Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Norris was the underdog of the family, having graduated from an Ivy League school only to become a high school teacher. A noble profession, sure, but not exactly a gold mine.

Martha couldn't help but mutter to herself more than once: Not all of Joie's kids had the Midas touch, it seemed.

And then...

Norris hit the jackpot?!

That Joie must have been born under a lucky star...

The more Martha thought about it, the sourer she felt, urging her grandchildren to eat up while they were there.

They might as well get their money's worth out of the visit!

Besides Martha's gang of eight kids, there was also another squad from his aunt's side.

They too had come in full force.

Upon entering, his aunt's reaction was much like Martha's, eyes wide in astonishment: "Norris, looks like you've struck it rich, huh?"

"Can teaching really rake in that much?" she whispered conspiratorially, "Is there some kind of side hustle you've got going?"

Norris shook his head and gestured dismissively: "Absolutely not! I work at a public school and get a regular salary. There's no extra cash to be had." "You're treating me like an outsider, huh? If there's no extra cash, how can you afford such a fancy house?"

You've got to be kidding!

Norris scratched his head, saying, "I haven't really brought in much dough. But my wife and daughter, they're the ones rolling in it. They're the ones who bought this house, I didn't have a hand in it. Me? I'm just some lucky schmuck who hit the jackpot with a great wife and a sweet girl."

His auntie was speechless. Asking for financial advice, she gets a lecture on happiness?NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Talk about missing the point!

Still, Auntie couldn't help but run her hand along the railing, plop down on the sofa to test its springs, and finally, her gaze landed on a vase that had already caught the grandmother's eye-

"Norris, this is quite the looker, it's an antique, right?"

Norris knew what she meant by that:

I like this vase, but I won't say it outright. Give it to me already.

He opened his mouth, about to explain that the vase was just a cheap find from the flea market, but Auntie's attention had already shifted excitedly-

"Lordy, lordy! Is that what I think it is? One of those... what do you call it? A fireplace! Every household abroad has one, right? With the flames leaping up..."

Norris: "Yeah, a fireplace."

"Exactly! That's the one!"

"

"Installing one of those must cost a pretty penny, huh? Oh, and look at that..."

Norris watched her run around, not even bothering to take off her shoes, leaving mud-streaked footprints on the floor like she'd just come in from plowing the fields.

He took a deep breath, maintaining his smile.

"Granny, this TV can play video games! I wanna play! Let me play!" A kid was bouncing on the sofa, waving a remote control and gesturing wildly.

The screeching was unbearable.

Norris pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.

Glancing back, he noticed the puzzle he'd spent the better part of a month completing was now in pieces, some of which were even missing. He let out a wry smile.

What a mess...

The spacious villa was filled to the

brim with adults, seniors, and kids alike. Some were cracking open sunflower seeds and gossiping,

others were head-down in a f

platter, and kids were running around, their laughter loud enough tlift the roof.

It was more chaotic than a flea market.

Norris shuddered at the thought of enduring two more days of this...

...

Despite Madge's warnings, the moment Roseanne stepped through the door, she was utterly gobsmacked.