[ His smile turns wry, and he leans over a bit to bump his shoulder with hers in understanding, comfort. She doesn't need to hear I'm so sorry or for him to pity her - he'd rather focus on the strength it must have taken for her to survive. ]

I hear you... my old man didn't even know I existed until this year.

[ His bitterness is more resigned - like he's accepted it, at this point. He won't ever fully get over it, but it is what it is. With laid-back, sincere admiration: ]

But damn, you're pretty tough, coming up all on your own. Probably more than anyone gives you credit for.