Frustrating was a huge understatement, that much Susan knew for sure but she kept her mouth shut. There was no sense heckling someone about the hardships of their lives just because she was curious or insisted that everyone discuss their life problems with her. Susan loved to listen, and she loved to help. But even she was aware of the limitations of such an act. Her nature made her want to get up from the table and hug him, or tell him that she would do anything she could to make it right. However the first thing would probably be way to much touching and the boy would be running and the latter would be futile. Sighing at her own inability to help, she settled with gently reaching forward and touching the back of his hand in a comforting gesture. It wasn't much, and she pulled away just as soon as she didn't so he didn't feel too judged or pitied. Because that was definitely not what she was going for.
Didn't consider turning her down? "Well that's great to hear!" she responded brightly, never missing a beat. "It's helpful to hear something like that when you've been out of the socializing aspect of life for a while. I'm happy to hear I haven't lost touch with my humanity." She was kidding of course, but some days it really did feel like she was falling out of touch with the world. And the world for her was a lonely place.