Maybe you could hold off on the 'how are ya doin' until he is more willing to tell you...i know you are giving him space, but might wanna give him more space. not easy to keep up the energy.
I sometimes wonder if it is easier or harder to detach ourselves from them if we were in another house? It may come to that still. Another day...today I am focusing on today...not as easy as it sounds.
not easy to keep up the energy.