Page 37 of Fourteen of a Kind

I picked up my fork. “I graduated high school when I was ten and almost finished with college. I entered med school, finished all three specialties when I was fourteen, and did my residencies. By the time I was completely finished, I was nineteen.”

“Damn,” he said. “That’s the most impressive thing I’ve ever heard. Now, tell me about Ella Kind outside of being a doctor. What else do you do in your spare time?”

“I paint, dance, surf, play the guitar and the piano, and hang out with my family and friends.”

“Don’t forget. You also run.” He pointed his fork at me.

“Yes.” I laughed. “I love to run every morning.”

“Me too.” He smiled. “If you don’t mind me asking. Where do you live?”

“In a house five minutes from here next to my entire family.”

“Your entire family?” he asked.

“Yep. Well, except for my Grandma Barb and Grandma Rose. They live a couple of streets over.”

“You all must be very close.”

“We are. Life is family, and family is life.” I smiled.

“I like that.” He grinned. “Do you have any siblings?”

“I have a brother named Nicholas and a sister named Willow. They’re both in high school. My brother is going to become a plastic surgeon like my dad, and Willow is a ballet dancer like my mom.”

“I bet they’re smart.” He smirked.

“They are.” I grinned.

Looking over to my right, my eyes narrowed when I saw my dad and Nicholas heading toward our table.

“What’s wrong?” Graham asked.

“Nothing. It’s just my dad and brother are here.”

“Hi, sweetheart.” My dad walked over. “I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

“Yeah. Sure, Dad.”

“Hey, sis.” Nicholas grinned.

“Dr. Graham Malone, I’d like you to meet my father, Dr. Nathan Kind, and my brother Nicholas.”

“Dr. Malone, it’s nice to meet you.” My dad extended his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Kind.” He shook his hand.

“Good to meet you, man.” Nicholas nodded.

“You too, Nicholas.” Graham smiled.

“So, are you two enjoying your dinner?” my dad asked.

“We are, Dad. What are you doing here?”

“Your mom and Willow are at the dance studio, so your brother and I thought we’d grab some dinner. You two enjoy the rest of your evening. Come on, son. Our table is ready.”

“I didn’t know, or I would have stopped him,” Nicholas leaned over and whispered in my ear.

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