Dean: How could you be so nice to someone who's so mean to me?
Lillian: [sighs] Well, the thing you have to understand is that Michael hasn't had an easy life. You get love from me and your father every day. Michael isn't blessed with that type of love. There are things he misses out on that we take for granted.
Dean: So, he's allowed to beat me up?
Lillian: The reason Michael lashes out is because he's angry.
Dean: What could he possibly be angry about? He gets to keep everyone's lunch money every day.
Lillian: Well, it's complicated. I think the big part of it is the fact that his parents aren't there to support him the way we do for you.
Dean: Then he shouldn't have killed them.
Lillian: [scoffs] He didn't. Dean. Michael shared with me that the reason his mother's not around is because she's not able to take care of him. She had to go into a mental hospital. It happened a few years ago, when he was around your age, and he hasn't seen her since.
Dean: Oh. That is bad. Wait, does that mean if something happens to you and Dad, I have to live with Kim?
Lillian: [sighs] First off, nothing is gonna happen to us, but it's important to put yourself in someone else's shoes. That's why I helped him. I can't imagine how hard his life must be. Does that make sense? [Dean nods] Right. And I hope you remember that I'll always be proud of you. Now, get some rest. Got a big day tomorrow. Good night.
Dean: Good night, Mom.
Adult Dean: Despite the years of bullying, I found myself genuinely feeling sorry for Michael and his mom. Pretty sure he still killed his father, though.