by Lily Foster
“Shit.” I was speechless. How could he be so stupid and careless? I fucked around twice as much as Tom did but I’d never give some random girl an opportunity to trap me. Girls would always be begging for skin on skin, telling me they were on the pill. I never believed them and always protected myself; besides my health, there was just too much money at stake.
“What’s he going to do? Does the girl want money?” I suppose that seems shallow as a first reaction but that’s who I was. When Ben told me that the girl was dead, I was shocked again and then I just felt the weight of the responsibility that was now on my good friend, the poor bastard. Ben told me that Tom had left school and was just coming back up to graduate. I’d call him tomorrow; he needed all the support he could get. I wouldn’t tell Kasia tonight. There was nothing she could really do for Darcy; I’m sure the girl was devastated.
When I did speak to Tom the next day, his voice was cracking with a need to break down as he told me the basics and told me he was keeping James and would care for him with his parents’ help. When I asked about Darcy, I agreed with his decision to cut ties. I would feel the same way, have the same sense of responsibility to make sure Kasia lived her life rather than be saddled with a baby that wasn’t hers. I told Tom I’d see him the following week, as I reassured him that everything would work out—even though the words felt empty as I said them.
Senior Week flew by at warp speed, as the best times in your life often do. I made a mental note to myself that two weeks alcohol-free was in order after leaving here; my blood type was practically Jack Daniels by Graduation Day.
There were a few brothers I’d be seeing regularly after graduation. I would be in Chicago occasionally, so I’d be seeing Brian, and Justin was going to be working on Wall Street at the same firm as Will Bennett, one of my lacrosse teammates. Christian was going to be working in D.C. before starting law school next year. Melanie informed me that she would be splitting her time between D.C. and Manhattan to which I replied, “That’s nice,” as my stomach dropped and I made a mental note to avoid any and all get-togethers with that set.
All of my closest friends were planning to head to the Vineyard for July Fourth. Every year I held a bash there while my parents spent two weeks in Europe. It sometimes lasted for several days with people crashing all over the property. This year was going to be different, though, as my parents were going to be in town and the party was doubling as my graduation celebration. My parents had rented the house on the adjacent property for themselves and a few relatives to stay in. My mother assured me that the adults would be there earlier for a barbecue and were clearing out by seven. It would be a mix of school friends, a select group of high school friends, and some family friends. I was tempted to omit the last group, the Palm Beach crew, but that would not go over well with Margot or Vince. If the next-in-line-to-the-throne from the Paulson, Eastman, or Tate clans weren’t invited, I’d have some explaining to do. It was going to be interesting—and I don’t mean that in a good way. At least Kasia would have her good friends there for the moral support she might need; I envisioned worst-case scenarios of negative run-ins with Samantha Paulson and Margot Cole. I made a mental note to threaten my mother before the party.
Before Graduation Day, Kasia and I had discussed whether or not we would go out together with our families or separately. Kasia was for all for separate and, although I wouldn’t say it, I was relieved. Graduations—even from grammar school, she explained—were considered big events in her family. College graduations were monumental, with the entire family traveling. Kasia was relieved that the university limited the number of tickets to the ceremony, as otherwise her aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews would have tagged along. It was just going to be me and my parents so I think Kasia was envisioning a cacophony of Polish speaking people and the horrified expressions of my haughty parents. We made plans to meet up later in the day after our families had gone back to their respective hotels. Everyone was meeting back for our one last night on campus.
Kasia and I weren’t seated close to one another but I know, from her smile, that she heard me holler when they announced her name as she made her way across the stage. I found her right after the ceremony and grabbed her into a hug as I spun her around. There was something that was unexpectedly special about this day and I was feeling emotional. I whispered that I loved her in her ear and then heard several men clearing their throats loudly behind me. Kasia blushed and her brothers all laughed as we turned to face them. I hugged Mr. and Mrs. Mazur and then felt a hand tapping my shoulder. I turned to see my mom smiling at me. I hugged my mother, observing that the hug was vastly different; Kasia’s parents were people who squeezed you when they hugged while my mother held you lightly, almost at a distance in comparison. I decided I liked the squeeze-version better.
