Over the next few weeks, Kem’s life was busy with an aggressive filming schedule. In addition, Aunt Edna’s input on some of the scripts proved to be invaluable. It allowed Kem the opportunity to concentrate on other tasks.
This particular day, Kem experienced a grueling schedule of ten hours. The cast and crew were tired and ready for the day to end. No one saw the light fixture about to fall on Kem’s head, except for Brent who ran and pushed her out of the way. This move saved Kem, but part of the light fixture hit Brent on the back of his leg.
Everyone crowded around them. Kem was now on the floor with Brent on top of her. One of the crew members moved the light fixture off Brent’s leg.
“Are you all right?” Brent asked Kem.
Kem’s voice shook. “I’m a little shaken, but what about you? Some of it fell on your leg.”
They were helped up by a few crew members.
“Somebody call 9-1-1,” one of the crew members said.
“I’m fine. Just get the onsite medic here to wrap it up and I’ll be fine,” Brent insisted.
“You’re sure? Because it tore your pants and I see some blood,” the crew member noted.
Ellen ran to them holding a sheet of paper. “I’ll take care of the incident report. Everyone, the rest of the shoot is cancelled until we can get someone in here to check out these light fixtures.”
Meanwhile, the onsite medic checked on Brent’s legs. Brent insisted he was fine but Kem wanted to make sure. She cared about Brent, and the idea that he could be hurt concerned her.
“Brent, are you sure you’re okay? That thing looked heavy.” Kem frowned.
“I’m fine. No need to make a big deal out of it.”
Brent stood.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be walking on that leg,” Kem noted.
“I’m fine, see?” Brent took a few steps, frowned and clenched his teeth.
“I’m driving you home,” Kem insisted.
“I can drive. My leg’s fine,” Brent assured her again.
Kem felt guilty that Brent had gotten hurt trying to push her out of the way. “At least let me buy you dinner. That’s the least I can do for you saving me from getting hurt or worse.”
“If you insist. But you don’t have to.”
Kem wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I’ll wait on you to change clothes then I’ll meet you at my car in about an hour.”
Kem filled out the legal paperwork required by the studio. Ellen confirmed that all light fixtures would be checked. Filming for the following day had been cancelled to make sure they didn’t run into any more mishaps. The network wasn’t too happy about the show taking a full day off because it would eat into the show’s budget for the week, but the safety of her people was of the utmost importance.
Two hours later, Kem and Brent were seated in a quaint Italian bistro eating. Kem said, “Brent, I want to thank you again for pushing me out of the way.”
“I don’t know what made me look up. I looked toward the ceiling and, as if in slow motion, I saw one of the light fixtures moving. Then it appeared to break off and that’s when I looked down and saw you walking under it. Everything else was pure instinct. I knew I needed to get you out of harm’s way.”
“Thank God you did. Are you sure your leg’s all right?”
“It was throbbing but not anymore. I’m fine. The doctor gave me some antibiotics and if I’m in pain in the morning, I’ll go see my regular physician.”
“I feel guilty about you getting hurt on my account.”
“You shouldn’t. It was a freak accident.” Brent reached across the table and held her hand.
Kem looked into Brent’s eyes and for the first time allowed herself to see him. Really see him. There were no blinders. Nothing but love. They stared into each other’s eyes until the waiter returned with the bill.
Brent reached into his pocket to pay.
“I told you this one was on me,” Kem said. She removed her credit card and handed it to the waiter.
“Thank you. I got you the next time.”
“You’re confident there will be a next time?” Kem asked.
“Yes. But let’s hope it’s not because of an accident.” Brent chuckled.
Kem chuckled too. “Let’s hope not.”
Kem drove Brent home. She parked in front of his house and unbuckled her seatbelt.
“I’m a big boy. I can walk by myself.”
“I’m still concerned about your leg.”
“You’re such a worrywart.”
“Guilty. I’m like that about people I care about.”
Brent looked at Kem and smiled.
“What?” she asked.
Brent shook his head. “Nothing.” He unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the passenger door.
“If you need anything, call me,” Kem stated.
“Will do,” Brent responded.
Kem waited for him to go inside and then pulled away.
Brent didn’t know it, but his act of chivalry changed Kem’s entire attitude toward him. Maybe she was wrong for keeping him at a distance. He’d gone out of his way to protect her. Kem decided on her drive home that if Brent pursued her, she would no longer resist.
“Aunt Edna, I’m fine. I hate you had to hear about what happened on the news,” Brent said as he positioned himself on the couch.
Aunt Edna propped his leg up on a pillow. “You can never be too sure about these things. You could have been killed.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“What were you thinking?” Aunt Edna asked.
“I would rather it hit me than Kem. If I hadn’t pushed Kem out of the way, it would have hit her on the head and I hate to think about what could have happened.”
“Oh dear. I didn’t know. Well, I’m glad you were able to spare her, at least.”
“This is a day I’m glad you weren’t on set,” Brent confessed.
“Do you need anything else before I retire for the night?” Aunt Edna asked.
“Yes, can you hand me my phone? I was supposed to call Kem but needed to calm you down first.”
“Boy, why didn’t you say so? I’m sure she’s worried about you.”
Aunt Edna got his cell phone off the nearby table and handed it to him. “Tell her I said hi. And tell her she can call me to talk, even if it’s not about the scripts.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Brent scrolled through the contacts on his phone and dialed Kem’s number.
The phone rang and went to voice mail . Before he could redial, Kem’s name flashed across the screen. He hit the answer button.
“Sorry about that. My phone was in the bottom of my purse. By the time I got it, you’d hung up,” she rambled.
“I’m all settled in. Thanks to Aunt Edna,” Brent stated. He delivered Aunt Edna’s message to Kem.
“I’ve just been so busy. I’ve barely had time to talk to anyone outside of work lately. My friends are even complaining.”
“Soon we’ll be on a break so maybe you can get caught up with everyone.”
“Enough about me. Are you all right? You’re not just telling me that so I won’t feel guilty?” Kem asked, sounding concerned.
“I’m a soldier. I can handle it. I would do it again if it meant getting you out of harm’s way.”
“If you need anything, and I do mean anything, don’t hesitate to call me,” Kem said.
Brent decided to take advantage of the situation. “I do need one thing. I would ask Aunt Edna, but I don’t want her driving at night.”
“What? What do you need?”
“It’s not something I need. It’s just a want. I want some chocolate chip ice cream. Whenever I hurt myself growing up, my mom would give me a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream and it always made me feel better.”
“Anything else since I’m running to the store?”
“No, that’s it.” Brent smiled. Her response let him know she was coming.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. If you think of anything else while I’m out, call me.”
They ended the call. Brent stood and did a happy dance.
Aunt Edna walked in the room just at that moment. “I thought you were hurt.”
“I am but knowing Kem is on her way over gave me the lift of life I needed. It makes me feel all better.”
Aunt Edna shook her head. “I hope your little plan works out for you.”
“I didn’t plan on getting hurt but I might as well use it to my advantage. Don’t you agree?”
Aunt Edna opened her mouth to speak, but paused before speaking. “I’m staying out of your business. My lips are sealed.”
“Plan on cooking breakfast for three because we’ll be having company in the morning.”
“You got it all planned out, don’t you?” Aunt Edna asked.
Brent smiled. If things went his way, Kem would be spending the night.