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Dr. Meriwether nodded.
“He hugged me, and I hugged him back, and then he kissed me on the lips. And I didn’t want him to, but I didn’t stop him, either. I didn’t say anything to him.”
Dr. Meriwether swallowed hard. “Bria. I’m so sorry that happened to you.” She paused. “I’d like to ask you some questions. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Was this person older than you?”
“Yes.”
“Is he a family member?”
Bria shook her head.
“Was that time the only time this has happened?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. And do you understand that you are one-hundred percent not at fault for what happened?”
Bria picked at her bandage. “But I didn’t tell him to stop. Doesn’t that make it my fault? If I said no, I’m sure he would have stopped.”
“Why do you think you didn’t say no?”
“I don’t know. I guess I was worried about what he would say.”
“Bria, what you described is called grooming. The fact that you were worried about his reaction tells me you were afraid. Afraid to disappoint him, or to make him angry. Or maybe you were afraid he would think poorly of you. Whatever the case, it’s clear to me that you felt coerced, and coercion is not consent.”
It made sense, but understanding is different from absolution, and Bria had been feeling guilty for a long time. If she’d just said something back then, maybe…
“Would you like to tell me who this person was?” Dr. Meriwether was saying.
“No. I don’t wanna get him in trouble.”
“Bria—”
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“You mentioned that he was older. How much older?”
Bria shook her head. “Old enough that it was wrong.”
“Was this a teacher?”
“I said I don’t wanna talk about it anymore!” she yelled, surprising even herself.
“Okay. That’s your call.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and put her head in her hands. “Sorry I yelled.”
“Bria, do you think there’s a chance this could happen again?”
“I don’t think so.”
“So you don’t feel you are in any danger?”
“No.”
“Okay, good.” She took a deep breath. “I think we need to talk about what happens next.”
“What does that mean?”
