That boy has got the lowest self-esteem of nearly anybody that I've ever met--

[Present company excluded. Royce's self-esteem is in the pits.]

-- and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't have any expectations at all. I'm sure he thinks he doesn't have the right to have any. But that's not the same as having no hopes.

[And unmet hopes can make somebody every bit as unhappy as unmet expectations.]

I do have some advice for you, if you'll have it.