Caribbean Respite (CarlsonConnected)    

          EXCERPT FROM "HERSTORY"  - A PUZZLE

"The images appeared in my mind with such clarity that I was able to solve many puzzles but one new one evolved. The image of the Chancellor’s face and body language of absorbed intensity as I entered the room and sat down, played again and again in my mind because there was one aspect of his facial expression that had caught my attention, and it begged for an explanation.

         I had detected a hint of bitterness at the corners of his mouth as if he had a regret about something. This intrigued me. It was at odds with my understanding of his personality so far. As the weeks went by, the rest of his body – tensing, sitting straight up in his chair as he read, and then relaxing again only to shake his feet under the chair - and his face faded in the picture until only his lips remained. “Solve this,” the image seemed to say, and I did. (You can solve it too!) 

        Then the rest of that one-on-one meeting fell neatly into place."