win their battle; a great many won’t. Every one of them is loved by somebody.
“So, yes, it would be an honor for you all to work on this project. In fact, Dr. Shelly White, as you may know, is a dear friend of ours at UF, an alum and a cancer survivor. We were students together. She sat in this very room. Our goal was the same as it is today—to save lives. She does it every day. She asked me personally to help with this project, and I jumped at the chance.” He looked at Jill and smiled. “So if you want to help, remember, it’s a team effort. We might not find what we’re looking for, but one thing I know for sure, no one ever hit a home run from the dugout.”
*****
Shelly watched as the hustle-bustle in the auditorium wound down. The last of the media filed out of the building amidst heavy chatter. Nick had caused quite a stir. Shelly turned to Nick and gave him a big hug.
“Well, how’d you like your first press conference?” “That was a rush!” she said.
“I’m glad you had fun,” he said. “I was terrified.” “You?” Wall piped in. “Didn’t show.”
“How’d you do with the reporters over there?” “The press is rude,” said Wall.
“Rude?” asked Nick.
“They wanted to know how old I was.”
“You’re thirty-nine, right?” ribbed Jerry, who joined the group
on stage.
“Yes, I am thirty-nine, that’s correct.”
“It’s Popcorn who’s over seventy,” Shelly blurted out. Dr. Wall gave her the evil eye. “Nick, I have to get back to my rounds. Dinner tonight?” she asked while reaching out and grabbing his arm. The touch was electric. She had it bad for this guy.
“Where we going?” asked Jerry.
“Wherever you and Bella would like to go is fine,” Shelly said.
“Bella has a pole dancing class tonight.” “Pole dancing?” Wall asked.
“Yes, it’s apparently good for the abs.”