This humorous story revolves around a son’s attempt to reassure his mother that there is nothing romantic between him and his female roommate. During a dinner, the mother grows suspicious of their relationship and wonders if they are more than just roommates. Sensing her thoughts, the son tries to clarify by telling her that they’re simply roommates. However, a week later, his roommate mentions that a silver plate went missing after the dinner, and the son decides to email his mother to ask if she took it.

In his email, he writes that he’s not accusing her but notes the plate has been missing since her visit. His mother’s reply is witty and clever: she suggests that if the roommate were sleeping in her own bed (instead of with him), she would have found the plate under her pillow. The exchange humorously plays on the son’s attempt to cover up his relationship with his roommate while his mom cleverly hints at it.