Page 9 of Heal Me

“Mom owns a bakery in Germantown,” I explain.

“Please tell me you deliver to the metro Memphis area,” she says as she finishes the croissant.

“For you, I’ll deliver to Memphis. One more gift,” Mom says, pulling a pink keychain out of her tote bag. Aubry has a confused look on her face.

“Pepper spray,” Mom explains.

“She gave me one too,” I say. Mom gives me a worried look. “Mom, I’m okay. Go,” I say kindly but firmly.

“Alright, baby girl. I’m going. You call me as soon as you get home from class.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a hug. Mom turns to Aubry and pulls her in for another hug, and then reluctantly leaves.

“How are you feeling?” Aubry delicately asks when we’re alone. She offers me a croissant, but I shake my head no.

“My mom has been feeding me round the clock. Her way of trying to help,” I explain.

“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here for you,” Aubry says.

“Thank you.” I pause, fiddling with my sleeve. “I’m seeing a trauma therapist. That’s the only way my mom would even consider not dragging me back home with her.” I’m not sure why I’m telling a stranger all of this, but something about Aubry makes me feel that I can trust her. But should I trust a woman who’s possessed by a demon? “I know it wasn’t luck that got us out of Brad’s basement alive,” I tell her, but now I’m starting to question it. Was it all a fever dream? A hallucination? No. As crazy as it sounds, I know what I saw.

“Whatever you want to call it, the guy had a break with reality and I was able to talk him into cutting me loose,” she easily replies. “Luckily, he had a cell phone.”

“Bullshit,” I announce, startling her. “I was drifting in and out, but I was awake when your demon tricked Brad. I heard the whole thing.” I pause. “So you’re possessed?”

“Yes,” she shrugs. Her admission came easier than I thought it would.

“Why aren’t you climbing on the ceiling or puking green slime?”

“The Exorcist?”

“Well, yes, that’s really the extent of my demonic knowledge. That movie was terrifying,” I admit.

“That’s why I didn’t watch it,” Aubry says with a shudder.

“But you want this demon to leave?” I assume so, but then again, she seems perfectly fine being possessed.

“My name is Damion,” the demon interjects from her mouth.

I’m sure my eyes go wide but I compose myself. “And Damion, I also owe you a thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he says.

“Charlotte, to answer your question, I’m ready for Damion to leave,” Aubry says, now with her own voice. “He’s worn out his welcome,” she says with attitude, crossing her arms.

“I’m a healer,” I say timidly. I’ve never told anyone I can feel energy with my hands, and again, I’m not sure why I’m telling her now. But I hear myself ask, “May I see if I can help?”

“I’m game.” Aubry locks the shop’s door and I instruct her to lie on the couch. Running my hands about an inch from her body, I start at her crown chakra and work my way down to her feet, and then back up a few passes, dispersing any stagnant energy along the way. “That’s surprising. I assumed your energy centers would be completely turned upside down. You did have some unusual energy around your head, but maybe that’s just because you’ve got someone else in there with you. But overall, I got the feeling your energy and Damion’s energy fit nicely together.”

“Thanks for giving it a shot,” Aubry says, a faraway look in her eyes.

“How did you come to be possessed?” I blurt out.

“It’s a long story. Hey, our circle is meeting in a few days to try and help release Damion. Would you like to join us? It’s a full moon and my aunt, grandma, and the three other witches in our circle are going to perform a ritual.”

“I’m not a witch,” I say automatically, but then wonder for a split second why I couldn’t be?

“You just used some pretty nifty magic on me,” she points out. “Why don’t you come and just hang out? And then if you want to participate with us, you’re more than welcome to.”

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