Episode Four: 'The Anthropologist's Mother'

As you continue reading, consider these questions:
How does Tom's perception of himself differ from his mother's perception of him?
Does this episode change your own perception of Thomas, both as a human and as an anthropologist?

“How was your day, honey?” Asked his mother, a plump grey haired woman with kindly, albeit anxious eyes. She worried about her son sometimes, holed up in his room. She wished he’d go out dancing, or meet a nice girl, something other than just working and clicking away at that computer. At forty four, he was no spring chicken.
“Fine, Ma.” Tom said through a mouthful of mac and cheese. His mother sighed: she hadn’t gotten more than a one word answer out of him in thirty years.
“Good mac n cheese?”
“Yup”. Tom took a big gulp of milk and set his glass down with a bang.
“I wish you’d be more careful with the glasses, Thomas.”
“Sorry, Ma” Tom said. He heaped another plateful of pasta, refilled his milk and bounded back up stairs.
“Boys will be boys,” muttered Tom’s mother under her breath. But when was he going to leave the house? Long ago she’d given up hope that he’d move out; now she just wanted him to leave for an afternoon, even a few hours.