Read Online Dead Girl in Love by Linda Joy Singleton - Free Book Online

now, too.
    I was ready to ditch my assignment and drive right over—until a voice from the phone yanked me back to reality.
    “Amb—I mean, Alyce—are you there?” my own voice whispered.
    “Yes,” I told my grandmother with a rueful look down at my temporary body.
    “Wait a minute while I take this in my room. You probably should call my cell next time.”
    “Your cell? But I don’t have a cell phone.”
    “You do now. Probably because your parents nearly lost you after the accident and want to keep in touch with you.” She gave me the number. “Okay, I’m in your room now so we can talk freely without Theresa overhearing.”
    “You’re supposed to call her Mom,” I said, a bit too sharply as I wiped a tear from my cheek.
    “I’ve been trying, but it’s so hard when I look at her and remember changing her diapers. Being my daughter’s daughter is harder than I expected. Oh, and before I forget, you had a call from your beau last night. He’s still in Los Angeles doing some singing contest. Nearly knocked my socks off when he knew I wasn’t you, and since he knew, I told him who you were.”
    “Yeah, he called here.” I warmed a little thinking of Eli. I wasn’t able to be with my family, but at least I could talk to Eli. “Thanks for bending the rules and telling him what was going on.”
    “My rules, so I can bend them.”
    “Just don’t bend too many—you are in my body.”
    “Worried I’ll run out and get a tattoo?”
    “Depends on the tattoo,” I teased. I’d secretly wanted to get a tattoo but hated needles.
    “I’ll get a big pink heart surrounded by flowery words that say ‘Grandmothers Rule Forever.’”
    “Grammy!” I cried. “You wouldn’t!”
    “Sure about that?” She chuckled, sounding exactly like herself except with my voice. “Honey, you have nothing to worry about. I’m keeping busy here. Theresa was impressed with how I rearranged your bedroom furniture and organized your closet. I couldn’t believe how much junk you crammed in there. I’m throwing out a huge pile of mismatched shoes, old clothes, and trashy magazines.”
    “They’re not trashy! Don’t throw them out!” I yelled, so loudly that a man walking his dog turned to stare at the “crazy girl” sitting alone in a car.
    “Why keep old magazines?”
    “How else am I going to study what’s going on in Hollywood without being an insider? You know how serious I am about my career plans.” I had E-Buzz magazines dating back five years, full of highlighted articles about entertainment agents and how these movers and shakers influenced Hollywood. With study and hard work, I planned to create my own style of influence someday. “I don’t care about the old shoes and clothes, but return my magazines to the closet.”
    “Sure, honey. I’ve always been behind your ambitions one thousand percent. I’ll take excellent care of your collection and I know the perfect shelf for them. Is there anything else I should do for you? I’ve already cleaned your room, washed dishes, dusted, and folded laundry. I couldn’t find any homework.”
    “That’s because it’s spring break with no school until Monday.”
    “So what would you be doing if you were here?”
    “Hanging out.” I shrugged. “You know. Computer games, playing with my sisters, listening to music, talking to friends.”
    “That doesn’t sound very productive.”
    Her critical tone, one she often used with Mom but seldom with me, made me bristle. “I don’t always have to be doing something. But if you get bored, read my self-help books.”
    “I never get bored,” she said firmly. “I’m going to help your mother by creating a daily schedule for the triplets, with meal times and educational activities. Theresa really is in over her head with the little girls. She has no organizational skills at all, but I’m doing my best to help.”
    I groaned. Mom hated anyone telling her what to do. She believed in letting children discover