McKenzie's Dream

Joyce could not find the words to tell her daughter that she did not want her to leave. McKenzie leaving would mean she would be alone. Joyce had become clingy since her husband, McKenzie's father died. He battled cancer for a year and died just a few months before McKenzie's 18th birthday. McKenzie missed her dad.

McKenzie had given up so much, living her life to appease her mother. She went to a local college and commuted instead of staying on campus; even though she had a full scholarship including room and board and a meal plan. She felt bad for her mom, but this had to stop. She was not willing to give up her dreams and aspirations anymore for the sake of pleasing her mom. She was now a college graduate with a degree in fashion design and headstrong on pursuing a fashion career in New York City.

Joyce on the other hand, had a million reasons, mainly based off T.V. shows and movies, as to why it was not safe for her baby to move to New York City.

“It’s not like here. It’s too fast paced for a young country girl and don’t even get me talking about the extremely high crime rates.” Joyce said, staring at her daughter with a deeply rooted fear.

“Mom, I promise, I will be safe. I’ll watch my surroundings and I won’t talk to strangers.”

McKenzie recounted all the times that her mom’s paranoid fits kept her from experiencing life. But she was grown now and there was nothing that she could do to stop her.

“Why don’t you come with me mom?”

“I can’t do that Kenzie; my home is here in Tennessee. All our support is here.

“Mom, you need to do something...”

“No! I can’t leave," Joyce said.

“Well, your daughter is going to be in New York City,” McKenzie said sternly but respectful.

Knowing that it was a moot point, a fight that she no longer had the energy to fight, Joyce retreated.

“Goodnight, my sweet child,” she cupped McKenzie’s thin face with her hands as she stared into her big, beautiful, brown eyes. “We’ll finish this discussion in the morning. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she said, knowing that tomorrow would be too late. Her bags were already packed, and her departure time was just a few hours away.

McKenzie sat down at the handcrafted desk in the living room. That was draining, she thought as reached for a pen and the purple stationary which bared the letter "M". She began to write...

Mom, I love you so much and I know that you love me, but I have to do this. I don’t want to live my life with regret, wondering what would have happened if...I don’t know if my dreams will come true, or what New York has to offer me but I’m willing to take the chance to find out. Dad always taught me to boldly go after the things that I wanted. I am going to do just that. I hope that you understand and find it in your heart to forgive me. By the time you awake I will be well on my way. Please know that I love you, always and forever. Kenzie

Joyce lay in bed, replaying the events of the evening. Why couldn't I just tell her that I am scared to be alone? That my heart could not take another loss.

"Maybe if I tell her she will reconsider. I’ll talk to her about it in the morning,” she said as she drifted off to sleep.

McKenzie boarded the train with only a large suitcase, an overnight bag and big dreams of becoming a celebrity stylist. Scared out of her wits, but excited for what her future held, she slid into the first available window seat. She glanced out the window giving the city that she had known as home, one last look.

“Excuse me, Miss," said the stranger.

Startled, her gaze quickly left the window and made eye contact with the caramel-complexed, handsome man that stood in front of her.

"Is this seat taken," he asked with a sexy southern dialect.

"No, it's a...a all yours," she stuttered. OMG, I sound like a fool, she thought.

"Are you ok," he snickered as he sat down.

"Yeah, I...I'm, sorry, you caught me off guard," McKenzie smiled nervously. This man is fine, she thought.

"My name is Jason," the stranger introduced himself with an extended hand.

McKenzie placed her hand in his, "I'm McKenzie."

"So where are you headed McKenzie," Jason asked.

Captivated by his beauty and the smell of his cologne, McKenzie neglected to respond.

"Earth to McKenzie," Jason slowly waved his hand in front of her face.

"I apologize, you said something," McKenzie asked.

"Yes, are you back? He laughed. "I asked where you were heading?"

"To the city where dreams come true!" McKenzie said with excitement.

"So, New York City, huh. Me too." Jason added. "I'm heading home. I was here visiting my sick grandmother. She hasn't been doing so well."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," McKenzie empathized.

Suddenly her heart was saddened. Although, she would miss her mom, she knew she had made the right decision to follow her dreams. It was what her dad encouraged her to do. A few weeks ago on her twenty-first birthday, her mother handed her an envelope with a key inside. The key unlocked a safe deposit box at their local bank. Opening the box, she was shocked to find $20,000 in cash and a small black notebook. She opened the notebook and inscribed on the inside cover was a note from her dad...

My dearest McKenzie, if you are reading this, that means you have graduated college and it is not long after your 21st birthday. I wanted to remind you to always follow your dreams, for they will lead you to your destiny. And it does not hurt to have a little cash...LOL. Happy Birthday Baby, I love your more than you will ever know...Daddy.

