Page 68 of Tortured Whispers
“Yes. That would have been my child. I love her though, Ronnie it’s not something salacious. It’s just a fucked up situation. I’m sure the board will have my goddamn throat for this though.” I pushed an unsteady hand through my hair and rested my elbows on the edge of the desk.
“I know. That’s exactly why I wanted to hear you admit it. I can help you with the board, Cease. Now, the incest laws in California still remain unchanged but nobody is bringing criminal charges against you last I checked.
Brooklyn’s journal won’t hold up in court but the board is a different story. They’ll want to investigate.”
“For unethical behavior, I know,” I muttered.
“You can still keep your license, Cease.” I wasn’t so sure about that though. I shook my head and rested my mouth against my knuckles.
“I’d have to go to the board first and head them off. That means I’d have to openly admit to being romantically involved with Brooklyn and I don’t see that ending well for my license. If they find me guilty of unethical behavior then the next step is prosecution because incest is a fucking felony. I can’t lose Brook and she can’t lose me.”
“Let me help. I’m in the forefront of research involving GSA and I really think you and Brooklyn present a perfect case of the syndrome occurring outside of adoption. I’ve always argued that this doesn’t only present itself in cases of adoption but any close living quarters.
When you told me that Anthony was like your second father, it immediately made me realize that you had more of a sibling bond with Brooklyn than anything else. You hadn’t seen her more than once during eighteen years…”
“But I knew she was my niece, Ronnie,” I argued. “I knew of her existence and I knew who she was. I just hadn’t physically seen her. I talked to her on some birthdays and everything.” I was convinced that I was warped but I also didn’t give a fuck. Warped or not, Brook was the one for me and that was that.
I’d do whatever I had to just to keep the love we had.
“This is what I’m saying though. You disassociated Brooklyn with being your niece after you saw her in person. In GSA we see a mental disconnect even after the person knows full well of the biological relationship. You show clear signs of disassociation and so does Brooklyn.
Somewhere in your brains, a link was missed. It’s not wrong or right it’s just the brain misfiring the same way at the same time with two people that society deems incompatible. The fact that it happened to both of you simultaneously is phenomenal,” his eyes burned with excitement. He really felt like he could make his argument work.
“So in essence,” I laughed, rubbing a hand over my tired face. “We’re like a one in a million mishap?”
“It will be looked at that way at first but it’ll open up the door for people to understand why rare cases like this happen and how broad the spectrum for GSA is. You’re definitely right about needing to go to the board first and with legal representation, Caesar. But I think if you build a case siting GSA, with me defending on Brooklyn’s behalf…you could keep your license to practice in California.” His smile was confident and proud.
After all, Ronnie dedicated his entire career to researching this topic. If anyone was an expert and should be speaking on me and Brook’s behalf, it would be him. I had no time to be self-righteous. I had to save my relationship and I had to save my license.
