03: I Need To Leave

"Dom, sono così dispiaciuta (I'm so sorry)."

"Jesus, Zolina! Che cazzo (What the fuck)?!"

"Please, Dominic. I'm sorry, really." Zola's voice cracked and wavered with emotion. "I'm ... done."

"Okay, okay. Dimmi. (Tell Me.)"

"Anthony got Harper some bad stuff. I told him I didn't want him around us anymore. He flipped his shit and told me he would 'end me.'"

"Did he hurt you, Zola?"

"No, he just grabbed me, and threatened me. The chaplain, she stopped him. I'll be okay."

"Just?! Alright, whatever, we'll talk about that later. I need to call the Austonian and have his access restricted and give security a heads up. I'll cancel his key cards and his company cards. He's going to be pissed Zo. I'll leave him a message that he's on hold until I meet with him." Dominic paused, softening his voice. "Can you get home safe, Zo? Do I need to call Papa?"

"No, Dom! Please. I'll wait for Harper and we'll get home safe, I promise. The chaplain can help."

"Okay, Zola. Do not leave your place until I set up another driver and some security. We are going to talk about this when I get back to Austin. Text when you're back at your place. Io ti amo."

"Thanks, Dom, I love you too."

----

Cora stood in Harper Embry's room. The young woman was sleeping lightly but as she stepped toward the bed, she stirred and opened her eyes slowly.

"Miss Embry? Harper Embry?"

"Yes?" Harper raised an eyebrow, taking in the stranger. Her tone was clipped and defensive. She didn't trust people in general. "Who are you?"

Cora smiled, attempting to put the woman at ease. "I'm Cora Sims. I'm one of the chaplains here at Seton. I'm just making rounds and checking in with patients."

Cora watched confusion pass over Harper's face. She stiffened. "Um. I don't need a chaplain. I need to leave."

"I understand, I'm here only to touch base and make sure you're feeling comfortable and safe. I saw Miss Basilio a few moments ago ..."

"Zola?! Where is she? Where's Anthony? Go get them. Can I leave?"

Cora was slightly taken aback by Harper's demands. The young lady was clearly used to people catering to her desires. Cora responded compassionately, "I know this is a difficult time, Miss Embry. I am here to help you. I can see about bringing Miss Basilio to see you. Beyond that, I'm afraid I don't have many answers for you."

"Okay, Ms. Sims. Go get Zola and someone who can give me answers." Harper's very limited patience was waning and she wanted out of the hospital.

Cora nodded. "I will do my best for you, Miss Embry. Please wait here, I'll be back."

Harper nodded but said nothing. She was surprised by what sounded like genuine patience in the woman's voice.

----

Cora returned to find Zola a little more composed. As she stepped around the curtain, the woman's beauty was more evident but she still looked exhausted and now also sad. Cora found herself staring for a moment before she spoke.

"Miss Basilio? I'm sorry, may I interrupt?"

"No. I mean yes, please, come in." Zola looked up and now could take in the chaplain. She looked at her feet first. As her eyes passed over the shoes, she could see that they were mid-range, classic 2" heels. Likely purchased at a department store or DSW. Zola guessed she probably stood about 5'8" without them.

Her eyes began to move up the woman's legs. Zola saw the feet and legs shift slightly and her eyes snapped up to find the woman smiling in amusement, one eyebrow raised. She seemed to be asking a silent question. Zola was surprised that she didn't register the woman's beauty earlier.

Now she could see that she was around her age, maybe a little older, and she had a crooked, quirky smile. Definitely her best feature. She was flushing slightly at Zola's careful examination of her feet and legs.

She did remember the layered, thoughtful brown eyes that were now softened with good nature, curiosity, and concern. Her voice was just slightly timbered and filled with compassion. Zola found the sound overwhelmingly comforting.

"Is everything okay, Miss Basilio? I'm here to help."

Zola blushed in embarrassment. "Oh. Yes, I'm sorry. Force of habit, I love shoes."

Cora chuckled, amused by her statement and intrigued by the woman. "No problem, Miss Basilio. I like a good shoe too."

Zola warmed with the woman's response. Her eyes lit up with pleasure and she grinned. "Um ... thank you ... for earlier ... by the way."

"Of course, Miss Basilio. My name is Cora Sims, I'm on call this evening. I'm happy I could be there for you." Cora smiled softly and sincerely. "We all have moments of need."

The chaplain's eyes were flooded with genuine kindness. Zola realized that it was so unfamiliar to her that it seemed almost alien.

Cora stepped closer and slowly reached out and held Zola's hand gently. She watched Zola's eyes carefully. "Zola, are you feeling safe? I'm happy to help you. Maybe I could find you a change of clothes? That dress, it's beautiful but ..."

Zola was confused with the vague nature of the first question and she hesitated slightly considering what "safe" meant for her. She looked down at her hand blanketed by the chaplain's. "Oh, yes, I'm safe."

Cora realized she was holding Zola's hand and perhaps it was an unwise choice. She slowly released the woman's hand and stepped back but immediately missed the connection and warmth. "Your dress? Miss Basilio?"

