Ford sighed. A part of him knew that he had heard this before, and it never seemed to stick. These words were only words, and she might forget in a week and go straight back to doing exactly what he'd asked her not to do. Still, he wanted to believe her. He didn't want to have the responsibility for chastising his mother — no son would have.

"Alright, Mama," he said wearily. "We're not at odds."