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!"

sweeping her gaze across the venue, the

enough, the host took the stage, delivering a brief introduction before Madge

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

God! She's so

off me with those novels would be such a

around her waist, Madge moved with a grace that made the

and I'm thrilled

deep bow, Madge captivated the audience with her sincerity -

venue erupted into

stood among the crowd, her heart swelling with pride as her mother shone brightly on stage,

own smile mirroring" nov

Q&A session came the moment everyone was eagerly awaiting - the book

the crowd surged

was pushed along, trying

from behind,

about to fall, a pair of hands reached out, steadying her by

Mr. Reynolds?!" Roseanne couldn't help but exclaim, surprised to see the man in

his hands could easily encircle it. Owen picked up a book he'd dropped, dusting off the cover to reveal Madge's "Seven

here for your mother's book

read her work