Case File 000 · The vault
You found the keyhole.
Most people never look. You turned the lights off and went looking anyway, which is the whole idea. Here's your reward: the Grown-Up Phrase Decoder.
These are odds, not facts. Every grown-up is different, and sometimes the phrase means exactly what it says.
You'll understand when you're older.
Often meansI don't know how to explain it yet.
Sometimes meansI don't want you to know.
Because I said so.
Often meansI have a reason, but I'm too tired to say it.
Sometimes meansI don't have a good reason.
Nothing's wrong.
Often meansSomething's wrong and I'm handling it.
Sometimes meansSomething's wrong and I'm handling it badly.
It's complicated.
Often meansIt is, and you deserve the simple version.
Sometimes meansThe simple version makes me look bad.
We'll see.
Often meansProbably not.
Sometimes meansAsk me again when I'm in a better mood.
You're too young for this.
Often meansI'm not ready to talk about it.
Sometimes meansYou're exactly old enough, and that scares me.
Want to know what's actually going on? That's what the books are for.