“Hey, Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Kasia’s family.” I chuckled to myself as Mr. Mazur hugged both of my parents, followed by Mrs. Mazur. My parents probably felt sexually assaulted by the time they were through. Margot and Vince, always composed, recovered quickly, though, and my mother commented to them on how lovely their daughter was, which earned her points. I think my mother was also taken back by the picture the group of them made together, laughing as she commented that she’s never seen such a good-looking family. I had to agree. Kasia and her mother looked like beautiful sisters, Mike’s girlfriend, Sophia, looked like Penelope Cruz, and her brothers were not ugly, as you could tell by the lingering glances they were getting from every girl who walked past.
I was wishing that we had planned to go out together then, as the idea of sitting at lunch, just the three of us, seemed lonely. When I mentioned the idea to my mother off to the side she smiled as she shook her head decidedly and told me that we were having lunch with the Pierces, “didn’t I mention that?” No, Margot, you had not. Kasia saw my reaction, squeezed my hand and smiled at me to let me know she was alright with it.
Lunch wasn’t as bad as I’d dreaded. Christian and his parents came along as well, so that gave me a little buffer and, for better or worse, Melanie was a friend of mine, albeit in a jaded, twisted sort of way. She was loyal to me and although their relationship was unorthodox, I knew she loved my friend, Christian, and wanted the best for him as well. I also had to give her credit for being more cordial towards Kasia once she knew I was serious about her. Melanie had toned down the bitchy quite a bit.
The parents listened as we all relayed our plans for the upcoming year. Melanie was doing an internship at a society-scene magazine; unpaid and de rigueur for rich, directionless young socialites. Margot assured her she was going to have a “fabulous year”. I think my mother may have done something similar when she was that age, so Melanie was now on a comparable career trajectory: work for free at a meaningless job, marry a fella as rich as you are, pop out a kid or two, take up tennis, and organize fundraising efforts for “suitable” charities.
When the women started speaking in hushed tones that everyone at the table could hear, I paid attention. Of course, my mother had heard about Tom’s situation from her tennis partner and relayed the sordid details to Melanie and her mother; many gasps and “poor Tom” comments ensued. Vince didn’t generally comment on such things but he made a point of looking at me directly as he said, “That’s a wake-up call for all of you young men.” What was he warning me for? Was he insinuating that Kasia could trap me? I felt like telling him to heed his own advice and make sure he doesn’t knock up any of the young, hot secretaries he repeatedly hired, despite their questionable typing skills. I loved him but he was a fucking hypocrite.
Kasia
Although I wanted to spend the day with Dylan, I was more than happy not to have to be on my guard with his parents the entire afternoon. The brief meeting between our families went well and although I liked Dylan’s parents, I didn’t get the warm and fuzzies from them. I was happy I got to enjoy the day with my family, one hundred percent relaxed, instead.
I knew the Coles and Pierces we
re dining at the one particularly fancy, upscale restaurant near campus. Although my parents could certainly afford that, I made reservations for a more casual barbecue joint that Val and I had become fond of. Sitting at a picnic table, drinking beer, eating messy ribs and laughing out loud was more my family’s style than a subdued four-course lunch that kicked off with—ick—a nice cold bowl of vichyssoise.
During lunch I started to lay the groundwork for the proposal I was going to hit my dad with in the near future. Sophia was discussing student loans, musing over how many of the students who crossed the stage today were graduating underneath mounds of debt. The Mazurs didn’t do debt.
