Novels by Nancii Agosto

I listen to the rain as I work on a few contractual agreements and architectural finishes in my home office. The pitter pattering reminding me of the early morning I left Claire’s side to run to Charlotte. The day everything began to change. I remember the disgruntled tone of voice I took to her as she asked if I had to leave. I acted poorly towards her in that moment and my behavior continued to tumble negatively throughout the day. I could never forget the way I treated her that day. It’s haunted me since. I sit back and decide to do some research on a doctor said to cure muscular atrophy through a surgical procedure that has yet to make medical clearing. The doctor was well-known in creating medical findings and had a unique approach to treating physical disabilities. I decide to email him in an attempt to get Claire’s hand assessed.‘Hello Dr. Asum, my name is Leonardo. My wife, Claire, was in a horrible accident a few months back and her hand was completely disfigured. After doi

I wake up to the sound of rain pattering on the bedroom window. It’s eeriness reminding me that today was the last day of my fearlessness. Charlotte would be out soon and her petition was still not granted. She would be free for at least another forty-eight hours meaning I would be in eminent danger for that time. I stare out the window and watch as the raindrops race to the bottom of the frame just like I had as a child. I rub my belly as the boys seem active this morning and head to the kitchen for a snack. I’m surprised to see Nathan is up and sitting at the table working on what looks like a contract.“Good morning.” I say softly as I approach.“Hey, what are you doing up so early?” He says softly with a smile as he turns his attention to me.“Just getting a snack. The boys are hungry again.” I didn’t feel the need to share my anxiety. Everyone was aware of what today would bring.“Here, I’ll grab them for you.” He says as he gets up quickly and brings me a few of my staples. “Le

I lay in bed enraged by Leo’s words and actions. How could he possibly keep choosing her? Why would he? I was everything that she wasn’t and I was more of status than the wretched peasant. She couldn’t even get the approval of his mother which I held for years. How could she amount to more than me or hold any value above me?“She’s kind, honest and caring. You will never be any of those things. You are a monster on the brink of destruction.” I hear my mother’s voice echo through the room as she sits on the chair across from the foot of my bed.“I just want him to pick me. The way he should have.” I argue.“How could anyone ever love you? You destroy everything you touch.” He says as she crosses her legs.“You don’t even know me. You died years ago.” “I know what I gave birth to. I’ve always known who you’d become.” She says intuitively.“You should have stayed dead.”“Oh darling, I am. I’ve been dead for years. I only exist in your mind.”“Like a parasite.” I hiss. I feel the room gr

It was nice to walk through Jas’ front doors Leo brought in some of the baby items we purchased today. I asked that he leave them by the door. It was better than him and Nathan not see each other for right now. Leo kissed my cheek before leaving and as I started to move the bags from the door to my room, I could hear footsteps hurrying down the stairs.“Woah, heavy lifting isn’t good for you right now. I’ll get those.” Before I can protest, Nathan is removing the bags from my hands and heading to my room.“Thanks Nathan.” I say he comes back to grab the other bags.“Sure thing. So - how was your day?” He asks as though he were curious.“It was fine. We shopped for the babies and went out to eat before our appointment.” I shrug. I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t feel the need or want to mention my emotional episode at the restaurant or the intense kiss that happened in the exam room. “That’s nice. I was sort of worried about you.” He says as he scratches the back of his neck.“

It’s my fault? Did Charlotte really think that I was to blame for her wretched and vengeful behavior? I look over at the woman I had cared for - for majority of my life and I see a shell of who she once was. She was dressed in a sweatsuit, her hair was a mess and she looked bewildered.“I never asked you to harm Claire, Charlotte!” I slam my hands down on the table as I feel the heat rise to my ears. Mason puts a hand on my arm - a silent order to sit back down and get the answers I need. I sit back down as I continue. “Why did you attack Claire?”“I needed her to leave. And she just couldn’t take a hint.” She says calmly.“She had already left when you orchestrated her attack on both occasions.”I refute. Claire had left the house already and was contemplating divorce long before Charlotte’s attacks.“But you kept running back to her. She was parasitic to you, Leo. Don’t you see? She could never satisfy you. She’d simply feed off of your success and kindness.” She tried to convince me

After my useless therapy session, I head back to my room and grab a book left on the shelf in front of my bed. Oh great, I self-reflection book. I skim the pages as I wait for freedom. My insufferable mother had finally left and I was hoping it’d stay that way. I hear a knock at my door and the nurse enters before I even answer along with the two male nurses. “Charlotte, you have a visitor. Please follow me.” She turns to talk out and the male nurses wait until I am standing to follow me after her. I’m walked down a long hallway until we reach an empty room with a table and three chairs.“Have a sit. They’ll be coming in shortly.” She instructs. I sit down and watch as they leave the room. I sit in pure silence as I hear the door open and see the Chief Commissioner enter and Leonardo follow in behind him. A flutter begins in my heart and surely enough, I see my mother walk in behind them. She seems furious.“Hello Charlotte, I’m officer Mason and I’ve brought Leo with me. He wants to

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?