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KENZIE
TEN YEARS LATER
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“KENZIE, YOU’RE MEETING with tour leaders tomorrow morning, right?” Ms. Anderson hands over a manila folder as I set aside the misshapen centerpiece I’m fixing for tonight’s cocktail party—the kick-off event for my class reunion during Homecoming Weekend. Ten years removed from attending Trinity College, and I still fall into my old role of leadership without a hitch: perfecting small details, organizing volunteers.
Guess being class president three years in a row sticks with you.
“Yep.” I flip through the folder, seeing a list of group leaders along with a campus map highlighting suggested information to share. “All the volunteers are confirmed, so tours should run smoothly.”
“Excellent! Thanks for offering to organize those. You’re the best addition we’ve had to the alumni committee in a long time.” Ms. A smiles and pats my shoulder before bustling away, leaving me with a glow of pride at her compliment, until Ashley Sims saunters up with her boyfriend, waving a full glass of champagne in the air with a knowing look.
“Here, here! All hail Queen Kenzie, the most organized, the most knowledgeable—the most likely to take over when you inevitably fuck up.” Always eager for attention, Ashley’s loud voice carries throughout the room, and the folder in my hand crinkles under the force of my grip as people stare at us.
Clearly, someone’s enjoying the cocktails...
Laughing awkwardly at Ashley’s embarrassing proclamation, I turn to finish adjusting the flowers for the table’s centerpiece, trying to focus on Ms. A’s words instead of Ashley’s. Because it feels good knowing how much the alumni committee appreciates me. Like my tendency towards controlling things to ensure they’re done right isn’t a bad quality but an asset.
Not that it hasn’t served me well for the past decade. I’ve built a thriving business that’s all about organization and management. But sometimes, I wonder if I’m too overbearing or distrustful of others. Too afraid of others failing and letting me down. Even Ashley, a woman I haven’t seen in years, remembers how disciplined I am.
Not like you don’t have a reason to be.
From flaky family members to irresponsible co-workers, I’ve had my fair share of disappointment in life. So, what’s wrong with trying to avoid more of the same?
It can be a lonely and daunting road attempting to achieve perfect outcomes.
Though it wasn’t always.
When I was a student, I thought I’d met my match here at Trinity—someone to trust, someone I could rely on for help if necessary. Someone who never dropped the ball. Or made me regret trusting them.
In college, anyway. After graduation was a different story.
“Oh my gosh, they’re so cute!” As if summoned by my thoughts, the man in question enters the room and is immediately called over by Ashley. His gaze meets mine briefly before joining us, and he introduces his husband Isaac, a slender man whose black hair blends in with his equally dark attire.
Kyle.
Former class vice president.
Ex-boyfriend.
Now, a married man.
Once upon a time, Kyle was the yin to my yang as we co-led study groups and planned events—the center of student activities and scholarly pursuits. Even the student body voted us “Most Likely to Become a Power Couple” in our senior yearbook. And as stupid as it sounds, I believed it.
How could I not?
We spent so much time together. We were compatible in so many ways.
Despite my practical nature, I daydreamed about a future with a man who understood me—accepted my Type A personality—and couldn’t wait for us to start a life together after college.
Everything was great that first summer when we officially became an item.
Until Kyle sat me down one night and explained how things weren’t working between us.
How he didn’t want to be with a carbon copy of himself.
“Nice to meet you all, finally,” Isaac says, a tentative smile shaping his thin lips. “Kyle’s been regaling me with stories about everyone.”
“All good, I hope!” Ashley titters, and it’s obvious she’s already verging on tipsy with her enthusiasm. For his part, her boyfriend seems to be taking it in stride.
Glancing between Kyle and Isaac, I contemplate our past. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t waste so much time dreaming and building up a relationship. I would’ve kept things professional. Friendly. Like I do now with anyone I work with.
You mean with anyone you meet.
But I ignore the inner taunt—aware of my fear of heartbreak, of making a mistake again—yet unwilling to risk changing anytime soon.
You have a great life. You don’t need a man, too.
“Of course.” Isaac faces me with an open expression and adds, “Especially about Kenzie. To hear him tell it, you two ruled campus as honorary king and queen.”
“President and vice president. We’re a democratic state.” The words sound bitchier than I intend, so I force a smile and raise my champagne flute in a gesture of goodwill. “But he’s right. Our class wouldn’t have survived without us organizing events or running around in the background, so everything went off without a hitch.”
Kyle cuts in. “Kenzie more than me. She was the real treasure. I just helped.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” I say, surprised by his comment. We shared the same responsibilities, and I always knew I could rely on Kyle to get things done. He was one of the few people I trusted to do what he said he’d do.
Honestly, it’s what attracted me the most—the fact that he was trustworthy and reliable.
“Aww, that’s sweet. I’m glad there’s no hard feelings between you two.” Ashley’s eyes glaze over as she studies Kyle and me. “Most Likely to Become a Power Couple. And now you’re married to Isaac while Kenzie’s still single...” A suspicious gleam of tears appears, and it’s time for me to bow out—I can’t deal with Ashley’s theatrics tonight.
“But we’re all happy, and that’s what counts. Besides, most of us didn’t fulfill our prophetic legacies.” Draining the last drop of alcohol from my glass, I back away from the table with a gesture of farewell. “I think I just saw Emily come in, and it’s been forever since we’ve caught up. I’ll talk to you guys later.”
And I make my getaway—bypassing tossed out greetings and smiles—to sidle out the exit, needing fresh air.
That’s the worst of it. Now you can enjoy the rest of your weekend without worrying about awkward introductions.
Kyle and I will still see each other. After all, he’s one of the guides tomorrow, but at least we got that first meeting out of the way. And it wasn’t terrible. Kyle was nice. Isaac was friendly. All in all, we’re grown-ups who haven’t been in each other’s lives for a decade. We’re being mature by moving on with our lives.
Even if my moving on hasn’t involved love and marriage.
You don’t need a man, I reiterate as my favorite spot on campus comes into view—the whitewashed gazebo set in a small pond.
A perfect refuge from the cocktail party.