Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

The front row was filled with people around her parents' age.

"What's going on?"

Her boyfriend was equally confused, blurting out, "Why is it all older folks here?"

That comment touched a nerve-

"What's wrong with us older folks?! Got a problem?!"

Trying to clarify, her boyfriend stammered, "No, I mean... you're into fan culture at your age?"

"We're not chasing after pop stars, we're here for the literature! Got an issue with that?"

"Exactly!"

Her boyfriend was taken aback, exclaiming, "Madge's readership is this diverse?"

"Humph! We've been fans of Madge's novels for over a decade. Sure, we got married, had kids, and got swamped with work, barely active online, not into the whole ranking and streaming hustle like you youngsters, but we've always supported her by actually buying her books."

"Yeah, we've just been busy, not dead!"

her gaze across the venue, the fanbase

the host took the stage, delivering a brief introduction before Madge was welcomed with a round

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

God! She's so

scaring the pants off me with

white chiffon scarf tied around her waist, Madge moved with a grace

Madge, and I'm thrilled to

the audience with her sincerity - a killer move

erupted into thunderous

with pride as her mother shone brightly on

own smile mirroring" nov

Q&A session came the moment everyone was

crowd

trying to sidestep the throng

from behind, sending her lurching

was about to fall, a pair of

see the man in front of her. Owen coughed lightly, retracting

could easily encircle it. Owen picked up a book he'd dropped, dusting off the

here for your mother's book

read her