The Missing Piece ©
by Melissa K Tolliver
Winner of the Armadillo Con
Flash Fiction 2023 Coziest Story Award

The Missing Piece
by Melissa K Tolliver

“Kat, what time is it?” I asked. The clock on the wall was correct only twice a day.
“4:20. Guests should start arriving around six.” My daughter Kat came into the room, looking quite fetching in her red flapper dress. She and her son Peter live with me.
“You told them 1920s attire?”
“Yes, of course, Mom. Why are you so nervous?”
“I don’t know Kat. I just have…not a bad feeling, but…an anxious one about tonight.
“It’s not like we haven’t been throwing these parties for years. Everyone has so much fun. They don’t suspect a thing.” Kat winked at me. “Is it because I invited Sherry? You know she has a crush on you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Let’s go down to the wine cellar and make sure everything’s in order. I’ll grab the puzzle.”
I picked up the silver serving tray, which held an antique puzzle box of a 1920s speakeasy and an empty gilded frame.
My large wine cellar was in the basement behind the family room. I’d dreamed of a secret room, so when we remodeled, I put in a hidden entrance to the wine cellar. Along one wall was a temperature-controlled wine case. There was a bar with three fridges underneath, one for water, one for soda and tea, and one for adult beverages best served cold.
“Oh Mom, Franklin and his staff brought the goodies.”
“Don’t touch! Let’s get the puzzle put together. I don’t want to keep our guests waiting.” I put the tray on the bar. Kat sat down next to me.
“I love these jigsaw puzzles, especially with all the special pieces. Here’s one in the shape of a wine bottle.”
I took it, setting it aside. I always do the border pieces first, arranging them in the middle of the frame. Kat started putting them together.
“How many special puzzles have you found in the house?” she asked.
“Eighteen. I found a pirate ship puzzle while cleaning out the attic closet.”
“Really? Pete’ll be excited! We could use it for his sixth birthday party.”
Kat put the last edge piece in place. The completed border slid softly, attaching itself to the gilded frame.
“I haven’t put the pirate puzzle together yet, so don’t tell him. When we do, we’ll have to remind him, no putting it together without one of us.” That grandson of mine loves these puzzles as much as I do.
“Yes, Mom.”
The speakeasy puzzle wasn’t big. None of them were. 300 pieces. It took us about fifteen minutes to complete.
“Here’s the wine glass piece. Don’t put the Key piece in until I open the wine cellar door. Remember last time? We couldn’t find the door, and we had to call Grandma to come let us out?”
Kat nodded, taking the wine glass piece. “Mom, where is the Key piece, it’s an umbrella, right?” Kat stood up, looking on the floor.
“What do you mean, where’s the umbrella piece? It’s in the box. I always make sure all the pieces are there before I put them away.”
I picked up the tray, nothing. I moved the goodies, nothing. Kat looked under the tables. I picked up and shook the rug. I looked by the sink. Kat looked on the shelves.
“Mom, it’s 5:45. People will be coming soon.”
“I know, I know.” I put my hands on my hips to keep from wringing them. “Call Franklin. Maybe he saw the piece when they set up. We only do the puzzles in here. It must be somewhere.”
I kept looking. I pulled out the other puzzles, sifting through them. Maybe I’d put it in the wrong box. No, each puzzle had its distinctive Key piece and no extras.
“He said they found some blocks, but no puzzle pieces,” Kat announced while again moving the things on the bar.
“This has never happened! What are we going to do? Twenty people are coming for this party. There’s no room for them down here! I promised a 1920s speakeasy, not a 2022 wine cellar!
“Kat! Maitlande! I’m here! Am I in time to help?” It was Zander, always early and wanting to snoop.
“Not quite ready! Could you be in charge of the door? Keep everyone up there!” I yelled.
“Quick, Kat, call your grandmother. If anyone can find that piece, she can!” It’s handy having my mother live in our carriage house. She used to live here, in the main house. “Tell her to come in the basement entrance!”
Kat’s voice was panicked, “Please hurry, Grandma! You can find anything! We’re desperate to find the piece. Explanations later.”
Two minutes later, my mom sailed through the door. “What’s all this silliness about a puzzle piece?” She was wearing a housecoat and a ribbon around her head. My mother never wears housecoats or anything in her hair.
I stared at her. “Mom, are you okay? You’re wearing a housecoat.”
“I’m fine. What does that piece look like? A red umbrella?” She glanced around the room. “Something like this? She pulled the umbrella piece out of her pocket. “Sorry, I must have picked it up during book club.”
I grabbed it. “That’s it! Oh, thank you! You saved my party!”
“Our party!” She tugged on her housecoat; the snaps popped open to reveal a blue flapper dress. “I’m tired of not being invited to your shindigs.”
“Oh Mom, I didn’t think they’d be your sort of thing.” I went over and put the umbrella in the puzzle. Everything went dark, then stars and comets swirled through the darkness! The room brightened! Voilà! The hidden wine cellar became the speakeasy from the puzzle, complete with lights, a jazz quartet, and servers!
My mom laughed; she started doing the Charleston. “Who do you think hid those puzzles?”
Kat called to Zander, “Let everyone come on down.”
Zander was first. “I don’t know how you do it, Maitlande.”
“It is a puzzle.” My mom said with a wink.

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