12: I'm Very Fortunate

Zola's eyes moved around the dinner table. The hum of the meal was wonderful and washing over her. She saw Cora speaking softly with Marie, at the opposite end of the table. The two women seemed to be hitting it off. Dominic was working with Matteo trying, unsuccessfully, to focus him on his meal. Alberto reached over and placed his hand over Zola's. He could see she was happy but when she turned to him, his eyes washed with muted sadness.

Zola saw it clearly, her smile fading slowly. She leaned closer and whispered, "Papa? (What's wrong?)"

Alberto spoke softly and in Italian. "I love you. You seem happy." There was hesitation in his voice and Zola felt her eyes immediately start to burn with emotion.

Zola spoke to him also in Italian, "I happy, Papa."

"Zolina," Alberto's eyes moved to the end of the table, passing over Cora. "Your friend, she's beautiful. She's different."

"Papa, she's a beautiful person."

"And you are?"

"I'm dating her. We see each other romantically."

"Zolina, I thought you were in a better place now."

Zola's brow furrowed with confusion and then hurt passed over her face. "Harper was not a phase. Partying was a phase. Harper was just with me at the time. And I am in a much better place."

Alberto sighed, nodding. He did not want to push the issue. "I love you, Zolina, I understand what you are saying." When he kissed Zola on the forehead, she could sense that he was not completely comfortable with her answer, but he turned away from her.

Cora did not miss the intimate conversation Zola was having with her father. She also did not miss the pain that washed through her eyes and the mention of Harper in the conversation.

"Cora," Marie redirected her attention again, "you said you mostly listen at the hospital?"

The table quietened, waiting for her response. "In essence, yes. I also sit on an ethics committee for patient care. If I have a patient that I think is a danger to themselves or others, I can request consults or admissions. Sometimes I speak with patients just for a moment, sometimes I know them for months. The nature of the profession does mean that I attend more religious ceremonies than most."

Dominic released Matteo from the torture of dinner, letting him leave to play. "Ceremonies?"

"Yes, mostly funerals and end-of-life ceremonies. A good part of what I do is counsel the terminally ill and families of the terminally ill." Cora lowered her voice slightly. "When I return, I'll visit a patient who has been burned very badly and she will likely die from her wounds."

"What happened to her, Cora?" Alberto's voice was genuinely saddened. Cora looked to ensure Matteo was out of earshot. "She upset her husband and he hurt her. The burns are 2nd and 3rd degree and infection has been a challenge for her."

"Oh." Marie's eyes flooded with empathy. "I'm so sorry. That must be painful, for everyone."

"Yes, Marie, it can be challenging. But my life is also filled with great joy. I'm attuned to see human resilience, compassion, and kindness everyday. It's all around me. I am very fortunate to know love in many forms." Cora gaze moved over the table in an even and confident manner.

A silence fell lightly over the table. Zola stared, awestruck by Cora's reflection and the sincerity in her voice and eyes. When Cora looked toward her and smiled, Zola spoke softly but the entire table heard. "You are so out of my league."

Cora's eyes widened in surprise. "No, Zola, . We are all in league . That's why it feels so good to bring joy and kindness to the people around you. In whatever way you can." Cora grinned. "I have experienced the joy your work brings to my friends. Joy is a experience, not simply received."

Zola held Cora's unbroken gaze. It was as if they sat at the table alone. She nodded in understanding and the spell only receded when she heard the sound of Marie's voice.

" (attractive & intelligent)"

", Marie," Alberto agreed. Dominic smiled. Zola sighed.

Dinner came quickly to a close. Alberto said his goodbyes for the night, Dominic, Marie, and Matteo moved back to the beach for a walk, and Cora and Zola walked back toward their house.

"Zola, I could leave tonight on my own if you'd like. I'm sure your family would love to have another full day with you."

"Really, Cora?" Zola was surprised at the suggestion.

"Of course, if you can get home separately."

"Well, yes, that's not a problem. That would really be great, thank you."

"Settled then. I'll head back to Austin, you enjoy your time with family. I'll give you a call in a few days. Okay?"

Zola nodded and sighed, both happy to have the time and saddened to lose Cora. She was about to wake from her "dream."

----

Dominic was pleasantly surprised when Zola joined them at breakfast the next morning. "So you didn't fly back with Cora, because?" He raised his eyebrow.

"She thought it would be nice if I could spend some more time with . Right, Matteo? Can I play with you this morning? Cora had to go home."

" Let's go!"

" We will wait for Nonno." Matteo sighed but did not argue.

Marie smiled at the exchange. "Well, I'm happy you can stay. Nonno will be happy too."

Zola sighed. ", Papa will be happy I'm still here, Cora (without)."

"Zo, Papa is trying, he's a little old school. He'll come around."

----

Matthew dropped Cora at her apartment. She crossed over the threshold with the Tumi bag and went straight to her bed to flop down for a few hours of sleep before her next shift. Already, Zola and the trip seemed excruciatingly distant. The next shift, Cora faced the inquisition.

"Oh. My. God. You look amazing! No offense."

Cora rolled her eyes at Jocelyn. "None taken, Joce."

Edra leaned in. "So spill it. And don't leave anything out!"

Cora began to walk her two friends through the whirlwind 36 hours. She was interrupted by the occasional snarky comments, requests for clarification, and jealous rants.

"Wait ... wait ... wait. You get to all the clothes?!" Edra's head was about to explode.

Cora shrugged. "Yes, Edra. I have the clothes."

"Unbelievable. Tell me more about the sex."

"No, Joce!" Cora's skin burned at the thought of Zola's touch.

Edra grounded the jovial nature of the discussion. "But daddy is a 'no go.' So what's that mean for you?"

"Alberto is not entirely on board. I'm not sure what it means for us. We're a little undefined. I guess we see."

Jocelyn shot Edra a look. "What do you mean undefined?"

"We're dating, Joce. I think. That's about the limits of who 'we' are right now."

"Um, she flew you to the Caribbean, Cora!"

"Yes, but that wasn't in her life. It was literally like when you or I would have Sunday dinner with our family. A normal practice for them, not extraordinary."

Edra and Jocelyn looked at each other again.

"What?" Cora preemptively grimaced.

Edra tiptoed, "Well, Erin was asking about Zola."

Cora's eyes widened, "Erin? My Erin?"

Eddra nodded. "She saw you walk out of the hospital with her. We didn't give her any information, but based on what she said, we think she's going to ask you to be her date to Casino Night."

Jocelyn chimed in, "Yeah, but so might a half dozen other people in hospital. How was it that Alison in pharmacy described her?" Jocelyn grinned evilly at Edra who was more than happy to rib Cora.

"Oh yes, 'delicious.' I think that was the word she used."

"Great."

"Cora, it's the season of 'love.' You better watch out! You're a hot commodity around here and you're available." Both Edra and Joce stood and went back to work laughing.

"Great."

----

Cora fell back into her work routine relatively easily. She received a simple text from Zola when she arrived back in the United States but she decided to fly back to New York with the family and extend her visit a couple of days for both business and pleasure.

"enjoy that cold weather!"

"oh no! my turn next"

"See you soon"

Cora read through the text several times. Her work week was full and didn't have her normal third day off. By midweek there was still no call. She sent a quick text.

"hope all is well crazy work schedule here"

"miss you"

Her text wasn't immediately answered but at the end of her shift she found a response waiting.