The Jigsaw Jungle Read online

  Luis: Huh?

  Claudia: The white dots on the black puzzle piece. They are stars!

  Luis: What?

  Claudia: There’s a puzzle called “Orbiting Earth.” It shows Skylab with the Earth in the background, surrounded by empty space and stars.

  Luis: So the flyer telling you to go to the museum wasn’t because your dad was going to be there—

  Claudia: He was giving us a clue to the next puzzle!

  Luis: Your dad is cool.

  Claudia: My dad is an idiot. But you’ll come over tomorrow, right?

  Luis: Of course.

  Claudia: It’s a thousand pieces. So maybe you could actually help work the puzzle this time and not just film me doing it?

  Luis: [LAUGHING] I’ll bring my tripod.

  Claudia: Thanks, Luis.

  Luis: Sure thing.

  VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

  INT. PAPA’S KITCHEN—DAY

  Luis and Claudia sit at the kitchen island. Claudia opens the “Orbiting Earth” puzzle. The pieces are tiny, about half the size of the Star Wars pieces. There’s also another videotape. Luis picks it up.

  LUIS

  What’s this? The label says “Skylab.”

  CLAUDIA

  I don’t know. There was an old home movie in the Star Wars puzzle too. Maybe this is another one?

  LUIS

  Want to watch it now?

  Claudia shakes her head.

  CLAUDIA

  We should probably wait for Papa.

  Luis shrugs and hands it to her. Claudia puts the tape aside and turns back to the puzzle. For a few minutes, they sort the pieces without speaking, as music plays softly on Claudia’s phone.

  LUIS

  You okay?

  CLAUDIA

  Yeah.

  She stares intently at her pieces.

  CLAUDIA (CONT’D)

  I appreciate you helping me.

  LUIS

  No problem.

  Claudia glances up at Luis. He’s examining a corner piece. He glances at her. She quickly looks back at her pieces.

  CLAUDIA

  And I wanted to say I was sorry for yelling at you at the movies the other day.

  LUIS

  It’s okay.

  CLAUDIA

  No, it was rude.

  LUIS

  I spilled my soda on you! And I was already embarrassed because I forgot to bring money for popcorn.

  CLAUDIA

  You were embarrassed?

  LUIS

  Yeah.

  CLAUDIA

  It’s okay. I’m sorry we had to leave the movie.

  LUIS

  I don’t really like zombie movies anyway.

  CLAUDIA

  What?!

  LUIS

  I wanted to see Inside Out but thought you’d think I was weird.

  CLAUDIA

  I would have thought you were weird. But I wanted to see Inside Out too!

  LUIS

  Really?

  CLAUDIA

  Yeah.

  LUIS

  Oh.

  CLAUDIA

  Why didn’t you wait for me so we could pick the movie together?

  LUIS

  It was a rainy day! I was afraid the movie would sell out.

  Claudia laughs.

  LUIS (CONT’D)

  What’s so funny?

  CLAUDIA

  I worry about stuff like that too.

  LUIS

  Or we’d have to sit in the front row. I hate sitting in the front row. Always get a crick in my neck.

  CLAUDIA

  I know!

  They do a few more pieces in silence.

  LUIS

  I should say sorry too. It probably wasn’t the nicest to insist you tell your story so I could film it.

  CLAUDIA

  Well . . .

  LUIS

  My teacher is always telling me, in a documentary, you can’t treat people like they’re actors. You gotta make sure they know you really care about them.

  CLAUDIA

  Is that why you’re helping me? For the story?

  LUIS

  No.

  CLAUDIA

  Then why?

  Luis shrugs.

  LUIS

  I like puzzles.

  Claudia smiles and looks over at the camera. Luis notices.

  LUIS (CONT’D)

  Don’t worry, no one ever wants to watch my videos anyway. I can’t even get my mom to . . . I’ll turn it off if you want.

  CLAUDIA

  No, it’s okay.

  They work a few more puzzle pieces.

  CLAUDIA (CONT’D)

  You think my story is interesting?

  LUIS

  Absolutely.

  CLAUDIA

  So, what do you want to know?

  LUIS

  Really? You don’t mind?

  Claudia shrugs.

  CLAUDIA

  Go ahead. Ask away.

  LUIS

  Were your parents having problems?

  Claudia stares at her pieces for a long moment, putting a few in place.

  CLAUDIA

  I don’t think so.

  LUIS

  You’re lucky, then. I knew my parents were going to get divorced before they did.

  CLAUDIA

  What do you mean?

  LUIS

  They fought all the time! I mean all the time. Dad was always starting a new business, always dreaming up a new scheme. For literally ten years. And nothing worked.

  CLAUDIA

  And your mom supported him all that time?

  LUIS

  Yup. She’s a lawyer. Earns plenty of money, but Dad kept coming up with a new idea and burning through their savings. Finally, Mom had enough and divorced him.

  CLAUDIA

  I’m sorry.

