The Summoning of Reverend Applegate
When Thomas arrived at the door out of breath, Mary was the one to answer the door. Lucia stepped up behind her, seeing Thomas as distressed as he was and dismissed the maid. Behind him, the rain bulleted at the ground. There was no horse, no carriage, and Thomas was soaked.
“Thomas, what is the matter? Are you sick? Come inside, out of the rain.” Lucia ushered Thomas inside and took his dripping coat. She handed it to Frank, the butler. Then, grasping Thomas’ shaking hand, she led him to the parlor room and sat him by the window, hoping what little sun peeked out from the clouds would warm him through the glass.
“I’ve done something terrible,” he said, his voice shaking like his hands. “Something very terrible. I shall be hung for my deeds!”
“No, Thomas. You mustn’t think that way. Tell me, what is it that happened?”
“I killed the boy.”
“Which boy?” she said, trying not to react.
Thomas leaned over, clutching at his hair. “The Hawthorne’s boy. Jim and Jennifer’s son. I strangled him with my own hands. He put up a fight, but I won. Oh, yes, I won in the end.”
“Thomas, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. Perhaps you hallucinated?”
“No.” Then he cried out, “God! Damn me! Damn me!” Sitting up again, he showed her his hands, his fingers splayed wide. “You see?”
“I see nothing,” she said. Lucia took his hands in hers, stroking them gently.
“You are not looking!” he hissed through his teeth. “Here,” he continued, flipping his hands over. “There is blood under the nails. Here, and here.”
“I’m sure it’s just dirt,” Lucia said. “Perhaps some clay from the river? You fish there, do you not?”
“It’s blood! Look at me, Lucia.” Thomas took her face between his hands. “It is my belief – my deep, true belief – that I am possessed.”
“You do not mean by –“
“I do! The Devil himself has possessed my soul. My very being is under his command.”
“Why is he not speaking now then? Why does he not act through you and prevent this confession?”
“How am I to know? I am no minister! I am a man of the sciences. But you know better than I know myself that I, under normal circumstances, would never murder a child!” Thomas doubled over in sobs. Within moments, he began choking, unable to breathe for his tears.
“Surely there is something we can do!” Lucia put her hand on his head, as she might a child.
“Exorcism is my only option, I suppose. Have you any other ideas?”
“If this is truly your infliction, I have none. Perhaps we ought to have a priest examine you first.”
“And he would go straight to exorcism after! I’ve heard the experience is painful.”
“I will be there the whole time, Thomas. I won’t leave you alone. I shall stand by your side and hold your hand, no matter how tightly you may grip it. I shall only leave if the minister requests my absence, and I do not expect he will.”
“I imagine it will get rather violent. I will get rather violent. I do not know what I am capable of under his power.” He laughed, disturbed. “Although I’ve an inkling, now that the Hawthorne boy is dead. God damn me to hell!”
“Hush, Thomas. We mustn’t be irrational. We must have as clear heads as we can manage if we are to defeat this predicament.”
“How is one rational under such circumstances as these? The very Devil resides in my body. He seeps through my pores and breathes my breath. Every morsel I eat goes to his up-keeping. Perhaps I ought to just—“
“No! We will have an exorcism performed. Tonight. Here, at Kimbley. From there we will decide the appropriate action. However, you are not to give up, you understand me, Thomas? You will not die by your own hand. Not so long as I have a say. I’m sure I can find plenty of reinforcement if my powers of a woman cannot convince or stop you.”
“Rotten, rotten man! I deserve the worst punishment possible!”
“Hush, Thomas! This is only Satan poisoning your mind! You must fight it. Be brave, Thomas. Be brave.”
“I can’t,” he sobbed. “You always were the brave one, sweet, dear Lucia. A very dear friend. I should not be burdening you with my troubles. I’m sorry. I’ll be going now.”
“Thomas, you sit down this instant! I am no better a human being than yourself. Do not deny it.”
“God must have sent Lucifer himself to punish me for being a man of science.”
“You go to mass every Sunday, do you not?”
“Well, yes, but—“
“And often to the midweek services?”
“Yes, however—“
“Then I see no problem. You may have your doubts, like any other good Christian man. This does not make you worthy of Satan’s wrath. You try and God cannot expect any more. Besides, he has no power over Satan. He could not possibly order him to torment you. Now come, we will go seek Reverend Applegate and request his services tonight. I understand exorcisms are best performed at midnight.”
“You are such a friend as I do not deserve – possessed or not, dear Lucia. You are quite an angel.”
“I assure you, I am not.”
“You cannot disagree, Lucia. If I am not as evil as I say, then you certainly are as good as you do not believe. Therefore you are infinitely good. You ought to marry a minister or some other good man. Be sure you do that, Lucia. Do that for me.”
“I do not suppose I will ever marry,” she said, pulling her cloak on over her dress clumsily. Then she opened the front door, inviting Thomas to move ahead of her with a sweep of her arm. “Now come along. Reverend Applegate eats dinner late, I understand, and I do not wish to interrupt his supper.”
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