The Buddhist & The Billionaire Lesbian Story

02: No, I Am In Charge.

02: No, I'm In Charge

Anthony screeched into the ER and jumped out. He scooped Harper up and carried her in, cursing at the limpness in her body. Zola grabbed Harper's purse just in case they needed to see the drugs. She followed, running to catch up. Immediately, two nurses and a doctor began to evaluate Harper.

The ER doctor took one look and grimaced. "What's her name and what's she on?"

It was Anthony that answered. "Harper. Ecstasy, alcohol, pot ... for sure. They've been clubbing ... so ..."

Zola dug through Harper's clutch and checked hers. She handed over the remaining drugs. The doctor sighed and shook his head. "Do you know how much?"

Zola's voice caught in her throat, constricting with shame and guilt. "No."

"How old?"

"25."

"Allergies?"

"No."

The doctor looked at the nurse directly across from him. "Okay, she's likely overdosed on some form of impure methamphetamine. Let's get her stable, start monitoring, and detox." He turned to Anthony. "Go to the waiting area and get her checked in." The doctor and one of the nurses rolled Harper off on a gurney, leaving Zola and Anthony standing, stunned.

The second nurse turned to them. She looked as if she was about to give them directions or lead them to the admissions area, but her gaze froze on Zola who was covered in vomit and still "rolling." Her tone was crisp and full of disdain.

"What is your name, young lady?"

"Zola."

"What did you have tonight?"

"Um ..."

"Come with me. We need to check your vitals." The nurse led Zola away, leaving Anthony to go to his emergency contacts on his phone.
----

"Dom, I know! You don't need to tell me." Anthony was pacing just outside the entry of the ER.

"Jesus, Anthony, Jesus!" Dominic Basilio grumbled. "Look, just wait for her and pay the bill. Get her out of there. See if you can get me updated on Harper immediately. I'll contact Harper's parents, but I want to have as much information as possible. DO NOT TELL MY FATHER."

"Well, NO SHIT, Dom, I'm not an idiot."

"Did you give them the drugs?!" Anthony balked, lies were in his hesitation. "No, but you know how it is. I'm not 'mommy,' I'm the driver and the wallet."

"Fine." Dominic had known Anthony for a long time and he was not oblivious.

"But you and I are going to have to come to an understanding next week. This cannot happen again. When I get back in town, I'll have a little 'heart to heart' with Zola as well. Send me a text with all the details so I can call Mr. Embry."

Anthony grasped the phone, watching as the screen faded to black. "FUCK." ----

Zola sat on the edge of a bed in the emergency room. The partitioning curtain was open and she could see a few more beds with patients of various ages and ailments waiting for treatment. Some of the curtains were closed, and she could hear only bits and pieces of conversations floating out into the space.

She could tell the effects of the ecstasy were beginning to wane, and she felt disgusted with herself on many different levels. She wanted a shower, she wanted a bed, but more than anything else, she wanted Harper to slow down and stop treating her like shit.