"I'd appreciate that, Ma'am," he says, giving her a nod and a smile. "I really would. I'm learning much as I can, though it's not easy. None of this place is easy."

Shaking his head, not sure how to find the words because he's never been true or open to anyone else, but here it's be open or fall behind. Already he's seeing that.

"It that bad? More than it was when I came out of the water?" Looking nervous and uncertain and definitely scared though he isn't sure how to hide that. "Been maybe ten years since I've lived without a drink. I know I'm not... sober. I'm not sober, but thought I'd be dead before I had to be."

Except he is dead. He just doesn't know that yet.