Melinda thrashed around on the kitchen table as Mama Freeman tried to hold her down, but her bones were so tired.
Inez and Alex hurried in through the trailer’s rickety door.
“Alex, why you bring Inez? She gotta baby in the oven! You want a spirit takin’ ya baby’s body for themself?”
“You said bring somebody who could help. Inez can help!” Alex shouted.
Melinda’s kind eyes had been replaced with crazed white balls that flickered darkness.
“What’s happened to my sister, Mama Freeman?” Inez asked, keeping fair distance.
“She asked for too much, child. That’s what. This baby got too deep.”
Inez knew Melinda’s mental health had been slipping and she told her to be careful delving too deep into her spiritual exploration—that’s where the mind likes to give up all control.
“Inez, you need to call Madame Papillion. She can help. She’ll save her!”
“I’m not calling that whore!”
“You will if you want ya sister back.”
With anger in her heart, Inez picked up the phone off the kitchen wall and dialed the emergency number.