(Strip Number 136, Original Publication Date, 22 May 1981)
Panel 1: We shift our attention from John's clinic to a nearby store. Michael smiles and shows the cashier a bottle of bubble bath and says "My little sister's gonna be two; d'you think she'll like this?"
Panel 2: As he reaches into his pocket to get the money, he tells her "I'm spending my own money so this is really from me myself." Good thing that she understands Lynnglish, right?
Panel 3: We next see him walking down the street humming to himself; Lawrence, who's on his bike, asks Mike what he's got in the bag.
Panel 4: Since he's got an image to protect, he allows as how he was forced to buy something for his dumb sister.
Summary: This is a side of Mike we rarely see: the side of him that isn't playing the part "jerkass older brother". This tells me that Lynn would have us believe that Mike treats Liz the way he does because he thinks it's expected of him and not because Elly made him Lizzie's primary caregiver. Sorry, lady; doesn't wash.
ETA: We have a new banner to contend with today; at least Aypo isn't in those damned overalls.
