Mark stood up from the wooden dining table to fetch more cider from kitchen.
Mark: I will be back in just a couple seconds with another cold bottle.
He walked out into the adjacent kitchen, leaving the two women alone together.
Megan stepped toward the sideboard to pick up the silver dessert serving tray.
Her back was turned briefly away from the dining table for just a moment.
Brenda looked around quickly and saw that nobody was watching her sharp movements.
She stood up suddenly from her chair and stepped right toward the high chair.
Little Lily looked up with big clear blue eyes and held up her spoon.
Brenda bent down right into the baby's tiny face with a terrifying glare.
She violently slammed her hand down onto the plastic high chair tray very hard.
Brenda: Shut your mouth right now, you noisy little spoiled brat!
The sudden terrifying roar and loud slam startled the tiny baby to her core.
Lily gasped in terror and immediately began screaming and crying hysterically with fear.
Megan spun around instantly at the shocking sound of her baby's deep panic.
She saw Brenda leaning aggressively over the crying child with a nasty scowl.
Megan dropped the dessert tray onto the sideboard and rushed forward across room.
She grabbed little Lily safely into her strong protective arms in a flash.
Megan: What on earth did you just do to my innocent baby girl?
Brenda: I just gave her a much needed lesson in basic quiet manners!
Megan felt a rush of scorching heat flood straight into her face and eyes.
Her chest heaved heavily as she cradled her trembling baby against her shoulder.
Megan: You terrified an innocent baby inside her own high chair on Christmas!
Brenda: Oh stop acting so dramatic, Megan, because it was barely anything at all!
Brenda tossed her head back dismissively and let out another dry cold chuckle.
She stepped closer to Megan and poked her finger near the baby's face.
Brenda: She needs to learn that the world does not revolve around her.
Megan stepped back quickly to keep Brenda away from her frightened infant daughter.
Lily sobbed loudly, clutching her mother's yellow sweater with her tiny fingers tight.
Megan: You are a sick and cruel person to attack a defenseless little child!
Brenda: Say another word to me, Megan, and see what happens next!
The air in the room turned ice cold as the confrontation reached boiling point.