In My Sister's Shadow by Tiana Laveen

she tried to make him see, make him understand. “I knew it was her, right after you told me what happened, but I didn’t want to get you more upset. I told you I don’t believe in this shit,” she said coolly. “But obviously I was wrong. As soon as I got home, I called a priest but…there is like a six month waiting list for exorcisms and well, I’m not Catholic.” She shook her head. “Now that you know about my little secret…” She laughed lightheartedly, trying to ease his obvious anger. The attempt failed. She watched his frown grow as he crossed his muscular arms across his chest. He breathed so heavily, it looked like one of the buttons on his shirt would pop off at any minute. “I was trying to get help after I got home and cooled off for a bit. I got some calls in, and spoke to some people that specialize in paranormal activity but…”
    “Has she come back?” he asked, his tone still soaked in anger.
    “No, actually she hasn’t.”
    “And you know why, right?”
    “I believe so.”
    “And why do you think that is?” He leaned back on her couch, placing his arms behind his head.
    “Because…I told you it was over.”
    “Exactamundo! But you know what is so interesting, Bijou?” he asked, not waiting for an answer. “She is now full force in my house. She is leaving you alone, since you swore off of me.”
    Bijou felt her stomach drop down, as if she were on a rollercoaster that had just descended for the first three hundred foot hill, going straight down into nothingness.
    “Whu…What?”
    “Yeah, so you your plan backfired. Now that you’re finished running around calling priests, or TV show hosts that think this shit is about ratings and funny, you can get your coat. We’re leaving to pay Aunt Clarabelle a visit.”
    “What for?”
     “You are in way over your head. I know that when getting to know someone, it takes time to trust, Bijou, but you didn’t tell me everything about Rhine.”
    “Like what?” Bijou continued to stare ahead, trying to keep her expression blank.
    “That she was sick in the head, and you helped take care of her…you left that little tidbit out!”
    Bijou closed her eyes and rubbed her lips together. She cradled her head in her hands. “I thought I made it clear that she wasn’t quite right. Why else would I put up with how she treated me at times, Mark? She was a good person though. Her illness wasn’t her fault.”
    “Bijou, you’re too mysterious. There are too many things about you that are straight up bizarre. Ironically, that is what drew me to you in the first place. Your beauty is out of place, almost haunting – you look like a walking painting, even with your hair all over your head. It’s like you aren’t even real. Then, you’re twenty-eight years old and have been a virgin this entire time, and you decide that I will be the one, of all people, you will give your virginity to.” He laughed a mirthless laugh. “Believe me, I’m flattered and that night will be forever in my mind, but you just keep secret after secret, and I don’t like it. You are not in this alone. I’m affected by everything that happens, too.”
    Bijou stood slowly and held her elbows as she continued to listen to him. She could see he had to get this off his chest; there was no need to interrupt him or try to explain herself. He needed to tell her off, so that they could move forward.
     “Then, last but not least, your sister was out of her mind but you completely downplayed it, and yes that matters because we aren’t just dealing with her spirit; we are dealing with her angry, unreasonable spirit!”
    Bijou turned to him, her nerves shot. She was on the verge of losing complete control and she knew he could see it.
    “Look, Bijou, I’m just trying to figure out what is going on here, OK? We have to work as a team. No more running away, no more half stories.”
    “I haven’t been lying to you.”
    “You haven’t been exactly all the way truthful,