It was probably too dry before you watered it. Had you watered the potting mix at all?

Thanks. The friend who gave it to me said she had read that if the plant was outdoors to water the cup, if inside to water around it. She said that she read that watering it in the cup inside would cause it to rot. I had not seen that.

Water the soil and do not water until soil is dry. Protect the plant in winter since you say your zone 7B. Mine are outdoors all year
here in S Texas with minimal damage. Cold will turn many aechmea to mush in 1 hr especially it the roots are wet.

We have moved but not very far, so the zone chart says we now live in zone 7. I will still follow you advice, thanks. I did water the soil and the plant leaves are looking better. It is in our bath that gets fairly bright morning sun.