"Quivering, as if she couldn't decide whether to laugh or frown," the narrator observes. The narrator expresses love for their mom and finds it amusing that she finds humor in Rafe, which the narrator jokes might be due to a gene they are missing. The scene captures a moment of light-hearted family interaction and the typical nervous excitement of starting a new school day.

Mom changes the subject to the upcoming first day, asking if they are excited. The narrator and Rafe respond together, but their tones reveal contrasting feelings: Rafe’s clearly shows reluctance or indifference, while the narrator’s is bursting with eagerness. This highlights their different personalities and emotions about the new school adventure.