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 indeed

the stage, delivering a brief introduction before Madge was welcomed

"Ms. Madge is stunning!"

God! She's

person scaring the pants off me with those novels

in a 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

everyone, I'm Madge, and I'm thrilled to be

audience with

venue erupted

swelling with pride as her mother shone brightly

own smile mirroring" nov

Q&A session came the moment everyone was

the crowd surged

trying to sidestep the

her from behind,

about to fall, a pair of hands reached out,

the man in front of her. Owen coughed

easily encircle it. Owen

your

her