Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

She made her rounds through the mansion, greeting her countless aunts and uncles with a smile that could light up the room.

Then, with her arms folded, she strutted over to Madge, "Well, no offense, but this place is a mess! You ever think of tidying up a bit?"

Madge had tried, but somehow, within half an hour, it would look even worse than before.

Abbey couldn't help herself, "Anyone would think you folks invented laziness, look at this floor, mud all over! And what's that pile on the table? Smells like a dumpster dive."

"Good heavens, this towel's turned black! What's it for, scrubbing the grill?"

Martha snatched it away, "Why are you fussing over my face cloth?"

Abbey was speechless.

"Anyway, tomorrow's Mom's big 80th birthday bash, and sure, we can overlook a bit of mess among family, but what if the neighbors see? Talk about a disgrace. Maybe put in a little effort, dear?"

With a disdainful turn of her head, she acted as though she couldn't bear to look.

Madge's face turned sour.

Irving gave Abbey's sleeve a pull, signaling her to tone it down a bit.

Abbey shrugged him off irritably. Why should she stop? She hadn't even started!

is inevitable. You should

on

maybe keep a low profile. Don't bite

help me clean up a bit? You were the one

that, she went for

she'd seen a ghost, "I just

couldn't get out

...

next day was the

hearty hotel banquet, relatives

could finally breathe a sigh of

night fell and they returned home,

Norris was dumbfounded.

this? Didn't the shuttle

insisted we stay a few more days. When the birthday girl herself says so, how

only brought it up offhand, never thinking they'd take

was, and why not? Staying

the gracious host if it costs

Madge exchanged looks, feeling

...