“If you don’ want me I can go off in the hills an’ find a cave. I can go away any time.”
“No – look! I was jus’ foolin’, Lennie. ‘Cause I want you to stay with me.”
– John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men, Chapter 1. Lennie and George. Poor Lennie offers to go and find a cave if George doesn’t want him anymore. But while Lennie may annoy him sometimes George needs him and doesn’t want to be without him.