The Promise Hidden in Maybe

Chapter 1The Mountain Puzzle

Yossi finished his mountain puzzle on a flat board at home.

Its pieces showed a narrow path winding past a stone house. He liked the picture enough to leave it assembled for another day.

His cousin Dudi visited with his father while Totty was home.

"Could I borrow it when you take it apart?" Dudi asked.

Yossi did not know yet. He had promised his younger brother a turn at home first.

"Maybe," he said, hoping the question would go away.

Later, the boys drew mountain houses together.

Dudi put his drawing beside the empty puzzle box.

"I'll bring it back next visit," he said.

Yossi looked up.

"Bring what back?"

"The puzzle. I'll take it when you pack the pieces."

Yossi felt a small jolt. Dudi had heard the maybe as a likely yes. Yossi had meant it as not decided, but had never said that part clearly.

He did not want to call Dudi grabby for expecting something his own answer had left open.

"I haven't decided to lend it yet," Yossi said.

Dudi set his drawing down.

"I thought you said I could."

"I said maybe. But I should have told you I promised my brother a turn first."

Dudi looked disappointed.

Yossi wanted to fix that feeling by saying yes immediately. Then his brother's promised turn would disappear.

"It isn't ready to leave today," he added.

The assembled puzzle stayed on the board. Nobody began packing it.

The boys went to Totty to clear up the borrowing question while both fathers were there.

Yossi explained his unclear answer and the earlier promise.

Totty confirmed that the puzzle would stay at home today. They could discuss borrowing after the brother's turn, but no later date was promised yet.

Dudi nodded slowly.

"I wanted to try that mountain path."

"We can look at it together now," Yossi said, after asking Totty whether the puzzle board could stay out during the visit.

Totty agreed.

Dudi found the stone house in the finished picture.

He added a little crooked chimney to his drawing. Yossi copied the path beside his own house.

The boys compared their pages.

Dudi still could not take the puzzle. The afternoon did not have to end at the box.

Before leaving, he put only his drawing in his bag.

Yossi left the empty puzzle box on the shelf, ready for the pieces when his brother's turn was finished.

The next day, Yossi's brother helped take the puzzle apart for his own turn.

"Can I leave it finished tomorrow too?" he asked.

Yossi checked with Totty before answering.

"Yes, until after breakfast," he said. "Totty needs the table clear then."

It was longer than maybe. His brother knew what it meant, and Yossi did not have to hope the question would vanish.