?


    The LCD screen was shattered beyond repair.


    Both sets of parents arrivedte to the scene, initially scolding their kids before turning to Norris with apologies.


    At first nce, their manners seemed intact.


    But their words told a different story-


    "Norris, we''re really sorry, but you''re doing pretty well for yourself now, aren''t you? A TV isn''t that expensive; it shouldn''t be a big deal, right?"


    "Kids will be kids, you know? Always roughhousing. Surely, Norris, you wouldn''t stoop to their level?"


    "Exactly! Exactly!"


    Norris was speechless.


    In the end, he let it go, unable to actually ask forpensation.


    But...


    Norris couldn''t help but feel a sting looking at his ruined TV.


    Brand new, and it cost him a pretty penny...


    "Alright, alright, let''s all head to bed."


    The next morning, Roseanne was rudely awakened by the sound of a TV, grabbing her phone to check the time-


    Not even 6 AM.


    Suddenly remembering something, she bolted out of bed and out of her room.


    Surely, the noise wasing from downstairs.


    But hadn''t the TV been destroyed?


    Descending the stairs, she found a group of middle-aged women lounging on the couch, each engrossed in their phones, watching short clips with the volume cranked up high.


    Roseanne was about to intervene, knowing that the morning was Madge''s prime writing time and her study was on the first floor.


    With all this racket, there was no way she could concentrate.


    But before she could say anything, Madge emerged, looking less than pleased.


    The two locked eyes, and the anger on Madge''s face froze before gradually subsiding.


    "Woke you up?" Madge touched her face, a look of sympathy in her eyes.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Roseanne shook her head wearily, "No big deal. I''ll go grab some breakfast."


    The house was too noisy; she might as well find some peace outside.


    "Go ahead," Madge said.


    Watching her daughter leave, she sighed in resignation.


    Turning back to the living room, now resembling a chaotic market, she decided to retreat to her study.


    Out of sight, out of mind.


    But then-


    Martha approached her with a smile and said, "Madge, it''s seven already, aren''t you making breakfast? Us country folks are used to eating on time."


    Madge patiently exined, "Anne''s gone to pick something up; she''ll be back shortly."


    "Pick something up?"


    Martha seemed to twist the concept into something unrecognizable.


    Madge nodded, "With the house so


    full, it''s not easy to cook for


    Qx


    everyone. Just outside ourmunity, there''s a whole row breakfast spots, offering all kinds of options. It''s very convenient


    swnow


    "What do you mean ''full''? We''ve had more hands during harvest back home, and my daughter-inw would cook for everyone. If she can do it, why can''t you? Buying food costs money, you know? I think you just look down on us country folks, not wanting to lift a finger to cook for us."


    She had heard plenty ofints from Joie about her daughter-inw.


    Norris had turned down the factory manager''s daughter to marry her, even going against his own mother''s wishes.


    He must have thought he was marrying some kind of goddess, but it turns out she''s justzy!


    The kitchen''s a mess, breakfast is a foreign concept, and she locks herself in that room iming to work, doing who knows what.


    What kind of woman acts like this?


    Aren''t women supposed to take care of their men? If they all acted like her, the world would be upside down!


    Madge felt a headacheing on


    as she tried to maintain her


    composure, offering exnations to a woman who seemed not to hear


    a


    word she said, growing increasingly angry.