"It's not like it's something valuable. If my dog wants to play with it, let it."
Daniel frowned, not understanding why I was so upset.
"What's the matter now? If it's that important, I'll just buy you another one."
"Daniel, you couldn't afford it!"
I lost control and lunged for the urn.
But the Chow Chow wasn't going to give it up easily. Isabella hadn't trimmed its nails, and it clawed at my arm, leaving deep scratches that bled.
I was beyond reason, furiously grabbing a plate from the table and hurling it at the dog. Startled, it scurried away.
Seeing that I was close to retrieving the urn, Isabella shot a glance at Tina.
"Tina, Matt was just playing nicely. Now that he's being bullied, why aren't you helping?"
Tina hesitated, but Daniel nodded silently.
"Pull her away."
Tina yanked me aside, forcing me to kneel in front of Isabella.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Wilson."
Kneeling there, I felt a deep, burning humiliation.
"Daniel, are you just going to let Isabella walk all over me?"
"Matt was only playing with something. You hit him and even threw a plate at him. Charlotte, you know full well how much Matt means to Isabella. When did you become so cruel?"