......
"You're right," Timothy spoke as he reflected on his carelessness. "What you said is true. I know you're just worried about your mother. You're a good son."
"I guess you can say that," Little Gary replied, not sounding modest at all. He clearly understood himself. "I don't see myself as one. To you adults, only children who are obedient and won't talk back to you are considered good. I'm obviously not that."
"Oh? You don't believe you can be?" Timothy said.
"That's not it," Little Gary shook his head. "I'm just well aware. You don't have to encourage or praise me for just being who I am. I won't treat you better just because you praise me a little here and there. I have my principles."
Little Gary didn't forget his original plan to help his Mommy get to the bottom of this.