"'Vices are just an excuse to be our worst selves'... I think you are correct, Mrs. Nie." There's a hint of something in Rosemary's voice, an emotion that's hard to place. When she continues, it's gone again. "I do hope this doesn't make you regard our little town poorly. I would like one day to be able to share that custom with you."

A beat of silence, and then Rosemary says, "Please excuse me. I didn't mean to bring the mood down so terribly on our first meeting. Tell me more about yourself -- you paint. What else are you interested in?"