Novel-novel oleh Nancii Agosto

I can feel Leo’s eyes watching my every move as I get ready to leave for the courthouse. It felt almost like a silent request for me to stay home and forget about the arraignment and Charlotte altogether. I grab my bag, filling it with my milk pump and storage containers. In the event that this took longer than expected, I wanted to make sure I didn’t lose a drop of my milk for the boys.“I’m about to head out.” I say calmly as I fix my hair in the mirror.“Are you sure about this?” I could hear the caution in my husbands’ tone. He wanted nothing more than for me to reconsider but my mind was made up. I needed to have some sort of control and face my fears.“Unfortunately, I am.” I say as I walk over softly and kiss him softly. I then switch my focus to my boys in their bassinet. I lean down and kiss each of them gently. “Mommy will be back soon. Be nice to your dad.” I whisper softly as I touch their cheeks.“Is Matthew going with you?” His hope that I would reconsider had died and s

After my little performance with my therapist, he quickly dialed the nurse to return me to my room. I believe his excuse was that I was tired and needed rest. He never so much as reached for his notebook or tried to analyze me. Not that I mind at all. Frankly, I like to think that this visit was far more constructive and beneficial. After being returned to my room, I laid in my bed planning. It was clear to me that this wasn’t the first time that my therapist slipped through the cracks in terms of temptation but it would be the last after he knew what it cost. In him fucking me, he’s given me nothing but opportunity, satisfaction and someone to manipulate. It’s be a shame for him to lose his license. I could almost read the tabloids now. ‘Local shrink dedicated to assisting the mentally ill turns to preying on them - fucking them like animals behind closed doors.’It offered beautiful leverage. Not to mention the throbbing I still felt after our little session as I watched the window

I’m shocked to see Claire’s name illuminating my phone at nine o’clock. I look over at my fiancé sleeping peacefully with our daughter and decide to make a silent exit to the living room before answering.“Hey Claire! Is everything alright?” I ask quickly as I sit down on the couch. I hold my breath until I hear her respond.“Hey, I’m doing okay. How are you? How’s Starla and the baby?” She sounds calm and that alone allows me breathe.“They’re doing great. Starla is great at mothering and our little Scarlett is a dream. She’s so peaceful and kind. How are the boys?” I had gotten notice of her pregnancy and delivery by text and was asked to keep the information to myself. It never felt appropriate to call or text but now that she’s called, I wanted to know more.“They’re doing great. They’re only hitting three weeks so it’s been an interesting experience so far.”“I’m glad to hear it. I can’t wait to meet them.” The thought of both of us living healthy lives and having families warmed

“Charlotte, the therapist would like to see you for your appointment today.” A nurse says as she walks in. Clearly this one hadn’t heard of knocking but no matter. The storm strikes just after tomorrow and that is more important to me than some lousy mannered paid help.I stand up from my bed without a word, pass a glance at the nurse and walk past her towards the door where, as usual, there were two male nurses waiting to escort me.“Hi boys. Let’s not keep the good doctor waiting.” I mock in an obnoxiously sarcastic tone as I make my way to my his office. “You’ve remembered the halls well from your first visit - very impressive.” The nurse says from behind me. If she were just a bit smarter, she’d realize that this wasn’t something to compliment, but it was something to fear. Too bad, I have no interest in her being so aware. It’s but a moment until we reach the handsome therapist’s office. I didn’t mind the idea of him. He has something that I liked - although I didn’t like the th

Against my better judgement, I go back upstairs after walking Mason out. I know that entering our bedroom meant that I would some explaining to do. So I step into the room as quietly and carefully as possible. I sit down and decide to discuss everything with her. “Why do you want to go so badly?” It was a genuine question. Claire was never one for confrontation, especially when it came to Charlotte. I can remember how she’d squeak when she’d ask me not to go and how harshly I’d responded to her pleas. “I want her to know that I’m not backing down. What she did to me and our family is sickening and I want her to know how determined I am to hold her accountable.” Claire truly changed. She had grown the confidence to speak up for herself while staying with Jasmine but this was different. Having the boys has given her a sense of bravery. She wasn’t doing this for her - I can see it now. She’s doing this for them. She wants to protect them and prove that she can face the difficult thing

After Mason takes his leave, I take a moment to stare at my husband. I was frustrated to see him diminish the importance of Charlotte’s arraignment. I wanted him to go as well. Not only was it a closure of sorts but it also shows her that Leo won’t have her. And maybe that would be enough for her to leave me alone.Would Charlotte begin questioning herself with the very same questions I’ve asks myself since my fifth wedding anniversary after she staged that accident?Do I deserve this?Why would someone do this to me?Is there something I could’ve done differently?Is this worth it?Is he worth it?I can remember the countless times that I lied awake at night and asked these questions over and over. Slowly, they engrained themselves in my memory and part of me, wants her to feel that same level of uncertainty. I wanted Charlotte to feel how I felt. To hurt the way I hurt - without an act of violence being the cause. To feel completely unsettled with every breath - the exact way that s

