"Same as the other Trip then." But he blinks at the concern, momentarily taken aback, but then lets out a well-practiced fake laugh. "It's not that big of a deal!" he lies. "But yeah, she's not here. Why? You wanna become my new mom for real?"

He's making another joke to deflect. But it feels nice to be able to joke about his mom so easily, with no worry of her popping up anywhere.