Puzzle House Read online

  “What’s with the tables?”

  “Well, we aren’t called The Puzzle House for no reason. Every guest works on a puzzle while they’re here. The tables are the perfect size for the puzzles.”

  “I ain’t never worked on no puzzle.” Nia glared at her. “And I don’t plan on wasting time doin’ one now. Where’s the TV?”

  “No TVs here. At least not for guests. I have one in my room so I can keep up with the news from time to time. And the weather reports.”

  “I can’t watch TV?”

  “Sorry.”

  Nia rolled her eyes. “I’m gonna be so bored.”

  “That’s why we have the puzzles.”

  “I already said I don’t want to do no puzzle.”

  “I’m sorry I thought I heard you say you weren’t going to do a puzzle.” She lifted her hair to reveal a hearing aid, but I’m sure I heard wrong.” Rachel met her glare with what she hoped was calmness. “Besides it’s a rule. The only one we have, actually. Well, that and respecting each other, which is not really a rule. Just common courtesy.”

  “Whatcha going to do if I don’t do no puzzle? Send me home?” Nia’s hand went to her hip as she glared at Rachel.

  Rachel said nothing, just held Nia’s gaze. Waiting.

  Nia threw up her hands. “Fine. Where’s mine?”

  “Just like in life, you get to make your own choice. Pick the one you want.” Rachel motioned at a shelf across the room.

  “Ain’t nothing about my life, I got to pick. You think I picked my mama to be a druggie? You think I picked to get sick? You think I picked to be dying? You think I even picked to be here?”

  “I suppose not. And you’re right; we don’t always get to pick our circumstances. But there are still choices we all get to make. And those choices can make a big difference in the life we live.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, whatevs.”

  Nia walked to the puzzle shelf with attitude.

  “The puzzles go from easy to super hard. Left to right.”

  Nia walked to the easy section.

  Rachel smiled and waited.

  “Ain’t you going to tell me not to pick the easiest?”

  “You get to pick whatever one you want.”

  Nia picked up a box, stood there contemplating, and then set it back down. After squaring her shoulders, her chin jutted. Then she walked to the opposite side of the shelf. “You know it’d be a lot easier to pick one if I could see what it looked like.” She pointed at the plain brown boxes. “Most puzzle boxes have the picture on them.”

  “Sort of like life, huh? It would be a lot easier if we could see the finished picture. But we only get to live our life one piece at a time. It’s only later that we see how one piece fits into another piece.”

  “I ’spose so. Well, I don’t think I should pick the super hard since I never did no puzzle before.”

  “Up to you, my dear.”

  “I bet you thought I’d pick the really easy ones. Like I was a chicken or something.”

  “I don’t think you’re a chicken. I think you’re quite brave. But if you’d picked the easy one that would have been fine. God seems to have a way of matching the person up with the right puzzle for them.”

  “Yeah, whatevs.” Nia ran her hand over several boxes, picked one up and shook it, then set it back on the shelf. She picked up another, shook it. “This sounds like the right one to me.”

  Rachel sat down at one of the tables in silent invitation.

  Nia set the box down, but didn’t open it. “So are you a nurse or something?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Well, isn’t that what this is? A place to die? One of those hospice places where people go when they’re going to die. The doc said I’m done. No more treatment. Nothing else they can do for me. Time for me to go home and die. I don’t think Auntie wants me to die in her house so she brought me here. That way I can’t haunt her. The doctor said it’s all up to me now.”

  “And up to God.”

  Nia sputtered at the word. “God. What’s He got to do with anything?”

  “Everything.” Rachel smiled.

  “Yea, whatevs.” Nia shrugged. “Don’t make no difference one way or the other to God what happens to me. He don’t care nothing about me.”

  “Is that what you really believe, Nia?”

  Another shrug. Then she picked up the puzzle box, giving it an angry shake. “I still don’t know why there ain’t no picture on the box. I mighta picked an ugly one.”

  “There are no ugly puzzles.”

