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."

let the smell of alcohol reach her, Owen consciously maintained a

incredibly sincere, making Roseanne feel

Murray often came home drunk, never once thinking

her then, how

York; swimming in a sea of bright lights

Norris, gentle and steady, the embodiment of an

there was

yet

didn't equate to indulgence, and success didn't have

every reason to live unrestrained, yet chose

to network that much?" Roseanne queried, curiosity

on connections, where favors and goodwill are the currency. But how do we exchange these? A drink often serves as the medium, though tea, books, art, poetry

exempt. It's just a matter of degree." "Consider holidays, when even

see it as

doesn't feel so much like an obligation. It could

by the first definition,

new perspective for Roseanne, sparking her

drinks count as networking for you?" Owen

"How so?"

and a few acquaintances hoping for favors. Sharing a meal

I can't refuse those I'm not close