W1: EXACTLY
W2: oh.
W1: do you realize what consequences arise from geriatric pregnancy? do you want a faulty child? you know what it’s like to give birth at 30?
W2: do you know what it’s like not to give birth at 20?
W1 and W2 stare at each other. W2 turns her side towards W1. W1 remains in the same position, a few seconds after, turns too. W1 stands up, pours a glass of water. she talks, and pours, pours, pours.
W1: when Sasha died i thought i’d die too. they were trying to prepare us, of course, but then snap – and she dies… so, i already knew back then, i knew that everyone dies on me, so when she died, i thought, that’s it, there’ll be no one else, i won’t let them. i won’t let anyone else die on me.
W2: and my father?
W1 stops pouring water.
W1: that was two years after his death.
W2: oh.
pause. W1 sits.
W1: two years after he died, your father.
W2: i got it.
W1: fine.
W2: what was he like?
W1: you don’t remember him at all?
W2: it was two years after his death.
W1: oh.
W2: right.
W1: and who cares what he was like?
W2: well… maybe he was worthless anyways.
W1: handsome.
W2 turns to w1.
W1: and strong.
W2: handsome and strong.
W1: yes. and so. caring. hardworking.
W2: handsome, strong and caring.
W1: right.
W2: right.
W1: why do you keep repeating after me?
W2: me? well i –