"How can I comprehend all this, Holy Mother?" answered Anna.
"We are not to question God's will, my daughter," said the nun calmly.
"What are you two talking about God and all this nonsense for!" rambled Melpo, bursting into the living room of Anna's delicately decorated apartment, catching both Anna and the nun by surprise. Anna's face turned red from anger and the hair on the back of her neck stood up straight.
"How could you? You heartless woman!" Anna raised herself up. "And you call yourself a human being?" questioned Anna.
Melpo started again, her eyes sparkling with malicious energy. "I had to find out from others about your condition," she pointed at Anna's belly. "What made you think that you are fit to be a mother! Spreading your legs to that Turk! My own daughter! How about the consequences of your actions? You're paying for them now! And the shame you brought to me, I will not be able to show my face anywhere. You, look at you!" Melpo was breathing heavily.
The old nun kept repeating, "Lord, have mercy."
"Good that the little bastard was taken away from you ... Yeah ...," shaking her hand in the air, Melpomeni continued her tirade. "Yeah, he took it ... what you call God ... He is merciful after all!"
The nun stood up and quietly but firmly said, "Mrs. Bouras, do not speak of God in a blasphemous way ... He has given you so much. Why are you so blind?" She moved closer, starring at Melpo who stood frozen, ready to speak. But the nun placed her finger on her lips. "Bitter and hurtful words after they are spoken can never be retracted."
Melpo was fuming. Anna walked between the two women. "I am going to say a few words and listen carefully. I no longer will call you mother. Nor do I ever want to see you again. Do you understand? Never!" Melpomeni backed off, shaking. "I am going to the monastery. Don't try to find me." Anna moved her face away. "Now leave and take with you what you came with."
Melpo looked with questioning eyes. She straightened her head up and turned around. As she was leaving, Anna said, "I will pray for you."