[He feels sick, stupid for even beginning this conversation and yet at the same time it's inevitable. Why avoid him? This place is too small for their paths to never cross. There is place is too small to avoid each their. Better just to get this over with even if he feels like there isn't much more to say. At the same time there's no point in dodging his question. There's an odd sort of transparency here. No need to be polite or indirect with someone who took you apart piece by piece. He can ask what he wants.]