Something in Between Read Online Free Page B

Something in Between
Book: Something in Between Read Online Free
Author: Melissa de La Cruz
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the floor. Since I’m not allowed to touch anything hazardous, I squeeze the water out of the mop for her. Even though I’ve been volunteering at the hospital for a few years, I still don’t know how Mom does her job. There’s no way I could clean up after people like this all day long. I have mad respect for her. She’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever known. Deep down, I think she knows that about herself too. Mom doesn’t suffer fools and she was always the one who told me I could work my way up to the top. She’s always believed in me, that I could do anything, be anyone I wanted to be.
    By the time we’re done, the nurse has left the room and the old lady is starting to talk again, something about meeting Frank Sinatra. She’s staring out the window at the tall buildings across the street, so I can’t tell whether she’s speaking to us or just to herself.
    Mom nudges me with her shoulder. “Why don’t you interview her for your project?”
    I check to see if the hospital room is on the approved list first, and notice that this patient was the last-minute addition that Gladys just handed to me.
    Pushing the mop bucket out the doorway, Mom says, “Meet me at the parking lot at the end of my shift.”
    I nod and pull up a seat next to the bed. The stories this old lady could tell sound like they’d be interesting, especially as she was describing to the nurse how she met Frank Sinatra backstage and he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
    â€œHi, I’m Jasmine de los Santos,” I say. “I’m here to interview you for the study you signed up for? I’m hoping to compile the stories into a book as well, and plan to share it with everyone at the end of the year.”
    She gazes intensely at me, and I notice for the first time that her eyes are a milky blue, like the sky behind clouds. “I suppose you want to know my name?” She has a slight accent that’s hard to place.
    I nod. “That would be helpful to start.”
    â€œMy full name is Amelia Florence Marsh,” she says, in the tone of voice as if she’s the queen of England.
    â€œMrs. Marsh...”
    â€œ Ms. Marsh, actually, though I suppose that’s confusing since Marsh is my married name. I’m a widow.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I say, backpedaling.
    â€œNo need to be sorry. What do you have people call you when you never divorced but you’re also not married anymore? Anyway, I go by Millie with my friends. And we’re going to be friends, aren’t we? I can always tell.”
    I smile. “Millie, I couldn’t help but overhear your story about meeting Frank Sinatra. Do you want to start there?”
    Millie arches one perfectly plucked gray eyebrow. “Sure. I was a young girl then—around fifteen probably.”
    â€œSo what did he say to you?”
    She purses her lips as she looks up to the ceiling like a little kid who’s been keeping a big secret for a long time and just can’t wait to tell someone, even though she also doesn’t want to be in trouble. “He told me I’d be just his type if I was just a little older,” she says with a throaty laugh. “Oh, that Frank.”
    I laugh with her. “Did you meet other famous people?”
    â€œOf course. We lived in Beverly Hills, and it was only natural in my husband’s line of work. But I’m not some kind of vulgar name-dropper, if that’s what you’re thinking, missy. The memory just reminded me of being young again, of having a body that worked for me instead of against me. Being old’s terrible.”
    â€œSorry, I didn’t mean to offend you,” I say, although I like that she’s a pistol.
    Millie wipes her forehead with the back of her hand. “No, I’m sorry, darling. I’m an awful wretch when I’m sick. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I just don’t feel well. At my age,

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