Read Online Hope Girl by Wendy Dunham - Free Book Online

is?”
    Rosa says, “River, bend over and touch your toes.”
    I touch them without arguing (that’s more than Gram would do).
    Rosa says, “Now I’ll run my finger along your spine.” She starts at the top and works her way down. “Okay, River, stand up.”
    Gram looks at Rosa. “What is going on?”
    â€œI don’t want to alarm you, but I think River has scoliosis.”
    I learned about that in health class, so I know what it is. But Gram doesn’t. “Scoli what?” she says.
    Rosa explains. “It’s pronounced scō-lē-ō-sis. It means curvature of the spine and can cause hips and shoulders to become uneven.”
    â€œWhat can we do about it?” says Gram. “We can’t have my Sugar Pie leaning every which way.”
    â€œShe needs to see an orthopedist.”
    Gram shakes her head. “A what?”
    Rosa repeats, “An or-thō-pē-dist. A doctor who treats problems with bones and muscles.”
    Okay, not only do I have a crooked back, but I also think I’ve become invisible. “Hello? Since it’s my spine you’re talking about, would you mind including me in the conversation?”
    Rosa puts her hand on my shoulder (the one that apparently points north). “I’m sorry, River. I didn’t intentionally leave you out.”
    â€œI know what scoliosis is,” I say. “I learned about it in health class last April. Our school nurse checked everyone’s back. Mine was fine.”
    â€œGood,” says Rosa. “Since that was only three months ago, hopefully your curve isn’t too serious.”
    â€œEven so, Sugar Pie, we gotta call your dad.”
    â€œHe said call only if there’s an emergency.”
    Gram looks over the rim of her glasses. “This is close enough.”
    â€œI have his number,” says Rosa. “If you’d like, I’ll call him.”
    â€œGood,” says Gram. “Cuz I’d get those medical words like scolipedist and ortho-osis all mixed up.”
    I look at Rosa. “Why do you have my dad’s number?”
    Her face turns pink, then bright red. “Well,” she says almost stuttering, “it’s in your grandmother’s medical chart.”
    I guess that makes sense.

    Not only did Rosa call Dad, but she also made an appointment for me to see an orthopedist on Monday. And since Dad won’t be back from Kentucky yet, Rosa’s taking me.

13

    Orange Piece of Paper
    O n Sunday after church, Uncle Henry takes me and all the Whippoorwills to see Gram. When we’re almost there, he looks in his rearview mirror at all the little Whippoorwills. “Please be on your best behavior—that means using respectful voices and good manners.”
    When we arrive, Uncle Henry tells the receptionist we’re visiting Gram.
    The receptionist checks the clock. “The residents are at Sunday dinner, but it’s just starting. You’re welcome to purchase tickets and enjoy a meal with her.”
    â€œWhat’s being served?” Aunt Elizabeth asks.
    â€œSpaghetti and meatballs.”
    Uncle Henry looks at Aunt Elizabeth. “Meatballs?” Then he turns to the receptionist, “We’ll purchase nine tickets, but hold the meatballs.”
    The receptionist looks confused. “What’s the sense in having spaghetti and meatballs without the meatballs?”
    â€œTrust me,” says Uncle Henry, “it makes good sense.”
    We continue to the dining hall, where a waitress leads us through a maze of tables, wheelchairs, and walkers until we reach a table big enough for all of us. Then she hurries to Gram’s table and wheels her over to ours.
    â€œMrs. Nuthatch,” says Uncle Henry, “isn’t that Myrtle you were sitting with? Maybe she’d like to join us.”
    â€œShe couldn’t give a hoot,” says Gram. “Without those hearing aids,she can’t hear for