“What do you think, Kyle?” she asked, as if there were no question.
“Honestly, Kenzie…” I shook my head. “I have no idea what to think.”
“Yes, there are cows, but businesses also have trucks and floats.”
“Floats? Oh, this just keeps getting better. I don’t know if you realize, but it’s always been a dream of mine to ride on a float and do that princess wave.”
I demonstrated my best closed-hand greeting.
“I could see that about you,” she giggled. “I tell you what, Kyle – next year, you can come to Udder’s Day as my honored guest.”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
TV Confessional
“I’d milk her cow any day.”
—Kyle
18
Kenzie: Daydream Believer
Marooned Rule #3
Approximately every two days, the East and West tribes meet and compete against each other in a physical challenge, with the losing tribe sending one of their members home.
My wavy-haired surfer boy wasn’t messing around when he said he could swim. The first challenge with the East tribe took place in the water. It was a grueling series of obstacle course style tasks that tested not only our swimming skills but also our physical stamina. Although Gene was initially reluctant to allow Kyle to take the lead in the challenge, as he preferred one of his own, like Bobby, to get the glory, he was forced to relent as the rest of us, having witnessed Kyle prowess in the water, insisted he was the man for the job. We all had our roles in the challenge, but Kyle’s job – diving down to release six bags from underwater – proved invaluable, as he was able to complete the task without coming up for air. We were a full two minutes ahead of the East tribe as we completed the other parts of the course. Our resounding win meant that all of us on the West tribe were safe until the next challenge, and the East Tribe would be the first to send a teammate home.
Our triumph was not without tribulations. Dale acquired his first of many island injuries. A block from the puzzle, the only part of the challenge that happened on land, fell on his toe. Not even trying to be a tough guy, Dale jumped around, wailing in pain. Later at camp his toe swelled up so big it was unable to fit in a shoe, so he ingeniously fashioned a palm leaf shoe and walked around like Fred Flintstone. Chances were it was broken, but there was very little he could do about it until the game was over.
The mood in camp after winning the challenge was nothing short of euphoric. The nine of us celebrated by taking a swim break in the ocean, and for the first time, it felt like we were an actual team. I was totally starting to get Gene’s fascination with winning. It felt good.
But as the day ran down, predictable scheming took over, and slowly but surely, we all returned to our own huddled masses. Clearly the Fab Five enjoyed our company, but it was as if they viewed us as having some collective terminal illness, and none of them wanted to get too close because they knew we’d all be dead soon enough.
Despite the cold shoulder, the four of us were feeling pretty damn good about the events of the day. We all understood- even Marsha- that there was a short kill list and we were all on it. It didn’t matter who was the first to go because after that person was gone, the rest of us would be picked off one by one. With today’s decisive win, we had at least bought ourselves another two days.
* * *
Over the nextcouple of days, Kyle and I continued our beachside chats. He was quickly becoming my obsession, and I found myself keeping tabs on him wherever he went. Instead of focusing on my game play, I spent the majority of my day fantasizing about our life together after the show. I had it so bad. I’d already named our children (Blake and Madison)andour dog (Barkley). Yep, I was teetering on creepy girl territory and feared it wouldn’t be long before I was snipping locks of his hair for safekeeping.
This particular morning, I was sitting on the beach alone, applying liberal amounts of sunscreen to my peeling, sunburnt skin. It was one of the only luxuries we were allowed out here, and I lathered myself in its store-bought extravagance. I stared at my crimson flesh, wondering if it might ever turn into the beautiful tan Kyle sported. Some patches were actually bronzing up, making me hopeful that eventually everything would even out.
Of course, in a nod to my stalker mentality, my beach bum boy crush was not far away. In fact, I was watching his adorable self on the beach with Summer, Aisha, Bobby, and Marsha, taking part in the morning yoga class. He’d tried to talk me into it, but I had no interest in doing downward-facing dog in front of a nationwide audience. If cameras added ten pounds, I had no doubt every one of them would congregate on my ass.
Kyle smiled at me from his pretzel pose. I waved at him, but as he attempted to return the friendly gesture, he ungracefully tipped over. Even Summer, in her heightened state of Zen, couldn’t suppress a smile. I laughed joyfully at his carefree antics. I couldn’t ever remember being so lighthearted and happy. All the stresses of the normal world just melted away out here. And I credited Kyle with my newfound sunny disposition. His zest for life was contagious, and so endearing. I loved that he seemed up for anything.Uugghh. There I go again.Soon I would be naming our cat.
After the hour was up, Kyle took a dip in the ocean and then came ambling up the beach toward me, looking stiff and uncomfortable, his face contorted in a strange grimace. I felt the fluttering in my chest as he drew near. I imagined him wrapping me in a hug as he lifted me off the sand, spun me around, and kissed me in a display of loving devotion. Instead, my little fantasy zipped to an abrupt end when Kyle halted in front of me and squirted a mouthful of salty ocean water directly in my face.
“Kyle!” I screeched, standing there in complete and utter shock as water slid down my forehead into my eyes, stinging them something fierce.
His laughter was cut short as he caught sight of my murderous expression. I struggled to rub the acid wash sensation from my eyes, all the while attempting to kick and punch him in retaliation. He easily avoided my assault by taking one giant step back, and since I couldn’t see a damn thing, he was fairly safe where he stood.
“Grow up,” I hissed. “I’m blind, thanks to you.”
“Oh, geez, I’m sorry,” he said, failing to suppress his smile. Kyle reached out to help me wipe the water off my cheeks, but I slapped his hand away. He’d ruined my romantic daydream, and I wasn’t ready to accept his barely-there apology.
“I wasn’t aiming for your eyes.”
