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!"

thought, sweeping her gaze across

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

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

my God! She's

pants off me with those novels would be

black dress she'd bought the day before, with a white chiffon scarf tied around her waist, Madge moved with a grace that made the scarf flutter with each step,

and I'm thrilled to be

deep bow, Madge captivated the audience with her sincerity - a

erupted

with pride as

own smile mirroring" nov

moment everyone was eagerly awaiting - the book

crowd surged

was pushed along, trying to sidestep the throng

shoved her from behind, sending

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

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

his hands could easily encircle it. Owen picked up a

for your

her