"I'm not hungry," he told her. "But okay. I accept your terms. I'll come out and at least let your dad know I'm alive and in one piece." He tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
He pulled himself a little more upright, though, and reached over to clasp Allison's hand. "Thank you." Because as much as he wanted to be left alone, he was glad she wasn't going to let him sink.