Page 75 of Getting Down to Business

“He’s delusional.”

“I could have guessed that myself.”

“Not like normal guy delusional, but like seriously messed-up delusional. His doctor put him under hypnosis to get to his repressed memories. Of course, it’s not admissible in court, but it is helpful to know how to treat the patient.”

“What did the file say?”

“His mother was apparently turning tricks for extra cash, and this Donnie walked in on his mom getting roughed up by one of her customers. He was thirteen and tried to stop the guy, but he wasn’t big enough to help.”

“Shit.”

“He already had some other social issues before this happened, but this incident during puberty forced him to repress those feelings of helplessness and anger. You can only keep shit like that inside for so long before it comes out.

“The notes say the women he attacked looked like his mother, so I’m guessing he was probably acting out the scenario but with him being the one in control. Then when the act was over, he repressed it each time. It’s very hard to treat a person like this because you don’t have anything to grasp onto. He won’t admit he did it, so there’s no remorse or guilt. There’s nothing.

“Apparently, they tried to go with a guilty by reason of insanity defense, but Donald relieved his public defender and refused his right for counsel, claiming it was a misunderstanding and he was innocent.”

“She couldn’t have known he was like this?”

“Like I said, he doesn’t even know he’s like this.”

“My friend is having a rough time moving on. She doesn’t trust anyone. What can I do?”

“Friend?” she said skeptically.

“Roommate? Whatever.”

“Whatever?” she asked even more skeptically.

“It’s not important. Just tell me how I can help her.”

“It would depend on how close you are. I’m not just trying to find out the extent of the relationship for my own curiosity. I would need to know your position before I could offer a suggestion.”

Gray swallowed uncomfortably. What was his position?

“I care about her, but she keeps me out, so we’re just friends at the moment. Mainly because she isn’t capable of anything else right now.”

“And you’re sure you’re not drawn to her because she’s a project? You used to have an issue with taking on damaged people so you could feel validated.”

“Don’t analyze me, Iz. You know I hate that. Just tell me how I can help her.”

“She might need closure. Maybe if she could hear him admit to what he’s done.”

“She knows he did it,” he said.

“Still, knowing the facts is different than actually hearing him take responsibility for hurting, not just those women, but her too.”

“But if he’s delusional, he’s not going to admit it.”

“Probably not.”

“So you haven’t helped me at all.” He held his hand up even though no one could see.

“That’s how we therapists work.” She laughed at him. “Are you coming home for the family reunion? You could bring your friend.”

“I’m not sure. We’ll see.”

“Okay. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.”