Puzzle Clay: A Choice To Find The Missing Piece

Here I was. Sitting on the floor alone in an empty hallway. Browsing through a cook book written by Sean Clay. As I browse around the pasta section I hear foot steps approaching. "Now I regret not giving you the chair" I did not look up. But I could tell that the sweet voice came from no one else but Michael's. He sits beside me, scanning the cook book. I look at him while his eyes were glued to a picture of carbonara with truffle oil. "Nah. I'm good" I let out a little laugh. What was happening? Why was he wasting his time with me? I was sure I was invisible from his eyes for the past three years. What has changed?

"Puzzle, did you eat at all? It seems that you're hungry" He asks.
"Yeah. Why?" I knew why. But I needed something to keep the flow of the conversation. Even though if it was about my diet.
"Nothing. Just wondering." There it is. He shows me his crooked smile.
"Well I gotta go. Don't want to be late for English." I stand up, hoping that he follows. He does.
"Maybe the next time you skip a meal we can maybe get it toge" A girls voice interrupts him.
"Michael! let's go" F*****g cheerleader.

He was about to say together. Damn it. Who cares. It was time for english.

As I got home Lisa and Clide were still out. I wasn't exactly sure what they did, all I know is that they both run a business together. I check my watch 3:48 Yes! It's time. I go up to my room and throw my bag on my bed and I go out to my balcony. There he is my hot neighbour Derek. He's a surfer and is probably five years older. Keep in note I wasn't crushing on him. It was just pure adoration. As I was looking at his rock hard abs my phone rings.

"Hello?" I respond closing the balcony door.
"Can I come over?" Kary's sad tone worries me. Mostly because I know that she has a problem with Adam and I know I'm in for a venting spree.
"Sure! Come on over!" Not sounding too excited. Although Kary's problems may have distracted her from realising that I wasn't really up to cheer her up because I had a problem too.

Twenty minutes later I hear a door bell. When I answered the door it wasn't a tall blonde girl. It was a man. His wrinkles when he smiled told me that he was most likely in his 40's

"Hi. Uhm.... You are?" I blurt out.
"Clay. I can't believe it's you" He asks.
"Yes. And you must be?" elongating the question to emphasise his need to answer it.
"George. I'm George." He smiles slowly hiding his teeth.
"Hello George" I say awkwardly. "What do you need?" Awkward awkward awkward.
"May I come in?" He suggests.

Before I can respond Lisa and Clide arrive. Hoping that they know him.
"George?" MY aunt lisa is surprised.
"Lisa. Lisa! And Clide! He hugs the both of them.

The three of them go to the living room and I follow as well. George sits by the sofa while Lisa and Clide rests in a love seat. I stand with a fake smile.

"What are you doing here?" Clide asks with a big smile.
"Believe it or not I'm not here to invite you to another eating contest for couples." He laughs as Lisa and Clide join in. From the looks of it, it was obvious that they were close friends. I picture Lisa and Clide in an eating contest. Then that picture just scatters as George begins to talk.

"I'm actually here for Puzzle." He looks away from the couple who most likely lost the contest due to Lisa's petite body and turns his head to me.

"Me? I don't understand" I say.
"Clay, honey. You probably don't remember, but this isn't the first time you've met George" My eyes turn to Lisa.
"Really?" I ask with an innocent and curious tone.
"Yeah. you see Clay. When your mother." Clide pauses. Gesturing George to finish the sentence.
"When your mother died, I was the social worker who was assigned to you." He stops waiting for my signal to continue. I nod twice.

"I was the one who contacted your uncle Clide and Aunt Lisa for you." He waits for another signal. I sit down beside aunt Lisa.

"As we all know, Clay will be turning 18 on September 3. Officially making her an adult." He looks at Lisa and Clide expecting them to know what that meant. I knew it. He was probably going to ask me if I wanted to continue living with them. I knew the answer. Yes. Although I did not feel like they were family, but really close guardians. I knew that when I spend more than ten years with them I will be more comfortable. But that wasn't the question that came out from his mouth.

"Clay, I'm here to ask you if you are ready to know your father." George's voice was serious.
I look at Lisa and Clide. They were anxious. I think they were expecting what I was expecting.
"Listen, you don't have to answer right away. When you decide just tell your aunt and uncle." He stands up.

I stand up seconds after him followed by Lisa and Clide. I don't know what to answer. I ask myself, am I ready to know my father? I couldn't answer myself so I look at George's face and respond "I'm not sure."

"Okay, well once the answer hits you, you know what to do." he extends his hand to Lisa and Clide "Thanks for listening you two. I'll call you soon. We're having another eating contest."

When he leaves I turn my back to face Lisa and Clide. They both smile, but I could see pity in their eyes. Before I could I say something an old fashioned knock catches my attention. I open the door to see Kary with black tears running on her cheeks.

"Afternoon Clisa" She greets Lisa and Clide using their usual couple name.
"Well hello to you too! You girls run right up. Looks like you need to talk." Clide replies back.

Hours passed as Kary talked about Adam. Turns out Kary's problem was about how Adam might be gay. As shocked as I was about Adam's preferences, I kept my cool in front of Kary.

"Thanks for listening Clay" She gives me a tight hug.
"No problem K." I pat her back.
"I have to go home. Parents want me to come home before 9" She wipes her tears.

10:20 pm, done with school work. I lie down my bed. Done with Kary's problem, school work, but not with mine. Do I wan to know my father? I still did not know. I just knew two things, his name was Sean and he was somebody who was capable of making every person on earth ten pounds heavier.

I close my eyes and hope that the answer that will change my life will arrive soon.