Zola looked down at it and smelled and saw vomit. "Wow, that's disgusting."

Cora chuckled lightly. "Yes. It's pretty pungent. Your friend, Miss Embry? She would like to see you too." Zola looked up at the mention of Harper and Cora could see concern.

"Miss Basilio, I'll have a nurse stop in and get you discharged and then I'll come get you. I'll bring some clothes for you and Miss Embry. Okay?"

"Yes, please, Ms. Sims. Grazie (thank you)." Zola was surprised by a tingling in her body that occurred when she looked into the chaplain's eyes. Zola let herself examine her eyes and saw the chaplain's mouth move into another small, crooked smile.

Cora nodded and retreated to get clothes from the resident's dressing room. She moved to the resident's lounge, deep in thought. Zola Basilio and Harper Embry. Clearly, they had a night that they'd both like to forget. Cora was particularly intrigued by Zola. She recognized money, privilege, and entitlement in both the women, but Zola seemed like she was suffering and Harper seemed like she was frustrated.

Cora had a moment of uncertainty and hesitation. She was genuinely concerned about the woman but also found that her interest peaked beyond that of any of the other patients she saw that evening. Cora grimaced to herself and dug through a pile of lost and found clothing.

She returned to Zola and smiled when she found her sleeping, having surrendered to exhaustion. "Miss Basilio? Zola?" Cora cautiously rested her hand gently on Zola's shoulder. At touching the woman's shoulder, she immediately questioned how wise her decision was. Again, Cora had the overwhelming feeling that the responsible thing to do was to create professional space.

Zola's eyes fluttered open and she smiled in surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry! I must have ..."

Cora grinned at Zola's response. "No problem, Miss Basilio." Cora's voice was soft and probing. "Are you okay? You seem exhausted and lost."

Zola's eyes stung with emotion. "Si, I'm fine. Just need to sleep."

Cora smiled softly. "Okay, I just looked in on Miss Embry. She fell asleep too but is now changing into sweats. She wasn't that happy about my choices."

Zola smirked. "Si, Harper is not used to slumming it." Cora's eyes widened at the insinuation and she shifted back slightly. "Oh!I'm sorry, Chaplain Sims. I didn't mean you. I mean, cazzo(fuck)! I'm sorry!"

Cora smiled and passed a pile of folded clothes to Zola. "It's okay, Miss Basilio, really. All the clothes are clean, from the resident's lost and found. You might have to roll the sweatpants over once or twice, but the sweatshirt should fit."

"Thank you, Ms. Sims. Again, I'm so sorry." Zola smiled softly.

"It's okay, I understand. But, that's my Wake Forest sweatshirt. I'll want that back." Cora winked and smiled and stepped out. Zola sighed, feeling warmth spread through her body.

----

"Zola! Finally! Can you believe this?!" Harper looked pissed and waved her hands at everything. "The doctor said I could leave, but it took forever for them to discharge me."

"Calm down, Harper. Cara, are you okay? Jesus, you scared the shit out of me!" Zola moved to her and hugged her in an attempt to de-escalate her mood.

Harper sighed and tolerated Zola's arms. "I just want to get out of here, Zo. I'm fine, really. It was just a fluke, it won't happen again."

"You're goddamn right! I'm tired of this! Harp, we're not kids anymore. I'm so tired of this." Now it was Zola who was waving her hands on everything.

"Zola, come on, baby. Let's just go home. We'll feel better after we're out of this place. Please?" Harper pressed her lips into Zola's gently. She could feel Zola resist and then give in. Harper continued to softly explore Zola's mouth. She could taste Zola's salty tears slipping down into their mouths.

Zola pulled back, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her sweatshirt and she had a fleeting thought of Chaplain Sims. "Okay, Harper, let's go." The two started moving toward the door.

"Where's Anthony?"

"Dominic fired him."

Harper stopped mid-step. "What?!"

"It's complicated, Harper. Can we just talk about it back at my place? We'll have to Uber."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Harper, please, let's just get home."

----

Cora saw the two women step out of Harper's room and move toward the waiting room. She watched their body language carefully. Harper was scrolling through her phone, still seeming agitated and unsettled. Zola was leaning gently into Harper with her arm laced through the crook of Harper's elbow.

"Excuse me, ladies, I'm sorry to interrupt." Cora smiled at Harper who looked wary and Zola who looked tired. "Can I help you to get home safely?" Cora let her eyes meet Zola's, directing the question more toward her.

"No. Thank you. We're fine." Harper did not miss the look and did not like it. "We'll Uber."

"Very well, here's my card, if you need additional assistance."

Harper rolled her eyes and pulled Zola toward the door. "I think we've got it covered."

Cora took one step in pursuit. The tone of her voice changed slightly and it reminded Zola of the conversation she had with Anthony. "Miss Basilio? Are you safe?"

Zola nodded and smiled weakly as she was pulled away. "Thank you, sorry."

Cora sighed and thought to herself, "I'm never going to get my sweatshirt back."

----