I don’t remember what happened exactly.I remember a nose bleed that was problematic.A conversation with Darren that was uncomfortable and then darkness. I slowly look at my surroundings to find myself still in the oncology treatment bay and Darren is sitting by my side.“What happened to me?” I groggily ask as I search my mind for answers.“You lost consciousness for a few minutes. I believe you were overwhelmed.” I could tell by his response that he was giving as little and as much information as possible.“Why was I overwhelmed?” I didn’t need to be tip-toed around. I needed to know what was happening to me.“You ran your fingers through your hair and well, some of it came out.” He fidgets with his fingers as he says what I feared most in the beginning.“I’m going to lose all of it, aren’t I?” I sit back to contemplate my life. What would it be like once I looked just as sick and they told me I was? What would people see? Or worst, how would they treat me?“Your hair can grow bac

I push the tissue to my nose and apply pressure as Darren grabs a first-aid kit on the shelf across from me - returning with a stop bleed stick and placing it gently into my nose.“What’s happening to me?” I ask in a nasal tone as I try to calm my roaring thoughts.“It’s just a side effect of the radiotherapy. Bleeding isn’t uncommon.” He says as he holds the stick inside my nose.“I’m not going to be able to go back to EnviroDoc, am I?” I needed to know if this was going to be my life as I proceed treatment.“You can go back. You just have to listen to your body and take it easy sometimes.” He makes it seem easy. “It’s going to tough for a little bit while your body tries to cope with the radiation but you can do it.”“What if I can’t?” I ask as the tears begin rolling down my face.“Hey, it’s going to be okay. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you get better. This is just the beginning of a long journey but it’ll pass.” He says with a soft smile.“I’m vomiting, losing consciousn

“Are you sure about your choice?” He asks as he clasps his hands together.“My choice?” Was he referring to Maverick? My choice in one man or the other? “Yes. I know you chose to pursue treatment and since the very first one, I felt a connection to you. I know you felt it too.” He says as he makes unbreakable eye contact with me. This was not the kind of conversation I thought I’d be having while being injected with radiation.“I did but my connection with him was growing as well and he’s made me happy.” I think back to when I first met him. I had been swoon after our dream but after seeing his genuine nature - I was very enamored. His confidence, intelligence and appearance were paired with care, compassion and dedication. I never thought a man like that existed or that someone like that would be interested in me nonetheless. “I didn’t think that the moment we spoke in the bathroom would lead you to him.” He bows his head.“But it was a clarifying moment, Darren. It just didn’t go

After what has come our nightly ritual, we laid down for bed. Maverick had cuddled me close until I fell asleep.I awoke the next morning to my alarm. I’d have my first radiotherapy enhancement today. I look over to see Maverick is still sleeping and I shuffle quietly out of bed. I almost make it out until I feel a hand grab my wrist. “It’s early. What’s wrong?” I look over to see Maverick peaking at me groggily.“Treatment - today. I have to be at the hospital in twenty minutes.” I say as I stare down at the bed.“Want me to come?”“No, get some rest. I’ll only be gone about an hour.” I lean over to kiss him and then get ready to leave. I watch as he rolls onto his side and falls back to sleep.This was the first time Maverick had been there when I woke up. His chiseled features accented by the shadows of light dancing along the curtain. His hair thrown carelessly and his blue eyes - out of sight as he slept. He reminded me of what Greek mythology expressed as Gods. As u admired his

Once we get back to my apartment, Maverick wakes me gently and picks me up to bring me inside. He gently opens the door and takes me directly to my bed. He then shuts the door and brings himself back to the room, sitting down in the bed carefully.“You feeling okay?” He asks carefully as if the words were boulders that would roll over me if spoken too loudly.“Yeah. I’m just really tired.” Not a complete lies I was tired although I was more exhausted than anything and it had nothing to do with a lack of sleep. I wasn’t improving the way we had hoped, my health was slowly interfering with my life, my doctor seems intent on pursuing me even while I have my person sitting in the same bed as me, I embarrassed myself at EnviroDoc and there’s still the cherry to top it all off: I have brain cancer. A cruel sick joke that taunts me relentlessly so I meant it wholeheartedly when I said I was tired.I look up at Maverick to see his mind is steadily at work. He had read between the lines. There

After Darren left, I waited about an hour while Maverick stayed resting peacefully at my side. Waiting for my discharge was just as eerie as walking up in this same room once again.I hear a knock at the door as the nurse slowly enters. She sees Maverick sleeping and decides to speak to me quietly.“Ms. Richardson, these are your discharge papers. The doctor has added your new treatment regiment in which you’ll be following up in the oncology department. I believe he spoke with you already?” “Yes. I’m aware.” I say quietly as I try not to wake Maverick.“Okay, great. Well there are some health guidelines to follow for your condition and the doctor has added a prescription of antacids for your stomach and zofran for your nausea. I have your prescriptions as the doctor requested they be sent and filled to in-office pharmacy. Do you have any questions for me?” She asks as she carefully hands me the paperwork and a bag containing my prescriptions. “No, thank you. Am I okay to leave now?