The Greenfield Hospital was a big, old red-brick building near the center of town. The Aldens pedaled up the long driveway that led to the main entrance and parked their bikes outside.
“Where do we go to find out more about the fund-raising for the new hospital wing?” Henry asked the receptionist behind the desk.
“Fund-raising?” The young man raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Yes,” said Jessica. “We would like some more information.”
“Oh.” The young man pointed down a hall opposite the desk. “Go down that hall all the way to the end to Public Relations. It’s the last door on the right.”
“Thank you,” said Violet.
In the Public Relations Department, the assistant asked them to wait. The Aldens sat down on a long sofa on one side of the office.
Just then, a tall, thin, red-haired woman in a gray suit came into the office.
“Is the director in?” she asked the assistant.
“Yes, but—” the assistant began to answer.
The tall woman didn’t stop to listen. She marched angrily across the office, pushed open the door, and went in.
“Wow!” said Henry.
The assistant, a young woman, looked very nervous. She jumped up and followed the tall woman.
Through the door, the Aldens could hear everything that was being said.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Alvarez,” said the assistant.
“That’s all right, Ms. Grady,” a man’s voice said.
Then the red-haired woman said firmly, “Mr. Alvarez, Silver City needs a new hospital much more than Greenfield needs a new wing. This is not fair! We won’t stand for it!”
“Doctor, I can understand why you are so upset,” said Mr. Alvarez. “But, if you remember, this decision was made by the entire County Board. All the board members agreed that it would be much better to add a new wing to the Greenfield Hospital.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it!” said the doctor. A moment later Mr. Alvarez’s door swung wide open and the red-headed doctor strode out. She didn’t even notice the Aldens. She marched out of the office and slammed the door behind her so hard that the pictures on the wall rattled.
“Wow!” said Benny, echoing what Henry had said a moment before.
Ms. Grady, the assistant, came out a moment later. Her face was pale.
“Mr. Alvarez will see you now,” she said, sinking down in her chair. She didn’t look too happy.
Thanking Ms. Grady, the Aldens went into Mr. Alvarez’s office.
Mr. Alvarez, who had brown eyes and black hair with gray streaks in it, looked as upset as his assistant. But he smiled at the children. “Hello,” he said. “I’m Mr. Alvarez. What can I do for you?”
“We’d like to know more about the fund-raising drive for the new wing for the Greenfield Hospital,” said Jessie.
Seeing Mr. Alvarez’s slightly puzzled look, Henry explained carefully, “We want to help. We’d like to raise money to contribute.”
“That is very generous of you,” said Mr. Alvarez. “If only everyone felt the same way.” He shook his head. He walked over to a table that had a model of a building on it. He beckoned the Aldens to join him. “This is a model of what the new wing will look like. It will have the latest in emergency room equipment. We are very proud of it.”
“We also are proud that a very wealthy person, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered to match the amount of money we raise.”
“So if you raise a thousand dollars, they’ll give you a thousand dollars, too?” said Violet.
“That’s right.” Mr. Alvarez nodded. “So any money you give will count for twice as much.”
“That’s great!” Henry said. “But whom do we give the money to?”
“You can give it to me. I’ll give you a receipt, and the money will go into the Hospital Building fund at the bank.”
“Thank you,” said Jessie. “We’re going to start earning money tomorrow.”
Mr. Alvarez smiled. He didn’t seem quite as upset as he had when the Aldens had first come into his office. “Your donation will be greatly appreciated,” he said.
The Aldens left the hospital and rode slowly home through the late afternoon shadows.
“I wonder why that red-haired doctor was so angry,” said Jessie as they pedaled down the street.
“Maybe she’s from Silver City,” suggested Violet.
Jessie said thoughtfully, “But you would think a doctor would be glad to have a new wing on a hospital, no matter where it was built.”
“Yes,” said Henry. “It is very puzzling. But I don’t see how she can stop the new wing from being built, especially if it’s already been voted on and decided.”
“We’ll ask Grandfather tonight at dinner,” said Henry. “He might know.”
Benny had ridden ahead. Now he looked back over his shoulder. “Let’s race home!” he cried. “One, two, three, go!” He took off, pedaling as fast as he could.
“Hey, Benny,” shouted Henry, “no fair! You got a head start!” But he and Jessie and Violet began to pedal as fast as they could, too. The four Aldens raced into the driveway of the big old place where they lived. Benny got to the house first.
“I won, I won,” he cried gleefully.
“You sure did,” said Violet, chuckling. “Come on, let’s get ready for dinner.”
Laughing, the Aldens went into the house. |