George pulled his glasses off his nose and regarded him. “That was one reason. What’s the second?”
“Privilege. My dad was a billionaire before he was thirty. Never once did we ever need to worry about health care, paying the mortgage, being unable to afford tuition, stuff like that. I’m not saying that my father didn’t work for his wealth or doesn’t deserve it, but it created a privilege that most people will never know. Billionaires make up less than one percent of the population, so I’m literally one of the richest people in the world because of his wealth. So, I’ve never been concerned about building wealth or working toward something because I’ve always had everything. There are lots of professionals out there who started from nothing and had to work their way up, to attain wealth and then pass it down to their descendants, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But that’s not a concern for me at all. So, financial security has never been a motivator in any capacity. That’s allowed me to be as selfless as I am. I can’t sit here and say I do all of these wonderful things because I’m such a great person. My background has a lot to do with it, at least unconsciously.”
George gave a slight nod. “That makes a lot of sense. But you still deserve the credit, Dr. Hamilton. Because you could have just become a trust-fund baby who lounges in his penthouse and parties on yachts. You chose to spend your life doing something meaningful. The fact that you had another option only reinforces who you are. Because if given the choice, most people would pick the trust fund lifestyle…but not you.”
My heart suddenly felt an ache, a tightness that wouldn’t dissipate. I was in the presence of someone truly special, and I never took that for granted. I loved this man because of his good heart and his soul. But my heart was weak, and I was getting sucked into feeling more, into feeling things I shouldn’t.
Because I couldn’t fall in love with him…I just couldn’t.
But I was afraid it was already too late.
“So, you have a specific reason for coming to this TED Talk, right?” George asked. “You want to tell our audience what that reason is?”
Dex grabbed the glass of water sitting on the table and took a drink before he answered. “The reason I’m able to provide care for patients who can’t afford it isn’t just because I volunteer my time. It’s because my sponsors and generous donors make it possible to cover these expensive costs, like the surgery center, the nurses, the medications, et cetera. I’ve been seeing a lot more patients lately since I returned to my practice, and because I never turn people away, I’m draining that fund. We’re getting to the point where I’ll have to stop accepting patients who need financial assistance if I don’t get more donations. That’s where you guys come in. Anything can help. I know not everyone can be a heart surgeon, but everyone has the opportunity to guarantee that someone who needs heart surgery can get it.” The round of applause that followed was louder than before, bringing the interview to a close.
George gave him a smile before he leaned forward and shook his hand. “Thank you for your time, Dr. Hamilton.”
Dex shook his hand. “Thank you for having me. And please, call me Dex.”
Everyone filed out of the auditorium and left the building, but the three of us remained. His parents didn’t say anything as they waited for Dex to come out, like nothing needed to be said, nothing could compete with what just happened.
Dex eventually came out, taking the stairs until he reached the aisle of seats. “So, what do you think? Did I kill it?”
Deacon grinned widely before he rose to his feet. “Yes.”
“Baby, you were amazing.” Now that Cleo no longer had to pretend Dex was just an employee, she was an affectionate mama bear all the time, wearing that motherly glow like she was still pregnant with him. She joggled slightly in her heels then reached him, landing against his chest and wrapping her arms around him. “What did I do to deserve a son like you?”
Dex hugged her back, resting his chin on her head. “Mom, come on. The only reason I’m awesome is because of you.”
Deacon walked over and encircled them both in his arms, forming a group hug like they did at the hospital after his first surgery. Deacon kissed Dex on the temple and squeezed him tightly. “What about me?”
“No,” Dex teased. “It was mostly Mom.”
Deacon smiled like the joke didn’t bother him in the least.
I stayed in my seat because it wasn’t my place to join them. But they were too cute not to stare. Every time they were together, it was like a Hallmark movie. They were the perfect family, like a warm cup of hot cocoa for the eyes.