[ He'd been wondering (based on how she's dressed), but it felt like totally the wrong time to ask. At least she's explained, though the answer sort of spawns more questions in his mind. ]

So you...you went back in time to find your mom because she traveled back in time, too, and you were there - [ and something terrible happened ] - but then you woke up here again.

That's...wow. [ He takes a breath, just processing it. ] How does it work? How did you know it would work, when you went to find her?