In her own career, she had had to notify families when a loved one had been the victim of a traffic collision or a homicide. At first she had thought the worst times were when the survivors swore at her, or began breaking things, unable to bear the thought that glass or china could last longer than flesh.
Later on she had realised that the worst times were where the grieving would happen behind closed doors, and perhaps in the dark, where no one could see.
She sets the cup on the table in front of him, then takes the chair across from him. Patience. Acceptance. Support.