Shrinking

Sometimes I just do my thing...

and then I hear or smell something and I'm there again.

It's not a memory or anything. I mean I'm really back there...

and hurt those people.

These types of flashbacks are very common. This is how our brains process trauma.

- Well, my brain is jerks. - Your brain is full of jerks.

You have the judge, the critic.

The guy who urges you on to eat more chicken wings...

even if you've already eaten enough. I hate him.

To overcome that, you have to...

Sorry. All I can do now is thinking about chicken wings.

- Good morning. What are you doing? - Processing, like you said.

How is that?

Really sucks.

I told my daughter that I have Parkinson's.

How did it go?

She's coming here next week to do it to ensure that I receive the best care.

So pretty shitty.

But you don't avoid the pain.

That's important, because if you avoid the pain...

it overwhelms you when you don't see it coming.

-Are you talking to me or Sean? - To Sean.

- Because you're looking straight at me. - I can watch wherever I want.

You're doing well, boy.

Thank you.

Still against Sean.

So desperate. Geez.

- But that was against me, wasn't it? - Yes.

Wow.

Sorry. It's just, I like you, but the eye contact is so dramatic.

Like I'm in a perfume commercial or something.

No problem. We're taking it easy.

- Okay, yes. - Okay.

Are you okay?

Did I grunt? I've never done that before.

Sorry. Maybe you should kiss my neck. I like that.

- Go ahead. - To the neck.

We do it.

- Do you like this? Yes? - No.

Sorry, it's not your fault. I thought just remember how dirty lip bacteria are.

Pretty gross when you think about it, because it is an ecosystem.

Thank you.

You shook his hand?

Yes, I know. I normally save that for after sex.

What a nice gesture.

I'm flattered you called me.

My other friends know Nico.

I don't want him to know I'm trying to have sex with all those guys.

I just heard that I'm your girlfriend.

That guy was handsome. I couldn't...

What is the female version of an erection?

There's no word for that yet.

- What's wrong with me? - Nothing.

You tried to have morning sex. Who does that now?

You don't want to marry him, do you?

Liz is coming to pick me up again.

- She barebacked me in the cheese shop. - What do you think barebacking means?

Talking to someone who doesn't want to.

- Hi, Paul. - Hey, Liz.

I have something for you.

For me?

Gummy bears?

My pilates teacher's cousin's aunt has Parkinson's.

She says these really helped with fear and trembling.

As long as it's scientific.

'Stankadelic.'

At best it helps.

Worst case, you get a little high and buy another hat like that.

Do not take after alcohol, then you have to throw up.

Hey, Liz.

One more thing.

Don't bareback me anymore, okay?

But...

- What does he think that means? - No idea.

But he says it so confidently.

Wow. You finally bought it.

Tell us.

- We will respond correctly this time. - Yes.

I'm going to propose to Charlie.

I believe you.

Wow. You little monogamous slut.

How are you going to ask?

Okay, I'm going to invite all our friends and then I'm going to ask him.

If he says yes: surprise engagement party.

- And if he says no? - Then my friends are here...

...to comfort me. I get all the attention anyway.

Unfortunately we have not enough room for a party.

If only I knew someone with a house.

Why didn't you say you could have the party here?

No idea. There's been a buzz around here lately not really a party atmosphere.

And I'm not ready yet to open up our home.

- But we're doing better. - 'Us'? 'Us' as in: we as individuals...

or 'us' as a daddy-daughter unit?

I see your look. Father. Father-daughter unit.

Okay. You don't like 'unity'.

- No. - Understood.

Come on. You and mom always threw parties. She loved that.

You're using mom as an excuse?

- Okay, fine. Yes, we do it. - Real?

Guard, what is a surprise engagement party?

Listen. Charlie thinks it's a party because you are 'Therapist of the year'.

Insane. How do you even assess that?

That's why it's crazy.

He thinks I'll come early to help you. Much better.

When he arrives, you sit behind the piano.

And then you start playing.

- Great. - And I'm going to sing our song:

- 'You Are So Beautiful.' - Thanks, which song?

'You Are So Beautiful.'

I didn't understand your joke. What do you mean? Should we postpone this?

No. You're panicking. Breathe, Bri. Come on.

Everything goes the way you want it to.

And that's why you are 'Therapist of the year'.

- Is it okay if I don't go to the party? - Why?

Everyone will ask what kind of work I do.

- So? - Oh, yes.

I'm unemployed and living with my therapist...

because I have my violent attacks not under control.

But how was your summer, Alice?

My mother died unexpectedly, so I mostly cried.

How nice. We went to Maine.

Just come.

When someone asks you a difficult question, I'll change the subject. It'll be fine.

- Go get changed. - I've already changed.

I'm going to get changed.

Who comes to a party too early?

- Hey. You are the first. - We wanted to beat the rush hour.

I had to hurry so he could make that joke again.

Come on. I've never made that joke before.

Right, Jimmy?

- We wanted to beat the rush hour. - Someone's got to get the party started.

Come in.

Even Jimmy hates that joke.

- He looks sad. - This is just my face. Come in.

Hi, Dad.

- Wow. You look... beautiful. - Thank you.

Can you stop before you start exaggerating?

- You're like a princess. - Why?

- Let's get a drink. - So beautiful.

- Hi, Liz. - Hey.

Hey, Liz's husband.

- You're so beautiful. - She doesn't like that.

Just a little princess.

- Oh, wow. Thank you. - Now get something.

Almost everyone I invited comes, except Bernadette Peters...

- He doesn't know her. - Okay.

It still hurts. And Paul isn't coming either.

He had something important to do.

Hi Dad, I'm landing tomorrow at 1pm

Lots to do: neurologist, treatment plan, occupational therapist, support group

How are you?

What are you doing now, Sean?

- What was it like in the 70s? - Real?

Okay, well, sit down, because this guy had a perm.

I was hip.

We didn't use seat belts. Nobody cared about that.

The most popular candy was a pack of candy cigarettes.

Kids loved it. It was great. I had a motorcycle.

- Hey. Geez. Hi. - Hi.

- Long time ago. - Yes, indeed.

Yes. Since the funeral.

Eric. Sorry. He's an idiot. How are you?

Pretty good.

- Nice to hear. - Real?

- You and Tia were a great couple. - Yes.

- Nice to see you. - You too.

- Is Nico there too? - We're actually divorced.

Oh, no.

- No. - No. It's okay.

That's a lot of no's.

That's a lot of no's. It's going well.

She loved you so much.

You were great together.

You were such a great example.

Look at that. Empty.

Another tequila, please.

Two, please. I wasn't ready for a party.

People really are idiots.

Yes, tell me something.

I had three dates last week, All very nice, okay?

- But I couldn't get a female erection. - I came up with a word for it.

Yesterday we had Mexican food and I thought: guac de taco.

Oh, no. I don't like that.

- Maybe I'm not that sexual anymore. - You're really exaggerating. Libidos change.

Please, honey.

Derek, remember when I always wanted to fuck?

Yes. The younger years.

Now it must happen between 3:00 PM and 3:20 PM...

and only as Derek has behaved well.

- Okay. - Doesn't happen often.

That must be Charlie.

- Should we hide? - Not much of a surprise, Liz's husband.

I thought you were busy. What are you doing here?

- No idea. - Come in.

Come on. Look who's here.

- She wanted to kill me. - What?

- She wanted to kill me. - Liz, can you...

- I have... Hi. - No.

I didn't want that.

- Okay. Come on. Come with me. - I'm leaving.