Hope Girl Read Online Free PDF

except family. I assume you’re family?”
    Dad and I look at each other. “Yes and no,” he says. “It’s complicated.”
    She closes the chart. “Sir, either you’re family or you’re not.”
    Dad looks like he’s not sure what to say, so I take charge. “Mrs. Nuthatch is my grandmother. Well, she’s not exactly my blood relative, but I call her Gram. And this man,” I say, pointing to Dad, “he’s my father—we found that out three days ago.”
    The nurse looks at Dad with wide eyes. “I’m sorry,” she says, “but I’ll need to see identification.”
    Dad hands her his license. She reads it, “Jay Whippoorwill from Kentucky?” She re-checks Gram’s chart. “The only Whippoorwill listed here is Pastor Henry Whippoorwill. There’s also a granddaughter listed as River Starling.”
    â€œI’m River.”
    Then Dad says, “And Henry Whippoorwill’s my brother.”
    The nurse fiddles with her stethoscope. “Then Henry Whippoorwill needs to sign a form before you’re allowed to see Mrs. Nuthatch. And River,” she says to me, “only children twelve and older are allowed on this unit. And they must be accompanied by an adult.”
    â€œWell I’m nearly thirteen,” I explain, “so that won’t be a problem.”
    â€œGood,” she says. “I’ll just need you to bring identification, like your birth certificate.”
    My heart sinks. “I don’t have one because I was stolen.”
    The nurse shakes her head. “Honestly, this is the strangest story I’ve ever heard.” She puts Gram’s chart back. She looks at Dad. “I’m sorry but you’ll need to leave. I have patients to care for.”
    â€œBut I have to see her,” I yell. “I need to tell her I’m sorry.”
    â€œRiver,” Dad says, “we’ll work this out.”
    â€œI apologize,” the nurse says. “I have to enforce the rules.” She turns and walks away.
    Dad and I go back to the elevator. When the doors slide open, Dr. Wing steps out, looking surprised. “Leaving already?”
    Dad says, “Since I’m not listed as family, the nurse won’t let us in.”
    â€œWhich nurse?” says Dr. Wing.
    â€œI didn’t catch her name, but she’s not much taller than River and has short, dark hair.”
    â€œI could’ve guessed,” says Dr. Wing, chuckling. “That’s Rosa Amaranta. She’s new but already my favorite—no taller than a grasshopper with the spirit of a bear. Come with me.”
    We follow Dr. Wing back to the nurses’ station. He opens Gram’s chart and writes something. “There,” he says, “now you can visit.” He puts his arm around me, “River, before we go in, I want you to know it might be frightening for you to see your grandmother. She has many tubes, wires, and machines attached to her. Her eyes are closed, and she can’t talk. Knowing this, do you still want to see her? It’s all right if you choose not to.”
    Obviously Dr. Wing doesn’t know how tough I am. I marchacross the hall to Gram’s room. When I walk in, Rosa’s standing right in front of Gram, fiddling with wires so I can’t see Gram’s face.
    â€œGood morning, Rosa,” says Dr. Wing. “I hear you’ve already met River and her father.”
    Rosa’s still blocking my view. “Yes, Dr. Wing, we’ve met.”
    â€œI commend you for following orders, Rosa,” he says, “however, they’re now cleared to visit.”
    â€œThank you, Dr. Wing.” Rosa moves toward Gram’s feet to straighten her blanket.
    When I finally see Gram’s face, I actually feel better. She looks almost like she does when she’s sleeping at home. Except for the wires and machines, the only difference is that