  Nia gave her an assessing look.

  “See all the beautiful puzzles on the walls?” Rachel motioned with her hand.

  Under each puzzle was a picture of the person who’d put it together, some had two or three pictures beneath them.

  “Didn’t notice them.” Her gaze moved around the room as she studied the puzzles. “I didn’t know they made so many different puzzles.”

  “Every puzzle at The Puzzle House is unique. Just as each of our guests are.”

  “You gonna put mine up there after I die?”

  “Who says you’ll die?”

  “The doctors. And Auntie, when she thinks I’m not listening.”

  “Don’t believe everything you hear. It’s still up to God, no matter what the doctors say.”

  “Well God sure ain’t listening to me. If He was, I wouldn’t be here. With you.”

  Rachel smiled again. “Are you sure about that?”

  Instead of answering, Nia picked up the puzzle box and poured out the pieces. She stared at them. “What a mess. I ain’t ever going to get this thing together. I shoulda picked an easier one.”

  Rachel smiled. “Too late now. Unless you want to give up?”

  Nia’s chin jutted out and her voice became defiant. “I don’t give up.”

  “Are you sure about that? Because it sounds as if you’ve given up on living to me. You’ve decided you’ll die because the doctors said so. They aren’t always right, you know.”

  Ignoring Rachel, Nia picked up two pieces and stared at them. “I’m pretty sure I can’t do this.”

  “Giving up isn’t allowed here at The Puzzle House.”

  “Another rule? Thought you only had one.”

  “Mmm…you’re right. I guess there are a few more than I realized. But don’t panic over the puzzle. Concentrate on one piece at a time, my dear. That’s all we ever have to do.”

  “Isn’t that what they say about druggies? One day at a time. Besides I don’t got all that many days left. I’m pretty sure this puzzle ain’t getting put together.” Nia pointed at the wall behind Rachel. “You got any puzzles of yours up there?”

  “I’ve done a few over the years. But I don’t display them. I put these up to help me remember my friends.”

  “Cause all of them died.”

  “Not all. Some died and some are still alive. But we all have to die sometime. It’s a part of life. And it’s not always in the way we expect.” She stood up and walked over to a puzzle. “Take this one. Monique survived her cancer, only to be killed in a car accident ten years later.”

  Nia walked up beside her. “Kinda makes me think it’s just not worth it. What’s the point? If you’re just going to die, anyway. You know what I mean?”

  “I see what you mean, but every life has a point. Just ask Monique’s children, who had their mother for ten more precious years. One’s a teacher and one’s a doctor now. In those ten years, Monique not only got to watch them grow up, but she had the opportunity to teach them what they needed to learn so they could help the people they’re helping now.”

  “But she still died.”

  “Dying is part of life. That doesn’t mean that every life isn’t valuable. No matter how short or how long.”

  “Nothing valuable about me. Just ask my Mama. She wouldn’t give up the drugs for me.”

  “My dear, you couldn’t be more wrong. You’re more valuable than you know.” Rachel
patted her arm. “God loves you so very much and has great plans for you. That’s one of His promises.”

  “Great plans? Like what in the next two weeks or so? Maybe a month if I’m lucky.” Nia shrugged off Rachel’s hand. She motioned at the puzzles. “I ’spose you want me to think you remember all these people and their puzzles.”

  “I do remember them. They weren’t just guests at The Puzzle House, they became my friends. I care about them and their lives.”

  Nia took several steps and pointed at a puzzle. “Tell me about this one.” Her gaze held a challenge as she covered up the picture below it.

  Probably only the first of many tests. Rachel looked at the puzzle. “That’s Mount McKinley. That puzzle was done by a young man named Tommy. Interestingly enough, he now lives in Alaska with his wife and three children.”

  “Why is that interesting?”

  “Mount McKinley’s in Alaska. After Tommy finished his puzzle, he decided to take a trip there and that’s where he met his wife. That’s what I mean about God helping you to pick the perfect puzzle.”

  Nia shrugged. “Probably just a coincidence.”

