It might be just the way he expresses it, but once again, this quote suggests that it isn't simply that Christopher needs things to have an order to them, but that he needs to know about that order – to be a part of it, and in effect have some control over it. (We can only wonder what would happen if someone said, "Yes, Christopher, there is an order to the way this thing works. But we can't tell you what it is." If you ask us, that wouldn't really cut it.)

This is the first time Christopher's mother has heard from, let alone seen, her son in two years. She's obviously very emotional, and she asks him for just the smallest morsel of physical affection in return. She knows she can't hug him, but she thinks maybe they can just hold hands, just this once. Christopher, despite how affected he's clearly been by learning his mother is still alive, doesn't hear this same plea in his mother's voice. The intensity of the moment doesn't change the fact that he simply doesn't like being touched – not even his hand.