Read A Memory Between Us for Free Online

orphanage.
    Ruth had never tested her beyond the orphanage threat. Would her aunt follow through? How long did Ruth have?
    She gripped the edges of her cape. No matter what—no matter what, she wouldn’t let a Doherty go to an orphanage. Ever.
    “Good evening, Ruth.”
    She looked over her shoulder. May Jensen stood silhouetted against the darkening sky.
    “Hi,” Ruth said in an unwelcoming voice.
    “I love this spot. Isn’t it beautiful?” May sat down about six feet from Ruth and leaned back against a tree.
    “I come here when I want time alone.”
    “Don’t mind me. I brought a magazine, the latest Army Nurse . Have you read it?”
    “No.” She turned to study the gray ripples on the lake, and to shut down conversation so she could consider her problem.
    No one else had room for Maggie, so Aunt Pauline had to do. Where on earth could Ruth get the money? She had no product or service or inclination to start a business. Never again.
    If only she could hold off Aunt Pauline for one year until Chuck graduated and Ruth could divide his allotment among the other three children.
    If only Harold would contribute from his Navy pay. Ruth rested her chin on her knees. That wouldn’t happen. Five dollars here, ten dollars there. And Ellen couldn’t contribute, not with a shiftless husband who couldn’t even support his own family. Besides, Ellen considered Ruth’s financial responsibility a just burden.
    “Hmm. That’s interesting.”
    Ruth scrunched up her face. Why did some people assume everyone wanted to hear what they were reading?
    “Make sure you read this article on flight nursing.”
    “Oh?” Ruth had to admit flight nursing fascinated her with its adventure, independence, and responsibility. Of course, air evacuation had more detractors than champions and had been used only on isolated occasions.
    May held up the journal. “It tells about the graduation of the first class from the School of Air Evacuation at Bowman Field in Kentucky. Thirty-nine flight nurses. Brig. Gen. David Grant—you know, the Air Surgeon—he was there. He was incensed that no one planned to give them wings, so he pinned his own wings on the honor graduate, ordered wings for all flight nurses.”
    “Wow.” Grant had already earned Ruth’s admiration with his advocacy for nurses, from a physician, no less. “With him on board, maybe air evacuation will stand a chance.”
    “Wouldn’t that be great? It’s such an advance for nursing.”
    Ruth dropped her knees to the side so she could face May. “Can you imagine? A plane full of patients, one nurse, and one medic. If something goes wrong, the nurse gets to solve the problem. No physician to consult.”
    “No physician to boss her around.”
    “Sounds like a dream.” Ruth and May laughed together, and Ruth’s chest tightened. How had she let herself get drawn into a friendly conversation?
    “That’s not the only benefit. Look at this.” May flipped a page and lifted the magazine. “They get to wear trousers and flight suits. Don’t they look cute? All this and flight pay too.”
    “Flight pay?”
    “Because it’s hazardous duty. Sixty dollars a month.”
    “Sixty dollars?” Ruth reached for the magazine. “Could I—could I see that?”
    “Sure.” She handed it over. “They wouldn’t take me. I’m too small. But doesn’t it sound fun?”
    “Yeah. Lots of fun.” Sixty divided by four would mean fifteen extra dollars per month per child. That would keep Aunt Pauline quiet. Yes, it was hazardous, but she had her ten thousand dollar GI life insurance, which could see each child through high school.
    She flipped forward—requirements, requirements. There: five foot two to six feet, 105 to 135 pounds, twenty-one to thirty-six years old, graduate nurse commissioned in the Army Nurse Corps, at least six months in an Army hospital. Yes, she met all those. Next, she’d have to meet Class III requirements on the Form 64 physical exam. That would be tough, but