---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've always been his favorite.\" \"Is that…"
description: "\"“I've always been his favorite.\" \"Is that so?\" Lazily Shelby folded her arms behind her head. She could picture him as a boy,seeing beyond what other b..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/340/nora-roberts-128_quote_i-ve-always-been-his-favorite-is-that-so_1227752.jpg"
---

#  I've always been his favorite." "Is that so?" Lazily…

![“I've always been his favorite.&quot; &quot;Is that so?&quot; Lazily Shelby folded her arms behind her head. She could picture him as a boy,seeing beyond what other boys saw and storing it. &quot;Why?&quot; &quot;If I weren't modest,I'd confess that I was always a well-mannered, even-tempered child who never gave my parents a…” quote by Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/340/nora-roberts-128_quote_i-ve-always-been-his-favorite-is-that-so_1227752.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/340/nora-roberts-128_quote_i-ve-always-been-his-favorite-is-that-so_1227752.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/340/nora-roberts-128_quote_i-ve-always-been-his-favorite-is-that-so_1227752.jpg)

> ““I've always been his favorite." "Is that so?" Lazily Shelby folded her arms behind her head. She could picture him as a boy,seeing beyond what other boys saw and storing it. "Why?" "If I weren't modest,I'd confess that I was always a well-mannered, even-tempered child who never gave my parents a moment's trouble." "Liar," she said easily. "How'd you get the broken nose?" The grin became rueful. "Rena punched me." "Your sister broke your nose?" Shelby burst out with delighted and unsympathetic laughter. "The blackjack dealer, right? Oh,I love it!" Alan caught Shelby's nose between two fingers and gave it a quick twist. "It was rather painful at the time." "I imagine." She kept right on laughing as he shifted to her side. "Did she make a habit of beating you up?" "She didn't beat me up," he corrected with some dignity. "She was trying to beat Caine up because he'd teased her about making calf's eyes at one of his friends." "Typical brotherly intimidation." "In any event," Alan put in mildly, "I went to drag her off him,she took another swing,missed him, and hit me. A full-power roundhouse,as I remember. That's when," he continued as Shelby gave another peal of laughter, "I decided against being a diplomat. It's always the neutral party that gets punched in the face." "I'm sure..." Shelby dropped her head on his shoulder. "I'm sure she was sorry." "Initially.But as I recall, after I'd stopped bleeding and threatening to kill both her and Caine, her reaction as a great deal like yours." "Insensitive." Shelby ran apologetic kisses over his face. "Poor baby. Tell you what, I'll do penance and see about fixing you breakfast.””

[Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A dialogue reveals characters using humor and violence to cope with personal conflicts, exposing the thin line between levity and aggression.

**In simple terms:** Characters blend jokes with physical aggression, showing coping mechanisms.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when humor masks deeper issues.

Themes

conflict humor violence relationships coping identity

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

narrative psychological

When to use this quote

- friendship
- romantic tension
- stress relief
- personal growth

Key Concepts

psychological defense social dynamics masculine/feminine roles

Questions to Reflect On

- When does joking become harmful?
- How can you address conflict without violence?

A Different Perspective

Humor can trivialize serious harm; aggression may be normalized.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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            "text": "“I've always been his favorite.\" \"Is that so?\" Lazily Shelby folded her arms behind her head. She could picture him as a boy,seeing beyond what other boys saw and storing it. \"Why?\" \"If I weren't modest,I'd confess that I was always a well-mannered, even-tempered child who never gave my parents a moment's trouble.\" \"Liar,\" she said easily. \"How'd you get the broken nose?\" The grin became rueful. \"Rena punched me.\" \"Your sister broke your nose?\" Shelby burst out with delighted and unsympathetic laughter. \"The blackjack dealer, right? Oh,I love it!\" Alan caught Shelby's nose between two fingers and gave it a quick twist. \"It was rather painful at the time.\" \"I imagine.\" She kept right on laughing as he shifted to her side. \"Did she make a habit of beating you up?\" \"She didn't beat me up,\" he corrected with some dignity. \"She was trying to beat Caine up because he'd teased her about making calf's eyes at one of his friends.\" \"Typical brotherly intimidation.\" \"In any event,\" Alan put in mildly, \"I went to drag her off him,she took another swing,missed him, and hit me. A full-power roundhouse,as I remember. That's when,\" he continued as Shelby gave another peal of laughter, \"I decided against being a diplomat. It's always the neutral party that gets punched in the face.\" \"I'm sure...\" Shelby dropped her head on his shoulder. \"I'm sure she was sorry.\" \"Initially.But as I recall, after I'd stopped bleeding and threatening to kill both her and Caine, her reaction as a great deal like yours.\" \"Insensitive.\" Shelby ran apologetic kisses over his face. \"Poor baby. Tell you what, I'll do penance and see about fixing you breakfast.”",
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