He sighs and leans back in his chair. I can see his brain processing all this information.

“There are plenty of women who will want you for all the right reasons, Frank.”

We sip our drinks in silence until I remember the trailer.

“I don’t have the trailer documents with me—I mean, obviously, because I left with nothing. But I’m going to figure out how to transfer it back to you.”

Frank shakes his head. “You don’t need to do that. I don’t want it.”

“Of course I need to do that,” I say. “I should have done it before now. It’s just because I don’t have the paperwork, I’ve been…” I trail off. I’ve been delaying the inevitable. If I want those papers, I need to go get them from Oregon. I could ask Marion to find them for me, but I don’t want to get her into trouble. Mom’s so tricky and always at home because she doesn’t work, so she’s bound to find out. Marion has enough secrecy and lies in her life just applying for schools. I don’t need to put her in a more difficult position. I know Mom would never forgive her if she thought we were communicating behind her back.

“I need to come back to Oregon,” I say. “I’ll arrange for an attorney to do everything while I’m there.” But when? The Club opens is in ten days. I have this weekend off, then it’s the party for the residents of Star Falls on Monday night. The Club will welcome members the following weekend. Hart has made it clear that all hands are required on deck; shift patterns kick in properly, and time off won’t be on the table unless there’s an emergency. I don’t know when I’ll next have an opportunity to get away after the Club opens.

“You really don’t need to. It’s not like I want to own the trailer anyway. That was always to make your family feel more secure.”

I reach out and place my hand on Frank’s arm. He’s such a thoughtful man. “It was a lovely thing to do. But I can’t keep it. After I transfer it to you, maybe you can sell it.”

His eyes widen. “What about your mom?”

“She’ll have to pay rent to whoever buys it. Or find somewhere else to live.”

Maybe that would create an opportunity for my sisters to move out and find a place of their own. It could help them see that they don’t need to be at home, paying Mom rent, when they could have a place of their own.

“Do you know how to transfer it?” I ask.

“I have a copy of most of the paperwork. I can set the wheels in motion when I get back to Oregon.”