(Strip Number 1428, Original Publication Date, 25 February 1989)
Panel 1: It's somewhat later than 10 pm so Annie 'apologizes' to Mike for her and Steve being a bit later than they intended. When she asks if he had any problems dealing with her savages, he tells her "Not really" because he doesn't want to look weak if he can help it.
Panel 2: She gets all smiley and stupid about how terrible the boys can get and how sick Leah has been lately and thus hopes he cleaned up the barf.
Panel 3: She gets really insistent on how much she's paying him and is probably trying to get him to admit that he deserves hazard pay so she can get on his case or something.
Panel 4: He's not going to rise to the bait and only thought-bubbles that it's not enough so he doesn't get yelled at.
Summary: While it might look as if this arc taught him to appreciate his mother, he means it when he tells Elly not to put the years she spent raising him on her resume because they're looking for work experience because Mikey Girl is never going to pull his head outta his asscrack. Ah, well. Time for a reminder that Elly isn't remotely close to being the forgiving, understanding mother she believes herself to be.