"Showoff," said Rosa, fondly, in her own way, which might have included just a moment to feel glad she was back and that she managed to catch him still there when she showed up.

A moment she ended by promptly draining the last of her coffee so she could set aside the cup, because she was going to need both hands to go ahead and lift up the stuffed dog.

"I'm moving this," she informed him, "to a better spot."