Page 45 of Wild Daddy

They have no fucking idea.

My stomach drops as I realize how completely I've fooled them.

Dr. Chen frowns. "Hold up. Physical restraint? What kind of IRB approval did you get for this?"

"None were necessary. My ongoing consent was sought and given." I click to the next slide. "The subject's approach to addressing psychological barriers was remarkably effective. When traditional academic validation proved inadequate, he developed personalized reinforcement strategies."

Dr. Martinez leans back, grinning now. "Oh, this keeps getting better. What kind of reinforcement strategies?"

"Positive affirmation techniques. He would offer praise for following instructions while emphasizing my novice status. Themost significant breakthrough occurred when he introduced trust-building exercises involving progressively intimate demonstrations of vulnerability."

Professor Harrison loosens his tie and looks like he needs another coffee. Or maybe something stronger.

"Ms. Voss," Professor Harrison interrupts, looking deeply uncomfortable, "perhaps we could... focus on the actual wilderness survival content?"

I smile. Actually smile.

"Certainly. The subject taught me that intelligence isn't measured by information accumulation but by willingness to acknowledge ignorance and trust guidance from experienced practitioners. He demonstrated that authentic strength comes from vulnerability, that control is most powerful when consciously relinquished."

I click to my final slide. "The transformation was immediate and lasting. Within three days, I progressed from an anxiety-ridden academic automaton to someone capable of autonomous decisions and prioritizing authenticity over approval."

"Three days?" Dr. Chen laughs. "Jesus, what kind of wilderness boot camp was this?"

"The subject's methodology was remarkably efficient. Traditional academic models had failed to achieve comparable results over two years of graduate study." I look directly at my parents. "I learned more about myself in those three days than in my entire formal education combined."

Their faces have fallen. They're starting to understand this isn't just about innovative learning techniques.

"And the subject's name?" Dr. Brooks asks.

"Cade Boone. Wilderness survival instruction business in Wildfire, Michigan." I glance back at him, his proud smile giving me courage. "I should note that our educational relationship hasevolved beyond the original study scope. The subject and I are now engaged in ongoing collaborative research."

"Ongoing collaborative research?" My mother's voice cuts through the room.

Cade starts slow clapping from the back as both my parents twist to glare at him.

"We're in love," I say simply. "When someone sees you completely—not just your achievements, but everything you are and could become—it's transformative in ways no classroom could replicate."

Professor Harrison looks like he's about to have a stroke. My father has gone pale. My mother grips her Hermès bag like it might anchor her to reality.

Cade stops the clapping and makes this gesture of victory, clasping his hands together and rocking them back and forth over his shoulders.

There’s a slow ripping sound and Cade turns, trying to look at his own back, but instead revealing to the rest of us he’s just split his new suit down the back seam.

I snort. He’s my own personal Hulk.

The entire room freezes.

Cade looks down at himself, then shrugs out of the destroyed jacket like it's no big deal. "Fucking told Eleanor the shoulders were too tight."

Dr. Martinez snorts. Dr. Chen covers her mouth. Even Dr. Brooks is trying not to laugh.

"Did you not hear what she just said?" My mother's voice cracks like a whip. "She's in love. This whole thesis is compromised. It's—"

"It's honest," I say quietly. "The most honest thing I've ever written."

"Honesty that will destroy your career," my father snaps, shooting to his feet.

I turn to face them fully, and for the first time in my life, I'm not afraid of their disappointment. "I spent nineteen years being who you needed me to be. Now I'm going to be who I actually am."

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