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!"

gaze across the venue,

a brief introduction before Madge was welcomed

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

my God!

pants off me with those novels

her waist, Madge moved with a grace that made the scarf flutter with each step, her

and I'm thrilled to be here

the audience with her sincerity -

venue erupted

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

own smile mirroring" nov

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

crowd surged

trying to sidestep the throng

someone shoved her from behind, sending her lurching

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

exclaim, surprised to see the man in

of her waist - just as he remembered, his hands could easily encircle it. Owen picked up a book he'd dropped, dusting off the cover to reveal

for your mother's book

read her work