Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Sweetheart, you're the best-"

"Stop it... Let's call it a night."

"...Okay."

Turns out, hitting the sack early to recharge was the right move because the next day, Roseanne took them to the Grand Canyon.

Another day blessed with sunshine.

Since they started off early, it wasn't too hot when they arrived.

Norris stood on the rim, gazing down at the spectacular and majestic view of the canyon.

Madge, however, seemed a bit lost in thought.

"What's up, Mom?" Roseanne noticed her staring intently at a particular spot, as if mesmerized.

Madge: "Isn't that the North Rim over there?"

"Yeah."

"It's called the Observation Point, right? The highest lookout at the Grand Canyon. The plaque with 'He who has not seen the Canyon has not seen grandeur' is there?" "Yep, yep," Roseanne nodded vigorously, "Mom, did you actually research this time?"

Madge was known for her go-with-the-flow attitude.

She never planned her trips, content to sit and enjoy the scenery wherever she ended up.

So her preparation this time was quite the surprise.

wonder Roseanne

just smiled, neither confirming

betrayed a

any research before coming, nor had she

as soon as she saw that spot, the information just popped into her

had lost, she had

was full of vigor, but after snapping a few photos, he was

too tired and hot. Let's rest a bit

they'd be fine? And

ground: "Hey, I'm

chicken. That I've

break, look at those young folks, turning back halfway. I'm doing better

below them, quite a few younger folks

Madge was speechless.

no arguing with

parents bicker,

Madge caught her: "What's so

wink, as if

let's take a

sure!" Norris, who had been sitting, sprang to his feet and

Madge chuckled: "Vain, much?"

to my beautiful wife, I can't afford to look sloppy. Honey, how do I look?"

Norris shouted, "Wait!"

was askew and tried to

struggle, reached out to help him, a look of affectionate exasperation on