Blue Like Elvis Read Online Free

motioned for me to do the same. “This is
our more formal dining room. Many of the doctors and administrators eat here,
as well as visiting pastors and other guests. There’s also a large cafeteria on
the Union side where most of the employees dine. I prefer it here. Much more
quiet.”
    She ordered two
coffees for us and I studied her as she began telling me all about the
hospital. She was actually very pretty, with a head full of thick white hair,
obviously teased into the “do” common to women her age. I’d guessed she was
somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 or so. Not exactly lean, but not plump
either. Friendly gray-blue eyes with a slight hint of mystery, but overtly
authoritarian. No question there.
    Suddenly I
realized she was no longer talking about the hospital but about her latest
golfing trip to Florida. “When spring comes, I try to take off early a couple
days a week to work on my game. Do you play, Shelby?”
    “Me? Oh, no, ma’am.
I’ve never played. My brother’s pretty good. He and Dad play a lot, but I never
learned to play.”
    “That’s a shame. I’ve
tried to interest some of the other girls in learning, but so far I’ve had no
takers. Such a wonderful game.”
    I realized her
eyes were lit up like a Macy’s Christmas tree. She continued telling me about
some of her better shots, which of the doctors at the hospital belonged to her
country club, and the locations of her favorite courses around the country.
    Note to self:
sign up for golf lessons.
    Half an hour
later, she signed the tab and we headed back to the office. So much for my
introduction to Baptist Hospital.
    As we rounded the
final corner to the office, she said, “Be sure to be at orientation by 1:00
sharp. I’ll have Pamela take you to the conference room . . . well,
speak of the devil.”
    Tucked in a dark hall
corner closest to the office, the good doctor and his stunning fiancée were
sharing a rather tender moment just as we passed.
    “Dr. Warrick, I’ll
thank you to part lips with Miss Smythe and let her get back to work. Time’s a
wasting, you two.”
    I felt like a
pimple-faced school girl in tow behind the principal watching the cool kids
make out. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time I felt that way.
    Pamela caught up
to me as I entered the back office. “Ready to rock and roll? Oh! I almost
forgot.” She jumped into the back room where half a dozen other hostesses still
lingered. “Did you all hear Elvis checked out this morning?”
    “About time!” the
feisty Puerto Rican chimed in. “He’s been here almost two weeks this time.
Think he’s dried out yet?”
    “Sandra, bite your
lip!” Pamela scolded with a laugh. “You know Elvis doesn’t drink.”
    “Who said anything
about booze?”
    A tiny wisp of a
thing, Sandra was no more than 5’2” with a head full of black curls, a perfect
olive complexion, and a ready smile. I could tell immediately Sandra held
nothing back and liked to have a good time. I had a feeling we’d get along
great. Especially if I remembered to pronounce her name correctly—Sandra, as in
“Sahndra” not Sandra as in Sandra Dee.
    “Sandra, let it
go,” Mrs. Baker warned from the outer office. “You represent this hospital, so
watch your tongue, young lady.”
    Sandra made a face
which our boss couldn’t see, but I kind of loved her for it. No offense to Mrs.
Baker, but I wasn’t a big Elvis fan, as you know. I chuckled quietly. Sandra
smiled as if we were co-conspirators.
    “Miss Garcia, why
aren’t you on your floor yet?”
    “Oh, I’ve already
been up there. I ran out of my cards. I was just leaving.” She made another
wild expression then headed out the door. “¡Adios, amigas!”
    “That reminds me,
Shelby,” Mrs. Baker continued from the outer office. “I’ve ordered your cards
and your name tag. They should be ready in the next couple of days, and I’ll
call Casual Corner this afternoon and order your uniforms.”
    “Great,” I