Chapter 12 - THE MAID WHO WALKED AWAY
Norah resigned from the Bellandi household.
Roman didn't argue.
Teresa cried.
Lucia hugged her.
But Norah had made up her mind.
“I can't keep working here,” she explained. “Not after everything.”
Roman nodded.
“I understand.”
He offered her a generous severance package, counseling support, and assistance with relocation.
Norah accepted the benefits owed under her employment agreement but declined the additional money.
“I don't want to feel indebted to your family.”
Roman looked at her.
“You aren't.”
She smiled sadly.
“I know. But I need to build something that's mine.”
He nodded.
“What will you do?”
Norah hesitated.
“I'm thinking about opening a bakery.”
Roman smiled.
“A bakery?”
She laughed.
“I know. Not exactly what you expected.”
“Why not?”
“My mother taught me to bake. Before she died, we used to make cinnamon rolls every Sunday.”
Roman looked at her.
“That sounds wonderful.”
Norah nodded.
“I've saved some money. Not enough for a storefront, but maybe a small commercial kitchen.”
Roman considered.
Then said:
“If you ever want business advice, I'd be happy to help.”
Norah smiled.
“Without trying to buy the building?”
He laughed.
“I'll do my best.”
For the first time, they looked at each other without the weight of employer and employee between them.
Just two people.
Both wounded.
Both trying to begin again.
Norah moved into a small apartment near Lincoln Square.
She enrolled in a business course.
Worked part-time at a neighborhood café.
And began developing recipes.
Every Sunday, Lucia visited.
They baked together.
Sometimes Teresa joined them.
The first time the three women made cinnamon rolls, Lucia burned the sugar.
Teresa laughed.
Norah laughed.
And Lucia laughed so hard she had to sit down.
For thirteen years, Norah had believed the fire defined her.
May you like
Now she was beginning to understand that the scar was part of her story.
Not the whole story.
