Summary

As chapter 19 begins, Abby starts to cook dinner. She thinks about how Ralph “was born cesarean” as she reads about how to stay healthy while pregnant, even though she does not yet know if she is (149). She also reflects on how Laura took Ralph away from his father when he was nine, alleging that he had “abused her emotionally, spiritually, mentally” (149). Apparently, Ralph had a breakdown when he was a child, and the doctors “tried to coach her on boundaries and codependency” with Ralph, but Laura maintained that the doctors “were a bunch of sexist quacks” (151). Abby imagines a conversation between her and Laura where Laura warns that Abby “needs to save [Ralph]” before telling her she is “not pregnant” (154). Abby, who has progressively gotten drunker while making dinner, tries to go to bed. She goes to use the bathroom and realizes that...