TRANSCRIPT 4
Sydney Cleary and Curtis Lowe, Couples’ Counseling Session
Ellen Dwyer, Psychologist, PsyD
Ellen:
Curtis, tell me about your parents. What was their marriage like?
Curtis:
It was toxic. They stayed married until my dad passed away a few years ago, but they were never happy. My mom was a hard woman.
Ellen:
Hard in what way?
Curtis:
She was extremely devout. She was very judgmental and basically impossible to please.
Ellen:
How did your father deal with that?
Curtis:
He went along with whatever she wanted. But he kept a stack of porno mags and a beer fridge hidden in the back shed.
Ellen:
So he hid his true self for the sake of harmony with your mom. What about your relationship with her?
Curtis:
I played the perfect son, but I got up to plenty. I just never got caught… That’s why I had to be honest with Sydney. I don’t want our marriage to be based on lies like theirs was.
Ellen:
And, Sydney? What was your parents’ marriage like?
Sydney:
They were mostly happy, I think, but my dad died when I was young. In a car accident. My mom dated a bit, but she never remarried.
Ellen:
That’s a devastating loss for a child. I wouldn’t be surprised if it made you feel fearful of loss in other relationships, too.
Sydney:
Yes. And Curtis’s infidelity hurt more because I know my parents didn’t choose to abandon me. Curtis did.
Curtis:
I didn’t abandon you, Syd. I chose you. I came clean to save our marriage. To save us.
Sydney:
My whole life, I’ve been guarded in relationships. I’ve always protected my heart. But when I married you, Curtis, I gave you everything. I let my walls down and I opened up to you. And you broke me.
Curtis:
I never wanted to hurt you. And I never will again. I promise, Sydney.
Sydney:
I’m trying to believe you. But it’s really fucking hard.