A Halloween Feast

Looking back, it didn't start at the infamous family dinner

on a Friday night.

It started way before.

Last year, mom retired from teaching and I felt she was

having a bit of a hard time fulfilling her newfound free

time with productive activities.

She started to spend a lot of time in the yard, and I thought

maybe she got into some gardening.

I see you.

It wasn't gardening.

When the goldfish incident happened,

I started to worry a bit.

She had told dad that if she caught him smoking weed again,

his goldfish would be liquefied.

He thought she was joking.

Even though I had moved out of my family home a year prior, I

saw myself back there a lot to

monitor the concerning behavior.

Hey, have you guys seen my pet snake?

Ha ha.

At first I tried to see if it

could be explained by family history.

Some precedents.

Maybe everything comes down to a chemical imbalance.

Maybe it's all the hormones the meat industry puts into food

these days.

Maybe it's the suppressive lot in life women of my mom's

generation had to fill.

Or maybe it's just that some people are just fucking crazy.

Dad, have you been smoking?

What? No.

Then why are your eyes red?

Because I didn't sleep well last night.

Well, if mom finds out, she's going to go ballistic.

I'm a writer, damn it.

I got to get in the zone.

I'm suffering from a terrible case of writer's block.

Karen, bring the tea in, please.

Already did.

Oh.

All right.

Yum. There you go.

I gotta go.

Stuart. Stuart.

Bye.

Meatloaf again?

This is the 12th day in a row.

You don't like what I cooked?

No, it's, it's not that. It's.

Did you?

Don't lie to me.

So, Angela, your husband dropped the charges.

It's good news, right?

Of course, because of what happened.

The finger incident.

He wants you to be monitored by

a professional before you can be released.

That would be me. I'm Doctor Park.

I'm a psychiatrist.

And I specialize in behavioral issues.

So.

If we can get you to do treatments twice a week, we can

get you home soon.

Maybe I can get you to sign a consent form for treatments.

If you can do that, I'll do what I can to get you home.

What do you think?

I had a visitor today.

Real or imaginary?

Someone who reminded me of all the passion that I used to have

for life.

I used to be a dancer, you know.

Have you ever heard of the pelicans that fly with the

Nutcracker on a cloudy Tuesday at dawn?

I was the antagonist.

Yes, I was there.

I was in the front row.

I knew you looked familiar.

So did you just give up or.

Excuse me.

Sorry about that.

So who came to visit you today?

Are.

Thank you so much for a wonderful

afternoon with the kids.

They really loved it.

It was really entertaining.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Thank you for coming. Thank you.

Hey, roomie.

Hey. I was just thinking about you.

I know life has been nuts lately.

Been spending a lot of time with my dad, dealing with the

whole situation.

I can't believe we live

together and we never see each other.

Um. My mom's whole thing has been so freaky.

I know.

This too shall pass.

I know, and I miss you.

We gotta hang out soon.

Definitely.

Hey, um, come by ZZ's tomorrow night.

I get off at eight, we can grab a drink.

Sounds like a plan.

All right, bye.

I am so sorry.

No, it was my fault.

I was jaywalking and not paying attention.

I'm glad you're okay.

- Thanks. - Hold on, hold on.

Hello, I'm Boney and I'm here to help you with your safety.

Next time, make sure to look in

both directions before you jaywalk.

Can I, I mean, we offer you a ride.

My parents house is just around the corner.

Thanks anyways.

Shut up.

- I got stuck at work. - Again.

It's this new patient.

She's, uh.

She's a lot, believe me.

Lovely. Dinner by myself three Fridays in a row.

I know, I'm sorry about that.

Nice scarf.

Is that a gift from her?

What? No.

Don't be ridiculous.

Can I come in?

Can't have dessert if you skipped dinner.

I said I was sorry, Rose.

I'm feeling tired.

I need to be by myself tonight.

Okay.

I get it,

- I'll call you tomorrow. - I'll call you.

- Good night. - Goodnight.

Jesus.

God damn it.

I need to do it.

The wedding's in six weeks.

I can't take any chances.

Tomorrow has to be the day.

I'll go with you.

I'll finish the bar at eight and I head straight to you.

It's a very concerned sister and bridesmaid.

Thank you.

See you tomorrow night.

You know, in all my years, I

have never seen a case like this.

And Angela, with all the time you've put in.

And yesterday's breakthrough.

Dare I say, I think she's ready to come home full time now.

Of course I wanted to check

to see where the two of you stand.

Home.

Wow. Full time.

Richard, I'm sorry that I cut your finger off.

So, uh.

Do you have something to say?

Uh.

It's okay.

Angie. I have nine others.

Okay.

Doctor. Thank you.

Thank you for everything you've done for our family.

Absolutely.

Where are you going, dear?

Oh, I thought I'd go write and

let you two discuss the final plans.

Have you written any new stuff lately?

Uh, no. Not really.

Well, when you do, I'd love to read them.

Well, you'll have to wait a long time, doctor.

Lord knows I have.

Angela, I am trying to.

Please don't let me stop you from trying.

Richard her saying that.

How does that make you feel?

Hey, dad, can I get some help over here?

Just a sec.

Excuse me.

Ball-less pussy.

I couldn't get this thing to light.

Yeah.

Let me take a look.

Hey.

What's mom doing back here?

Your mother's coming back home.

Like for good?

Mm mm mm.

What happened to it?

Ow ow ow ow ow.

Let me let me get that for you.

You you relax.

You just came home.

You know, I was thinking we should take a vacation.

Would you take me back to Rio again, honey?

Your Rio experience was before me.

Oh, yeah.

But, you know, I would love to go to Brazil.