  “If you say so, but I don’t believe in coincidences. What most people call coincidences is God working in our lives.”

  “Don’t know about that since he never did nothing for me.” Nia muttered as she walked back to the table and sat down. She stared at the puzzle pieces.

  Rachel hid a smile at the look of determination that crossed Nia’s face. Rachel allowed the girl a few minutes and recalled warm memories of her guests as she looked at the puzzles gracing the wall.

  The girl settled in, sorting pieces, calming as she became involved in the task.

  Rachel took the seat opposite Nia.

  “So if this place ain’t a hospice, what is it?”

  “It’s my home.”

  “What’s that got to do with me? Why did all those people come here? Why am I here?”

  “To work on your puzzle, of course.”

  “That don’t make no sense to me. You really are a strange white lady.” She paused. “No offense.”

  “None taken, dear. I agree with you. I am a little strange.” She grinned at Nia. “Or maybe a lot. It depends on the day, I guess. It’s sort of the same with puzzles. They often don’t make sense. You can’t figure anything out, and then you add one piece and it all makes so much more sense.”

  Nia said nothing. She scooted two pieces toward each other. Picking up one, she placed it into the other. With a slight smile, she held them up. “Look, they fit.”

  “So they do. Puzzles can be solved if you take the time and don’t give up.”

  “Auntie keeps telling me to not give up. But…” Her eyes filled with tears. Then she took a deep breath and shook her head. “What’s your obsession with puzzles anyway?”

  “Not an obsession, just a way to help me make sense of life.”

  “You don’t look like you need any help. You seem like you know what you’re doing. Got this nice house and a pond. You must be rich.”

  “Oh, we all need help. Me most of all. An interesting thing about puzzles is they aren’t really meant to be done all alone. Some people prefer that, of course, but it’s a lot more fun when you let others help. And that’s where I come in.”

  “I ’spose. So what did you need help with?”

  “Many, many things. A long time ago, I thought I knew everything I needed to know. And then I found out I didn’t know anything. Want to hear about it?”

  “I guess that’s why I’m here. You get to talk and I gotta listen.”

  “Only if you want to, my sweet Nia.”

  “It’s not like I got anything else to do.” She bit down on her lip as if thinking over the options. “You gonna help me with my puzzle if I let you talk?”

  “Sure I can do that.” Rachel began to turn the puzzle pieces colored side up. “So here’s what happened…”

  2

  It was typical of her days. Too many things to do in too short of a time. Rachel’s heels clicked on the linoleum tiles as she rushed down the hall, even as her mind checked off the next three errands on her list. Oh, well, this was why she’d taken the promotion at Global Entertainment. She’d earned it with her ability to get a hundred things done at once. She had no intention of letting her boss down.

  In spite of the horrible weather, her first conference was only three days away. She hoped she would get everything done in time. Of course, she had assistants, and they were good, but it was up to her to make sure everything was just perfect. Even if that meant no sleep until the conference was over. She didn’t want to just pass this test, she wanted an A plus.

  Rachel peered out the window as she buttoned up her coat and pulled on gloves. A world of ice and snow awaited. The weatherman was predicting sunshine for the day of the conference, but it was hard to imagine on this dismal day.

  She’d lived in the South her whole life. This was her first winter experience in the North. Unfortunately, accepting her dream job meant living up in this frozen tundra.

  “Night, Mrs. Summers.” Martha said as she passed her.

  “Going home early?” The moment the words were out Rachel regretted them, they sounded petty and recriminating.

  Martha’s face flushed red. “Dan told us all to go home. Because of the storm. He didn’t want us driving home later when it would be even worse.”

  “Of course, I didn’t mean it like that. Just making conversation. See you tomorrow, Martha. Drive carefully.” The frigid wind slapped Rachel‘s face as she followed Martha out. Even though it was mid-afternoon, it seemed more like evening. Rachel stepped carefully onto the icy lower step. Her foot slipped. Her purse and briefcase went flying as she grabbed for the railing and her back slammed into the concrete steps. Pain shot down her spine. A small scream escaped. Rachel lay there, too stunned to move, pain radiating in too many places to accurately assess. Cold wetness seeped through her coat and her clothes. She rolled, hands flopping, trying to get back up.

