“Please enlighten me, Dr. Ramirez.” He chuckled, and I enjoyed the playfulness that was back.
“Pizza,” I said.
We found a table in the cafeteria, and when Hector took a bite of his slice, I waited for his reaction.
“Not bad,” he said.
“I told you.”
“Yes. You did. So, how have you been, Carolina?”
“Busy,” I said, taking a bite of my pizza.
“Yes. I know. I was worried you would burn out. I wanted to check in—”
“But I told you to stay away from me?”
He nodded grimly.
“I’m sorry about that. I’m not sure I handled it the best way I could have, but look on the bright side. It worked. I got my professional respect back, and I’ve had no issues with doctors joining my grant proposals since.”
“I’m glad something good came of it. You aren’t worried about being seen with me now?”
I shook my head and swallowed my bite of pizza. “No. I have options now, and it’s time for Dr. Stuart to decide who is more valuable to the department.”
“Good for you. I’m glad you are realizing your worth.”
A flush swept over my face, so I decided to change the subject. “How about you? How have you been?”
Hector sighed. “Not quite as good as you. I was often tempted to ignore your commands and talk with you, so I took a lot of vacation time.”
I blinked at him. “You did?”
“It hurts that you didn’t notice.”
“I was working too much,” I admitted.
“I know.”
“What did you do with all the time off?”
“I went to the FIHR to check on some projects I handed over before coming here. I also spent some time with my mom in Mexico.”
“How is Marisela?” I asked.
“Good, though she can’t forgive me for letting you go.” He likely saw the shift in mood plain on my face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Won’t happen again.”
“Will you say hi to her for me?”
“Of course,” he said. “I also wanted to ask you about Sara. I’ve seen her at work, and she seemed well, so I haven’t checked in on her again.”
“She’s doing great. She will be finishing her graduate degree soon.”
“And that mess back then. It’s done?”
“Thatmesswas a man who is not in her life anymore.”
“Good,” said Hector. It was still the sweetest thing that he worried about my friend. Sara was lucky to have so many people in her corner, even if she didn’t realize quite the scope of it.