The Daily Novel

Chapter Thirteen
Lauren heard the page from the nurses’ station just as she finished hooking a new vial of morphine to Mr. Oliphant’s self-dosage machine. She patted the man’s arm. “See you later.”
He managed a weak smile. “Okay, Lauren.”
She hurried to the nurses station. Olga Herrera handed her the telephone. “Lauren Miles,” she said.
“Lauren, this is [...]

Chapter Eleven
Lauren found herself thinking of Ben Tolson as the day progressed. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him and be kissed by him. The image flashed through her brain, and she felt heat rise to her face. “Come on, Lauren,” she whispered to herself. “Get your mind on business.”
Mr. Oliphant’s face [...]

Chapter Ten
Lauren managed to leave her home Monday morning without awakening Cathy or Jennifer. As she drove she replayed the previous day in her mind—the argument with Cathy—the joy she felt seeing her father happy for the first time in
years—and the anger she felt when she and Jennifer returned home.
The house reeked of stale cigarettes. [...]

Chapter Five
Cathy nudged Jennifer. “Wake up, honey. We have another transfer.”
Jennifer groaned. “How much longer before we get to Weatherly?”
“Another nine hours. Tired?”
The girl nodded sleepily.
“There’s an hour layover here. We’ll get some breakfast and you can stretch your legs.”
“Mom, do you think Cathy will like me?” Jennifer asked out of the blue.
Cathy brushed her [...]

(to read the previous chapter, click here)
Chapter
Donald rested his hand on Lauren’s shoulder. “Everything okay?”
Lauren sipped her cola. “She’s coming to live with me.”
“Ouch!”
“I don’t know, Donald . . . she sounded different this time. Maybe it will work out.”
“I’ve always heard it’s impossible for two families to live under the same roof without a [...]

(For the previous chapter of this book, click here.)
Chapter Two
Cathy Radski sat cross-legged on the cold, bare floor wrapped in a thin windbreaker. That morning the rental company had hauled away the cheap furniture, television, and refrigerator, leaving the tiny apartment barren. The gas company, after repeated warnings, suspended service, effectively taking away her only [...]

Chapter One
The fast-paced chaos of a multiple-injury automobile accident on Interstate 20 earlier in the day slowly wound down. There were no fatalities, but two of the victims would be spending a few days in St. Matthew’s until their fractures healed enough for them to be released.
Lauren Miles leaned on the circular countertop surrounding the [...]