“Imagine an executive’s wife waiting under the tin bus shelter in the rain,” Paola said.

“She came from absolutely nothing, Paola,” Doña Victoria said, sitting back down on the velvet cushion.

“It’s time she remembered how to walk.”

I stood quietly near the doorway, touching the thin gold band on my right index finger.

“May I be excused to set the dining table?” I asked.

“Go,” Doña Victoria said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

“And make sure the soup is served hot tonight.”