He chuckled. “God, Carolina. Sometimes I think you know me better than I know myself.” He paused. “Could you be any more perfect?”
I adjusted in my seat. I refused to turn this moment into something uncomfortable. This was my first significant trial, and all signs were pointing to success. I’d also had a beautiful moment with my mentor. We couldn’t turn this into something else and mar my memory of this day.
“Well, I’m getting hungry. Would you like to get a bite?”
“Dr. Ramirez,” he scolded me, looking at me from above the line of his glasses, now back on his face. “We have a lot of work to do.”
It was true. Now, we needed to adjust the treatment protocol and submit it to the internal review board (IRB). In phase two of the trial, all patients would receive the experimental treatment, but not before the IRB approved the protocol change. The process would take a few weeks, so the trial would be placed on hold until then. Suddenly, I had a few more days off.
“We don’t have to go anywhere,” I said. “I can have my RA order us some food and bring it back.”
“You have a research assistant? How come I haven’t met her?”
“She works at the information desk mostly, so she’s not around much. Doesn’t need to be. She schedules appointments, interviews prospective trial subjects, handles data entry—that kind of thing. She was only working the front desk part-time, and when my grant got funded, I offered her a part-time position as an RA. Now, she is employed full time by the hospital and eligible for health insurance benefits.”
“That was nice of you.”
“I’m lucky to have her. Amanda is pretty amazing. She’s more than just an assistant. She’s a great visual artist. I’ll introduce you sometime. Do you like sushi? I’ll have her bring it right over.”
“Sure. Sushi sounds great.”
I needed to go to my locker and grab a credit card to give to Mandy, but before I left, I turned to him once more. “Oh, and Dr. Medina?”
“Yes?”
“I’m far from perfect. I have my own demons and insecurities, just like anyone else.”