The other day, someone pointed out to me how much Eddie has changed over the years since his introduction back in 2008: originally he was this terribly jaded, flippant, rich guy who made no bones about the fact that he was wealthier than just about everyone on the planet, and if you didnt like his opinions on things… well, screw you too, honey.

Then along the way he started showing more of himself, and that crusty, snobby veneer started to crack. Sure, he could still buy and sell you six ways to Sunday if it amused him, but increasingly he started to figure out that there was more to life than buying a hooker as a present for himself on Christmas Day. And now… well, he’s not all the way there to being a genuine human being, but he’s certainly a good ways down the road.

And it’s thanks in large part to those two people in the bottom panel. Eddie might be a jerk, but he took his responsibility as little Raymond’s godfather very seriously. He wants this kid to grow up right — and as we’ve seen in Elliot’s future, he seems to have done a pretty good job. And then there’s André: the guy who played along with Eddie’s illusion that he was a rent boy… when in reality he just happened to love the dumb lug, enough to arrange this ridiculous, over-the-top fairy tale… with, of course, the help of a couple of little old ladies and some good friends.

Funny how things happen sometimes, huh…