—Sofia—Javier said gently—, did you know your mom was going to write this?
She denied it.
—I heard her crying last night. I thought it was because of nerves. I didn’t know about the accident until this morning.
—And you decided to come alone?
Sofia nodded.
—Mom says opportunities don’t wait. And that when you really want something, you have to go for it even if you’re scared.
The phrase struck a chord inside Javier.
She remembered her own mother working double shifts in a factory to pay for her college. She remembered the times she saw her come home with cracked hands, but smiling.
He looked again at the girl in front of him.
“Taking a bus alone is no small feat,” she said. “Weren’t you scared?”
“Yes,” Sofia replied without hesitation. “But I was more afraid that my mom would miss this opportunity.”
There was a long silence.
On the ground floor, the receptionist had already notified the human resources department. The news was quietly spreading throughout the building.
“A girl came to an interview instead of her mother.”
At first it was a cause for smiles.
Then, questions.
—
Javier picked up the intercom.
—Carla, I need you to postpone all my morning meetings.
-Something wrong?
—Yes. Something important.
He hung up and went back to Sofia.
“I’m going to do something that’s not in the protocol,” he said. “But sometimes protocol doesn’t understand bravery.”
Sofia didn’t fully understand, but she nodded.
Javier dialed the hospital number again.
—I want to talk to Laura Morales.
Minutes later, Laura’s weak but clear voice was heard on the other end.
—Mr. Ortega? I’m so sorry. I tried to warn you…
“Your daughter is here,” he interrupted gently.
There was absolute silence.
—What do you mean, is it there? —Laura’s voice broke.
—He came for his interview.
