Sean's not sure if the silence is made easier to bear without her around or harder. That probably just means that the difference is negligible, but he can't help but want to read more into it as he waits, and when she returns it's a relief if only so he can stop thinking about it. With a nod of thanks, he takes the glass and drinks, but some twinge in his throat has it going down the wrong way and he's coughing a few seconds later, the back of his hand pressed to his mouth.