She removed her gloves, eyeing her mother the entire time. “I haven’t yet had supper. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” Her mother’s tone was curt but not overly annoyed.
Susanna decided to ignore it and began to eat the soup.
It wasn’t long before the Harvey Girl brought the cake and a bowl of freshly whipped cream. She smiled at the two women. “The whipping cream really enhances the flavor of the cherries and chocolate. Chef recommends having a little with each bite of cake. I’m confident that you’ll find this dessert quite enjoyable.”
With that, she left them to their strange feast. Susanna ate her soup in silence while her mother spooned a dollop of the whipped cream onto her plate. Susanna tried to imagine what this meeting was about. Was her mother going to apologize? Or perhaps she wanted to further berate Susanna for her attitude. The latter seemed unlikely as they were in a public setting. Her mother would surely have saved such a thing for private. Whatever had motivated this meeting, Susanna couldn’t quite shake a sense of trepidation. How she wished Owen might show up so she could invite him to join them.
Susanna finally sampled the cake and cream and agreed it was probably the best black forest dessert she’d ever eaten. “The cake is so moist, and the cherries are just the perfect combination of sweet and tart, don’t you agree?”
Mother looked at her for a moment, then nodded. “I do. It is everything I hoped for.”
After this exchange, they continued to eat in silence, which surprised Susanna. After all, her mother was the one to call for this meeting. She no doubt had something on her mind.
Lord, I don’t know what she has planned, but I’m asking You to give me wisdom and clarity of mind. I don’t want to react in a manner that will cause us both embarrassment.
The silent prayer helped calm Susanna as she waited to see what her mother would do or say. Finally, the waiting was over.
Pushing back her empty plate, Mother pulled her cup and saucer closer. “That was superb. I’ve never had better.”
“It is quite delicious.”
Mother put the cup to her lips and seemed to take a long sample of the coffee. Susanna couldn’t help wondering if it was simply for effect, however. She’d never seen her mother drink much coffee, and now she nursed the cup as if it were a cure to save her life.
“I know you must wonder why I’ve invited you here tonight,” her mother said, not even bothering to put the cup down.
“You did say that I was dead to you.”
Her mother wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. She simply nodded. “I want to apologize for that. Father said I let my nerves get the best of me, and I suppose he was right. I was just overwhelmed by the situation.”
“Apology accepted.” Susanna refocused on her cake. She didn’t want to belabor the matter. There was more to this than her mother feeling the need for absolution, and the sooner this part could be done with, the sooner Susanna would learn what this was all about.
“In my condition, there is never any certainty of being able to apologize at a later date,” Mother began again. “The Bible says that where it is up to us, we should live peaceably with all men. I’m sure that must be true for women as well. Especially mothers and daughters.”
Susanna knew her mother expected her to ask about the implied condition, but she refused. If there were truly something wrong, Mother wouldn’t hesitate to explain it in vivid detail. So rather than speak, Susanna added sugar to her coffee and sampled it. It was now too sweet, but she wasn’t going to waste it. She took another sip, then put the cup back on the saucer.
“Susanna, you need to know that oftentimes things of a more serious nature interfere with my ability to show patience and even kindness. I’m afraid you caught me at a bad time the other evening. I had just learned some particularly worrisome news.”
“I’m sorry that you were upset.” Susanna picked up her fork and began to eat more of her dessert. She knew her mother’s game. She would dole out little bits of information in order to coax Susanna into prying for answers. Usually Susanna cooperated so as to get the game over with as soon as possible. This time she simply wasn’t in the mood. “For pity’s sake, Mother, just say what you’ve come to say.”
Her mother put her hand to her chest. “The doctor says I must have immediate tests and expensive medicines if I am to live.”
Susanna stared at her mother, who continued rambling without pause.
“Of course, I’ll need to go to a better doctor. Probably one in Albuquerque to begin with, but most likely a specialist in California. Your father is quite worried, and he won’t hear of me doing anything in the way of work. We will probably need to hire Lia for longer hours, as I’m sure to need someone to help me.”
“But I thought you were going to California,” Susanna replied in a matter-of-fact manner.
Her mother nodded. “You’re absolutely right. I will probably be in some hospital or convalescent facility. It is a grave worry, for I’m certain the cost will be exorbitant.”
Susanna wasn’t sure what to say or do. She felt confident her mother was making this up. It was probably the best idea she and Father had for getting Susanna to part with her money.
Susanna toyed with her remaining cake and then put aside her fork. “Well, there’s only one thing to be done. You and I will go see the doctor who has diagnosed you thus far. We will talk to him about the best course of action—the best facilities to handle whatever it is that is wrong—and we will go there together. You can hardly be expected to travel alone, and Father must stay and run the hotel.”
“No. You don’t need to worry about that. Your father is certain Harrison would wish for him to accompany me. He felt that you could run the hotel in our absence.”
Susanna shook her head. “I don’t think I could rest easy without being at your side.”
Her mother paled a bit and shook her head. “We can figure that out later, but there is the matter of the expenses for travel and for the doctors and medicine. We will be quite unable to pay for such things without your help.”
“Well, I wouldn’t feel comfortable without being there to speak to the doctors and hospital personnel myself.” Susanna dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “It’s such a worry to imagine that you might die without the proper help. I want to know that the doctors are doing everything possible. You know there are many great hospitals, and we must wisely consider which would be best. Now, what exactly is wrong?”
“Susanna, your father and I can manage this ourselves,” Mother said firmly. “We just need to know that you can manage the hotel.”
“Oh, I see. I thought you needed me to pay for it.”
“We will,” Mother replied in such a hasty manner that even she was concerned at the urgency. “I mean . . . well, again, my nerves are completely exhausted by all that’s going on.”
“Mother, I don’t want you to worry about a thing.” Susanna reached out to pat her mother’s hand. “That’s why I intend to speak with your doctor in the morning. We’ll figure out what he believes will be the best place for you to go for further diagnoses.”
“No, that isn’t necessary. I don’t need you to take over the situation. Your father and I can manage those details.”