Read Online Hope Girl by Wendy Dunham - Free Book Online Page B

ask who is calling?”
    Words stumble from my mouth, “Mom? This is River.” I wait for a happy shout like “Oh my goodness, I remember!” or “I can’t wait to see you,” or something, but there’s only silence. “Mom?”
    There’s a click and then a dial tone. We must have got cut off.
    I call the operator and she redials. The phone rings once. No one says hello, but I hear breathing. “Mom? Are you there?”
    Click.
    I tell myself it’s okay, then copy her address on a piece of paper and tuck it in my pocket. Now I don’t want to clean. I put the newspapers back by the fireplace and look through the rest of them. Most of them are old, but off to the side is a new one, The Birdsong Times , dated Monday, May 9, 1983. Only two months ago. I read the headline “Birdsong Memorial Hospital Welcomes Rosa Amaranta.” The article goes on to say that she’s a “recipient of numerous awards for excellence in nursing.” There’s a picture of Rosa with a kid who looks sort of weird—it’s hard to tell, but his skin looks almost twisted. He must be her patient. I keep reading: “Rosa Amaranta accepts head nurse position on the intensive care unit, where she’ll begin employment in early June. Rosa states, ‘I’m looking forward to working and living in a small town. After everything Carlos and I have been through over the past year and a half, this is the new start we’ve been hoping for.’ Rosa brings her thirteen-year-old son, Carlos, also shown in the photo, with her.”
    Her son? Rosa never said she had a son. Then off to the side of the article, written in pencil, is another phone number, 816-4723. It’s Dad’s handwriting again. I carry The Birdsong Times to the phone and dial the number.
    A guy answers, “Amaranta’s. This is Carlos.”
    I hang up. It doesn’t make sense. Why would Dad have Rosa’s number?

14

    S Is for Spine
    A t seven o’clock Monday morning, Rosa pulls into the Whippoorwills’ driveway. I hurry and say goodbye to Aunt Elizabeth. “You know I could come to your appointment with you,” she says. “Nathan can watch the little ones.”
    â€œI’ll be fine,” I say. “Rosa will be there.” I smile and give her a hug so she won’t feel bad. She has enough to worry about.
    I run out the door and hop in the passenger’s seat. “Thanks for picking me up, Rosa.”
    â€œMy pleasure,” she says and heads toward Birdsong Memorial Hospital.

    When we arrive, Rosa gives me my uniform. Even with my uneven shoulders and hips, it fits me perfect. I wouldn’t have picked pink, but that’s the color volunteers wear. My name’s even on it. I take one last look in the mirror and smile. I can’t wait to show Mom.
    Next Rosa introduces me to Ms. Ruddy, the activity therapist. She’s in charge of volunteers. I spend the first part of the morning helping her prepare for bingo.
    â€œWill my grandmother be playing?” I ask.
    Ms. Ruddy looks surprised. “I didn’t realize you had a grandmother on the unit. But, yes, all residents play bingo. It’s part of their rehabilitation experience.”

    After bingo, Rosa comes to get me. “How was your morning?”
    â€œIncredible.” I say. “I helped Ms. Ruddy with bingo, and Gram and Myrtle played. They’re like best friends now.”
    â€œThen it sounds like you’ll be back tomorrow?”
    â€œI can’t wait.”
    Rosa checks her watch. “We have twenty-five minutes before your appointment with Dr. Crane. Just enough time for a bite to eat.”
    Rosa treats me to lunch at the hospital’s cafeteria. I must have been hungry because I’m done when Rosa’s only half finished with her cheeseburger.
    I snitch one of her fries.
    Then with her mouth half full, she says, “Did I ever tell you I have a