\u201c\u2026not your setting.\u201d<\/p>\n
I let those words sink in.<\/p>\n
Then I made one phone call.<\/p>\n
\u201cJames, flag the Patterson family reservation for owner review.\u201d<\/p>\n
An hour later, I returned to the resort.<\/p>\n
My father was at the front desk demanding that my room be canceled.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t cancel that reservation,\u201d I said calmly.<\/p>\n
Before he could respond, the hotel director arrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Patterson, I\u2019m James Hendricks, Director of Operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
My father explained that my room should be removed.<\/p>\n
James didn\u2019t argue.<\/p>\n
He simply turned to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss Patterson, the reservation has been flagged for owner review. No changes can be made without direct authorization.\u201d<\/p>\n
My father frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd who is authorizing it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe owner,\u201d James replied.<\/p>\n
Then he looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you like to proceed with your stay?\u201d<\/p>\n
My mother\u2019s face suddenly changed.<\/p>\n
My brother stared at me.<\/p>\n
My father demanded, \u201cWhat is he talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe part of my life none of you ever asked about.\u201d<\/p>\n
James finally revealed the truth:<\/p>\n
\u201cMiss Patterson holds a controlling interest in the Grand View Resort group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
My father had just tried to throw me out of a resort I partly owned.<\/p>\n
I picked up my suitcase.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be staying for the week. And please keep my family\u2019s reservations exactly as they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time, my family had nothing to say.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201c\u2026not your setting.\u201d I let those words sink in. Then I made one phone call. \u201cJames, flag the Patterson family reservation for owner review.\u201d An hour later, I returned to the resort. My father was at the front desk demanding that my room be canceled. \u201cYou can\u2019t cancel that reservation,\u201d I said calmly. Before he…<\/p>\n