Pieces of the Puzzle

By Timothy House

An aspiring doctor and his girlfriend part ways after college. Oliver becomes a leading child oncologist when years later his former girlfriend comes to him with her sick daughter and he must fight to save her and at the same time become a family Sarah always wanted. It is a story of perseverance and inspiration as they all try to put the pieces of their lives together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy House
• Release date: Nov 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311723499

Timothy House

Ohio native Timothy House first began writing poetry as a teenager. As many poets, he began writing poetry to his girlfriend. He quickly found other topics to write about as well with a dream of someday writing a book. That dream became a reality in 2007 when he published Definitions. The book was his way of defining the world around him. The book contained poetry from nearly 20 years of writings. After the book was published Tim grew more comfortable with his writing and began to expand to writing fiction composing music and sound effects to his poetry. In collaboration with Wilderside Studio's in Nashville, TN, Tim released his first album of poetry with these effects and music. It became an instant hit. The Album was released in November of 2009 and at that time Tim was well on his way to completing his next book as he toured all over the United States performing his poetry in cities such as Chicago, Memphis, Nashville, New York City, Baltimore, Boston and many more. In 2010 Tim began writing his first novella Love Notes which was part of a larger project Apollo's Flame which featured poetry, short stories, and that novella. Tim performed one of his signature pieces In The City by The Mighty River while in Memphis. While there he wrote one of his most loved stories Old Man and the Moon. A story of an man who is dying and passes his great wisdom on to others. The story was published in August 2010 and was Tim's first fictional piece published. It was also part of Apollo's Flame which was published in November 2010. Love Notes was published first as just the novella in ebook form shortly afterward. Bookstores requested Tim publish a book with Love Notes and the short stories that were in Apollo's Flame on its own without the poetry so came the first edition of Love Notes.As the new year of 2011 came so came a flurry of new stories. Tim began working a new short story for Poe Fest which was a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday. The story mirrored the writing of Poe with circumstances of his death wrapped up into a modern day eerie tale of aliens and dementia from being poisoned. Several other stories followed which would become part of the next version of Love Notes published in April of 2011. It had the same stories as the first version with several more stories. The 2nd version has several stories not available in Apollo's Flame. Shortly after the new Love Notes was released Tim completed his latest novella From My Hear to Yours, an enduring love story of adventure and strength through trying times. Their love and great virtue inspires many around them to do good works. This book also features five short stories in addition, three of which were released at the same time as $.99 ebooks. A soldier's story, Tears of a Green Eyed Angel, and Visitor's from Yubarri. As his new books were released Tim is already working on his next novella Pieces of the Puzzle.In addition to a writer Tim is also a musician, song writer, and composer. He performs and composes music in several genre including, rock, country, jazz, blues, and classical. He is currently working on several songs and classical pieces set for release in the coming future.Tim has great passion in writing and while he has received many awards and is nominated for more Tim states, "I don't write for awards nor for glory. I don't write to be a member of a group but rather to touch the human soul. To entertain, to inspire. When you touch someones day, when they grow from your words then this is a far greater award. I believe that art is as necessary as a breath of air for our lives, our souls, and physical well being." Tim's voice for humanity shines brightly through his stories. He is an extremely eclectic writer who has pieces in several genre such as romance, drama, sci-fi, and horror.Tim enjoys hiking and photography and often writes in places on the trail that inspire him.

Book preview

Pieces of the Puzzle

A Story by Timothy House

Smashwords Edition

copyright 2013 Timothy House

Chapter One

It was Christmas Eve and Ollie looked out the window at his daughter and the neighborhood kids having a snowball fight. He was ready and waiting with a thermos of coco in hand. He was playing a different kind of hero this day though he preferred not to be labeled that way anymore.