I was very proud of my parents. They came to this country young, taking what little they had to buy their first multiple family dwelling, and then bought more properties only when they had the means to do so. Their philosophy was simple; you purchased what you had the cash for and you never lived beyond your means. We didn’t have flashy cars, I dressed well but not quite like my classmates, and although we all went to prestigious universities, it was thanks, in large part, to scholarships. Otherwise, a city or New York state college education would have been what I got, and that would have been just fine because it was quality and affordable. My parents weren’t impressed by flash, they were impressed by hardworking people who made their own luck.
I used the topic to my advantage, mentioning—while trying not to sound boastful—that I was not only graduating without debt but considerably richer than I started freshman year. “Really, Kasia? Has the business made you a few dollars?”
“About eight thousand dollars, Michal. I’ve saved everything I’ve made from making dresses privately and from the sales on the website.”
Aleksander slapped his hand on the table, laughing, surprised. “Are you serious? That’s fantastic, Kasia! You did that while you were a full-time student? Imagine how you’ll be able to grow it now that you can devote all of your time to it?” He rubbed his hands together and knitted his brows before going on. “I mean it, Kasia. I’ve seen the website and you have the start of something great. Consider me you first official investor.”
“Really, Alex?”
“Absolutely. And I wouldn’t front you seed money if I didn’t think I’d make it back tenfold.”
“Another entrepreneur in the family,” my father chirped happily.
“Do you think so, Tata? I really want to do this. I think I can make a good living from my business.”
“I think if you’re determined, you can do anything, Kasia.”
I didn’t push any further. I was just laying the foundation for now.
Unlike some of my friends who were dreading heading back home, I was looking forward to life in New York. My family was close and really, I couldn’t imagine ever living far away from them. I was also becoming fond of the person who was, in my mind, soon to become its newest member. There was no doubt in my mind that Michal was in for the long haul with this girl. Sophia and I made plans to hang out and shop this coming weekend and she invited Dylan and me out with her and Michal to watch her brother’s band play. I knew this girl would be my sister someday and the thought of it made me joyful.
I was also looking forward to spending time with Darcy in a few weeks when she got back to the city. When I called her it was the morning of her senior formal, which Tom had bailed on. She was keeping up the “I’m ok” act but I knew she was suffering. She called me the next day crying so hard she could scarcely get in a breath and when she could speak, warned me that she was going to need to be kept occupied twenty-four-seven until she got over him. I would be there for her.
I was going to be busy. There were family and social obligations, and then the most pressing issue of scoping out the potential retail space and convincing my father to get behind me on the venture. I was realistic, knowing that I was asking a lot of him. The lease would have to be way below market value and then there was the issue of renovations. If it looked the same as the last time I saw it, I would need to take Aleksander up on his offer for seed money, as there was a lot of work to be done.
I wanted to be busy too so I wouldn’t be missing Dylan. He was being put to work right away, accompanying his father on a business trip to China and Malaysia. He’d be gone for the first two weeks of June and then was going to be working long hours, getting himself established in the New York offices. The first break we’d have together was over the July Fourth weekend and since his parents were going to be there, I wasn’t considering it a true vacation.
Dylan and I drove home together the day after graduation and I was tearful as we said our goodbyes after he had dinner with my family. We hadn’t spent more than several hours apart the past few months so two weeks felt like an awfully long time.
“I’m going to miss you, Kasia.”
“I’m glad I’ll be busy or else I’d be going crazy missing you.”
“When are you going to ask your father?”
“I’m waiting for the right time. Tomorrow I’m going there with Aleksander so he can give me his opinion about renovation costs and everything. Then I’ll have a better idea.”
“You know where I stand.”
“Don’t, Dylan. You know I appreciate the offer but that’s never going to happen. This is mine and I have to do it on my own.”
He feigned a hurt expression but then smiled. “I know.”
Dylan offered to help me secure a space in the Meatpacking District right underneath the High Line. It was premium commercial real estate; the trendiest upscale designers had retail stores there. Dylan had the means and connections to make that happen but I was adamantly against the idea. I was twenty-two and my business—well, to even call it an actual business at this point was a stretch. Also, I didn’t want anything from Dylan. I believed in that saying, “don’t mix business with pleasure,” and besides, I felt too young to be tied to anyone, financially or otherwise.
