RINA

"Calm down, bambina."

I turned from the closet. "No, Mama. No. Don't tell me to calm down. Who gave her the right to spill that drink on you?"

My anger was lethal. I was in flames. How dare she? How dare she insult Mammà?

"It's fine, really. It's my fault. I shouldn't have—"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Rina…" Mama rubbed her forehead. "Keep your voice down, please."

Tears brewed in my eyes; I turned the other way, huffing. Mammà drew close and placed her hand on my shoulder. "It's okay. You should be used to these things."

"How?" I choked in my sob. "How can you say...