The Missing Puzzle: Incomplete Until You

Prologue

            Tuesday Oct.27th 2004
The bell rang, echoing through the bustling 8th-grade classroom. Students shuffled papers and chatted excitedly as they settled into their desks. The bright afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.

Constance sat in her usual spot at the back, her fingers nervously tapping against the desk. As an introvert, she often felt like an outsider in her own life, her mind swirling with thoughts while her classmates animatedly discussed the latest trends and gossip.

“Why do I always feel like I’m on the outside looking in?” she pondered, stealing glances at the lively group at the front. Shocked that Tyler—a boy known for his infectious laughter and magnetic personality hadn't arrived into the classroom just yet. He was the type of kid who could turn any mundane moment into an adventure, drawing people in with his charisma. He even managed to get Constance to chat with him from time to time.

“Tyler always knows how to make everyone smile,” Constance thought, a hint of longing in her heart as she remembered how he could effortlessly bring the class together.

Then, everything changed. The teacher’s voice broke through Constance's thoughts,"Can I have your attention please,"  a hush fell over the room.

Small chit chat continued. “Class, I need your attention,” the teacher said, her tone serious causing all conversations to a halt. “I have some unfortunate news to share. You're classmate Tyler... he’s gone missing.”

A wave of shock washed over Constance. The world around her faded, and all that remained was the weight of those words.

“How could someone like Tyler just disappear?” Panic surged through her as the reality of the situation sank in. She glanced at her classmates, their faces mirroring her disbelief and horror.

In that moment, Constance felt a connection to Tyler deeper than words could express. He had been her friend, the one person who saw her for who she was beneath the quiet exterior.

“I wish I could have told him how much his friendship meant to me,” she thought, grappling with the uncertainty and fear that filled the room.

As the days turned into weeks, whispers of his disappearance spread through the school, casting a shadow over Constance’s memories of their time together.

                 *                            *

            Thursday Oct.27th 2008
"That's when I realized that Tyler would become a haunting memory, a puzzle etched in the corners of my mind—much like you, Mom. That was four years ago though, I was four when you went missing from my life..before I ever had the chance to know you." Constance sat beside her mother's gravestone, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Okay, Mom, I’m graduating this year. I just wanted you to know." Constance’s voice cracked, and as if on cue, the sky opened up, raindrops gently falling from the thick, gray clouds.

The soft creak of a car door followed, and from the sleek, early ‘90s Cadillac emerged her father, Douglas, clutching a bouquet of sunflowers—her mother’s favorite. He walked toward Constance, his footsteps slow and heavy with the weight of memories. As he reached her, he handed over the flowers without a word.

Constance knelt, carefully placing the sunflowers beside the gravestone. She lingered for a moment, her fingers brushing the cold stone before she slowly rose to her feet.

Douglas placed a comforting hand on her back as they turned to leave. "Let’s go home, Constance," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He gently rubbed her back, his touch meant to soothe, though it did little to quiet the storm of grief swirling inside her.

As they walked toward the car, Constance’s tears mingled with the rain, her body trembling with the silent sobs she could no longer hold back. Her father opened the door for her, shielding her as best he could from the downpour. Together, they drove away, leaving behind the quiet cemetery—though the memories and pain followed close behind.

As they walked toward the car, Constance’s tears mingled with the rain, her body trembling with the silent sobs she could no longer hold back. Her father opened the door for her, shielding her as best he could from the downpour. Together, they drove away, leaving behind the quiet cemetery—though the memories and pain followed close behind.