Brent and Kem hadn’t slept in different quarters in over two months. It seemed strange to Kem to be at home by herself. Brent was away filming a short film for the weekend. He was doing one of his friends a favor. She admired him for that because, from what she understood, he wouldn’t be getting paid for the gig.
It was the middle of January and cold. Being alone had given her plenty of time to think. She’d been upset with her mom for not being completely truthful with her but she was able to forgive her. She realized her mom was a woman and sometimes a hurt woman would do things that were unheard of. Her lashing out at her dad was all she knew. She should have lashed out at Sam, the man who didn’t want anything to do with her after their affair was discovered. The treatment of her dad was a result of misplaced anger.
When it came to Kyle, Kem’s heart was melting slowly. But she still wasn’t in a place where she totally trusted him. She wanted to but she kept asking herself why he hadn’t reached out to her once she grew up. He’d responded to her questions concerning it, but Kem couldn’t wrap her head around his response. She’d hoped he would have gotten the nerves to contact her.
Aunt Edna tried to talk to her a few times about it. She tried to impress on her that people make mistakes. We could either choose to forgive them and move past them or keep holding on to anger and be miserable.
Kem decided to release the pent-up anger. She would move past her insecurities in her own time but she’d just wished it would happen sooner.
Sean Maxwell’s latest hit was her ring tone. When she heard the song, “Loving You…Is All I Ever Wanted to Do,” she knew it was Brent calling.
“What are you doing?” Brent asked.
“Nothing. Just sitting here thinking about life.”
“Anything you want to share?”
“No. I’m good. I want to bridge this gap between me and my father but don’t know how.”
“Baby, I told you just take your time. You guys are still talking every week, right?”
“Yes. Sometimes I want to call him but don’t.”
“Then change that. The next time the urge hits to call him, do it. Don’t think about it, just do it.”
Kem thought about it. Brent was right. She wanted to talk to her father so as soon as they hung up she did just that. She called Kyle. Kem talked to him for over an hour. The only reason they got off the phone was because his phone started beeping because the battery indicator came on.
Kem felt better after their call ended. She sent Brent a quick text letting him know she’d talked to Kyle and appreciated the suggestion.
Brent missed having Kem by his side. It’d been two days since they’d seen each other. The schedule was tight because of his friend’s low budget. This was also Brent’s first project where he would be listed as a producer so he was excited about the twenty-minute short film.
Once the film wrapped, he hopped on the earliest flight to Los Angeles he could get. He’d arrived back in Los Angeles around three in the morning, so instead of going to Kem’s place, he went home.
A few hours later, he was awakened by the sound of the chirping birds near his window. He squinted his eyes as the bright sun beamed through the curtains. He grabbed his phone off the nightstand and sent Kem a message. He was due on set later that afternoon so he didn’t have to rush to get dressed.
Aunt Edna met him at the end of the stairway. “Hi, Auntie.”
“Brent, baby. There’s a slew of reporters outside. I had to call the police to get them off the property.”
“Aunt Edna, you should have woke me up.”
“Truthfully, I didn’t know you were even here until I saw your suitcase by the door.”
“I was so tired. I didn’t feel like bringing it up the stairs.”
“I don’t know why they are out there, but apparently they want to talk to you.”
“I’m getting ready to go to the studio. I’ll find out what they want when I leave.”
“I didn’t see anything on the news. The Internet service is down so I couldn’t check online.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s probably a slow news day.” Brent went to the kitchen and grabbed a quick bite to eat.
The doorbell rang. “Aunt Edna, I got it,” Brent yelled.
Brent went to the front door. He peered into the peephole and then opened the door. “Charlotte. Jason. What are you two doing here?”
Jason Lewis, wearing a crisp, blue pinstripe suit walked in right behind Charlotte, who was wearing a gray dress suit with a purple blouse. Jason was one of Charlotte’s top associates at her management firm.
Charlotte’s phone was up to her ear. “We’ll be in touch,” Charlotte said to the person on the phone.
“We came to get your side of the story,” Jason said.
Brent shrugged his shoulders. “About what?”
“The child you threw away.”
“The…what?” Brent stuttered.
“Jason, you could have asked him more delicately.” Charlotte looked at Brent. “Let’s take this to the living room.”
“I still don’t understand what this is all about.”
Once they were seated, Charlotte explained. “There’s a woman named Alize Jenkins who swears you are her son’s father. She’s been paid by several news sources to give an interview and it will be airing later today.”
“She’s lying.” Brent frowned.
Jason added, “This reporter, Sandy Blair—someone I can’t stand, by the way—claims she’s seen proof of a birth certificate with your name and signature on it.”
The veins in Brent’s forehead seemed like they wanted to pop. “Whatever that woman says is a lie.”
“Do you know her?” Charlotte asked. Charlotte’s phone rang. She sent the call to voice mail.
“Yes. She’s my ex-girlfriend, but her son is not my child.”
“Are you sure?” Charlotte asked.
“I’m positive.”
“Is this your signature?” Jason placed his iPad in front of Brent’s face.
Brent stared at the photo of a birth certificate with his name and signature on it. It brought back old memories. “Yes. That is my signature on the birth certificate but I am telling you, Alize’s son is not mine.”
“Brent, you’ve got some explaining to do, buddy. And you need to start now because this story has gotten out of control,” Charlotte said.
Brent wasn’t sure if she was coming at him like that as his manager or because of the concern for her friend. Either way, he didn’t like her attitude.
“Charlotte, no disrespect, but what happened in my past is no one’s business. All you need to know is that Alize is lying. The child is not mine and it’s been proven.”
Charlotte eased her stance. “Then help me help you. You just confirmed that’s your signature on the birth certificate.”
“I don’t have the information right now, but let me make some phone calls and then I can get you the information you’re requesting. But I want you both to know this is some bull. I’m going to be in touch with my attorney and sue for defamation of character. If there’s nothing else, I need to get dressed so I can go to work. You can see your way out.”
Brent clenched his fists. He was so upset that he stormed out of the den, leaving Charlotte and Jason behind.