When the priest leaves, I talk to the demon living under my skin. I speak into the holy-watered dark.

I say, "That guy was an asshole."

I tell her she can stay as long as she likes. I tell her not to worry, God is on our side. I tell her she was a child once. I tell her that the very people who created her are trying to cast her out. I tell her that I would rather die than have never met her. I tell her we were meant to be. I tell her to watch the scene in Goodwill Hunting when Robin Williams tells Matt Damon it wasn't his fault. I tell her to watch it again. I tell her that she scares people because the truth is scary. I tell her she scares me too, that I am scared of the truth too. I tell her that I love her. I tell her that, someday, people will say that this is a beautiful story. I tell her they just need to see the ending to understand that it was beautiful from the beginning. I tell her that I'm listening, whenever she's ready to speak. I tell her I'll wait for as long as it takes, that I'm here, arms open, hands burning.


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