Mom patted my hand and patiently explained, "Madelyn didn't do it intentionally. You two are best friends. Don't hold a grudge over this. Besides, look at how badly she's hurt."
I couldn't explain to Mom that I had been reborn. I could only tell her to stay away from Madelyn as much as possible.
Mom didn't listen. She continued to go to the hospital every day to bring Madelyn supplements.
Madelyn took advantage of Mom's soft heart. She sweet-talked her and even tricked her out of several thousand dollars.
By the time I found out about this, it was already the day Madelyn was being discharged from the hospital.
I took her home, ready to settle the accounts from these past few days. "Did you borrow money from my mom again?" I asked.
Madelyn affectionately held my arm. "Claire, you know I spent a lot of money during my hospital stay. Let's not count that right now," she said.
I gave her a side-eye. "Then what about the five thousand dollars you took from my mom a few days ago?" I asked.
Before I could finish, a sudden, urgent knocking on the door broke the tension.
Rather than knocking, it sounded more like someone was pounding on the door.