Mark stepped inside the bright dining room wearing his light blue jacket.
He stopped near the doorway as he hung up his mobile phone.
He wiped his brow after finishing the stressful business call.
His eyes immediately drifted across the room toward the kitchen counter.
He saw Sarah leaning heavily against the edge of the marble sink.
Her shoulders were slouched from the heavy baby on her back.
Soap suds covered her arms up to her wrists.
Mark felt a sharp knot of anger form in his chest.
He walked quickly across the room toward the center table.
He looked directly at his mother sitting relaxed at the table head.
Mark: Why don't you help her at least hold the baby?
The ambient chatter around the long table instantly died down.
Several guests froze with their silver forks halfway to their mouths.
Evelyn set her crystal glass down with a slow, deliberate tap.
She turned her head to look up at her tall son.
Her face showed complete self-satisfaction and cool arrogance.
Evelyn: Why should I do that when I'm the one in charge of this house?
Mark took a fast breath as his face flushed red with anger.
He looked from his mother back toward his pale, trembling wife.
Sarah caught his eye and shook her head very slightly.
She did not want him to start a huge family fight.
Sarah: Mark, it is okay, I can finish these few dishes.
Mark: No, Sarah, it is not okay in any way.
Mark turned back to face his mother with rising fury.
Mark: She has been serving food to everyone since nine this morning.
Evelyn: She lives under my roof without paying rent, Mark.
Mark: She is your daughter-in-law, not your domestic maid!
Evelyn: She brings zero family fortune or status to this household.
The guests gasped softly at Evelyn's harsh, cold words.
Sarah buried her face near the sleeping baby's soft shoulder.
A low, tense silence filled the entire daylight-filled room.
Mark lowered his voice, but it trembled with pure rage.
Mark: You have crossed every line today, Mother.
Evelyn: Do not speak to me like that inside my own dining room!