Chapter 23 - ROSA DOESN’T COME BACKMalcolm waited a week before asking.
He already knew the answer.
Still, he asked.
Rosa met him at a small restaurant near her sister’s apartment.
“I want to offer you your position back.”
“No.”
He nodded.
“I thought so.”
“That was easier than I expected.”
“I’m learning.”
Rosa smiled.
Malcolm slid an envelope across the table.
“What is this?”
“Final pay, unused vacation, and a bonus.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“No confidentiality agreement.”
“Good.”
“And a written statement confirming you left voluntarily following the incident and that no allegations of misconduct exist.”
Rosa read it.
“That part I’ll take.”
“I thought you might.”
She folded the document.
“What will you do?”
“I already have an offer.”
“Household?”
“For now.”
Malcolm tried not to look disappointed.
Rosa noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Mr. Sterling.”
“Malcolm.”
She ignored the correction.
“You thought I was going to announce some huge new dream.”
He smiled.
“Maybe.”
“I clean houses.”
“You manage households.”
“I clean houses too.”
“Fair.”
Rosa stirred her tea.
“My sister and I are thinking of starting a residential-services company.”
Malcolm’s expression brightened.
“Really?”
“Do not invest.”
He laughed.
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You were.”
“I was thinking.”
“Don’t.”
“Understood.”
“We want to train employees, handle scheduling, maybe specialize in long-term household management.”
“That sounds good.”
“It sounds exhausting.”
“Most businesses are.”
Rosa looked at him.
“You would know.”
Malcolm nodded.
“Can I do anything?”
“Yes.”
He waited.
“If somebody calls you for a reference about me, tell the truth.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s enough.”
He understood the point.
No rescue.
No rich benefactor.
No dramatic check.
Just truth.
“What about Blake?”
Rosa’s expression became guarded.
“He wants to see you.”
“I know.”
“He asks every few days.”
“I know.”
“I’m not pressuring you.”
“Good.”
Malcolm looked down.
“He’s changing.”
“Slowly?”
“Yes.”
“Then maybe it’s real.”
“He has chores.”
Rosa laughed.
“Revolutionary.”
“He hates laundry.”
“Everybody hates laundry.”
“He apologized to Ethan.”
“Did Ethan forgive him?”
“Not really.”
“Good.”
Malcolm smiled.
“You enjoy consequences.”
“I enjoy children discovering other people have choices.”
He nodded.
“Blake asked if you hate him.”
Rosa became quiet.
“I don’t.”
“May I tell him?”
“Yes.”
“That’s all?”
“That’s enough for now.”
Malcolm accepted it.
As they stood to leave, he said:
“Rosa, thank you.”
She looked at him.
“For what?”
“For speaking.”
Rosa shook her head.
“You should thank yourself for finally listening.”
“No.”
Malcolm held the door open.
“I’m not giving myself credit for arriving late.”
She studied him.
Then nodded.
Good answer.
Two months later, Malcolm passed a white van on Providence Road.
A temporary magnetic sign had been placed on the side.
DELGADO HOME SERVICES
He smiled.
He did not call Rosa.
He did not offer investment.
He did not send flowers.
May you like
He simply drove on.
Some progress was learning when not to insert yourself into somebody else’s future.
