Once they lived on a bus, another time in a mobile home with no plumbing. Linda came to the motel just south of Quantico Marine Corps Base to take control of her and her children s lives. But she hasn t completely broken away from her husband. He s a mechanic, and when he s working makes good money. At times, Linda has to come up with the rent from what she makes cleaning rooms at the motel, houses and an apartment complex.
Food stamps pay for their groceries.
Spring Lake is a tidy brown motel with connected rooms that resemble cottages. An asphalt parking lot and a busy highway are right outside the Gants front door. When she first came to the motel, Linda was worried Kim and Jeffery would be unhappy. At 36, she was afraid of being alone. Then she decided to take control of that fear.