The Doctor Who Has No Closure (Soulless 10)

I stared back, my heart not so steady. If I could dream up the perfect man, the ultimate fantasy, it would be Dex Hamilton, so when he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered, I always got a little light-headed.

He broke the tension when he spoke. “Thank you for…everything.”

On top of all his qualities, he wasn’t afraid to show his appreciation, which was so sexy. He made me feel more important than I really was, like I was holding the scalpel in the operating room. “It’s my pleasure, Dex.”

He inhaled a quick breath then opened his mouth to say something, but nothing ever came out because another voice spoke over the speakers.

“I’m sure most of you know who I am, and for those of you who don’t, I’m Deacon Hamilton…Dex’s father.”

His eyes narrowed on my face when he recognized his father’s voice.

“You should go take a seat, Dex.”

He continued to look at me in surprise. “My dad hates public appearances.”

“Well, he sure didn’t seem to mind when I pitched the idea to him.” I squeezed his arm. “Go sit down.”

He shook his head slightly as he looked at me, practically in disbelief. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

Now I was the one who shook my head. “Thank you, but I’m not Dex Hamilton.”

He stared at me for a few seconds, like he didn’t want to leave but he knew he should be in that audience so he could listen to every word his father had to say. With reluctance, he turned and left.

After he was gone, I returned to the main floor and stuck to the wall so no one would notice me. I had to get the next part set up while everyone was watching Deacon on the stage.

He stood with his hands on either side of the podium, giving his speech like he was the president of the free world. “My son is a bit of an anomaly. When his IQ was tested, we were told that he was profoundly gifted, that the older he became, the higher his score would grow and reach heights few people in the world would ever achieve. Once he was in high school, he was tested again. His score? 205. For those of you who don’t know, the highest recorded score in the world is 263. And where do I fall on this scale? 182. So, my son is definitely smarter than me, which he’s never refrained from reminding me every time I make a mistake.” The crowd chuckled at his words. He seemed perfectly comfortable up there, not sweating under the spotlight. “I call him an anomaly, not because of his gifted intelligence, but because of all the other qualities he possesses that people with that intelligence don’t inherit. For me, interpersonal skills are like gym for most people—worst subject of the day.” Everyone chuckled again. “But Dex has those skills, and they have allowed him to utilize his brilliance in ways most people don’t. When people say to me, ‘Wow, you must be really proud of your boy,’ I always say that I am, but not for the reason they think. Yes, I’m proud that my son attended Stanford at the age of fifteen, that he’s the youngest cardiac surgeon ever to have practiced medicine, that his IQ is literally off the charts. But what I’m most proud of…” He took a pause and surveyed the audience. “…is this.” He tapped his fingers against the podium. “That he cares so much about other people, complete strangers, that he’s devoted his life to the well-being of people who will probably never truly appreciate his commitment and sacrifice. He’s a hero. And sometimes heroes need some help. So please, help my son. Give what you can.” He surveyed the audience before he dropped his chin and looked down for a moment. “I’ve dedicated my life to healing others, never turning away a patient who couldn’t afford my services, and I’m honored that my son has been so deeply affected by my commitment that he’s done the same. When it’s my time to leave and my wife is by my side in a place I truly hope exists, I know that my legacy will live on. Not because of the work I did as a physician, but because my son is still down here helping people when I no longer can.” The auditorium filled with the loud sound of clapping, people rising to their feet to applaud the touching words Deacon had just said.

He left the podium, walked down the steps to the floor, and approached the table where his family waited.

Dex rose from his seat and walked up to his dad. I couldn’t see his face, only his back.

But Deacon had a slight smile and mouthed, “Meant every word.”

They embraced, Deacon cupping the back of Dex’s head and pressing a kiss to his forehead, loving him like he was still a baby he could hold in his arms.