Margarethe stood up from her chair, her heart pounding in her chest from the sudden burst of anger. She grabbed the stem of the crystal glass, intending to set it safely away from the weeping boy. The bright dining room lights shone straight down into the bowl of dark red liquid, lighting up every detail.
She tilted the glass slightly toward her face, ready to lecture him about respect and rules. But as the dark red liquid settled, her eyes widened in complete horror and her voice froze in her throat. Floating right in the middle of the glass was a large, black beetle submerged near the bottom. Its shiny shell caught the ambient light, perfectly preserved inside the expensive vintage wine she had just been drinking.
Margarethe gasped loudly, dropping her hand to the table as a cold wave of sickness hit her stomach instantly. She staggered back two steps, her hand clutching her throat as she stared at the floating insect in utter disbelief.
Margarethe: Oh my God... Leo, how did that get in there?
Leo: I saw it floating when you took a drink! I was trying to stop you!
Tears began streaming down Margarethe's cheeks as her deep anger melted into instant shame and remorse. She looked at the young boy who was shaking in his vest and tie, his eyes wet with genuine fear for her safety. She realized he had knocked the glass over not out of anger, but to save her from swallowing the bug.
Margarethe: I was only trying to help you. I didn't want anything bad to happen to you.
Leo: You yelled at me before you even listened to what I had to say!
Margarethe fell to her knees beside his chair, ignoring the red wine stains on her soft beige pants. She reached out her hands gently, hoping he would not pull away from her touch after her harsh reaction.
Margarethe: I am so sorry, Leo. I was so wrong to snap at you like that.
Leo: You always think I am trying to be bad, but I am not!