Annie and Eric in “Ay Carumba”

Annie

Do you have a problem with my punishing the children without your approval?

Eric

While I don't want the garage apartment for my own, I can understand why they're upset about your giving it to Mary. We don't even know if she needs it.

Annie

So? They don't know if she doesn't. Maybe she and Wilson need it.

Eric

I got the feeling from Wilson that they broke up and he's just letting Mary tell us, and I gotta know why that is. Because it suggests the why, it won't be something we like.

Annie

What do you feel her problems are?

Eric

I feel her problems are that she's irresponsible, self-centered, and inconsiderate of other family members.

Annie

I think she wants to be responsible, and that's something. I think it's good for her to be self-centered right now. It's good for her to focus on herself and come to love herself, because that's the first step in loving others. And I don't think she's inconsiderate of other family members. On the contrary, I think other family members, including you, are inconsiderate of her and her needs at this time.

Eric

So we can agree to disagree about Mary and who she is and what her future holds, but I think that Matt and Lucy and Simon and Ruthie are in agreement.

Annie

With you, and you are wrong, just like you were wrong about Nixon.

Eric

(to the twins) He should have apologized.