[ Tommy gets, logically, that some kids don't grow up in homes like his. That they have normal relationships with their pop and throw footballs and get grounded for failing math tests and grow up to talk to him sometimes, at least send an email on holidays and his birthday. Tommys gets that, but he can't help pressing his lips together anyway, skeptical. Maybe Alayne's father is everything she says he is and everything he appears to be, but Tommy thinks most likely not.

'Cause Tommy's dad was everything he appeared to be too, back when he was a kid, and look where that ended up. ]

Parent's aren't better at this shi-- stuff. They're just better at pretending to be. [ It sounds to harsh, even to his ears, so he adds, ] You're doing fine. [ For her age. For where she came from. For anyone, really. ]