Normie: Mommy — when are you gonna leave me?
Liz: What?! What do you mean, Normie?
Normie: Well — daddy would get upset with me sometimes, too — then he left us. Now you’re upset and — are you gonna get mean and leave too, mommy? Can’y we throw the bad bottle out instead?
Liz: Oh. My sweet boy. Daddy didn’t leave us. He… died. He didn’t leave us on purpose. Daddy loved us both. Norman, I love you. I’ll never leave you. You can count on that. Mommy will always be here for you.
Normie: Really?
Liz: Really.
And here, the parallel is resolved. Liz is really not like Harry; unlike Harry, Liz puts Normie before her emotions. Harry tried, he tried so hard, but inevitably his temper drove his actions and his reactions — although he didn’t physically abuse Normie there are multiple instances where he came close to slapping him (that will get discussed more as the issue progresses) but Liz hasn’t. Of course, Liz doesn’t have the mental disorders Harry does, but Normie was often at risk under Harry’s care. Pouring the shot glass out is a particularly nice touch (I like that it’s a shot glass and not say, wine).
The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #14. Story by J.M DeMatteis and Tom Lyle, pencils by Sal Buscema.