"That statement has a lot of truth in it doesn't it, Mother?" said Anna, ferociously biting her heavily buttered toast.
"You little brat! You've always gotten everything you wanted!"
Anna nailed her intent gaze on her mother:
"I won't put up with it anymore, your treating me like this, Melpomeni."
"How else can one treat trash when it is in front of you?" Melpo growled, clenching her fists tightly.
"I can't believe you are talking to me like this … " Anna bit her lip to stop herself from crying.
"I sacrificed my whole life for you. I gave up everything for you. Do not forget that,
Anna!"
Without another word, Anna rushed into the bathroom and locked the door. Like a wounded bull in a dusty arena, Melpo paced angrily, taking heavy steps, gaining momentum before the next charge.
"Come out! Come out right now! Do you hear me? What are you doing in there?" screamed Melpo.
Anna's watery red eyes faced Melpo when she came out. Holding her stomach and with trembling lips, she walked toward Melpo.
"My child, my little one, what got into you?" she extended her arms toward Anna.
But Anna blocked her path by placing both of her hands in front of her, palms and fingers wide open. Melpo backed off, stung by the rejection, but moments later regained her fury. The wrinkles on her forehead rose along with her eyebrows and her eyes blazed fire again.
"Mom, Mom! Just leave me alone. I want to be alone. Please, stop it."
"No, I will not stop until I am good and ready." Melpo stood up rigidly, in her full height. "Now tell me, who is this man I was told you have been seen with?"
"Have you been spying on me, Mother?"
"Let's just say I have eyes everywhere."
"Oh how I wish Daddy was here," said Anna, bringing clenched fists to her chest. "Well he isn't!"
"Why do you hate me so much, Melpo?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing, Anna. And why are you calling me Melpo all the time?"
"Because you never wanted me to call you Mom." Anna burst into tears. Anna's sharp words were like swift arrows, piercing Melpo's heart.
"What are you saying, Anna? I can't believe those words came out of your mouth."
"Only the truth, Melpo."
"The truth? The truth is, ever since you were born you stole everything from me!"
Anna looked puzzled. "I stole everything from you?"
"Yes, you did!" Melpomeni rambled on as Anna stared wide-eyed at her. "You stole my husband, took all of the love he had for me, all of it. From the day you were born! Oh my God!" Melpo pretended to be overcome with emotion and collapsed into the chair.