40 Days: 39

[x-polarisstar.livejournal.com]

There was never really a question of what Lorna would choose. Right?




"Paolo, this is Lorna Dane. Can you transfer me to Zala please? I think she's expecting my call." Actually, she was probably expecting Lorna in person but Lorna was going to be a coward and do this over the phone. Zala unnerved her and she didn't know if she could manage a firm 'no' if she was face to face with her sister. She heard Paolo click away, replaced by something soft and classical, and considered hanging up and just sending an email instead.

Three clicks, a beep. "This is Zala."

"Zala, hi. It's Lorna." Damn, didn't hang up fast enough. Plan B, stall! "So...how are you doing today?"

Zala pulled the phone away from her ear, blinked at it, and then put it back. "I am doing ...fine? Lorna, good to hear from you. Has something come up? I was rather disappointed not to see you here today." She tapped a fingernail on the glass desk, but not in an irritated fashion. Truth be told she half-expected the phone call. Lorna did not quite strike her as the bold type.

Lorna looked at her reflection in the mirror over the desk in the lavish hotel room Zala had provided her. Deliberately she turned away from the girl in her pajamas, messy green hair twisted up in a clip. "I just didn't want to waste any more of your time than I had to. I have to decline, Zala. I'm flattered but I have a job. Several, as a matter of fact. I can't abandon those responsibilities, even in good cause." She fingered the file still spread over the unmade bed, sifting through pictures and reports to come up with a small news clipping on the philanthropy efforts by Volution, Inc. "It's great what you're trying to do. But I just...I don't think it's the right thing for me."

Though Lorna couldn't see it, Zala's eyebrows raised. A tricky fish indeed. "Well, darling, that's your decision, though I would ask you to reconsider. You would really be making a difference around here. I know you've got that ...teaching job in New York, but I think you're much better than just a teacher."

"Teaching can be really rewarding," Lorna replied quietly, trying to focus on that and not the uncomfortable feeling that she'd just begged Scott and Ororo for just this. The opportunity to do something that mattered, that she could really devote herself to. Where, exactly, was the challenge in teaching geology? How was she really making a difference? When they wouldn't let her actually use her abilities...why did she stay? "Really, though, I just wanted to meet you. I don't need anything from you beyond that."

"It's not a matter of need or want, Lorna, this is an opportunity. I'm not a big believer in kismet, but when my long lost baby sister calls me out of the blue while I'm trying like hell to turn legit...well, you can see where I'm coming from. How many other opportunities are out there, do you think? Something like this, even if you don't stay forever is your foot in the door for anything. It'll take you much farther than anywhere you ever thought you could go with your degree."

Even if Zala was lying...what if it really was an opportunity? Lorna didn't believe for a heartbeat that Zala was really interested in 'going legit' but if she was at least open to supporting just causes solely instead of just taking every job that came...wouldn't that be worth it? Could you really give three million to a children's hospital if you weren't at least a little bit interested in doing right by your fellow man? "Zala...I don't know." Lorna rubbed her temple. "I understand what you're saying, really I do. But, I've still got to say no. At least right now."

Zala rubbed her forehead, here she was offering this ungrateful little twat the moon and she was being turned down. "Do you honestly think they need you there?" She said after a moment. "I know what you do, Lorna, probably as much as you know about me. If they need you, then I understand. If not ..at least think about this, okay?"

Of course, she knew. Lorna chewed on her lip and glanced back at her reflection again. "I'm driving up to Mom and Dad's tomorrow for Easter. I know you're busy, but...maybe we can have coffee or brunch or something before I go? If you can't, that's cool." Easier to change the subject than turn her down again.

Zala pulled the phone away so Lorna wouldn't hear the sigh. "Yes, of course, coffee would be fantastic. Your pick or mine?"

"This is your neck of the woods, you'd probably know better than I would where to get something." Lorna took her hair down, ran her hand through it, agitated. Just a quick cup of coffee and they were done. Maybe she'd even have the guts to ask Zala why she'd left in the first place. "Someplace that'll be easy for me to to head back north would be great though."

"All right then, I know this fantastic little place. I can get Paolo to give you directions," Lorna could hear Zala flipping through a datebook on the other end of the phone. "When will you be leaving?"

"They're expecting me that afternoon. So long as I get on the road by noon, I'm fine. Whatever works best with your schedule, honestly. I know you said you were very busy when I first called." Lorna couldn't help but smile a bit at that. Zala hadn't wanted anything to do with her at first. Being busy was always an excellent excuse.

Zala smirked. Lorna was smarter than she originally gave her credit for. "Like I said, I've had a few cancellations. Something about a religious holiday and whatnot. Letsee, I can maybe move around my 11 o'clock, and scoot you in. Does 10 sound good to you?"

"That would be just fine, thanks." She could get a pedicure afterward and unwind before driving home. Somehow she didn't think that her parents were going to be excited to hear about this side trip of hers--opening old wounds with no healing. "I don't want to keep you any longer, Zala. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, it is." Zala hit transfer and set her phone down with a snap. "Arturo, darling, could you bring me a brandy please? No ice."