Regardless of being tormented with teen's selfishness, Robert detected a change in the elements of his parent's relationship and saw an adjustment of his mom's disposition. He just wasn't sure how to put it into words at the moment.

Robert found his mother in the kitchen, where she always seemed to be when he came home.

He wondered if her greetings had become more frequent, or if he had never noticed how much time she spent there.

He greeted her and observed her approaching him. A light flashed to him, then he saw it.

He would never try to explain Carmen's refusal, but he knew his mother was different. He...