Blackthorn

by J.T. Geissinger

“This friend … he just found out something bad about a woman he was seeing.” I can tell by his tone that whatever it is, it’s dire. I’m intrigued. “She’s cheating on him?” “Worse.” “She stole from him?” “Worse.” “I give up.” “She’s his half-sister.” Shocked, I choke out a laugh. “No. Really?” “Really. And they have a child together.” He clears his throat. “Children.” “Oh God. No wonder he went ballistic. How did they not know?” After a moment of jaw clenching, he grits out, “He was adopted.” “Wow. And I thought we had problems.” When he doesn’t laugh at that, I stop joking and get serious. “So what’s he going to do besides ransack his friends’ houses?” He clenches and unclenches his hands. Then he jerks his chin at me. “What would you have told him to do?” I think for a moment. “Do the kids know?” “Nobody knows but him.” “Well, first of all, he should have the children tested. There’s a good chance they have genetic disorders.” “Genetic disorders,” he repeats, looking ill. “Yes. Inbreeding causes all sorts of problems.” He thinks about that for a beat, then scrubs his hands over his face as if wishing he didn’t hear it. “And he obviously has to stop seeing her.” “Obviously. Yes.” He pauses. “Why, exactly?” “It’s illegal. And against pretty much every ethical and cultural code that exists. It’s one of the ultimate taboos.” “Right. Of course. That’s … that’s what I told him.” “Well, I hope he figures it out, poor guy. I can’t even imagine what a mindfuck it must be.”