  LUIS

  No, it’s better. Dad gave up working for himself and got a programming job. I think he kinda likes it. He’s super smart, but not so good at being his own boss. And Mom, well, she married Stewart and had my little sister, Mariana. I miss seeing her during the year, but . . . it’s okay.

  CLAUDIA

  Oh.

  She works some more puzzle pieces.

  LUIS

  I’m not saying that’s going to happen to your parents.

  CLAUDIA

  Good. Because that’s not going to happen to my parents.

  LUIS

  Just, if it did, you’d be okay.

  Claudia glares at him, then turns her attention back to the puzzle.

  LUIS (CONT’D)

  Did I say the wrong thing again?

  CLAUDIA

  Yes.

  Luis laughs. Claudia smiles a little too. They both keep working on the puzzle.

  EMAIL

  From: Claudia Dalton

  Date: Friday, July 10, 2015 1:03 PM EST

  To: Jeffery Dalton

  Subject: Orbiting Earth

  Dear Dad,

  I’m sorry I was grumpy last night. I guess I misunderstood your clues. It’s some sort of a treasure hunt, right? Like the one you did on Easter when I was little, where one clue led to another. But this time, the prize at the end is finding you. Right?

  Anyway, Luis came over right after breakfast and we started on “Orbiting Earth.” The funny thing about working a puzzle is it kind of makes it easier to talk. You don’t have to look at the person; you have something to do with your hands. Maybe that’s why when Luis asked if you and Mom had been having problems, I didn’t tell him to shut up.

  Instead, I thought about Kate’s parents. Sure, they work a lot, but whenever I see them, they’re really sweet to each other. Sometimes they hold hands during dinner. And when her mom wa
lks by her dad in the hallway, he always swats her on the butt and she giggles like a teenager. Kate and I roll our eyes and say, “Ewww, gross,” but inside I sometimes think about how you and Mom never play around like that, and it makes me a little sad.

  But you and Mom don’t fight much, so after about three or four pieces, I said no. Is that the truth? Luis’s parents are divorced, but it’s not going to be like that for us. Right? I mean, we’ll work it all out when you come home, won’t we? You always say you can work anything out with enough time and patience.

  Anyway, I better go. Papa and I are going to watch the “Skylab” video over lunch. And then Luis is going to come back over for more puzzles.

  Love, Claudia

  VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

  EXT. AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

  The camera focuses on a statue in front of the Air and Space Museum. It’s a long metal point with spiky stars at the top. The camera pans down the statue to reveal a huge group of schoolkids standing in a group.

  TEACHER

  Please find your chaperones and stay together.

  DWIGHT

  We’re in seventh grade. Don’t know why we still need chaperones.

  JEFF

  Dad! Over here.

  Papa wanders over.

  PAPA (O.S.)

  Who else is in our group?

  Brian walks up to them. He’s wearing a striped shirt.

  BRIAN

  Are you Mr. Dalton?

  PAPA (O.S.)

  Yes.

  BRIAN

  I think I’m in your group, sir. New camcorder?

  PAPA (O.S.)

  Yup. Got it last month for my birthday.

  BRIAN

  Nice.

  PAPA (O.S.)

  It records on VHS tapes you put right in your VCR. No cables needed.

  BRIAN

  Pretty cool.

  * * *

  —————

  INT. SKYLAB—DAY

  The group of boys and Papa walk through the Skylab exhibit. Dwight and Jason laugh at the “space shower,” a big plastic tube where the astronauts could bathe.

  DWIGHT

  You ain’t never gonna find me showering in a tube. Everyone looking at my stuff.

  BRIAN

  That why you smell? Never shower after gym class, huh?

  DWIGHT

  Shut up, new kid.

  BRIAN

  Wow, that was clever. Really clever.

  Dwight turns to Jason.

  DWIGHT

  Come on, let’s go look at something else.

  Dwight and Jason walk off-camera.

  JEFF

  Quick on your feet.

  BRIAN

  Gotta be. We move a lot. Dad’s military.

  JEFF

  Oh.

  BRIAN

  I’m Brian.

  JEFF

  Jeff. You already met my dad.

  PAPA (O.S.)

  Hello!

  JEFF

  Dad, put the camera away. I don’t want you to miss anything.

  VOICE MEMO

  Walter Dalton’s Cell Phone | Friday, July 10, 2015, 1:47 p.m.

  [RECORDING BEGINS]

  Lily, I had forgotten about chaperoning that trip. You were supposed to go, but you had the flu, and you didn’t want to cancel and leave the teacher in a bind. So you made me take the day off work and go instead. I was so mad about it!

  And yet, Jeff actually wanted me there. Why didn’t I see that then?

  [RECORDING ENDS]

  PHONE TRANSCRIPT

  Claudia Dalton’s Cell Phone | Friday, July 10, 2015, 3:45 p.m.

  Claudia: Hi, Mom.

