“What’s wrong with getting all mushy over Owen?” she asked.
Gary plopped down on the sofa and shook his head whileSusanna went to the door and closed it for privacy from their hotel guests. There was a bell on the front counter that they could ring if they needed help.
“You don’t even know him,” Gary protested.
“No, not well,” Susanna admitted. “That’s why I like seeing him. I’m getting to know him.”
“He probably just wants to spend time with you because he knows about your money.”
“What do you know about my money?”
Gary shrugged. “I overheard Uncle Harrison say you’re a wealthy woman.”
“And you told Father. So that’s how he knew.”
“I didn’t mean to cause trouble for you, I just didn’t want him nagging me to give himmymoney. I figured it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
“Oh, you figured that, did you.” She stood at the end of the couch and put her hands on her hips. “And do you see now just how much of an ordeal it has turned into? I purposefully didn’t say anything to anyone because I didn’t want my money being the focus of anyone’s relationship with me. But for your information, I told Owen myself that I had money.”
“Then of course he’s gonna want to marry you.” Gary shook his head. “That was stupid.”
Susanna squared her shoulders. “My money and my relationships are my business. Stay out of it, Gary. All of it.”
“So you are in love with him.”
“I didn’t say that. But even if I was, it would still be none of your business. Honestly, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. You never used to act like this. Why don’t you tell me what’s really upsetting you lately? You haven’t been at all happy the last two days.”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.” His tone was bitter.
Susanna softened her voice. “No, of course you don’t have to. I just thought you might feel better if you did.”
“We had to move to the middle of nowhere, and I have to work a dirty job, and there’s nowhere to go for fun except a few pool halls and cardrooms. What’s to tell that you don’t already know? I hate it here. I can’t even try to go to college.”
“Do you want to go to college, Gary?”
He got up and started to pace. “It doesn’t matter what I want. Everyone has made that abundantly clear. I don’t even get to pick the department I work in.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is that why you’re considering going off with your boomer friends?”
Gary stopped. “Did Owen tell you that?”
“He didn’t have to. I heard you talking to Herc about it.”
Gary turned around and crossed his arms. “I don’t know. The guys want me to go with them. They’re gonna leave next month. They’re tired of being here and tell me there’s a lot more going on in some of the other towns. Albuquerque, for example, and it’s not that far away.”
“I see. Well, do you really think that kind of life is going to make you happy? Roaming from town to town, never settling down to build relationships and get to know people? There are some really nice folks here in San Marcial.”
“Yeah, but they aren’t interested in me.” Gary shook his head. “I don’t matter to much of anyone.”
“That’s not true. You matter to me, and I know you matter to Owen. He wouldn’t have taken time tonight to talk to you if he didn’t care.”
Gary frowned, then headed for his room. “I’m going to bed. Morning will be here before I know it.”
Susanna wanted to say more, but she could see that her brother’s mind was made up. Gary was in such turmoil. She knew he blamed their father for the problems they had, but he also blamed her and felt anger at Owen. Gary was always willing to blame anyone but himself when things were going wrong. She sighed. Maybe she’d talk to Pastor Lewis about him.
The next morning, after checking out their guests, Susanna went about her work gathering the sheets and pillowcases. Thankfully the hotel owned enough sets to change out every bed and still have one extra, but it was still necessary to tend to the wash every day, especially if the rooms had all been rented. Since Father hadn’t shown up again, she had made an arrangement with Manuel to stay for the time it took her to go to the house, do the wash, and get things hung up to dry. Later, Lia would take the linens down, iron the sheets and pillowcases, and leave them stacked and ready in the basket for Susanna. Often, Father had brought the basket with him when he’d returned after supper, but lately he’d so rarely come to work that Susanna wasn’t sure what she was going to do.
“Mrs. Jenkins,” Pastor Lewis said as she came down the stairs to the lobby with her basket stuffed to overflowing.