“The smaller of the two bedrooms is off the right of the living room, and the larger is on the left.” He opened the door to the smaller bedroom, and Susanna stepped in. She could see it working well for Gary. “There’s an outhouse in the back and a couple of cauldrons for laundry near the outside pump.”
“Sounds quite convenient.” Of course, her mother wouldn’t think so.
After seeing all there was to see, she knew it was time to hear the price and negotiate the details. Could she manage it for herself? This would be her first big venture without herfather-in-law, husband, or Uncle Harrison to guide her. She glanced heavenward and whispered a prayer.
“And what is the price you are asking for this house?” She decided it was best to get right to the point.
Mr. Medford looked at her rather sheepishly. “Well, the fact is ... I had a higher price in mind, but the Lord gave me another number to ask.”
For whatever reason, his words put Susanna at ease. “Very well, and what is that price?”
“Three hundred dollars.”
She thought of the money she had back in the hotel safe. She had brought exactly four hundred dollars with her from Topeka. There was more than enough to pay cash and have money left over until she could arrange with the bank for more.
“And the furniture stays with it?” She glanced around at the sparse but adequate pieces.
“It does. Two beds, one in each room, kitchen table with four chairs, and the sofa in the living room. And like I said, the laundry cauldrons stay.”
“I’ll take it. It seems the Lord is looking out for the both of us today.”
Mr. Medford nodded. “I’ve never known Him to do otherwise.”
She smiled at the old man and extended her hand. “Neither have I.”
“You will just have to wear it wrinkled,” Mother declared to Gary as he fussed over his Sunday shirt. “I don’t know how to iron it. I’ve never had to do such things for myself.”
“I could stay home. You’re the one who always protests wrinkles. We are supposed to look our best all the time in case we come across someone who will promote our destiny.”
“Well, they certainly won’t come from this horrid place. Decent people wouldn’t be caught dead here.”
Susanna had just arrived from the hotel and looked at her mother. “How did the house suit you last night?” She had borrowed linens from the hotel to make the beds and give it a homier appeal before showing it to her mother and father. For now she’d told them they could rent the house. She had no desire for them to know she had bought it outright. If they knew she had money, there would be no end to her misery.
“It certainly isn’t what we are used to,” her mother replied, “but it is better than that hotel. I simply could not show my face in church with the explanation that I was living behind the work desk of a hotel. The shame would have been too great.”
Susanna knew she’d only made the situation worse in some ways. Her mother had complained and cried and gotten her way once again. Susanna wasn’t teaching her anything but that such actions continued to work. But it had given Susanna great peace of mind. With her parents and Gary staying at the house, she had taken the hotel manager’s rooms. As far as she was concerned, she’d gotten the best of the arrangement.
“The Methodist church services start in ten minutes,” Mother announced. “We need to go now, or we’ll be rushed in getting there. I hate that we must walk everywhere. Herbert, you simply must arrange for us to have a carriage.”
“Mother, there is nothing far enough away to merit a carriage. We can walk to all of the stores, the church, and the Harvey House.” Susanna shook her head. “Even the railroad depot is close. And we certainly cannot afford to purchase a carriage and horses. Nor do you have any place to keep them, so we would have the added expense of a livery.”
“Oh, you are always so uncaring, Susanna. My nerves simply will not take walking everywhere. Especially when it’s hot.”
“I’m sorry, Mother, but you will have to get used to walking in the heat. Besides, you’ll have plenty of work at the hotel todo, so being out and about won’t be a problem. I won’t be here forever, and you’ll need to take over my duties.”
Her mother looked stunned. “I can’t. I won’t. I wasn’t raised to do such things.” She looked at her husband. “I haven’t the constitution for it.”
“Don’t go on so, Gladys. We’ll get it all figured out. Maybe Gary can take over Susanna’s chores when she leaves us.”
“I’m no washerwoman,” Gary declared. “Cooking and cleaning are women’s work. I’m going to check into a job at the Santa Fe.”
“What about helping me with the hotel?” Father asked.
“The hotel is your punishment, not mine,” Gary replied.
The look of surprise on Father’s face left Susanna certain a fight was about to erupt.
She shook her head and reached for her brother’s arm. “We’re going to be late for church.”
