( Zoe doesn't want to leave. But her dad has fallen ill and the least she can do is to be at his side and care for him until the day he finally has to go. Mom needs her help, she knows that. She's the only family they've got on this side of the country and she's just about ready to pack up her things and head up the coast.
She's already tried to set Chloe up for the worst, but today is even harder. She has to try to really let her go. Her face already says it all when she shows up at her door. )
[Chloe was just getting ready for her shift at the restaurant when Zoe appeared on her doorstep. When she opened the door, Chloe didn't even notice the down face at first and she stepped to the side to motion Zoe in before picking up a stray shoe and sitting down to pull it on.]
Hey, you. Come on in. I was just-- [The lack of energy made her take a second look.] Everything okay?
Hey! ( Her greeting is friendly at least as she adjusts the strap of the pouch slung across her dress. )
I know you've only got a minute but - I just. ( She closes the door behind her, leaning against it. She can't look at Chloe. ) Dad's getting worse by the day.
[It takes her only a moment to realize that Zoe isn't looking at her and she stands to walk toward her, leaning against the wall close by. Her concern for Zoe's father is obvious, but her confusion about the way Zoe's acting is apparent as well.]
I'm so sorry. [Reaching out, she takes the other woman's hand, turning it slowly in hers until she's threaded their fingers together. Then she notices the pouch.] Oh.
( It takes her a moment to find her voice again, but the does take comfort in her hand in Chloe's and she finally lifts her head. Her voice is small, smaller than usual. She takes a deep breath. )
I just -- I wanted to return some of the stuff I borrowed. ( Stolen, really. She hadn't any intentions of returning them until recent events. )
( Her eyes start welling up with tears because she truly is the worst at hiding her emotions and faking a smile. And she just holds her hand close to her hear and shakes her head, repeating her apologies. )
[It made her heart ache to see Zoe struggle and Chloe held her breath for a long moment before she nodded, putting a smile on her face. It was utterly false and it made her cheeks hurt, but she used her free hand to pull the other woman into a tight hug.]
Of course. Of course you need to go. He's your father. [By some small miracle, she hadn't choked up.]
( She clings to her and buries her nose in her blonde hair, breathing in and making sure she has this moment etched into her memory, the way she is right now, how she smells, even the forced smile that Zoe knows is false. )
But you're you. ( She mumbles, not releasing her just yet. )
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She's already tried to set Chloe up for the worst, but today is even harder. She has to try to really let her go. Her face already says it all when she shows up at her door. )
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Hey, you. Come on in. I was just-- [The lack of energy made her take a second look.] Everything okay?
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I know you've only got a minute but - I just. ( She closes the door behind her, leaning against it. She can't look at Chloe. ) Dad's getting worse by the day.
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I'm so sorry. [Reaching out, she takes the other woman's hand, turning it slowly in hers until she's threaded their fingers together. Then she notices the pouch.] Oh.
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I just -- I wanted to return some of the stuff I borrowed. ( Stolen, really. She hadn't any intentions of returning them until recent events. )
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[Chloe gives her a small smile, trying to avoid acknowledging the rising panic in her chest.]
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( Her eyes start welling up with tears because she truly is the worst at hiding her emotions and faking a smile. And she just holds her hand close to her hear and shakes her head, repeating her apologies. )
I have to.
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I need to leave the city and go back home, to Dad. ( She huffs, rubbing at her eye with her free hand. ) I can't stay here, with you.
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You're going?
[It's the selfish part of her that doesn't want to say it's okay.]
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( Except she's still clutching to her hand and holding it close to her. But Zoe always needs a push. She's never the one pushing. )
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Of course. Of course you need to go. He's your father. [By some small miracle, she hadn't choked up.]
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But you're you. ( She mumbles, not releasing her just yet. )
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