Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"You're so handsome, I'm totally smitten, let's give it a shot, be my boyfriend..."

"Wow, aren't you the bold one," Roseanne laughed.

"My biggest virtue is my courage to dream big and act on it."

"Yeah? Maybe just stick to dreaming for now," Roseanne teased.

Corley, seemingly oblivious to her subtle rejection, grinned, "Dream first, then do."

"Not everything can be done," she said, dampening his spirits a bit.

"No worries. You gotta try, right? No regrets. Who knows? Maybe it'll happen."

Roseanne didn't respond.

At the staircase, Corley stopped, "This is you."

"Thanks."

need anything. Anytime. I'll be

"Sure."

'Sure, I'll say yes

twitched at the corner

know you're Miss Independent, happy with your solo gig. But maybe, just maybe, think of me if you need help? I'm not asking to be the first you think of... but maybe...

"Head up then."

ascend the stairs until her room light flicked on,

...

was stable and she was well taken care of. With Murray away and no one to berate

even gained a bit of

slaved away,

struggles with insomnia, exacerbated by Millie's unpredictable demands, left her frazzled. Even if Millie was quiet, Beverley would wake up startled,

a care, unaware of the concept of restraint. Fed up, Beverley left Millie in the mall to return

watermelon, Millie scoffed, "Leaving me alone in the mall and sneaking back to enjoy yourself, are you living up to your duties? What if