Chapter 6
Daniel looked into the living room.
A thin pillow.
A folded blanket.
A small dent in the couch cushion.
Eight months.
His mother had spent eight months sleeping there while Lauren sent him smiling photos and wrote:
Your mom and I are doing great.
Daniel walked back into the kitchen.
He picked up his duffel bag and set it on the table.
Lauren frowned.
“What are you doing?”
He unzipped the front pocket and took out a small black notebook.
Inside was a card.
Family Readiness Liaison.
Emergency Welfare Contact.
Before deployment, Daniel had given Lauren every number she needed.
Hospital contact.
Command contact.
Base family support.
His direct chain for emergencies.
He held up the card.
“Did you use any of these?”
Lauren’s mouth tightened.
“I didn’t need to.”
He placed the card beside the hospital form.
Then he pulled out his phone.
Lauren moved toward him.
“Daniel, don’t start calling people in the middle of the night.”
He looked at her.
She stopped.
He called the hospital first.
Then his command liaison.
Then a military family advocate.
He did not shout.
That made Lauren more nervous.
By midnight, the truth started coming out.
Margaret had been admitted three weeks earlier with symptoms of a cardiac event.
She had been discharged with urgent instructions.
Schedule follow-up care.
Adjust medication.
Reduce stress.
Do not leave her alone for long periods.
Lauren had not scheduled the follow-up.
She had not filled one prescription.
She had not told Daniel.
May you like
But she had used Daniel’s emergency contact authority to sign responsibility paperwork.
Read Part 7 to find out what Lauren said when Daniel finally asked why she left his mother untreated.
