Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Whoa, if it isn't Roseanne! I thought I was seeing things when I saw you at the door!"

Louisa, the notoriously chatty and loud neighbor from next door, whose husband also teaches at Horizon Future Middle School, just like Roseanne's family, they moved into the faculty neighborhood in the same year.

Spotting Roseanne stepping out, she hurried over, giving her an up-and-down look that was nothing short of thorough, "Well, I'll be darned! Isn't it just like the big city to polish up a gem! Look at you, hitting the big time, huh!"

Roseanne was speechless.

"Just look at that outfit, that figure, those clothes and shoes, absolutely trendy!"

Louisa was all praises, then she leaned in closer, winking at Roseanne, "Hey, I heard you're doing great in Lumina City, got any connections... any chance you could hook up my little sister?" Roseanne was perplexed, "Hook up with what?"

"Ahem! You know, a big-shot, a real catch. My sister's got the looks and the body, plus she's young, only 22!"

Roseanne's face fell, she stepped back, putting some distance between them, "Louisa, you've got it wrong. I don't have those kinds of connections. I can't help you."

furrowed, "Come on, Roseanne, we're practically family, why all the secrecy? Once you've made

laugh, "Me, spread the wealth? Louisa, you're giving me too

Louisa's smile vanished, "Oh, dear, look how uppity we get when we've got a little money! I was just kidding around. Who'd want to be with that kind of

your words!" Before Roseanne could respond, Norris, her father, dropped his bike and rushed to shield

can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say anything! My Anne is clean

spewing nonsense?"

ask around our block, who doesn't know your daughter's been away for years, hanging onto rich men? It's not just me saying this, go ahead, shut everyone up

with

but pretending

fake!" Her scornful gaze swept over Roseanne, "What decent girl dresses like that? Always on the

out-OUT-" Norris clutched at his heart,

quickly fetched

again, her

was icy cold, "I called you aunt out of years of being neighbors, but you've crossed the line, hurling insults