Kem woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. After getting home the night before she was exhausted and went to bed early. She waltzed into the studio and the first person she ran into was Brent. He stood outside her office door holding a brown paper bag.
“Hi. Aunt Edna thought you could use this.” He dangled the bag in the air.
Kem unlocked her door. Brent followed behind her. Kem took the bag, opened it and removed the breakfast.
“Your aunt is spoiling me. Is she coming today?”
“Yes. The car will bring her around noon. We’re having lunch and then I’ll be preparing for the afternoon shoot.”
“Great. When she gets here, let me know.”
Kem spread the strawberry jelly on one slice of bread. She didn’t realize Brent was still standing there.
“Have you checked your voice mail ?” Brent asked.
“No, not yet,” Kem responded in between bites.
“I know it’s sort of last minute, but do you have a date for the awards show?”
Kem wiped her mouth with a napkin. “No. I’m going solo.”
Brent walked closer. “Would you like to go as my date?”
“Now you know that wouldn’t be a good idea. People would get to talking and I try my best to stay out of the tabloids.”
“It’s nobody’s business. Besides, it wouldn’t be odd seeing us on the red carpet because we work together.”
“I would rather not give them anything to talk about.” Kem noticed the rejected look on Brent’s face. She added, “We can compromise. If you get there first, save me a seat. If I get there first, I’ll save you a seat.”
“I’ll take that,” Brent responded, but didn’t sound too enthused.
“I don’t mean to kick you out of my office, but I need some privacy as I go through my voice mail and emails.”
“I’m out. I’ll let you know when Aunt Edna gets here.”
“Please do.”
Without another word, Kem turned on her computer with one hand while eating the rest of her breakfast sandwich with the other.
After eating lunch in his trailer, Brent tried to deter Aunt Edna from bothering Kem. “Kem’s busy. I will take you to meet her on set in about thirty minutes.”
“Nonsense boy. The girl has to eat. Now, where’s her office or do I need to ask someone else?” She tapped her foot while holding a plastic bag with a container of food.
Brent felt like he had no choice but to do what his aunt wanted. “Follow me.” Brent held the door open and Aunt Edna walked out.
He located the first golf cart he could find and helped her onto it. She held on to the bag with one hand and the side of the golf cart with the other as Brent rode through the lot toward the office.
Brent introduced his aunt to some of his costars as they made their way down the hall toward Kem’s office. Her door was wide open. With the phone up to her ear, she motioned with her hand for them to enter.
Kem placed her hand over the receiver. “Have a seat. I’ll be off in a minute.”
“And that is covered by my warranty, right?” Brent heard Kem say to the person on the phone. Brent assisted his aunt as she sat in one seat and he sat in the other.
Kem ended her call. “I should have my car back by Friday. But Aunt Edna, you didn’t come here to talk about my problems. Thank you for breakfast this morning.”
Aunt Edna handed Kem a white plastic bag. “I’ve brought you lunch too.”
Kem chuckled. “I’m trying to lose weight but it’ll be impossible if you keep feeding me like this.”
Aunt Edna responded, “You’re from the South. You know us Southern girls have curves.”
Aunt Edna and Kem laughed.
Kem said, “I’ve always been a curvy girl.”
“Southern men love women with curves, don’t they, Brent?” Aunt Edna looked in Brent’s direction.
“Yes, ma’am,” Brent responded. He loved Kem’s curves. He wished they were alone so he could kiss her luscious red lips.
“Boy, stop drooling and go get me and Kem something to drink.” She fumbled in her purse for some money.
“Aunt Edna, I got it. What would you like?” Brent asked.
“Water for me,” Kem said.
“A diet Coke. No substitute,” Aunt Edna responded.
Brent didn’t know if he should leave the two alone but he did.
When he returned with their drinks, they were laughing. The moment he entered the room, they got silent.
He handed them their drinks. “You didn’t have to stop talking.”
“Boy, wasn’t anyone talking about you,” Aunt Edna stated. “We were talking about her characters. I shared with her some changes I think she should make.”
“Kem, I apologize for my aunt overstepping her boundaries.”
“Her suggestions were good. I’d gotten stuck on this scene and her suggestions helped. I might have her read some more of the scripts to see what she thinks.”
“I could be sort of like a script consultant,” Aunt Edna added.
“Good thought. I’ll contact human resources. I’ll find out what information they need so we can pay you. I wouldn’t dare have you do it for free.”
“Say what?” Brent didn’t like the fact his aunt was going to be working with Kem.
“What? You got a problem with me working with Kem?” It was as if Aunt Edna could read his mind. A skill she seemed to have had all her life.
“No, but, you’re retired. I thought you were tired of working.”
“I’m still young enough to enjoy life. I’ve always wanted to work in Hollywood and now darling Kem is giving me an opportunity. You should be happy for your old aunt.”
“I am, but…I just thought…” Brent’s voice trailed off.
Kem said, “Brent, no worries. I’m not going to overload her.”
“Chile’, work with me. I’ve waited all my life for something like this.”
Kem looked at Brent and shrugged her shoulders.
Brent responded, “Fine. I need to go change.”
“She’s in good hands. Don’t worry,” Kem stated.
Aunt Edna added, “Go. We’ll see you on set.”
Kem and Aunt Edna laughed. Brent didn’t.