The Perfect Family Man by M. M. DeLuca

Author:M. M. DeLuca
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2021-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

27

NOW

The city’s main hospital occupied several blocks, and with many research facilities attached, it resembled a small city. At fifteen, Mrs. Barnett’s real son would have been in the children’s section, so I circled the block several times before I could find a parking space. Parking spots were limited here, but the meter guys were like flies crawling on spoiled food. One minute late and they’d pounce with a ticket.

I decided to start with the main lobby of the hospital, a glitzy place with its own hotel, a Starbucks and a vast cafeteria as well as a pharmacy and gift shop. I reckoned the gift shop would be a good place to start since it was staffed by volunteers. If they’d been around a while, they might recognize Nate as the boy who brought the books around. Maybe they’d even remember his real name.

The gift shop was buzzing with people, browsing the flower arrangements and soft toys and candies. Trying to find some little knick-knack or keepsake to brighten up a sick person’s day. Business was booming. Not surprising since it was winter and therefore flu season, which always inflated the patient numbers. I picked up a little book titled Dreams of Andalusia, attracted to its bright cover of blossom trees blooming around the Alhambra. Two women were manning the cash register, so I picked the older one with the silver bob and thrust the book towards her.

“My gran loves to read,” I remarked as casually as I could.

She studied the cover and smiled. “Then she’ll love this one. It’s been a big seller. Something to do with the exotic locations.”

“Yes, there’s nothing like a good book to take you away from reality,” I said, swiping my debit card. “Tell me, do they have a book lending service here for the patients?”

She handed me my book, wrapped in a paper bag. “Oh yes. It’s not as popular as it used to be, but some patients still use it.”

“Only I was looking to do some volunteer work, and I thought that might be a good place to start.”

She laughed and handed me a receipt. “Then you’d have to fight Shirley for a job. She’s looked after the book lending for years and there’s barely enough demand to justify having her here.”

“But it wouldn’t hurt to chat with her, would it?” I said, regretting that I hadn’t just gone to the front desk and asked for the person who delivered the books.

“You’ll find her in the volunteer coordinator’s office. Third floor.”

I rode the elevator, cursing myself for wasting time and realizing I’d just have to get to the point with Shirley. No more fake offers about volunteering. I’d have to find some other tactic, though at that point I was flying by the seat of my pants.

The doors swished open onto a featureless corridor with drab cream walls. Totally dissimilar to the flashy lobby. A sign at the far end read Volunteer Coordinator.

The door opened onto a small reception area where a young woman sat scrolling through her phone.

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