Bare Bones Read Online Free PDF Page A

but even if nothing came of it, Exorcism in Canton would make a better story than Family Drama in Canton.
    Father Bernard raised his eyebrows. “But there’s no indication that demonic possession is in play here. I honestly believe with a month or two of weekly counselling sessions, Amanda and Bradley can resolve their differences.”
    “I think Amanda might be able to accept that and be more receptive to group counselling if she could put these ideas of demonic possession to rest.”
    Janice was good. Really good. Next time I had to go before the Elders, I was taking her. The woman could negotiate like a boss when there was something she wanted.
    The priest thought for a second and nodded. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. Amanda, would that satisfy you? Will you agree to let your brother have space to grow and change if I can show you he’s not possessed by a demon?”
    The sister hesitated then nodded. “Yes. I’ll even start buying burgers if you can guarantee that he’s truly my brother and not some monster that’s taken over his body.”
    “Then let’s proceed.” Father Bernard walked over to his bag and began removing supplies.
    Bradley exploded in anger. “No. There’s no way I’m standing here while this guy throws holy water at me. This whole thing is stupid.”
    “But it will get you to your job interview in time,” I interjected. “And it will get your sister off of your back. Ten minutes, tops. Splash some holy water, say a few words in Latin, and you’ll be on your way.”
    Janice turned to Amanda. “This is going to satisfy you, right? If Father Bernard does the exorcism and no demon comes flying out of your brother, will you admit that this is Bradley and not some doppelganger?”
    Amanda swallowed hard a few times and nodded. “Yes, I’ll admit I was wrong.”
    “Fine.” Bradley threw his hands outward in exasperation. “What do I do? Let’s get this over with so I can get out of here.”
    The priest asked him to lay down on the bed, shifting the backpack to the floor. Then Bradley closed his eyes and placed his hands on his chest as Father Bernard began chanting, and flicking him with water. I looked at my phone and moved out of the doorway, my foot hitting the backpack. It squished slightly like it was crammed full of sopping wet clothing or Jell-O or something. Yuck. What the heck did he have in there? I grimaced, wondering briefly if there was more bloody clothing in the bag. Was it really a job interview that Bradley was so desperate to get to, or was he involved in a little extracurricular illegal activities? If he’d pissed off his supplier, then that would have explained the beating and the blood, although not the remarkable healing abilities he seemingly possessed.
    The holy water was flying thick and fast by this point, making me think it was a good thing the white plush carpeting had ended in the hallway, and that Bradley had hardwood floors in his bedroom that matched the oak furniture.
    “I’m going to need to change my clothing,” Bradley complained. “Probably throw the bedding in the dryer, too. Can’t you use less of that stuff?”
    The priest ignored him and continued. I’d never been to an exorcism before, but this certainly didn’t seem to bear any resemblance to the ones I’d read about. There was no screaming. Bradley’s body remained on the bed instead of levitating above it. I’d hoped for at least a few vehement phrases in arcane languages, but no. Bradley just lay on the bed, complaining. Janice, and Amanda, were going to be disappointed, because I got the feeling that Bradley had most definitely not been taken over by a demon.
    The priest evidently had reached the same conclusion. He stepped back, shaking his head as he put the leafy sprig and water back in his bag. “He’s not possessed. Will you now believe, as he said, he’s just become motivated to get a job and do his own laundry, and decided to eat meat?”
    Bradley snorted, flicking holy