Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne took a bite, her eyes crinkling with delight. "Yummy."

Madge caught the gleam of happiness in her eyes, reminded of how she looked when she arrived home today. A wave of emotion washed over her. She reached out, taking her daughter's hand in her warm palm, gently brushing her hair back to take a closer look at her face. "You've lost weight."

With her cheeks all stuffed with strawberry, Roseanne shook her head, denying it. "That's not true. I just weighed myself. I'm two pounds heavier than last week."

"It's just that you look thinner to me. Feel my hands. They're much more chubby."

She feigned distress. "I was considering going on a diet..."

Before she could finish, Norris interjected with a frown. "Young lady, why would you need to diet? You're so thin. Losing any more weight would turn you into nothing but bones."

Kids were always online, following some diet guru and starving themselves, not to mention taking diet pills. It worried him sick.

Roseanne's eyes sparkled as she leaned into Madge's hand, becoming limp as if boneless. "I was just saying."

Madge tapped her on the head lightly. "Even 'just saying' is not okay. You'll be in trouble if I find out you've lost weight next time you come home!"

with

Madge gently combed through her hair, finally voicing the question she'd longed to ask. "How have

him? He didn't come with you?" The inevitable

and her voice was soft. "We've

Madge went to see Lumina. But they left all

day, Norris had cut off contact with her, a disconnect that lasted six

her father would blame her, but Norris' aged features were calm and forgiving in the

the best. You two were never meant to be," Norris

Roseanne choked up again.

...

it was Christmas

beds. When Roseanne opened the door, still in her pajamas, feeling sleepy with one eye half-open and her hair sticking up

today? Rise and shine! Go wash up, get dressed, and come down for

Her voice was groggy, sounding

but laugh. "7:30 is late for me. Hurry up, or the milk will