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“It’s for protection. I can get you one, too,” I say.
Joseph shakes his head. “I get if that’ll make you feel any better, but I doubt it’s doing anything,” he says. I lean back and study him.
“You just helped me wash the floors,” I say.
“Yeah, but that’s different. I’m not carrying some magical rock around.”
He tries to kiss me again, but I exit his lap, suddenly overcome with irritation. Fury ignites deep in my veins. I don’t even want to look at him. I scoop my sweater up from off the ground and pull it on.
“Eleanor,” he starts.
I put my hand up. “Don’t.”
He gets up and tries to wrap his good arm around my waist.
I recoil at his touch. “I said don’t,” it comes out as a yell. I accidentally elbowed his bad arm. He winces, but I feel no remorse.
“I’m going to bed,” I say curtly.
“Eleanor, we’re not seriously arguing about this, are we?” he asks.
“You’re the one who’s calling it an argument,” I say childishly. I can’t help myself.
“Eleanor, I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sure you’re scrubbing or whatever worked great. Tomorrow, we’ll wake up to a clean, ghost-free house.”
“Well, what else do you suggest I do?” I thunder.
“I don’t know! Maybe just don’t believe in it? When you believe in something, you give it power!”
“I thought we were past this!” I yell back. “Beatrix is real. You know she is. Don’t try to hide your fear under a faulty mask of skepticism and make me feel crazy.” Hot, angry tears pour down my face. Joseph reaches for me, but I turn away on my heel.
“Eleanor, wait!” Joseph calls.
“I think it’s best to sleep in my room tonight," I say as I slam the door.
I go to bed angry, scrubbing my face so hard the skin looks red and raw. At night, I toss and turn, unable to get comfortable without Joseph’s embrace. My hips ache. My belly button throbs. I place another pillow under my belly for support when I feel my necklace chain snap against my neck.
“You can’t get rid of me,” Beatrix jeers. She grabs the stone and yanks until the necklace snaps clean off.
“Fuck off, I don’t want you here!” I yell.
“You don’t get a say. I’ll be here forevermore, long after you’re gone,” Beatrix taunts.
I stuff the pillow over my face to drown her out, but she wrenches it away.
“I’ll raise those babies with Joseph,” she hisses. “We can be together.”
“Joseph doesn’t even believe in you! I doubt he wants you,” I snap.
“How dare you?” Beatrix howls.
When I wake up, I’m freezing. I feel something hot and warm between my legs. Immediately, I turn on my bedside lamp. There’s a red stain on my sheets; I’m bleeding. I start to panic. I race across the hall and pound on Joseph’s door.
He opens the door, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Something’s wrong,” I say.
Joseph notes the bloody spot on my nightgown, and his face pales.
