I'm a sucker for Minerva/Hooch. I really like the dynamic you build between them here: you develop Hooch's character well, and I can definitely see Minerva acting like this: first burying herself in work as a way to avoid something difficult, but then finally being honest and realistic and brave enough to make things right.

I like their give-and-take in lines like these: "Aren’t you the one who told me that?" // "I tell you a lot of things. Normally you don’t listen to me."

And I love "stunningly unaware."

Other good lines: Something inside her felt strained, as if she’d overused a muscle or tendon that was in danger of tearing away from its mooring.