Let’s Write a Story! Hello to all! #18 Help with the Puzzle by Lynn Chamberlain

Help With the Puzzle
#18 – Genre: Literary Fiction/Fantasy, 989 words
By Lynn Chamberlain

Mary looked at her phone after her dad hung up, transfixed, as if the phone continued tocommunicate. Throughout her life when she felt overwhelmed, he was her rock. Even as anadult, he continued to help keep her grounded. At one point, she felt the same way about her ex-fiancé, Johnny, and that’s probably why she had dreamt about him. Suddenly, she felt a renewedenergy and focus in trying to unravel everything that had happened. Somehow, all of this wasconnected, she just needed to put the puzzle pieces together and figure it out. She stood up fromthe patio table, grabbed the empty carton of ice cream, and walked into the house.
It was time to put on her detective hat and start analyzing everything which hadtranspired. In addition, she had to remain safe from contracting COVID-19. The last thing sheneeded was to get sick and possibly die. If only Sylvia were alive to help. Mary stopped in hertracks. Her eyes opened wide, her jaw dropped, and she audibly gasped. She knew what she hadto do.
“It’s a crazy idea, honey,” Forest told her later that evening as he sashayed across herliving room. He spun around and confronted her, “I just don’t know what would happen.”
“Don’t tell me that,” Mary argued. “We have to give it a try. You’re my best hope insorting all of this out.”
He defiantly lifted his chin and wiped his hands together as if he was divesting himselffrom the outcome. Forest wagged his finger at her and continued,“Well, I won’t be heldresponsible for what happens.” He took her hand. “Close your eyes sweetheart, here we go.”
“Wait,” Mary said. “What time is it?”
Forest took out a decorative pocket watch and squinted at the hands, “It’s 7:30 p.m.”
“Perfect,” Mary noted. With that, they disappeared in a flash of light.
When Mary opened her eyes she was still in her house, but she could tell it was earlier bythe light streaming in the window. Now, she stood by the entryway to the front door. A bucketand a mop rested before her and the floor glistened from just being cleaned.
The doorbell rang, but this time it didn’t startle her.
“Just a minute, Sylvia!” Mary called out. Quickly, Mary grabbed a blanket from thesofa, threw it on the freshly scrubbed foyer, and wiped the floor in an attempt to absorb the water
residue. Then, she swiftly pulled back the picture table a good foot or two, cautious she didn’tcut herself on the jagged edge. Confident she’d magically changed the outcome, she opened thefront door.
“What took you so long?” Sylvia blurted with a broad smile as she rushed inside.
Mary smiled back and grabbed Sylvia’s hand. She had tears in her eyes as she lead herfriend away from the front door, “Gosh, it’s good to see you. Careful, don’t slip on the wetfloor.”
Sylvia stepped over the wet blanket and followed Mary. She turned serious, “How didyou know it was me?”
Mary, forgetting her germ phobia, pulled her friend close, and gave her a passionate hug.“Premonition,” she continued, “but there’s more than that. There’s a lot going on and I need yourhelp.”
“Mary, I ran over to warn you, there’s…” Sylvia stopped dead in her tracks. “Who is heand why is he here?” She looked directly at a smiling Forest who, like a relaxed cat, reclined across the living room couch and raised his paw in salutation.
“Long story,” Mary explained. “It’s only Forest, you can trust him. But, we can’t staylong. Both of us have to return back to our time.” Forest winked at Sylvia.
Sylvia seemed flustered, “Our time? What time does that mean?”
“Sit down so we can explain,” Forest pointed to the couch. A few minutes later, Sylviastared at them in disbelief.
“So, I’m dead?” she squealed. “All of this has happened in the last few days? It soundslike years the way you’ve described it.”
“Time travel has a way of doing that,” Forest interjected as he casually inspected hisnails.
Mary shook her head in agreement, “I know it’s crazy, but we have to go back to thepresent and you should be there. Then, we need to figure out how all of this ties into the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Before you go,” Sylvia continued, “you know, I went to the Golden Sassy without youand attended the lecture by Michael Rothschild. Bottom line, Jing Liu, and Elly are working withhim. None of them can be trusted.”
“Yes, I found the brochure in your purse,” Mary said, “I still don’t know why you went
without telling me.”
“Mother told me to go and not tell you,” Sylvia apologized. “She warned me about him,but said I needed to hear the lecture about the Golden Sassafras.”
Mary had a quizzical look. “About your mother – she’s a nature spirit?”
Sylvia gave a huge sigh of relief. “I am so glad you know! I’ve kept that secret for years.I’ve been wanting to tell you, but Henry and Aronia told me not to say anything.”
Mary’s mouth gaped, “You know them?”
“Yes. The Old Man, Twix, the farm, all of it. Ronnie too,” Sylvia sheepishly confided.
Just then, Forest stood up and feigned a yawn, “Ladies, I hate to break up your littlemoment, but, Mary, we need to leave.” He took Mary’s hand.
Sylvia looked around, “ I’m staying here where it’s safer, in case I was followed.”
Mary nodded in agreement, then she had a thought.
“Wait!” she began, just as she and Forest began to disappear, “Call Henry and Aronia,tell them…” With a flash, they were gone.
Exhausted, Sylvia leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes. Half asleep, she wasstartled by the unexpected “Ring, Ring” of the doorbell.

Lynn Wynen-Chamberlain is a retired teacher from St. Louis, Missouri, and now calls Texas her homeaway from home. She received her Business degree from University of Maryland and worked in theAerospace industry for fourteen years before she received her Masters Degree in Education. While shewas a teacher she pursued her love of writing and received her MFA in writing from LindenwoodUniversity with an emphasis in Script Writing. When she’s not working on a movie set she’s busywriting, taking care of her family, spending time outside, visiting friends, or traveling. She strives toalways be kind to others and take care of Mother Earth.

Learn more about the Series:

Let’s Write A Story

Roda Hilenski Grubb
Writer, Reporter, Storyteller, Author
RGV Writers’ Connection
Roda’s Writing Emporium
www.rodathewriter.com
rodathewriter@gmail.com
956-661-1612 office
956-358-4496 cell