Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

It was a bustling June in the lab, and Roseanne had been going nonstop for two weeks before finally getting a day off.

She had just finished feeding her fish early in the morning when Norris called.

"Is Anne up?"

"Yeah, I'm up."

"Why not sleep in? I thought you said you had the day off from the lab to rest."

"My internal clock's set, I guess. How's mom?"

"In her study."

"Working on her novel again?"

"Yep! You know her; mornings are when her muse speaks loudest."

Roseanne's thoughts drifted to the matter of the contract, her gaze intensifying, "Dad, has mom's publisher been around lately?"

"Not that I've seen. Why? They do most of their communicating online these days."

"Just curious."

the kitchen to whip up some

Norris busied himself in the backyard tending to his

the keyboard, crafting line after line into

calm and

cozy suburban home, in the faculty housing area where their old

to the nines in a Chanel suit, clutching a Louis Vuitton handbag, her heels sinking into the muddy ground,

Such surroundings!

Such conditions!

than a dog's

not been for Madge's contract nearing

But after their last argument,

over the years, but Madge always came crawling back, ready to compromise.

would eventually give way to

just a matter

know you're

"Open up!"

a visitor, Madge. We have our professional disagreements, but where's your basic courtesy and respect?" "Madge-If you

the effort, but the door

door, Louisa emerged in her pajamas, her hair a mess,

in her yard, hands on hips, glaring at Nadine