Nerdy Little Secret by Aarons Carrie

Author:Aarons, Carrie
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2020-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

20

Mick

The email came in a day ago, while I was researching a project for my Molecular Control of Metabolism and Metabolic Disease course.

At first, I thought it was a prank because part of me never actually thought I’d hear back from him. But when Dr. Francis Richards asks you to come to his office during his open hours, you go. Even if you think it’s another one of your classmates messing with you.

Even though the door is open, I still knock, and he turns from his desk.

“Ah, Mr. Barrett, I’ve been expecting you. Come in, take a seat.”

I do as I’m told. “Hello, Dr. Richards, thank you for calling me in.”

My hands are a little sweaty, and I’m glad he’s not holding out a hand for me to shake. His office is beige with little to no personal accents, aside from a wedding picture set next to the computer monitor on the desk.

“Let’s get right to it. You came up with these theories?” he asks, tossing my notebook onto the table.

I can’t tell from his voice whether he’s pissed off, impressed, or a little bit of both. “Yes, sir.”

“And how did you come to these conclusions, or well, schools of thought? They’re not fully formed, testable approaches.” He’s schooling me on how things are done, and that’s fine.

He thinks I’m trying to be a smart-ass, by giving my notebook to him, but all I want is to pick his brain and learn everything there is to know from him.

“I was the sole caretaker for my dad for about three of the six years since he was diagnosed with ALS. I’ve observed his behavior, accompanied him on every gym or physical therapy session, have recorded his daily routines, and studied his lab and blood results from numerous tests over the years. I know I’m only scratching the surface, and my theories may be way off, but I believe some of the things in that notebook could help patients in the long run.”

It’s cocky, talking to the foremost expert on ALS research as if I, some junior nobody, could give him the next major breakthrough. But I have to be. Not because I’m so confident in myself, but because my confidence in my research could help save my father’s life.

He nods slowly, assessing me. This is not a hurried man, even from the first five seconds of meeting him, you can tell, Dr. Richards doesn’t hastily make any decision.

He pushes a finger into the cover of the notebook. “I’ve explored some of these very minimally, but I have to say, not even my fourth-year fellows are thinking like this. Color me impressed, Mr. Barrett. As you might know, I get a ton of interest in my trials and research, and most of the time, the people who think they can contribute are very far off the mark. But some of your insights, well, they had my mind working. Which not a lot of people can accomplish.”

Honestly, I’m floored. It’s as close to

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