Explain Brian's statement at the top of pg. 288, "You know, its really not that hard to put food on the table if that's what you decide to do." What is his purpose in saying this -- is he trying to blame his parents or free them from blame by calling it a

The family is celebrating the holidays and the Walls children are remembering tables without food..... Brian is thinking that making a meal isn't that difficult if you choose to make it..... Lori reminds him that it isn't the time for recriminations.

He looked at the dishes. I knew what he was thinking, what he thought every time he saw a spread like this one. He shook his head and said. "You know, it's really not that hard to put food on the table if that's what you decide to do."
"Now, no recriminations," Lori told him.