Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 73043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
I chuckled.
“They take themselves way too seriously, so they’re never outgoing or have a sense of humor. They’re snobs. My father always instilled in us that we aren’t better than anyone else, that our gifts should be used for the betterment of society. And that brings me to my third point.” She held up a third finger. “They use their intellect for evil rather than good. It’s about the Maseratis and the Ferraris in the garages at their multiple homes, the plaques on their walls. They don’t give a shit about their patients. They don’t even listen to their patients. Whether the people in their care live or die, they get paid. Their egos get in the way of patient care. In conclusion, I don’t like smart men.”
When she laid it out like that, it made absolute sense. The Hamiltons were unusual because they had altruistic attitudes about their professions. “I’m not like that.” I didn’t know what possessed me to say that, but it happened.
“Uh, let’s back it up a sec. You came in here and said you’re smarter than me and I should get used to it. You may not have an eidetic memory, but I’m sure you remember that.”
“I said that in anger. Didn’t mean it.”
“Whatever. You were pretty arrogant when you walked in here.”
“Because I’m an advocate for our patients, and I wasn’t sure if you were as well. Let’s not rewrite history here.”
She gave me an annoyed look. “Okay, maybe you aren’t quite like that, but you’re one of the few.” She reached to the armchair beside her and grabbed her bag. She pulled out the folders and paperwork for her patients. “Want to be my sounding board for this?”
“Sure.”
“We got the approval for the trials.” Dr. Hamilton left his desk and walked over to me, extending the paper to me so I could take it.
I leaned forward and took it in my hands to read. “Wow, that was fast.”
“Well, they’re quick whenever I submit stuff.” He sat down behind his desk again, floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, his desk crowded with pictures of his family, along with a photo from his wedding day.
He had a picture with Daisy, the two of them standing together in blue scrubs. It must have been taken during her residency. She looked nearly the same as she did now. She just had short bangs at the time.
There were other pictures too, a lot of them taken by a lake.
When I looked back at Dr. Hamilton, he was staring at me. “How many grandkids do you have?”
“Five.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Being a grandfather has been a really rewarding experience.”
I ignored the pictures and focused on him once again. “So, when do we—”
His assistant spoke over his intercom. “Dr. Hamilton, your wife is here. Should I tell her to wait?”
He hit his finger against the intercom. “Never.” He released the button.
The doors opened a moment later, and Mrs. Hamilton walked inside, wearing a tight pencil skirt with a long-sleeved blouse tucked under her waistband. She had long brown hair, lighter in color than Dr. Hamilton’s. But he was right—she was in great shape. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Never, baby.” Once she was in the room, it was as if I wasn’t there.
She leaned down and gave him a kiss before she set the files on his desk. “Just need a couple signatures and I’ll be out of your hair.”
He grabbed his pen and started to sign, not reading whatever she gave him.
She turned to me, having features similar to Daisy’s that I recognized right away. A wide smile moved on to her face, and she came over with her hand extended. “Mrs. Hamilton.”
I stood up and shook her hand. “Dr. Beaumont. But call me Atlas.”
“It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from my husband. He thinks you’re a bright young man.”
“That’s quite the compliment coming from him.”
“Very true, especially since it takes a lot to impress my husband.”
Dr. Hamilton continued to sign the paperwork.
“Daisy says good things as well.”
“She does?” I asked with a smirk.
“Well, she does now,” she said with a chuckle. “But she did take me to a dive bar to vent when things weren’t so great.”
“I can totally see her doing that.”
“Yes, she keeps me young. So, have plans for the Fourth of July?”
Work. “Not sure yet. What about you?” She was instantly easy to talk to, reminding me of Daisy, who was fluent in easy conversation.
“We’re taking a family trip to our lake house in Connecticut. The kids love the lake. We do some fishing, hiking, s’more-making, and of course, barbecue every day.”
“That sounds fun.”
“Why don’t you come along?” Dr. Hamilton didn’t raise his head when he spoke as he continued to add his signature.
Mrs. Hamilton looked at him before she turned back to me. “That sounds like a great idea. We’d love to have you.”