Page 112 of My Rules

Everyone’s hands fly up as they desperately try to be his volunteer.

He looks around the class, and I can see him doing an internal assessment. “You look like an excellent assistant.” He points at the little boy sitting alone on the end. “Come up here, please.”

The boy bounces up and stands beside him. Blake bends and shakes his hand. “My name is Blake, and this is Cecil. What is your name?”

“Aaron.”

“Hello, Aaron.” Blake shakes Aaron’s hand and then holds out the penguin’s little wing to shake hands too.

Everyone laughs as Aaron shakes hands with the penguin.

“Now, you are going to be our student doctor and look over Cecil as I show you what to do. How does that sound, Aaron?”

Aaron gives an overexaggerated smile and nods. Blake hands him the play stethoscope. “Now, do as I do and look over Dr. Cecil.”

He puts the earpiece in his ear and holds his stethoscope to Aaron’s chest. “Just like this.”

Aaron holds the stethoscope to Cecil’s chest and listens.

“Very good.” Blake smiles. “You’re a natural at this.”

Aaron beams with pride as he looks around the classroom.

Oh, my heart.

This is his spiel that he does with the children every day at the hospital.

“Now we are going to take Cecil’s temperature.” Blake hands Aaron a digital thermometer. “Hold it to his forehead and be very still.”

Aaron concentrates on doing his job as Blake takes Aaron’s temperature.

“You are an excellent doctor,” Blake tells him.

I get a lump in my throat as I watch him. He’s so tender and sweet. Instructing Aaron on how to be the doctor while sneakily checking Aaron for the same things.

I mean, I always knew he was special, and I know he’s a doctor, and I know he’s a pediatrician. None of this is new information, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen him in action.

I’m in awe . . .

I watch on as Aaron is instructed on how to give Cecil a full check-up: ears, eyes, and bones. Reflexes and ligaments. They check Cecil’s blood pressure.

Blake pulls out a fake syringe and helps Aaron draw blood from Cecil as I blink away tears.

Over the next half hour, I stand to the side of the classroom, transfixed by Dr. Blake Grayson. I don’t hear much of what he’s saying; it’s what he’s not saying that means so much.

His empathy and giant heart are shining through.

“Thank you, Aaron,” he says. “Everybody, give Aaron a big clap for a job well done.”

Aaron dances back to his spot as the class cheers.

Blakes smiles. “Now, who would like me to listen to their heartbeat?”

The hands shoot up. “Me!” “Me!” “Me!”

“Line up,” he tells them.

One by one, they step to the front, and he listens to their heartbeats. “Wow,” he gushes. “Sounds like magic in there.” He listens again. “I think you can actually make magic.”

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