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

just smiled, neither confirming

betrayed

any research before coming, nor had she looked up any

spot, the information just popped into her

the memories she had lost, she had

of vigor, but after snapping a few photos, he

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

last night, all confident, saying they'd be fine? And now?

ground: "Hey, I'm

That I've made it

folks,

seemingly endless staircase below them, quite a few younger

Madge was speechless.

no arguing with

parents bicker,

halfway through her laughter when Madge caught her:

a playful wink, as if to say, "Us guys have to

Dad, let's

been sitting, sprang to his feet and began tidying

Madge chuckled: "Vain, much?"

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

Norris shouted, "Wait!"

and tried to adjust it, but couldn't

to help him, a look of affectionate exasperation on her