Holding onto his word that he didn't care about the explanations he skipped it and didn't respond.

Hearing that Clarice had to fight to stay in his world sobered him some, though, and it was clear he was listening to that part of the man's words.

"Of course I'm grateful. Y'don't know what it meant t'me to have her there. She didn't tell me about that, but then she didn't tell me a lot." He wasn't stupid, it was obvious she had things she didn't share. He had them, too.

"I ain't gonna roll over, though, an' let you take her. So where is she?" If he really couldn't go home, then he wanted to be with her.