Six weeks early. She rehearsed handing them out. Rosa told me in April.”

His mouth opened slightly.

“She wasn’t testing whether you’d be gracious about a surprise,” I said. “She had already decided what she thought and she built a room where you’d prove it.

That’s not a gift with a condition. It’s a demonstration.”

“Then why are you—”

“Because the other thing is also true and I’m going to say that part too.”