While I don’t disagree with your interpretation, I think the intent was that Arlo is happily listening to a song that he likes, and suddenly realizes that the singer is no longer with us, which sets off his train of thought.
We’re not allowed to post links here, apparently, but you can read about what Francis actually said at ncronline dot org (the National Catholic Reporter site.)
I was referring to the Arlo and Janis strip of June 7, 2024. You said it represented “another set of parents who give in to the emotional extortion of their kids.” I was completely baffled by this remark and was asking you to clarify where the kids had ever “extorted” Arlo and/or Janis. I’m still wondering where you got this idea.
While I don’t disagree with your interpretation, I think the intent was that Arlo is happily listening to a song that he likes, and suddenly realizes that the singer is no longer with us, which sets off his train of thought.