Sudsy Time Laundromat, 12 pm

At noon, it was time to go pick up the laundry at the laundromat. Dale went alone but the girls were already there. Kelly decided she would give Dale his space, so she quickly said goodbye to Sarah and Lauri and left as soon as he arrived.

Dale was disappointed to see her leave, he even thought about going after her, but Sarah and Lauri’s whispering and giggling distracted him from doing so.

And then his phone rang. Dale reluctantly answered, thinking it would be Carol again, telling him about the party he’d missed, or inviting him somewhere else, namely the Meet & Greet.
Dale: Uh, yes?
“Dale, hi.” The female voice on the other end sounded awfully familiar.

Dale: Excuse me, who – who is this?
The girls’ increasingly loud giggling makes it impossible for him to make out the voice well. With all his might he wishes it is not who he’s thinking of.

Cynthia: “Hey, don’t you recognize me? It’s me, Cynthia”.

Why yes, it’s her. Dale swallows so hard that, even though it’s impossible, he fears the girls could have heard it. He lowers his voice almost to zero, he doesn’t want Sarah and Lauri to know who is on the phone.
Dale: Cyn? W-why are you calling me?

Cynthia: Relax, D., I don’t mean to upset you, I just thought you’re the only one who can help me.
Dale: Help you with what?
Cynthia: My marriage with Terry.
Dale can’t believe what he just heard. Like, why the hell would Cynthia come to him, of all people, to help her with her marriage?

Dale: I’m – I’m afraid I’m not following.
Cynthia: Okay, listen. I know it’s pretty bold of me to call you. I thought of calling Tyron first, but he got too much on his plate right now, so…
Dale: True, but – If you’re having problems in your marriage, shouldn’t you talk to Terry, not Ty, let alone me?
Cynthia: Terry and I have talked extensively, and we haven’t gotten anywhere, that’s why I need your help.

Dale’s head begins to spin. Getting over Cynthia wasn’t easy, blocking out her memory even less so. And now, out of nowhere, she comes back into his life to ask for his help with her marriage?
Cynthia: Dale, you’re still there?
Dale: Uh, yeah, I’m here, but… Look, I don’t think Terry would take it well that you’re calling me.
Cynthia: I know, and believe me, I wouldn’t put you in this situation, but I’m just desperate.

Dale: All right, I’m listening. Just please be brief, cause I’m not alone.
Cynthia: Is Kelly with you?
Dale: No, but my roomies are, and they’re not the type to keep secrets. Also, I’m at the laundromat, which is a public place.
Cynthia: (Chuckles) What are you doing at the Laundromat, D.?
Dale: That doesn’t matter. Now speak for once, please, I don’t have all day.
Cynthia: Oh, you’re in a bad mood, I see.

Cynthia: I’ll be brief then. I need you to ask Terry to stop pressing me to try for another baby. I don’t want another child, not now, not ever.

Dale stands in silence for a while trying to process what he’s just heard.
Dale: And why should I ask him that? Can’t you ask him yourself? I mean, he’s your husband. You’re supposed to talk to each other about these things.
Cynthia: We have, but he won’t take no for an answer. He just keeps nagging me about that baby, like I’m this sort of… kid factory.

Cynthia: Please D., talk to him, ask him to leave me alone. The sole idea of getting pregnant again makes me sick. You know? I- I love little Davy to pieces, but I’m not sure I can deal with another child.

Dale: I see, well… Having a baby should be a joint decision. I think you and Terry should try to reach some kind of agreement, like, I don’t know, wait a little longer, maybe a year or so?
Cynthia: Not a year, not ten!

Cynthia: I don’t want another child, Dale. Really, I don’t want to hurt Terry, but if I cave in and have another baby, then he’ll want another and another, and I… I just can’t, I’m not even a good mother…
Cynthia’s voice cracks; Dale starts to feel increasingly powerless.
Dale: Come on, Cyn, don’t say that.
Cynthia: It’s the truth.

Dale: Listen, Cyn, I get your point, but it’s not my place to tell my brother what to do with his family, that’s his and your business alone, don’t you think?
Cynthia: Oh, please, D., Terry loves you; I’m sure he’ll listen to you.
Dale: Nope, I know him, I know how his mind works. He’s always wanted a big family.
Cynthia: Exactly.

Cynthia: That’s all he talks about lately, his “numerous” and “powerful” offspring. But I just I can’t stand the thought of another baby. Two pregnancies were enough for me, so no more.

Dale freezes. Did he just hear what he thinks he heard?
Dale: Wait, did you say two pregnancies? You mean you were pregnant before Davy? Or did I get it all wrong?
Dale’s string of questions force Cynthia into a brief silence. She knows she has slipped, but it’s late to fix it.

Cynthia: No… No, you got it right. I was pregnant before Davy and before getting married, but I ended that pregnancy because… Well, that’s beside the point. What matters is I don’t want another baby, so will you help me or not?

Dale doesn’t answer right away. His brain is working at light speed, connecting the dots, doing the math… Cynthia had another pregnancy before she married Terry. Terry never told him such thing had happened, which means she terminated it without telling him. Why? The only logical answer is that the baby she was expecting wasn’t Terry’s. Whose was it then? Could it be…?
Cynthia: D.? Are you still with me?
Dale: Uh, yes, I’m here but…

Dale: Sorry, I can’t help you with this. You’ll have to ask someone else. Your mother, maybe. Becky and Terry get along well, maybe he’ll listen to her.
Lauri comes over at that moment, completely oblivious to the anguish unfolding in Dale’s heart.
Lauri: I’ll go outside to practice a while. Sarah is upstairs playing foosball. Let her know when you’re done whispering on the phone and meet me both at the park.
Dale: (To Lauri) Oh, okay.

Dale: (Back on the phone) Listen, Cyn, I’m kind of busy here, I gotta go now. You know Terry wouldn’t appreciate it and I don’t want any problems with him, so please don’t call me again.
Cynthia: But Dale…
Dale: Sorry, babe, my hands are tied. Try to talk to someone else, the family is pretty big, someone will surely be able to help. I wish from the bottom of my soul that you and Terry can work this out.
Cynthia: Dale, wait please, don’t hang up…
Dale: Again, I’m truly sorry. Goodbye, Cyn.

Dale hangs up before Cynthia can protest, but the damage is done. After her phone call, nothing will be the same for him. A thousand questions about this pregnancy she terminated swirl around in his head. This was information he didn’t need, why would she give it to him? Did she do it on purpose, or did it just slip up? In any case, he won’t dwell on it, what little he knows now will go to the backburner and stay there. It will be best for everyone.

---