“Hi! How can I help you today?” The sales rep greeted Hector and Miguel as they walked into the cell phone store.
Miguel pulled his phone from his pocket. “I need a charger and service for this phone. And I just want to do a pay as you go plan.” Miguel’s face warmed slightly in embarrassment. He wouldn’t be able to get a contract that didn’t require a huge down payment so he hoped the sales rep wouldn’t try to push one on him.
“Okay, not a problem. You’ll need a SIM card so give me just a second to get that for you.”
Hector leaned one elbow on the counter, turning to the side to face Miguel. “You sure you don’t want me to add you to my plan?”
“I’m sure.” Miguel glanced at Hector, then quickly down to the countertop. Noticing how good Hector looked as he lounged there felt wrong. Although he hadn’t been in love with Santos, their relationship had ended only a few days ago. And Hector was his friend. His straight friend. Which meant ogling him was wrong on multiple levels. Still…
While Miguel kept his head down, he couldn’t help sneaking a peek at Hector out of the corner of his eye. Hector had turned so that both elbows rested on the glass case. His biceps bunched up, straining the soft material of his T-shirt sleeves. Santos had used his size and bulk to invade people’s space and intimidate. It wasn’t like that with Hector. He was strong, no doubt. But he didn’t try to overwhelm anyone with his stature. He simply exuded quiet strength. It made Miguel feel at ease, which conversely served to let him know how on edge he’d always been with Santos.
The sales rep came back over. “Okay, here’s the SIM card you’ll need and your charger.”
Miguel handed over his phone to let the sales rep swap out the SIM cards. Once that was done, Miguel listened as the rep went through all the details for their pay as you go plan. He signed the agreement and pulled out his debit card when the cashier went to ring him up.
Hector shifted like he wanted to say something, but remained silent. Miguel guessed that he had been about to offer to pay for everything. Miguel appreciated his restraint. It might be silly, but he wanted to do as much on his own as he could. He’d have to keep careful track of his spending, but he could manage to pay for this.
“Okay, you’re all set.”
Miguel took the receipt and paperwork the rep handed him. “Thank you.”
Walking out of the store, Miguel looked up at Hector. “That wasn’t so hard.”
“Nope.” Hector held the door open for him. “Not at all.”
Miguel smiled. All he’d done was get his cell phone turned on, but as he walked with Hector across the parking lot, he couldn’t help but feel as though he’d accomplished something worthwhile.
***
“Honey, I’m home!”
Hector walked into his apartment, expecting to be greeted by his temporary roommate. After two weeks, Hector was already used to Miguel’s presence, as well as the smell of food cooking. He sniffed the air. Tonight’s dinner smelled like something Italian. Miguel hadn’t answered his goofy greeting, but Hector could hear his voice in the kitchen. He went into his bedroom, secured his service weapon, and tossed his bag in the closet. In the kitchen, he found Miguel sitting at the table. He was on the phone, a pad of paper in front of him.
“Yes, that sounds great. Thank you! See you Monday. You too.” He ended the call, then looked up at Hector. “This has been the most amazing day,” he said with a dazed expression on his face.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I have three interviews scheduled.”
Hector grinned. “Well, look at you.” He lightly slapped Miguel on the shoulder on his way to the fridge to grab a bottle of Coke. “And you were worried you wouldn’t get anything.”
“I don’t have a job yet.”
“But you’re one step closer,” Hector said as he sat down at the table.
Miguel’s mouth twisted in a slight frown. “Yeah, I guess.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just…afraid to hope.” He looked at Hector with worry shining in his dark eyes. “It can’t be that easy.”
Hector was confused. “What can’t be that easy? Getting a job?”
“More than that. I just walk away from an abusive boyfriend without any consequences, get a great job, then go on with my life? No way.”
The confusion cleared as he finally understood where Miguel was coming from. “I don’t think this has been easy for you at all. I’ve seen your fear, and I’ve seen you keep plowing ahead despite it. You’ve filled out so many applications I’m surprised my computer isn’t smoking at the end of the day. You getting a job isn’t happening because it’s easy. It’s because you’re determined to change your life and you’ve put in the work to make it happen.” Hector came to a halt, watching his friend’s face as he digested everything he’d said.
“Thank you, Hector,” Miguel finally said with a shy smile.