  Martha knelt beside her. “Are you all right, Mrs. Summers?”

  Rachel nodded, too shaken to speak. She managed to sit up. The wetness had probably ruined her new suit.

  “You don’t look all right. Maybe I should call an ambulance?”

  Rachel forced a smile. “That’s not necessary, I’ll live.” She stood and ran her hand down the leg of her pants. “Not so sure about this suit, though. It’s the first time I’ve worn it.”

  “It’s beautiful. I meant to tell you that earlier, but you were so busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”

  No wonder she hadn’t made any real friends yet. Her coworkers thought they’d bother her. She needed to be more approachable. “Thanks, Martha. And please call me Rachel.”

  Martha’s smile could’ve brightened a room. “I love the color of your suit, Rachel. It’s the perfect shade of green for your complexion. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

  “Just my dignity.”

  “Well, go home and get into a warm pair of jammies, put your feet up and relax. You’ve earned it. You work way too hard. You make the rest of us seem downright lazy.”

  “Sounds wonderful, but I can’t. I’m on my way to the arena for a meeting to firm up the last minute details.”

  “They can wait until tomorrow, Mrs. Sum…Rachel. Dan was clear. He wanted us all to go home before the weather gets any worse. I know he meant you, too.”

  “Well, it’s practically on my way home anyway. I promise I’ll go home as soon as I check in with them. In fact, it will be nice to spend a long evening at home with Cooper. He’s my husband.” She picked up her purse and the briefcase. “I might even cook dinner. That is if I remember how. It’s been so long.”

  The two separated as they approached Rachel’s car.

  Martha turned back. “Be careful driving home. You’re not used to driving in this snow and ice yet. It can be really tricky.”

  “Good advice that I certainly plan on taking. See you
tomorrow.” Rachel slid into her seat and turned the ignition. Waiting for the car to warm, she willed her nerves to calm. She waved to several more people as she waited for the jitters to subside.

  Putting the car in gear, she cautiously drove to the highway exit ramp. “I’ll never get used to driving in this slushy mess.”

  Get over to the arena, check on the final details, and then head home. Another forty minute drive—in good weather. Probably an extra hour in this snow.

  Cooper had insisted on a more rural setting to live in, one she’d readily agreed to. How many husbands would cheerfully pull up roots so a wife could have her dream job? They had trees, a garden, and a small pond. Cooper loved it.

  She hadn’t had much time to make their new house into a real home. Guilt tugged at her. She hadn’t had much time at home at all lately.

  But Cooper never complained so he must be happy. Even as she thought the words, she knew it wasn’t true. As much as she loved her job, she loved Cooper more and needed to show him, something she’d not done much of lately.

  The highway was clogged with commuters heading home early because of the weather. She should take Martha’s advice—and she would, right after her meeting.

  A pick-up passed so close the car shook.

  “Slow down!” she yelled.

  The truck cut her off as he maneuvered in front of her. She fought the urge to hit the brake, which was the wrong thing to do according to the Driving-In-Ice class she’d taken. Inch by inch, Rachel made her way toward the ramp.

  Why hadn’t she been happy with the job she’d had? It had been a perfectly good job, but she always had to be moving up to the next level. She’d gotten the call she’d worked for her whole career and jumped at the opportunity.

  Vice-president in charge of conferences for Global Entertainment. The big time. They produced conferences all over the country. Of course, she only worked on conferences here in Cleveland, but that could change in the future. She had to prove herself first. Which was why everything had to be perfect for the upcoming conference.

  She’d left Georgia, where a winter storm warning meant an inch or two of snow that would melt in a day or so. “But no, I had to move to where the action was.” She glared at the snow still coming down. “No one to blame but myself.”