.possession
a very short story
The ghost could get into anyone in the village at will, though he never stayed in one body for long. Everyone knew whoever it was that, quote unquote, had the ghost, because all it made people do was cry out in pain. No words. The possessed sounded more like wounded animals than people. Wherever they were, and it was usually still in bed, that’s all they would do. It had started long enough ago that no one in the village remembered when, or why. At least the ghost only showed up once a week, always on tuesday mornings, for whatever reason, and by noon he’s gone.
Last tuesday it was Celina again. Before there was even light outside, she was already having a fit, and waking up the village. She was so happy telling everyone her daughter and son in law were coming to live with her. But since then, the ghost pesters her more often than anybody. For months now she got the ghost at least two tuesdays every month. That was rare enough, but last week made it three tuesdays in a row, poor thing, and no one in the village remembers it happening to anyone else, ever, in all those years the ghost has been haunting the village. And then, also for the first time, and more alarmingly, thursday too. And then again friday.
Soon it would be pentecost, and it coincided with the feast of the village’s patron saint, so it was a very big deal. The ghosts obsession with Celina was thus very inconvenient, not only for her, but for everyone in the village, seeing as the poor woman is the only one who plays the organ.
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Do you think he’ll come again tomorrow Lina…, Don’t frighten her Olga, you’ll jinx it…, Just making conversation, don’t you want to have music for the service, or are you going to play the organ Irene…. Celina, do you think you can teach Irene here a few tunes for tomorrow…, Just shell your peas woman and spare us your little jokes… and let Celina be, she has enough on her plate.
Olga went quiet, but not for long. Have you tried singing to it, Singing to what…, To the ghost, What, Singing…, What are you on about Olga, Just let her answer, No… I never tried it… have you, Yes, And what do you sing, Whatever comes to mind, And what happens, It calms him down and then he goes away faster, Damn it Olga… how long have you known this, A few years, What… why didn’t you ever tell anyone, Just never thought of it, Don’t I always say you’re going senile, It takes one to know one, Ah, But why don’t you try it Lina, it’s worth a shot, Ok… but I’d rather he’d not come at all.
You know what I noticed… your daughter and son in law, they haven’t yet been possessed by the ghost, They’re too young, the ghost only pesters us old folks, not even the priest, and he’s only young compared to us, It’s probably because he’s a man of god, He’s a drunk is what he is, A drunk can be a man of god, he’s a good drunk… I much prefer him to the last priest, he was so gloomy all the time, always hell hell hell sin sin sin, Yes, the ghost really liked to mess with him, but anyway Olga’s grandson stays here all summer and he’s never been possessed either, That’s true.
What I’m really worried about is that when Celeste goes into labor I’ll have the ghost, and won’t be able to help her, Don’t think about it Lina, she’s got her husband, and the ghost always goes away, Yes, but sometimes when he leaves, the person is gone.
Ladies, Oh hello father, Hello… how are you doing Celina, the ghost was terrible this morning huh, Yes he was father, but I’m fine now, thanks for asking, Do you think you’ll be able to play tomorrow…, Yes… well… I hope so, Me too, me too… I tell you… maybe the two things are related, What two things, The ghost and the music, What, How so father…, Well dears wouldn’t you say that Celina here plays beautifully, that when her fingers touch the keys it’s like a spirit has possessed her and flows through her out of the pipes… well then, what difference is there between a spirit and a ghost, they’re the same thing are they not, and maybe Celina here attracts ghosts better than most, Then won’t you give her an exorcism father, at least for the one that makes her scream like a maniac, No, no, I’m no exorcist… and this is not a demon, just a ghost, What’s the difference again father, Who knows… talk to you later ladies. He’s drunk again.
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Before the sun was up, everyone woke up to her daughter’s screams. It wasn’t the ghost, Celeste was giving birth. Celina asked God to be spared that morning so she could be there for her daughter, and God was merciful. But soon she regretted the request. When the baby boy was born, the ghost was inside him. It was unmistakable. The newborn cried out in distress and kept crying even as he was placed in his mother’s arms. But then Celina remembered, Try singing to him honey, and soon the baby was asleep.
