Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The trio stepped out of the restaurant into the crisp evening air.

"Man, you're like a celeb, Owen. Had everyone huddling around you like you're the lead singer of a band or something." "Celeb?"

"Yeah, you know, like a pop idol."

Owen chuckled, shaking his head. "It's all about the perks, isn't it? No idol business there."

Leda sniffed the air subtly. "Have you been drinking? You didn't drive, did you?"

"Just a bit. No, I didn't drive."

"Perfect, hop in. I'll drop you and Anne off."

Leda's car couldn't quite make it down the narrow lane, so Roseanne and Owen decided to walk the rest of the way.

Under a sky scattered with stars, a gentle breeze carried the occasional meow from a distant alley cat.

Owen stumbled over a discarded fast food wrapper, his balance off from the drinks.

"You okay?"

"Sorry, ended up having a couple more than I should have."

not to let the smell of alcohol reach her, Owen

making

drunk, never once thinking

on her then, how different

all men were like Murray, Cliff, or York; swimming in a sea of bright lights and cocktails, living life in a blur of

and steady, the

then there was

admirers, yet

was a revelation to her that excellence didn't equate to indulgence, and success

reason to live unrestrained, yet chose to be

academics really need to network

live in a society built on connections, where favors and goodwill are the currency. But how do we exchange these? A

a matter of degree." "Consider holidays, when even the youngest kids are dragged along on family visits. Isn't that a form of networking

if you see it as

much like an obligation. It could be over tea,

by the first definition, it still

was a new perspective for Roseanne, sparking her

and drinks count as networking for

"How so?"

today were former mentors, close friends, and a few acquaintances hoping for favors. Sharing a meal and drinks with mentors and friends doesn't feel like networking to me;

I can't refuse those