The second he told me he couldn't was the second I had to show him he could. The second he told me he wouldn't was the second I had to show him he should. The second he did, he believed that he could, and that's when I understood that the one who said that he wouldn't actually couldn't, but now can.
It is a mystery, and to tell the truth, I am intrigued by mysteries even if this is to be my last week of enjoying them. I would welcome some glimmer of understanding but, failing that, working on the puzzle will suffice.