Merely living is a terribly difficult thing to learn how to do. One would think it a less complex task than all this.

[Perceived failure or not, the reminder that he was--for whatever crazy reason--actually wanted around managed to turn despondent frustration into a faint smile.]

I appreciate that you would offer...truly, I mean that. But I already tend to put far too much on your shoulders, and this is something I think I need to handle myself. Impossible as it seems at present, it's my own responsibility not to make this mistake a second time.