"You've been quiet all day, Héctor."
Héctor looks up from his sitting position, his fingers frozen over his guitar strings mid-note.
Imelda stares at him. "Everything alright?"
"Yes." Héctor answers. "Just thinking."
Imelda nods as she sits down next to him.
"I was just asking," she says as Héctor keeps strumming. At one point she surprises him by taking his hand and giving it a faint squeeze.
Héctor stops playing suddenly and stares at her. "Why'd you do that?"
"No reason," she smiles. "Just worried about you. You've been spending a lot of time up here."
"I'm fine." Setting his guitar down, Héctor looks at her. "I'm just distracted, that's all."
"Thinking about what song to play for the concert?" Imelda asks.
"Yes." Héctor replies. "I think I have it figured out."
"Good." Imelda doesn't ask what song he's picked, but Héctor doesn't care.
If he told her, she might figure out the reason why. And Héctor definently doesn't want to tell her who he wants to invite as a special guest.
"What's that?"
Héctor stares at Imelda, who's gaze is on the next package he was planning to give Ernesto. He looks at the ground. "Gift for someone."
"Who?" Héctor can feel Imelda staring at him as he looks up.
He swallows. "Someone."
"For me?" Imelda asks with mock enthusiasm.
Héctor laughs. "No. Not for you. Just for a... friend."
Imelda frowns, and Héctor waits for more questions.
But she just gets up and nods. "Okay. I'll leave you alone then. And you know you can tell me if something's bothering you."
"I know." Héctor averts his gaze from her face. When she leaves, Héctor sighs, stands up, picks up the gift (four pieces of Ernesto's favorite candy and the concert invite), and leaves.
Either no one notices or they're onto him, and Héctor isn't sure what bothers him more.