Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

After dinner, the night had deepened significantly. Leda had driven herself, so she took her leave first.

Owen had his car too, and since Roseanne was his neighbor, it made sense for her to catch a ride with him.

Their old apartment building didn't have its own parking, so they had to park across the street at the mall and then walk back to their building.

On their way, they passed through a grove of cottonwood trees when suddenly a gust of wind kicked up.

Cottonwood fluff took to the air, swirling around them like a flurry of white snowflakes.

"Ah-choo-" Roseanne couldn't help but sneeze. "Sorry, I... Ah-choo-"

After several sneezes in quick succession, Owen realized she was allergic and quickly dug out a pack of tissues from his pocket, opened it, and handed her one. "Cover your nose with this and try to breathe through your mouth."

Following his advice, Roseanne found her nose felt much better.

They hurried back home.

After bidding each other goodnight at the door, Roseanne quickly closed her door and immediately let out a series of sneezes.

When she finally stopped, her nose was completely red.

ways, but the cottonwood season could be

after living here for nearly a decade, she

and a large glass of hot water, Roseanne

opened the fridge, took out some ingredients, and began preparing her lunch for the next day at the

time she finished, packed everything up, and cleaned the

she sighed, resigned to her fate, and went downstairs to take out the trash. On her way back, before she could even enter

it up. "Hey, Cliff,

and I'm worried he might do something rash..." Roseanne scanned her surroundings warily.

cheeks flushed, his gaze on her was blurry and

Roseanne?! What happened? Why'd you stop

the phone from her hand,

Corley, now Cliff. Roseanne, you say

all tangled up

to get

buddies. What's that about?"

profile cold,

a drunkard? You're calling me a drunkard?!" Murray gripped her shoulders, shaking her wildly, his voice laced with despair, "You weren't like this before. You

Roseanne pushed him away.