"I don't pity you or Belle," Archie explained. "Pity's pretty useless overall."

His parents had preyed on Jiminy's sense of empathy, had turned it into a weapon against him to force him to do everything they wanted. They were old, and he was their son; they needed him to take care of them. Every time he so much as thought about being on his own, they guilted him right back in line.

"I just know that when things get tough, it's nice to have someone at least offer a hand to help. Empathy, not pity."