No

"It's all right," you say, quickly realizing your mistake. "You don't owe me anything."

She looks up at you with a glint of surprise in her eyes, her full lips pursing. "Well...we are neighbors, after all." She sighs and leans against the counter on your right. "And I doubt this'll be resolved anytime soon, so...might as well get to know each other a bit better." She sighs hard, taking another sip of cider. "Mr. Carson was...he was amazing. Strong, brave, handsome." She smiles a little. "He was the reason I became a cop."

You furrow your brows. "Was?"

She smiles sadly, a sheen to her eyes. "He...he died, about six months ago. I took desk duty 'cause I couldn't...couldn't--"

"I get it," you interrupt softly. "It's okay."

Mrs. Carson shoots you a grateful smile, her hands shaking slightly.

On instinct, you gently reach out to brush your fingers against the hand not wrapped around the mug. She flinches, and you nearly pull away when that happens. Your eyes meet a split-second later, and for a while, both of you are utterly still.