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*Theresa looks at Bard apologetically, taking a step back and motioning towards the hallway* "Um. Well then, like I said, I'll be-"

*But Christina May is worked up now and she's not going to let the matter go. She looks to the nurse* His name is Kyle Johnson, and don't you let him tell you different!

*She turns back on her son, vehemently* You always wanted to hide from everything. *she's straining herself and it shows, but she's past caring about that* You try to hide behind your fake name and your trashy books and your dirty money, but you can't. You can't hide from God, Kyle! Don't you know that by now? *her voice is angry, bitter, but there's a pleading tone underlying it* You can accept your punishment in this life or you'll take it in Hell, but you'll suffer for your sins, Kyle - we all do!

*Theresa winces slightly at his mother's tirade. She's tempted to butt in, but once more, she bites her tongue. The beeper on her belt goes off and she glances down at it quickly* Um . . . right, well. You really should try to get some rest, Mrs. Johnson. I'll be right nearby if either of you need anything. *she says, and then, looking both relieved and guilty, ducks out of the room*

*Christina May barely registers the nurse's departure. She breathes in sharply, tears in her eyes now. She's hurting, badly, but the pain is more of a drug to her than the morphine would be. She glares at her son with a combination of despair and disdain* You never learn. No matter how God tries to teach you. You just. never. learn.

*Christina May looks at him sharply, still caught up her own pain and resentment* What did you say?

*Despite the condition she's in, she's not about to let anything slide* Don't you lie to me, I heard you say something about me! You-*she cuts off and narrows her eyes, taking a closer look at him* Your face. What happened to your face? *Her tone is hardly one of concern*

*Christina May pulls back, suprise and hurt visible in her eyes for a split second. Her anger rises back up quickly, and she counters to shift the focus back on him, accusing* Don't you talk to me like that! You've been fighting.

*Her expression tightens. She doesn't feel as in control of this conversation as she did a moment ago, and it unsettles her* I told you not to talk to me that way! And I can see mark from it! I can tell, Kyle! What kind of heathen are you?

*Christina May flinches as though struck. A strangled sort of noise escapes her throat, and her eyes fill with tears again, but it's not just from the physical pain now. She seems almost stunned for a moment, but then her face twists in fury* How dare you? How dare you!? *she points angrily towards the cross* It's all fake! It's all another one of your lies!! Trying to cheat your way into Heaven! It won't work! It won't work!!

Put it down! *the words tear free from her lips, and then she scrambles to cover her fear with her anger* You're damning yourself! You always have been!