Gerry Fenn—Sue Gates relationship

The Gerry Fenn—Sue Gates relationship re-emerges as a bond neither has let go of, but which remains strained by absence and withheld information. When they meet again, Sue Gates has tried repeatedly to reach Fenn and worries about him; Fenn is glad to see her, yet assumes she may no longer want to see him. Their conversation restores contact without settling what has come between them.

Reunion and signs of concern

Fenn tells Sue Gates, “It’s good to see you.” The welcome is sincere even as he notices how tired she looks: dark shadows under her eyes, and hair less springy and vibrant than usual. He asks whether she has been losing sleep, directing attention to her condition before the conversation turns to his own absence.

Sue Gates asks whether Ben is with him, then explains that she has tried to call Fenn many times during the past week. Her concern is not merely retrospective: as she looks at him, he smiles, pleased that she has been trying to reach him. The exchange establishes mutual attention through small, concrete gestures—her repeated calls and his evident pleasure at learning of them—without making either character declare the relationship settled.

Absence, apology, and misunderstanding

Fenn says he had been snowed under and thought he needed to keep away from people for a while. Sue Gates points out that he was not at the Brighton Courier. He explains that he was doing some digging for Monsignor Delgard, apologizes that she could not reach him, and admits that he thought she might not want to see him. His explanation joins practical absence to emotional uncertainty: he had a reason for being away, but he had also interpreted the distance between them as possible rejection.

Sue Gates brings up the accident and fire the previous week. She had heard from others that Fenn was involved and asks whether he truly thought she would not care. Her eyes glisten as she says this, making her concern visible as well as explicit. Fenn apologizes, but also tells her that she had seemed funny towards him and that he did not know whether she wanted to see him again. The exchange reveals a reciprocal misreading rather than indifference: each has taken uncertainty about the other's feelings as a reason to hesitate, while Sue Gates's calls and response to the fire show that the connection still matters to her.

Contact resumed, disclosure deferred

When Fenn reaches out and puts a hand on her arm, Sue Gates looks down and is about to say something. A nearby phone rings before she can continue, interrupting the moment. After Monsignor Delgard takes the call, Sue Gates returns to Fenn and quietly asks whether she can see him later, noting that things are hectic. Fenn feels slightly ridiculous having to ask, but asks whether she really wants to. Her question in return—whether he really wants to—keeps the uncertainty between them in view even as both leave open the prospect of meeting again.

Sue Gates then asks where Fenn stayed the previous week. The narration makes clear that he could have lied easily, but decides not to do so; instead, he says they will talk about it later. That choice is neither a full disclosure nor a rejection of her question. The scene ends with the subject postponed, leaving the renewed contact intact but the explanation outstanding. Their relationship is therefore presented as mutual concern under strain: they seek one another out, yet have not reached the candor that would resolve their misunderstandings.