Saying anything other than "I'm sorry" a bunch of times and then (laughably naively) "reassuring" me that somehow my education will be inoculation against this mess, would be a real step up, current T.

A real step up, indeed.

I don't expect you to know facts and figures. I just need you to not suddenly start looking at me like I'm some alien freak whose life you can't relate to and so, the best you can come up with is some random social filler type pablum.

Show up? Or, if not, at least have the grace and understanding to simply remain in silence with me? That would mean so much more.