Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Roseanne shook the mop vigorously, continuing her assault.

Louisa darted around, clutching her head, and even as she reached the door, she didn't forget to throw back a threat, "I—I'm not done with you guys!"

"Your goddamn wisteria creeping into my yard, I'll burn it all down tomorrow! It's so annoying!"

With that, she took off running, because Roseanne was already chasing after her with the mop raised.

"Get lost! Come back, and I'll hit you again!"

Roseanne dropped the mop, letting out a deep sigh, but then she noticed Norris with a serious look on his face, making her heart skip a beat.

After a moment, she hesitantly spoke, "...I'm sorry, Dad, I..."

"When did you learn to do that?"

"...Huh?"

"You know... that thing with the mop..." Norris mimicked her mop-swinging action.

Roseanne was speechless.

"Cough! It's better for a young lady to remain graceful and elegant, not resort to brawling."

Roseanne stepped forward, linking arms with him, "You've got

Uh!

Norris agreed, "...It did."

the wisteria on our

it daily with waste. The Cole family's wisteria had merely climbed over the wall, not yet reaching that patch of land, but she had destroyed

they had never brought up the issue of the land, inadvertently letting Louisa believe it was

were blocking the sunlight for her vegetables, so

realizing her parents had been put through

"Dad, what they said..."

it! Just consider it hot air! They don't know anything, just gossiping. I know my daughter better than anyone; you're not like

Roseanne's eyes grew moist.

BUMS

mom about this; she tends

second day of the Christmas, it

bed early by Madge, "No more sleeping, get ready, dress nicely, we're going to

the third, having two

Cole,

construction sites and in his twenties started his own business, had amassed his first fortune and then ventured into

materials company, living in a mansion, and driving a luxury car, he was considered a big shot in their small

the grandparents

the