The Man Who Has No Love (Soulless 3)

“That would be awesome,” Derek said. “My dad is so smart and cool! He eats weird things, but he’s still the best dad ever.”

Dr. Cunningham chuckled. “That’s sweet.”

“I don’t eat weird things,” I corrected. “I just try to get Derek to eat well.”

“Oh, I understand,” she said. “Trust me, the students complain about our food all the time.”

It was another reason I wanted Derek to go here, because the school had a strong philosophy about nutrition, believing that the key to healthy development was fresh, organic, whole foods. On a regular basis, the students had organic broccoli, wild-caught salmon or organic, cage-free chicken with no preservatives, or a great vegan option. The meals were the biggest chunk of the bill for his private education.

Derek bowed his head. “Aw, man…”

Cleo chuckled. “It’s good for you, Derek.”

“So, no chicken nuggets?” he asked Dr. Cunningham.

She shook her head.

He tugged on the sleeve of my shirt. “Dad, let’s go.”

I laughed, along with everyone else, knowing my son had made a joke.

Dr. Cunningham already seemed to be fond of him. “What do you like to do for fun, Derek?”

He was quiet now that the attention was on him again. “Well…I like to color. I also like to build rockets and engines. One time I made one that crashed into the house, and Mom was soooo mad. And then Dad and I go to his cabin, where we fish and go hiking. It’s my favorite place in the world.”

Cleo’s eyes softened because it was her favorite too.

“That’s great, Derek,” she said. “I think you’re going to fit in nicely here.”

“Yeah?” Derek asked. “Am I smart enough?”

She chuckled. “I have no doubt that you are, judging from the notes I received from your pediatrician. And your father is a very brilliant man.”

“Yeah,” Derek said. “My dad is my hero.”

I closed my eyes as my heart skipped a beat. The love in my chest made my rib cage crack because my heart doubled in size. Raising a son in a bad marriage and then as a single father was difficult sometimes. It wasn’t all fishing and hiking at the cabin. There were times when he hated my discipline. But it made it all worth it when he said things like that. My father had been my hero too. He was a man of average intelligence, owning a construction company that gave us the income to have a great life. He could never connect with me on an intellectual level, but he still taught me everything he could, like how to build things with my hands, how to fish, how to jump-start a car…all kinds of skills. He was my hero because he did everything he could to make me feel normal.

I squeezed Derek’s shoulder as I stared at him, knowing he had no idea what he’d said, would probably forget he’d ever said it when he was older.

Cleo watched me, her eyes affectionate.

Dr. Cunningham gave me a minute before she continued. “He’s a hero to a lot of people, Derek. And I’m sure you will be too—someday.”

We went to the store so he could pick out the supplies he wanted, like notebooks, pens, folders.

Derek took off to check out the backpacks. “Wow! Look at this one!” It had a pack of wolves on the back. “Or this one! It has a bear.” He kept looking through them, unable to decide what kind of design he wanted to sport at school.

I watched him from the other side of the store, keeping my eye on him with Cleo beside me. I didn’t want to sway his opinion on the school supplies he wanted. I wanted him to make his own decisions.

Cleo chuckled. “God, he’s so cute.”

“I know.” Anytime I looked at my son, I felt so much pride. But I was sure every parent felt that way, regardless of how wonderful their child actually was. I was most proud of his good heart, how he was kind to everyone, including creatures that were at his mercy. I influenced him in that direction, but he chose to be that way, to respect the universe and life around him, to treasure the world rather than destroy it.

“How did you feel about the meeting?”

“Very happy.”

“You handled yourself pretty well.”

“Because I tried as hard as I could,” I said with a chuckle. “I didn’t want to embarrass Derek with my…whatever my problem is.”

She gave me a slight smile. “I’m sure she’s dealt with parents who possess the same kinds of limitations. I have other clients who struggle to say what they mean, so I figure out their needs based on other things they do. She seems really intelligent, so I’m sure she would figure that out on her own.”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I think it’s going to be a great place for Derek. The school is so beautiful, and if all the teachers are like Dr. Cunningham, then Derek is in great hands. He may not need his brilliant father to help him with anything.”