Lori relates to Wendell how she got into an irrational argument with Zach, only to realize she was displacing her anger from a conversation with her mother onto her son. It turned out Zach was doing the same: Angry with some boys who were mean to him, he displaced his anger onto a safer subject—his mother. Lori lists other types of defense mechanisms: denial, rationalization, reaction formation (“unacceptable feelings or impulses are expressed as their opposite” (724)), sublimation. Some are primitive (irrational), and some mature (helpful). As people grow older, they should reach a level of psychological and emotional maturity that will help them react more calmly and rationally, but sometimes (especially with parents), we regress into immature patterns.

Recently, some of tests Lori did came back positive for Sjögren’s syndrome, which may or may not mean she has this autoimmune disease, common in women over 40. Wendell advises her, “The more you welcome your vulnerability […] the less afraid you’ll feel” (732). 

While watching TV with her friend Allison, Lori comes across John’s show, which now features a therapist who receives an unexpected hug from the main character. Lori responds much as the TV character: with confusion.