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.

Roseanne was

smiled, neither confirming nor

her eyes betrayed

fact, she hadn't done any research before coming, nor had she looked up any information about this

spot, the information just popped

memories she had lost, she had been here

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

can't, I can't. I'm too tired and hot. Let's rest a

was it last night, all confident, saying they'd

stood his ground: "Hey,

That I've made it

folks, turning back halfway. I'm

on the seemingly endless staircase below them, quite a few

Madge was speechless.

no arguing

parents bicker,

got halfway through her laughter when Madge caught her:

if to say, "Us

let's

who had been sitting, sprang to his feet and

Madge chuckled: "Vain, much?"

beautiful wife, I can't afford to look sloppy. Honey,

Norris shouted, "Wait!"

askew and tried to adjust it, but couldn't find the

reached out to help him, a