The bright ceiling lights of the hospital waiting room hummed softly overhead, reflecting off the polished marble floors. Maya sat on the edge of the blue vinyl chair, her grey sweatshirt feeling heavy against her cold skin. Across from her, Evelyn adjusted her beige sweater, her sharp eyes fixed on the plastic payment terminal resting on the counter.
Evelyn: Hand over the card, Maya. The front desk clerk is waiting for the copay.
Maya: I already paid four thousand dollars for his room deposit yesterday, Evelyn.
Evelyn: That was yesterday. His intensive care medication isn't covered by his basic insurance policy.
Maya: I don't have any money left in our joint checking account.
Evelyn: You have your personal savings account! GIVE ME THE CARD! YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY!
Maya pulled her collar tight around her throat, tears blurring her vision as she looked at her mother-in-law. Her heart pounded against her ribs, each breath burning in her chest.
Maya: You knew about her, didn't you? All these months, you knew what David was doing behind my back!
Evelyn: What David did in his private life is none of your business right now.
Maya: YOU KNEW ABOUT HER! HE WAS MY HUSBAND!
Evelyn: HE WAS MY SON! PAY UP RIGHT NOW!
Evelyn leaned in close, her face contorted with rage as she pointed a sharp finger inches from Maya's nose. Before Maya could pull back, Evelyn swung her arm back and slapped her forcefully across the cheek. The sharp crack echoed through the wide room, making nurses and visitors freeze in place.
Maya stumbled back against the reception desk, her cheek burning red. Gasps filled the air around them. But as Maya wiped a tear from her eye, her grief suddenly vanished, replaced by an icy, dangerous rage. She stepped forward and slammed her palm across Evelyn's face with maximum power, sending the older woman crashing into a waiting chair.
Evelyn: HOW DARE YOU HIT ME?!
Maya pulled out her phone, opened her banking app, and canceled the pending transaction. She held up the screen displaying the word 'DECLINED' right in Evelyn's shocked face.
Maya: NOT ONE MORE DOLLAR THROUGH ME! I CANNOT PAY!
Maya turned on her heel and walked through the sunlit glass doors, leaving Evelyn stranded without a dime.