Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

After breakfast, Roseanne got started on some house cleaning.

It had been a fortnight since the last deep clean, and the dust had accumulated in more places than she cared to admit. Before she knew it, the morning had slipped away.

After a brief lunch break, she decided to head out for some groceries. Just as she got dressed, her phone rang. It was Leda. "Hey Anne, you home?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I just... I've been craving your cooking."

Their friendship had weathered enough storms for Roseanne to immediately pick up on the unspoken heaviness in Leda's voice. "What's wrong? Something happen?"

"No, it's... it's nothing. Just been a while, missed you is all," came the muffled reply.

Roseanne paused, choosing not to press further. "Then come over. I'll cook."

"Awesome! I'll be there in forty!"

Roseanne hurried out to shop for groceries. By the time she returned, Leda was right on her heels.

As soon as she walked in, she clung to Roseanne, refusing to let go. "You always know just what I like."

Hearing the bitterness in her words, Roseanne guessed it probably had something to do with Nola. "Alright, go chill for a bit. I'll get dinner started. Won't be long."

nodded obediently, settling down

later, dinner was served,

How about we have

beer in the

"Yeah!"

work the next day, with Roseanne also enjoying a

food was barely

they went through several

Despite its lower

of

kept opening can

were flushed,

evening wore on and she showed no signs of

beer. I'll grab

after just a few steps. Roseanne quickly steadied her.

pouted. "Anne, you don't believe in my tolerance? How could I be drunk after just

her breath, "No drunk ever admits they're

"You don't

"...We're out of beer."

let's go buy

Roseanne was dumbfounded.