"Mom? You slapped me?" Barbara's voice was hoarse and thin.

Melanie gaped and sighed in disbelief. She looked at her own hand then shook her head quickly. "Sorry, My Dear. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Barbara laughed bitterly. Stepping back, she muttered, "I hate you." A second later, she ran into her room.

Melanie suddenly became confused. Barbara's words kept ringing in her mind. When she came to her senses, she screamed in annoyance. "Aaargh! What actually happened? Why is it so messy?"

With ...