I can always tell when I'm the object of pity. That's when the non-child, Non-Nadine I love yous come out. There's no crisis, no bad news, no dog death that can't be made just a teeny bit more surreal by an I love you from someone who ordinarily doesn't say it.
I certainly understand where it's coming from, and I appreciate the gesture. But it always knocks me for a bit of a loop. Man, are things really that bad? Do I seem that depressed?