The Homeless Informant – chapter outlines

To promote my first novel, I wanted my chapter outlines to stand out and be memorable. So I made them rhyme. Call it the rhyming. Here is a description of each of the 40 chapters in this twist and turns soap opera style story.

11-    THE REUNITING

Lilly and her teen son Noah have a fight. It’s on Halloween Eve night. She reluctantly takes her family to the church site. Lilly and her long lost friend Penny reunite. Penny’s marriage to Steve is a fright.

22-    THE TELLING

Lilly worries about her friend. But she knows she must also tell Jeff, her husband. Jeff can’t believe Penny’s marriage has come to an end.

33-    THE INFORMING

Jeff and Lilly meet to inform their kids about Steve. No one understands why he would leave. When Penny comes over they discuss not mentioning it because it would make their daughter Gracie grieve.

44-    THE TALKING

The kids scram so the adults can talk. Penny says she doesn’t know why Steve would walk. This makes Jeff balk.

55-    THE ESCAPING

Penny and Gracie are in danger. In their complex their neighbor is a violent stranger.

66-    THE MOVING

Lilly insists that Penny and Gracie move in. The whole group tries a new living arrangement on for a spin.

77-    THE INVESTIGATING

Jeff’s friend Kasey is a P.I. He will look into finding that Steve guy. Kasey’s questions cause Gracie to cry.

88-    THE ARRESTING

The police officers who rescued Penny are on a stakeout. But the identity of the perp they wanted is in doubt. Who they arrest is interesting to find out.

99-    THE TESTING

Will Penny pass the test? The results have her in a state of unrest. Lilly reminds her she will be blessed.

110- THE MEETING

The police officers meet the D.A. She is intense with personality Type A. To get the drug kingpin would make her day.

111- THE STRESSING

The kids are stressed in their crowded abode. The moms try to get them in calmed down mode. One day at a time is the motto that’s told.

112- THE INTERROGATING

The D.A. interrogates Steve, the homeless male. He must cooperate to avoid jail. She wants him to lead her to the drug kingpin in the midst of a sale.

113- THE SPOTLIGHTING

The D.A. goes to the press. She says the police have created a mess. Letting a known drug dealer go leaves her in duress. But if not for the spotlight she’d say a lot less.

114- THE DEPARTING

Noah and the younger kids leave early for movie night. Noah wants to get the concession stand just right. The moms advise him how to get the youngsters to behave and be polite.

115- THE PATROLLING

The Police Officers patrol the neighborhood in their squad car. They hear on the radio the press and the D.A. spar. They worry and wonder did she go too far?

116- THE DISCOVERING

Noah discovers a homeless man outside the church. With his begging for food Noah won’t leave him in the lurch. He thinks he sees Uncle Steve and that renews the search.

117- THE FIGHTING

Lilly tells Jeff that Penny is with child. With the crowded house and finances Jeff could go wild. After a fight, she helps him calm down so his mood becomes mild.

118-  THE DREAMING

Gracie has a bad dream and falls out of bed. She is scared of the violence and is missing the man to whom her mother is wed. Penny tries to comfort her and kisses her head.

119- THE REASSURING

Noah tells his mom & dad what he saw. He thinks it was Uncle Steve, don’t guffaw. He gets reassurance from his ma and his pa.

220- THE KIDNAPPING

Archie, the drug kingpin has thugs. They kidnap Steve to protect the drugs. They beat him up badly, he is not leaving with hugs.

221- THE SHARING

Lilly and Noah share with Penny about seeing Steve. Penny isn’t sure what to believe. She doesn’t think Noah would deceive.

222- THE WARNING

Steve and Archie chat. Protecting Archie’s drugs is where it is at. If Steve is a snitch Archie warns he’ll be dead like that.

223- THE CONFESSING

The adults go for coffee. They want to update Kasey. Kasey asks for them to provide photo I.D. Penny confesses that Steve used to be a druggie.

224- THE REVEALING

Steve and Officer Gustafson meet. Steve won’t return to the druggie life he once beat. All he knows about Archie he reveals to him complete.

225- THE THANKSGIVING

Lilly’s family celebrates in style. Their Thanksgiving praises go the extra mile. It restores Penny’s gratefulness and makes her smile.

226- THE TRUSTING

Steve goes to Archie’s house. He is uncomfortable with the rich louse. But Archie trusts him so it’s best not to grouse.

227- THE CONFIRMING

Lilly takes Penny to the Crisis Pregnancy Center. There we meet Lilly’s mentor. A confirmed pregnancy is a part of Penny’s splendor.

228- THE PLANNING

Steve, the police officers and the D.A. discuss their plan. They need Steve to be the man. The D.A. doesn’t talk but demand.

229- THE EXPECTING

Gracie discovers her mom Penny is expecting. This has them both reflecting. Steve’s disappearance remains perplexing.

30- THE PREPARING

Officer Gustafson prepares Steve for the potential arrest. He’s wearing a wire and a bullet proof vest. To stay out of jail he will do his best.

331- THE COLLAPSING

While Christmas shopping with Lilly, Penny takes a fall. Will the baby survive her collapse at the mall? The medics are called and her bleeding they stall.

332- THE GUNNING

Archie believes Steve is the one. He trusts him and gives him a gun.  Archie acts maniacal and thinks it is fun.

333-  THE WORRYING

The ambulance takes Penny for a ride. Lilly stays by her side. Might Penny be worried that the baby has died?

334- THE SHOOTING

Archie and Steve try to do the drug sale. Steve is determined that the wiretap not fail.  Officer Gustafson shoots a bullet from his gun and Archie he does nail.

335- THE DIAGNOSING

The doctor’s diagnosis is a pre-eclampsia mess. Penny while pregnant must stay on bed rest. They are monitoring her blood pressure and trying to manage her stress.

336- THE INCLUDING

The D.A. wants the limelight for the successful drug bust. Including my officers, says the Police Chief, is a must. The heroic officers steal her thunder as the D.A. makes a fuss.

337- THE RECOVERING

Steve recovers in his hospital room. His nurse for therapy says down the hall he must zoom. He stumbles upon Penny and wonders is their marriage doomed?

338- THE WALKING

Lilly and Nurse Amy talk. They decide Steve needs to walk.

339- THE BEEPING

In Penny’s hospital room Steve falls asleep. He is awakened by the blood pressure monitor’s beep. Into emergency surgery to save Penny and her baby they must leap.

440- THE NAMING

 A miracle baby is born to the Mathers family. Their bond has become stronger and saving their marriage is key. To meet the new baby Lilly and her brood gather to see.  When the baby girl is named after her Lilly is moved and happy.