  Mom: Oh, Claudia. Papa texted me. You must have been so disappointed when your father didn’t show at the museum.

  Claudia: I don’t want to talk about it.

  Mom: Okay. [PAUSE] So, what are you doing today?

  Claudia: Luis and I are working a puzzle.

  Mom: Luis?

  Claudia: The neighbor kid.

  Mom: Oh, he’s helping you with the puzzles?! Nice. I’m glad you’re making friends.

  Claudia: We also found these old videotapes from when Dad was a kid.

  Mom: Really? Do you think those were the ones he wanted you to watch?

  Claudia: Maybe. Mom, can I ask you something?

  Mom: Of course!

  Claudia: It’s kinda weird. And embarrassing. Not something we usually talk about. But Luis was asking me all these questions, and I figured maybe I could ask you too.

  Mom: Claudia, you can ask me anything.

  Claudia: Okay. Well then . . . were you and Dad having problems? Marriage problems, I mean.

  Mom: Oh.

  Claudia: You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. It’s just, Luis’s parents are divorced and we were talking about it and . . .

  Mom: No, it’s fine, Claudia. With your father gone, of course you would wonder. [PAUSE] Yeah, I think we were.

  Claudia: You were?

  Mom: I mean, if you had asked me a month ago, I would have said no. But now . . .

  Claudia: But you and Dad hardly ever argue.

  Mom: I’m not sure that’s a good thing. I think your father checked out a while ago, and I didn’t even notice.

  Claudia: Were you having money problems?

  Mom: No, no money problems.

  Claudia: Because Luis’s dad was really bad with money and that’s why they split up.

  Mom: No one is splitting up, Claudia. Not yet.

  Claudia: But you might, right?

  Mom: [SILENCE]

  Claudia: Mom?

  Mom: It is a possibility.

  Claudia: I don’t want you to split up.

  Mom: Your father abandoned us, Claudia. With no explanation.

  Claudia: He said he needed time to think things over.

  Mom: But what things? I’m racking my brain and I can’t think of anything.

  Claudia: Maybe I did something—

  Mom: No! Claudia, it was definitely not you. Your father loves you. He’s sending you these clues, right?

  Claudia: Yeah. I know you think they’re stupid, but—

  Mom: I don’t think they’re stupid. I think there’s something he wants to tell you.

  Claudia: What?

  Mom: I wish I knew, Claudia.

  Claudia: I gotta go. Luis is back with more chips and soda.

  Mom: Good luck with the puzzle.

  Claudia: Thanks. Is your conference going okay?

  Mom: Yes, it’s fine. Even had a little time to sit by the pool and think.

  Claudia: Good.

  Mom: Thanks for asking, sweetie. I love you.

  Claudia: Love you too.

  VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

  INT. PAPA’S KITCHEN—DAY

  Luis is filming again. The “Orbiting Earth” puzzle is almost complete. Claudia puts a red-and-white-striped piece into the flag painted on the side of the space station. She presses two black pieces with stars into place.

  CLAUDIA

  Do you have the “Skylab” piece?

  Luis hands it to her. She presses it into place. It fits perfectly.

  LUIS (O.S.)

  There’s one piece left over.

  The piece is blue. A regular piece. Two tabs, two pockets.

  LUIS (O.S.) (CONT’D)

  Is there a message on the back?

  Claudia turns it over. Luis zooms in.

  “Horns on Uncle Beazley” is handwritten in pencil. The letter I is written on one corner.

  CLAUDIA

  Yes.

  LUIS

  It’s kind of cool how one piece leads to another. It’s a treasure hunt.

  Claudia doesn’t say a word.

  PUZZLE

  EMAILr />
  From: Claudia Dalton

  Date: Friday, July 10, 2015 8:08 PM EST

  To: Jeffery Dalton

  Subject: Who is Uncle Beazley?

  Dear Dad,

  We finished the puzzle. We found the next piece.

  But all I could think was: Why are you doing this? Who is Uncle Beazley? Why does he have horns? What do the letters mean? Why do you want me to watch your old home movies? Why can’t you just come home?

  Love, Claudia

  TEXT MESSAGE

  Claudia Dalton’s Cell Phone | Saturday, July 11, 2015, 10:30 a.m.

  KATE

  I googled Uncle Beazley

  He’s a fiberglass statue of a dinosaur!

  Donated to the Natural History Museum

  Been at the zoo since 1994

  Is there a puzzle of a dinosaur?

  There are a bunch of dinosaur puzzles!

  Stegosaurus and Friends

  T-Rex on the Loose

  Pterodactyls Attack

  We’re going to visit the statue to

  see if it helps us narrow things down

  Cool

  What does the “I” mean?

  Or the “R” on the other piece?

  No clue

  What are you doing today?

  Mom’s friends are throwing

  her a baby shower tonight

  Yummy

  Cake!

  I’m not going

  Why not?

  Weren’t you invited?

  Course I was invited

  Mom’s begging me to go

  But . . .

  But what?