Richard Learns to Ask Before Protecting
Chapter 17 - Richard Learns to Ask Before Protecting
Richard filed for divorce and stepped down as chairman.
He remained on the hotel board for one transition year under independent supervision.
His relationship with Grace developed slowly.
He wanted to compensate for twenty-two lost years through invitations, money, and family announcements.
Grace refused most of them.
“You do not get to repair secrecy by making me public before I choose.”
Richard apologized.
He learned to ask.
Could he introduce her as his niece?
Could he share a photograph?
Could he visit Room 714 while she worked?
Sometimes the answer was no.
The relationship survived.
That taught him more than immediate forgiveness would have.
Richard also repaired his relationship with Eleanor.
He stopped speaking to physicians before speaking to her.
He stopped treating assistance as evidence that she needed decisions made.
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They argued more afterward.
Eleanor considered that improvement.