Life seemed perfect, his new wife and long-time love, baking pies in the kitchen and his lovely daughter playing freely in the front yard. It wasn't always this way in fact quite the opposite. It was a fight to get to this place, a fight to conquer a terrible disease and a fight to conquer their foolish pride. It was a fight to put the pieces together. Pieces that once didn't look like they fit but in this moment the pieces fit perfectly. They just needed to look at them from the right angle, without being blinded by their own pride and ambitions.

Their relationship began when Oliver was in med school at Ohio State. Sarah was an aspiring singer and a business major. Their relationship was always a difficult one as both their egos got in the way. Oliver liked to play the field and he was much more concerned with his ambitions than to settle down with Sarah. Sarah wanted Oliver’s constant attention and he was unwilling to give an inch of his own ambitions.

One Saturday night after a night of dancing they went to a hotel to make love. In the morning Sarah had something important to tell Oliver. As they were getting ready to return to their dorms the next morning Sarah announced to him that she got a part in an opera that would be playing in Cleveland.

Hey, I finally got a part to perform professionally in Cleveland. Are you going to come see me? It would mean a lot to me. she said.

Why would I do that, I'm not into opera, he said.

Because I'm your girlfriend and I could use your support, she said.

You'll be alright, he said.

That's not the point. It’s about supporting each other. I’ll feel more confident if you’re there, she said.

Forget it. I'm not going. I got to go, catch you later, he said.

Bye! she said angrily holding back her tears.

Though she was mad she still wanted to be with him. She believed he was going places and he always had a confidence about him that was very attractive even if he wasn't supportive of her.

Sarah went and performed in Cleveland. Though she thought her performance was well done the crowd had little appreciation for her. Devastated, she came back to Columbus to console in Oliver but he told her he was too busy to see her. She called him and said, When will you be off work?

I'm at a party, he said.

I really need to talk, I'm really down, she said.

We can talk tomorrow, he said.

I'm really down, that crowd up there was awful. I’m really devastated and I need you, she said.

Come on out we'll have a good time. It will be better the next time. Just because they don’t like you doesn’t mean others won’t, he said.

I’m not really in the mood to go out tonight. Can we meet up for lunch tomorrow then? she asked.

Okay, I've got to go. Later, he said.

Mozart Café at one? she asked.

Okay, beer bong time, later, he said.

Bye, she said as she began to cry.

Her roommate Paula came in and said, What's wrong? You need to dump that guy and find someone who cares about you.

I just need to give him time, Sarah said crying.

We all think that. Give him time to change and he never does. Trust me, move on girl, guys like that aren't worth the effort, Paula said as she put her arm around Sarah.

I don't know… it’s been a rough day. That crowd sucked and I don't know if I want to sing ever again. This one guy was such an asshole, Sarah said.

Some days, you're on top of the world and others not so much. I don't know much about being a star but girl you got a great voice. They might not like it but others will I know that. You can't just give up that easy. If you do you're not who I thought you were, Paula said.

Thanks, that’s what everyone keeps telling me, Sarah said as Paula gave her a hug.

The next day Oliver stood her up for lunch. She called him and left him a message. She said, Oliver if I'm not important to you then I wish you would just tell me and let me move on if you don't want me! She slammed the phone down after she hit end nearly breaking it. Damn it, she screamed to herself.

Oliver didn't call back until the next day. At that point Sarah was ready to end it. She said, Thanks for getting right back to me!

What's your problem? he said.

I needed you the other night, but you were too busy partying, and then you stood me up yesterday and now finally call me back. I am your girlfriend I would think I mean something more to you than the occasional screw, she said.

Whatever, if you're going to be like that then maybe we shouldn't see each other again, he said.

Fine! she said as she hung up on him.

Sarah was furious and never wanted to see him again. She couldn’t just forget about him though. She loved him and was heartbroken that he didn’t love her back.

They would date off and on but all Oliver seemed concerned about was sex. Every week he had a new girl he was interested in and then moved on. Sarah wanted more than sex. She wanted someone to support her and love her.

Two months later

They met up one more