The Man Who Has No Love (Soulless 3)

I almost laughed. “You will be, Derek. You may not be the smartest, and that’s okay. It’s not a competition, but you’ll definitely be at a competitive level with your peers.”

“Will they like to build rockets?”

“I’m sure,” I said. “I’m sure they’ll be as fascinated by the things that fascinate you.”

He turned back to his food, eating a little quicker.

Derek was definitely gifted, but he didn’t possess arrogance, which was a blessing. He didn’t walk into a room and think he was the best at everything. He wasn’t interested in holding the highest spot in any category. All he cared about was fitting in, being normal.

Cleo watched our interaction, her eyes mostly on Derek, affection in her gaze.

She was so good with Derek that I knew she would be a great mother herself…whenever that day came. She was warm and loving, full of affection and kindness. She wasn’t a scientist or a mathematician, but she had great qualities most people didn’t have. Those skills were just as important as empirical intelligence. I knew that from experience, because if I had her gifts, I would get through life much easier.

We entered the school and the building where the meeting would take place. I was in a charcoal gray suit, wanting to represent my son in the most professional way possible. He was nervous to start school, and I was nervous for this meeting, because I was so bad at dealing with people, especially strangers.

We sat on the bench in the hallway, Derek between us, his legs dangling over the edge. He looked up and down the hallway, examining the grounds where he would be every single day starting this fall.

Cleo looked at me as if she knew I was nervous, but she didn’t say that in front of Derek.

I turned to her, giving her a faint smile to tell her I was fine.

Then the door opened. “Hello, Dr. Hamilton.” In black jeans and a blouse with heels, the school counselor stepped into the hallway. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

I rose to my feet and shook her hand. “The pleasure is mine, Dr. Cunningham.”

She smiled then kneeled. “And this must be Derek.”

Derek hopped off the bench and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

She smiled and returned the gesture. “Wow, what impressive manners. Are you excited to start school?”

He shrugged. “I guess I’m kinda scared…”

“Aww.” She moved her hand to his shoulder and gave him a squeeze. “No reason to be scared. This is a great learning environment with sweet kids just like you. You’re going to love it, Derek.” She rose to her full height then dressed Cleo next. “Your son is so adorable.”

Cleo paused for a moment, her eyes full of affection, like that was a compliment she wanted to accept. She snapped out of it quickly. “Yes, he is adorable. But I’m actually Cleo, Dr. Hamilton’s assistant. You and I have spoken the phone a few times, and thank you so much for allowing Derek to be a student here. We’re very grateful.” She shook her hand.

“Oh, of course,” Dr. Cunningham said. “I should have recognized your voice. You sound very different from Valerie.”

Because Valerie sounded like a bitch.

“Please come into my office.” Dr. Cunningham walked in first then moved around her large desk to take a seat.

The three of us stepped in and sat on the couch facing her desk, Derek in the middle again. I put my arm around his shoulders, reminding him I was there, that there was no reason to be nervous…even though I was a little nervous.

“It’s such an honor to have you here, Dr. Hamilton,” she said. “When Cleo contacted us, I knew I had to grant Derek admission. My mother had a heart attack a few weeks ago. She lives in Brooklyn and went to the Deacon Hamilton Medical Center. I’m pleased to say she made a full recovery.” She smiled at me.

I had no idea what to say to that. I didn’t fund the hospital. It wasn’t my idea to open it. They just called and asked to name their facility after me…and I agreed. It was an award I didn’t think I deserved, but I wasn’t going to be a dick and turn it down. “I’m happy to hear that your mother is doing well.”

“Thank you,” Dr. Cunningham said. “It’s also an honor having you here because you’re the first parent to have a child enrolled in our school who has received a Nobel Prize.”

Were we going to sit there and discuss all my accomplishments? I already hated talking about it, but now I was in a conversation I couldn’t sidestep. “I hope that’s inspiring to the other students.”

“It definitely will be,” she said. “I think it would be wonderful if you came in for a lecture about your work. It would really inspire all our students.”