Stubborn. Is this what it was like for others talking to him when he was angry? Maybe he and Tommy really were two sides of the same coin. "I don't know, I wasn't there, Tommy," with more of that bite in his tone. Don't rise to meet Tommy's, don't do that. Might make it worse again.

"You do fix things. Don't try to sell me that shit." His grip has tightened again, so Billy loosens it. "Tommy. What's actually wrong? There's something and it's not just the table or painting, is it?" Could Billy help fix this for Tommy? Or at least get him to listen to the reasoning he was trying to provide? Maybe he just needed to let Tommy ride out this anger, but Billy wouldn't be able to stay if he did that.