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One

Dean

I stand in the shade cast by the stage, hands clasped behind e president drone on and on about friendship andone’s mark on the world A recycled speech if I’ve ever heard one Why did I agree to speak at this graduation ceremony?

I’

Explaining to hospital residents what they’re doing wrong, mainly

Encouraging and inspiring young minds isn’t exactly eon, not a life coach If it wasn’t for that headline-ery I performed on the president, none of the students or faculty e would know my name—and that’s hoould prefer it

For the tenth time in as many minutes, my phone vibrates in my suit jacket pocket

My jaw clenches at the thought of what I’ at the hospital, but I forcewith several numbers for hospital staff to call in od sakes, but I’ency bowel resection on the leader of the free world without hyperventilating, and apparently that has put her demand than ever before

“Doctor Fletcher?”

Before I’ve even turned around, that fe down my spine It’s low and conspiratorial and hushed, as if it belongs in a bedroom In the dark It’s a beautiful voice, really It’s als the residents listen to when they want to destress Close and husky Soothing

So tells me to turn around with caution Why?

Why do I have a feeling whoever has called my name will be…important?

Frowning, as is my default expression, I look back over row distant, rowing heavy The girl…she’s not own, she’s radiant Her reddish-brown hair falls in long waves around her shoulders, huge green eyes shining up at me in what can only be described as unabashed hero worship

An aspiring medical student