patrick took the holy water and rubbed it onto Theo and Massey’s head.
Massey made the sign of the cross as her sobs became more hysterical. Theo held her closely. His entire body was shaking as he held her. She could feel his heart beating wildly under his shirt.
“Now we have to go to the cemetery,” Father Patrick said as he walked to the front door.
Theo stood with his arm around the weeping Massey on the veranda as Father Patrick walked steadily towards the graveyard.
“Wait, Father. Wait! You have got to wait. What the hell is going on? Come back here now!” Theo was yelling to Father Patrick.
“Come on, Theo. Just do what he says, please!” Massey sounded desperate.
Theo still had a look of total shock and disbelief on his face. He stood on the veranda and watched, not knowing what to do. He looked back at the house as he stepped down onto the yard. Jenkins had run under the porch and was whining.
