Cindy let out a gigantic sigh, stretching her new limbs as wide as she could.
"Well, any idea how this happened?" She asked her daughter
Guilt hit Mary like a speeding truck.
"Oh no!" She exclaimed, and started to cry once more.
"Hey..." her mother once again lifted her into a giant and warm embrace. "It's alright, sweetie, I didn't mean to pry." She whispered gently.
"No, you don't understand....I....It's all my fault!" She cried in a fit of regret
"No..." her mother gently stroked her, "How could any of this be your fault?"
"I....I..." Her daughter tried to explain
"Take your time sweetie" said her ever-patient mother
"When I got home, the-there were th-these candies on the table, a-and I was gonna try one but the-then you answered the door, and I should ha-, I shouldn't have-, and now your-, now your-" She broke into another fit of tears
"Shh," her mother consoled her "I understand what happened." She gently set her daughter back on her feet. "What I don't understand is this..." Cindy knelt down so she could see her daughter eye to eye. "How is any of this your fault?" She calmly asked.
"Um...Well..." Mary was at a loss for words. Cindy took her clawed hand and gently brushed the tear's off her daughters face. Mary realized that her scales were, in fact, very soft. "You see honey, what happens, happens. You don't need to blame yourself for things that are out of your control." She said with a comforting smile. "Thanks, Mom." Mary said wiping away tears, and this time, she threw her arms around her moms gigantic frame. "Love you Mom." She whispered, and her mother was more than happy to reciprocate.
For the third time that day, Mother and Daughter embraced.