Carmen pressed the cardigan against her waist.

“I was trying to keep her from being hurt.”

“By a letter you have not let me read?”

“I have never stopped you from reading anything.”

“The envelope is still sealed.”

She had no reply ready for that.

For a moment, she looked past me toward the dining room, as if Frank might come out and take the question away from her.

“Your father and I raised you to think carefully,” she said.