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Six Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Unseen forces first intruded into Ted’s life when he was very young, no more than four or five, and the events of that intrusion resulted in a scolding and a spanking. This, and the high strangeness of the whole affair, made it something he never forgot. Shortly after dawn one morning, young Teddy awoke to find himself floating out of the bed. He was surprised but unafraid, even though, as his point of view ascended, he glanced down and saw his body still asleep with his head sticking out of the covers. The next thing he knew, Teddy was in the kitchen, apparently hovering near the ceiling, as a busy scene unfolded below him in the room. His mother and grandmother were there, talking with his aunt, uncle, and young cousin Sally who had stopped by unexpectedly. Teddy was so amazed by the situation that all he could do was watch and listen. “What are y’all doing out here so early?” his mother asked. “You must be on your way somewhere.” “Yes,” his aunt said, “we decided last night to ride over to Parrish today, to see my brother and his family before they leave to go back to Mobile. They’ve been up there with Daddy for a few days. So we thought we’d stop and pick up Teddy, if you’ll let him come. Sally and him, they always have a good time together. They keep each other occupied and out of our hair,” she laughed. Up above them, Teddy grew excited, eager to go off with The Child - Six his cousin. Sally was one of his favorite playmates, and any adventure that broke the pleasant monotony of farm life was a treat. “No,” his mother said, and Teddy couldn’t believe his ears, “no, he better not go this time. His daddy is coming in today, and we’re supposed to take Teddy to get a haircut and some new shoes. He’s got holes in those things he’s wearing. So I think we better pass this time.” Teddy was heartbroken and angry. “What do you mean?” he shouted. “Why can’t I go?” But no matter how loudly he protested, his mother and everyone else in the room ignored him. Finally he realized that they didn’t even know he was there. They couldn’t see him or hear him, and his young mind was bewildered. No matter how hard he tried to interrupt them, they kept talking about the relatives and other trivial matters, and then his uncle’s family prepared to leave. “How about y’all going out the back door, around that side of the house?” his mother suggested. “If Teddy hears you leave out the front door, hell surely wake up. He'll throw a fit to go with you, and I'll end up having to spank his bottom to make him stop showing out.” They all laughed, and she followed the others out the back door, leaving Teddy sputtering indignantly-and invisi- bly. He was angry that he couldn’t go, angry that they’d laughed about him getting a spanking, and most of all angry at being ignored. Suddenly, Teddy popped up from his bed and looked around in puzzlement. Apparently he was back in his body, but he didn’t pause to think about it. Still bristling with indig- nation, he jumped out of bed and stormed down the long hallway into the kitchen. His mother and grandmother were there alone, cleaning the breakfast table. “Why didn’t you let me go?” he shouted angrily. “TI wanted to go with Sally! I wanted to go on the trip!” The two women stared at him and then at each other. “What on earth are you talking about?” his mother asked. ‘They was just here! I saw “em!” Teddy said, still shout- ing, as he wiped away tears of frustration. Masquerade of Angels 43