We chatted online once a day while he was in Asia. The difference was always around twelve hours, so it was convenient but we were on opposite ends of the day.
“Why do you always get the mornings and I get the nights? Do you like to make sure I’m home at night, Dylan?”
He smiled at me with a wicked look in his eye. “Yes, Kasia. I do like to think you’re safe in Greenpoint with no roaming eyes on you. If I thought you were shaking your ass in some club I’d go out of my mind.”
“Fair warning, I’m going out shaking my ass later tonight but I’ll be with Michal and Sophia, so you have nothing to worry about. What about you? How about if I don’t want you out surrounded by hot, eager Asian women with their beautiful long, black hair?”
“No chance of that. More like crinkly, old Asian businessmen and endless days of meetings.”
“Yeah, right.” I did hate the idea of him being away from me so I’m sure I couldn’t hide the trace of unease in my tone. There was always that faint nagging voice in the back of my head that questioned whether or not Dylan was capable of monogamy.
He reached out his hand to the screen. “I can’t wait to see you, Kasia. You have no idea how much I miss you.”
I put my palm up to meet his. “I miss you too.”
“Just think, this time next week we can be christening my new apartment, room by room.”
I laughed thinking about it and then cringed when thoughts of my parents intruded. “Yeah, we’re going to have to talk about that, Dylan. I don’t think they’ll be condoning sleep overs.”
He waved me off. “Don’t worry, Kasia. I’ll spin some bullshit to make it happen. I have your parents eating out of my hand right now. A late concert one night, trouble getting a car service another…I have it all planned out.”
I smiled at his over-confidence; he really didn’t know what he was up against. “If you say so, Dylan.”
“Oh, I say so and what I say goes. First my big, new king-sized bed—I’m a traditionalist after all. Then the shower; remember how much we like the shower, Kasia?” I was getting war
m all over listening to his sexy voice. “Then the nice, cool granite countertops in the kitchen.” He tapped his chin, intent in his thoughts. “Oh yeah, then the sofa; I’ve always wanted you bent over the sofa, looking back at me with that ‘fuck me’ look, Kasia.”
“Jeez, let me lower the volume on this thing. If my parents hear this, they’ll never let me see you again.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t believe you’re sending me out on the town like this, Dylan, all hot, wet, and unsatisfied.”
“Hey, hey now! I don’t like that kind of talk.”
“Just kidding. I love you, I miss you, I want you. And on that note, I hear Michal downstairs, I have to go.”
“Love you too, Kasia. You can skype me in the morning…get me at night next time.”
Dylan
I suspected that these extended trips weren’t typically so tame but Vince was all-business on this one. There were no assistants booked to accompany him, which I knew he usually did arrange for, and there were no wild, late night outings with clients. I’m sure he felt the need to make a good impression on me.
I think I came to understand my father better or I’d just resigned myself to it and was more accepting. The women were just incidental, just sex. Even though I used to feel hurt on my mother’s behalf, I no longer did. My father loved her, respected her, gained comfort from her, and relied on her in many ways. Mother had good instincts and he often sought her out for advice. She was also a master at networking; her social skills netted my father a number of good contacts. They had a good partnership, I suppose, but I wonder if Mom knew about all of his extracurricular activities. And if she did, was she just turning a blind eye to it all? Kasia would never accept that kind of relationship and I didn’t want that for us. I wanted to be the kind of man who could be with just her and be happy.
On the flight back, Dad asked me for my feedback and we discussed how the next several months would look for me at the firm. I was surprised when he sprung Chicago on me. When I questioned him he scoffed, “It’s not a relocation, Dylan, I just need you to be there about two weeks out of each month to oversee the operations. You knew you’d be traveling, son.”