"You're not on tonight are you?" she accused.
"No."
"Then leave. You've caused enough trouble. Rita would never have run off with that boy if it weren't for your interference."
"Hmph. Rita would have left without it, but maybe a day or so later." Babsie replied haughtily.
"Don't you talk to me like that Barbara Walters."
"If you're going to call me names, then I won't give you the message I so made a point of coming here to deliver."
"It's your real name!"
People were beginning to stare.
"That's beside the point." Babsie retorted, seeming almost pleased at making a scene. "Ahh, well, since you're obviously not interested in your own daughter..."
Mrs Masters grabbed her arm.
"What about Rita? That boy hasn't gotten her pregnant has he?"
"Are you a total idiot?" Babsie asked, raising an eyebrow. "She's only been with them three days."
"It feels a lot longer than three days to me."
"Whatever. Anyway, I though you'd be interested in knowing she's engaged."
"What?" Mrs Masters exploded.
"Do I have to spell is out for you?" asked Babsie, then, raising her voice, "Rita Masters and Taylor Hanson are now officially engaged."
Mrs Masters waved the cloth at her, despite the listening audience.
"If she marries that boy, I won't have anything to do with her. Nothing. And you can tell her that."
"Your loss." Babsie started walking off, then she turned back. "Wait, I know what you're trying to do. Rita is not gonna break the engagement over you."
"We shall see." Mrs Masters replied smugly.
"I know you see her as the perfect daughter. Does what she's told, never complains or argues. Heck, she's the opposite of me! Well, I'd hate to be the one to break it to you, but you don't know your own kids at all. I know more about them than you ever will. Are you aware they'd rather come to me with their problems than you? Than their own mum and dad?"
Mrs Masters didn't reply, rather got back to her work.
"If you believe for even one second that Rita will walk away from Taylor for your sake, then you are in for a rude shock."
And on that Babsie turned on her heel and flounced out the door.