"No point in living just to survive," He mutters in agreement, a little distracted by his own thoughts.

If he wants to give Mom something good, it's going to be something she lacks. Like the family she's missing. If he can draw back to that, he might actually get somewhere. And since the picture on the fridge is one taken at a beach, well, maybe...

Ugh. He's going to have to say it outright isn't he? For a moment, he makes a face. Then, through his teeth, he asks, "What do you need right now?"