[He may not like Simon too much, but he wasn't going to rat him out. Still, he couldn't help a quick, furtive look around and hoped no one heard Max. With a clearing of his throat he glanced away and out into the surroundings, quiet and contemplative for a few moments]

I know you're not crazy. But you know how hermit-like mom's gotten. Having this marked against her, I dunno... She's strong, but when is too much too much?

[Not quite a nervous person by nature, this at least was a change he wasn't sure how would work out. So he wrung his hands a little, despite there being no chill outside]

Public scrutiny is just what we have to deal with.