Chapter 34 - leaving rosemmere taught maisie the business would still wait
Maisie went to college two states away.
Not hospitality school.
That delighted her.
She studied environmental planning and public policy after changing majors twice.
The first year she barely asked about Rosemere.
I tried not to be offended.
Failed privately.
Then something unexpected happened.
Rosemere improved.
Nolan and the management team implemented changes.
Employee retention increased after wage adjustments.
The staff-housing study moved forward.
Events remained profitable.
Nobody waited for the heiress to return.
During sophomore year Maisie asked:
“Are you okay that I’m not there?”
“Yes.”
Lie.
She heard it.
“You want me back.”
“I like you.”
“That’s not answer.”
I sighed.
“I want you to want Rosemere.”
She became quiet.
There.
My expectation.
Not command.
Still weight.
“What if I don’t?”
“Then you don’t.”
“Would that hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Would you survive?”
“Barely.”
She laughed.
Then:
“Okay.”
That conversation helped more than pretending I had no hope.
Parents can want things.
The problem begins when wanting becomes obligation disguised as destiny.
May you like
Maisie stayed away another year.
Rosemere waited.
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