Human Blend Read Free Page B

grabbed a change of clothes. She wanted to shower before going
out to continue her exploration of the town.
    Julie felt better after her shower. The
traveling was really wearing her down. She was ready to stay in one
place, and hoped this would be the town where she could begin a new
life. Dressing in nice slacks and blouse, she traded her sneakers
for sensible flats. Sitting down, Julie opened up the local yellow
page directory. She looked up the hospitals and clinics within the
town.
    “Smyth County Community Hospital sounds like
a good place to start,” she decided. After committing the address
to memory, she headed down to the lobby.
    Patricia was no longer on duty. In her place
was an attractive gentleman. He smiled brightly as Julie
approached. “Hello,” Julie greeted the man, as he appeared to be
unable to get any words out. “I'm trying to find the Smyth County
Community Hospital,” Julie stated and gave the address. “Is it
within walking distance?” she asked.
    The gentleman, whose name tag read 'Anthony',
found his vocal cords. “It is about a 35 minute walk from here,” he
managed to say. “I could call a taxi for you, Miss...”
    “Miller,” Julie finished for him. “But, that
won't be necessary. I enjoy walking and it is such a lovely day,”
she said. “Could you give me directions?”
    “Certainly, Miss Miller,” he said, trying to
keep his hand steady as he wrote down the directions for her. Julie
waited patiently. She still had trouble understanding the different
reactions she got from people. Either they were over confident to
the point of being cocky when they approached her, or extremely shy
and timid. Then you had poor Anthony who seemed beside himself. She
accepted the paper from his shaking hand.
    “Thank you for your help,” she said and left
the hotel. She didn't wait for a reply from the clerk. She was
anxious to see the hospital.
    The pleasantness of the town, once again,
filled her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Walking along the streets,
she observed the people coming and going. Everyone living out their
daily lives. Julie felt a yearning to be a part of it. The walk
actually took her closer to an hour, as she stopped along the way,
trying to absorb all of the town's flavor.
    The hospital was bigger than she expected for
such a small town. She entered the building and went to the welcome
desk that was staffed by an elderly person.
    “Hello,” Julie greeted the elderly woman.
“Could you direct me to Human Resources? I'd like to inquire about
doing some volunteer hospice work,” Julie explained.
    Before the woman could respond, a nurse, who
was dressed in uniform, arriving for work, stopped over. “I'll help
her out Gladi,” she told the woman behind the counter.
    “Did I hear you say you were looking for
volunteer hospice work?” she asked, hopefully.
    “Yes, I am,” she answered.
    “Oh, thank God, we are very understaffed on
volunteers and could really use the help,” the nurse said. “Follow
me on up, I'll show you to Human Resources. I'm Joy, by the way,”
the nurse said, walking.
    Julie kept pace, “I'm Julie. It's nice to
meet you,”
    The two walked quickly up toward the
elevator. “Do you have experience?” Joy asked, as the elevator
doors closed.
    “Yes. I used to volunteer in New Orleans,
before Katrina. The hospital has since closed permanently,” Julie
said. She had done her research on closed hospitals, therefore
eliminating the ability to check references.
    “Oh wow. Were you there when it hit?” Joy
asked, as the elevator doors opened on the 3 rd floor.
    “No, actually,” Julie said. “I was on
vacation in Florida,” she stated her self-rehearsed line.
    Joy knocked on the door of the Human Resource
Manager before opening it up. “Kathy, you in?” she asked, as she
entered. A woman stood behind a desk on the phone and held up her
finger towards Joy.
    “Yes, I am aware, I'm working on it. I can't
pull them out of thin air,” the woman said