(Strip Number 4741, Original Publication Date, 7 January 1987)
Panel 1: As they get sodas from the fridge, Lawrence reminds Mike that all his life, it's just been him and his mom.
Panel 2: Now, for reasons that elude him, it's him, his mom, her husband and his daughters.
Panel 3: He goes on to complain that everyone tells him that he'll adjust to this.
Panel 4: The problem is that he's not a television that can be adjusted at will.
Summary: What he is happens to be a ten year old boy who has a ten year old boy's narrow perspective on life. This seems to insulate him from having to realize that Molly and Gayle are saying much the same thing about having a new mom and new kid brother. The man delivering flowers to Pattersons on command sees and knows their pain. The boy living it can't because he's sort of dim and can't quite work out that most of why Molly lands on Mike with both feet next August is because she can finally find something to control.
