?


    She even stepped back for a second nce, just to confirm she hadn''t mistakenly wandered into someone else''s chaos.


    What she saw was a light grey carpet, now a canvas of scuff marks and litter.


    People were chatting away, munching on snacks, with no regard for cleanliness. Shells of peanuts, fruit peels, and wrappers were tossed onto the floor with abandon.


    And the once pristine walls? Marred by what looked like the aftermath of a muddy ser game - two grimy footprints stamped on them.


    The buzz of conversation was reminiscent of a hive in full swing.


    Roseanne turned to Madge with a look that screamed, "Really?"


    Her mom offered a helpless smile in return: "See for yourself."


    Roseanne was speechless.


    But wishing was futile, especially since a rtive had already spotted Roseanne and was making a beeline towards her -


    "Goodness, is that Norris'' girl? Look how you''ve grown, such a beauty! Heard you''re doing your master''s at Kingswell University? Such a smart cookie!"


    "And it''s really Roseanne! Married yet? Still studying? Feels like you''ve been in school for ages! Be careful, or you''ll end up an old maid!" "Must''ve been a long trip back, huh? Come, have some peanuts!"


    Surrounded by the crowd, she felt like a panda on loan to a zoo, with everyone eager to poke and prod.


    Roseanne managed polite greetings and brief responses before excusing herself to the restroom – her escape route.


    She hurried upstairs, aiming for the sanctuary of her room.


    Reaching her door, she found it wide open, which made her frown. A quick inspection revealed nothing amiss, thankfully.


    She sighed in relief, shut the door, and shut out the noise.


    Dinner was Madge''s domain.


    Not wanting to cook, and feeling sorry for Norris having to y host all day only to end up in the kitchen, she ordered takeout from a local diner instead.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The meal was a hit with the dozen guests.


    But the aftermath - the cleanup - was all Norris.


    Martha caught him tying on an apron, heading for the kitchen, and called out -


    "Norris, what are you up to?"


    Norris: "Just going to tidy up the kitchen."


    "A man of your stature in the kitchen? Where''s your wife?"


    "She''s working."


    "She''s


    work could she possibly have that needs doing at night?"


    Ways home, isn''t she? What


    s to en.kikistorine


    Norris exined, "Madge works from home. Her job is all online."


    "So it''s nothing urgent then. Clean up first, then work, can''t she?"


    Norris: "No need for her to bother. I usually handle it..."


    "What?!" Martha was incredulous, "The man of the house doing kitchen chores?!"


    Norris shrugged, "What''s the big deal?


    ever''s free does the work.


    matter who."


    s to en.kikist


    "In our day, men were the breadwinners, not tied to the kitchen!"


    Norris, ever the peacemaker, chuckled, "In our house, my wife brings home the bacon."


    Martha was speechless, baffled by his pride.


    Norris, preferring not to dwell on the subject, dived into his kitchen duties.


    Martha, watching his practiced movements, could tell this wasn''t his first rodeo.


    By nine, after a shower, Roseanne was yawning non-stop.


    The weariness from her journey was catching up with her.


    nning an early night, she turned off the lights and settled into bed.


    Just as sleep was about to im her, a loud crash from downstairs jolted her awake.


    Rushing to investigate, she


    discovered the culprits - two kids


    atop the TV stand, their


    roughhousing having sent the TV crashing down from its mount.