"Welcome aboard everybody! Our destination...the city that never sleeps," the conductor announced. "It will take us approximately fifteen hours, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

The announcement abruptly interrupted McKenzie's trip down memory lane.

"Sounds like it's going to be a long ride," Jason confirmed as he reclined his seat. He was tired from all the clubbing the night before.

"Yep, sounds like it," McKenzie reached into her bag to retrieve her personalized sketch book. The book cover bared names of the celebrities that McKenzie hoped to work with.

Jason noticed the book and thought to himself, an aspiring fashion designer. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.

When Jason awoke, the train was about four hours from Penn Station. McKenzie had watched a few movies, listened to some music, gone to sleep and created sketches to keep herself occupied.

"Welcome back! You must have been really tired because you were snoring." McKenzie laughed.

"I don't snore," Jason replied.

"Well, myself and the rest of the train would beg to differ," she assured him.

"My apologies," Jason said with embarrassment. "And yes, I was really tired."

McKenzie closed her sketch book and put back into her bag.

"So, you're a fashion designer," Jason asked.

"Yes," McKenzie answered. "I'm heading to New York to make my dreams come true! I've wanted this my whole life."

"Oh really, to make all your dreams come true," Jason laughed.

He gathered that McKenzie was a little naïve, but she stood firm on her purpose for heading to the big city.

"Why you say it like that," she asked.

"You know the chances of you making it in New York City are slim to none, right," Jason asked?

"Wow, well just bust my bubble," she rolled her eyes.

"Naw, I'm just saying, it's not a place for a beautiful woman like yourself to be alone," he rebutted. "New York can be cruel; especially to those who come seeking fame."

"Who said I was going to be alone," she asked.

"I'm sorry, I just assumed," Jason said.

"You know what they say about assuming, don't you," McKenzie questioned?

Jason stared into McKenzie's eyes. "Excuse me," he said sarcastically.

"I'm just kidding!" McKenzie laughed.

"Where are you staying? Do you have a job lined up?"

"Well, no. Not yet," McKenzie shamefully admitted. "What's with all the questions?"

"I may be able to help, do you have any references," he asked.

"I'm sure I can get a letter of recommendation from one of my professors," she said with excitement. "What's the job?" Who would I work for?"

"You would be working for me," Jason said pulling his business card from his pocket. "I run an exclusive modeling agency in Manhattan, and I've been looking for someone to style my models."

Jason had not been seeking to employ anyone; however, he was familiar with the passion that he saw in McKenzie and felt compelled to help her; at least until she could land a better gig.

“Wow, really? I would love to do it. Wait, how much does it pay,” she asked?

“You would be responsible for styling ten women daily: Wednesday through Saturday. The pay is two-hundred dollars per day, it includes lunch, a corporate card to purchase wardrobe items for the models and you will also have the opportunity to showcase some of your own designs.” Jason ran down the perks.

It all seemed too good to be true. Could this be fate, destiny, or even coincidence? McKenzie thought, as she shielded her heart with the small black notebook. At that very moment she believed her dad was watching over her.

“So, what do you say,” Jason asked?

“I say yes, yes and yes again,” McKenzie could hardly contain herself.

As the train pulled into Penn Station other the passengers reclaimed their possessions and exited. McKenzie and Jason remained seated. They exchanged numbers and worked out the details for their meet up.

McKenzie examined the business card.

“Thank you for the opportunity Mr. Lerch, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“That you will,” he replied.

Her phone rang just as she turned to walk away.

Hey mom! You’ll never believe what happened.

“Kenzie, where are you,” her mom asked.

“Ummm, New York...mom before you say anything.”

“New York!” her mom yelled. “I went to your room and you weren’t there.

McKenzie interrupted, “I left a note on the desk, but mom, listen, I met an angel on the train.”

“An angel? Kenzie, what are you talking about?”

“There was a guy on the train, who has a modeling agency. He hired me to style his models. I start my new job tomorrow.”

“Oh Kenzie, that’s amazing! Where are you now? What are you staying?”

“I’m heading to the hotel now. I’ll be staying there until I find a place to rent,” she answered.

“I’m booking a flight. I’ll be there tomorrow and I’m staying until you find a place,” mom said sternly.

“Mom, I’m sorry I left without saying good-bye.”

Her throat became lumpy, “Dad told me to pursue my dreams and because I did, I landed a great paying job before I even made it to New York. I know he is watching over me.”

“Kenzie baby, I’m so proud of you. I believe it too. I’m glad that you didn’t allow my fears to keep you from pursuing the future you deserve.”

“Thanks, mom. I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow.” McKenzie said.

She entered the hotel. This would become her home for the next few weeks.

So much had happened in such a short period of time. As she lay across the plush king-sized bed, McKenzie thought about her dad’s gift; had it not been for the message in the small black notebook, she would not have had the courage to walk through the door that held her future.