The Pieces

Chapter 2

June 2018

“Kenzie I liked you more than I ever liked anyone before…”

“Peyton please don’t go with us I can’t control my anger and I don’t want to hurt you”

“I can take it”

“But I don’t want to give it”

… … …

“You can’t expect the world to accommodate for your issues Kenzie! It’s the definition of a YOU problem”

“Please don’t go it’ll save you money please… don’t go”

“You friend-zoned me 3 times and when I finally accepted it you decided you had feelings for me and then kept me there for months…”

“I’m sorry, Peyton”

May 16, 2025

I downed a glass of wine as those memories resurfaced and put the final touches on my outfit for the engagement party of our old friend Jordan Tyler, having been told that he was invited as well. The party was western/saloon themed and was planned by Jordan’s fiancée Rebecca Schaeffer, who everyone called Becca and who apparently loved the wild west. I dressed up as a saloon girl. I can’t wear jeans so I couldn’t be a cowgirl. I was taking a ride service there because if Peyton showed up I wouldn’t be in any condition to drive. The fight may have been long ago but the scar never healed and I know there will be some kind of mental outbreak or rash decision.

When I arrived at the party I was greeted by a lot of people I didn’t know and also Becca and Jordan. I didn’t let the fact that I didn’t know many people stop me from having fun. Eventually I saw him across the crowd of people dancing. He was sitting at the bar talking with Jordan. I started walking that way without realizing it and overheard him asking how Jordan knew Becca was the one.

“She was all I could think of and imagining a future without her was too terrifying to think of so I asked her to be my future and she said yes.”

I stood there awkwardly until Peyton looked over at me and I asked the bartender for a drink. “Kenzie?”

“Oh hey Peyton” I reply, my voice obviously forced. I grabbed my drink and took a sip, “How have you been”

“I think I should be going now,” he said as he placed money on the counter and grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair. “It was great catching up with you.”

“Oh I was also just about to leave, just getting a drink for the road. I open the salon tomorrow,” I lied, deciding it was better I leave than him

“I’m sure you could stay a little longer,” Becca says out of nowhere “You’re the life of the party and it’s not ready to die yet.”

“I should really be going but I will stay for one last song,” I replied, compromising with Becca and Peyton.

“You should stay as well Peyton, Jordan says he can never hang-out with you enough.”

“I’ll stay a little while longer,” he said as I turned around

“Let loose, have a drink on me” Jordan offered to Peyton while Becca offered me the same thing.

August 2028

“Hello this is Kenzie Brown and I wanted to check what room I reserved around 3 years ago… Yes I know it it’s not going to be easy… it would have been on the night of May 16, 2025 and just an overnight room… well I need it for my lawyer… kind of like an alibi yes but I’m being accused of… well in fact I’m not even being accused of anything… someone is trying to claim paternity on my daughter and if I can prove we didn’t sleep in the same room… yes I’m the one who checked out… I didn’t want to them to see my name attached to the room just in case I was the one who booked it… well he said he was in room 312 so could you tell me if I booked or paid for room 312… I can come in if you need to verify my identity”

“Kenzie!”

“Mom, I’m on the phone!”

“Kenzie, Thea fell near the playground and scratched herself pretty badly and I think she needs stitches” my mom yelled back as I dropped my phone to run to Thea.

“Miss Brown I was able to find the room information you wanted, Miss Brown, are you there?” I run back into my room “Miss Brown are you there?”

“Yes I am sorry,” I say as I grab my purse using my head and shoulder to hold the phone to my ear.

“I was able to find out who booked the room but nothing on payment so far, from what I can see the person who rented it’s initials are PGK.”

“Peyton Gabriel Kennedy was in room 312, but was I?”

“All I have is the last 4 digits on the card used to pay, 8725”

“I'll dig through old cards and try to find any cards I had 3 years ago.”

“Have a great day!”

“You to bye” I enter the car, “Mom you didn’t say it was head wound!”

“Sorry” she replies as she backs out of the parking spot in my apartment complex. “I’m heading towards Mercy Hospital.”

“No, go somewhere else.”

“Darling Mercy is the closest hospital, why not?”

“Peyton is a ER Doctor there, but lets go as fast as possible.”