Chloe dropped to the ground, spent, drained, empty, waitingfor Jeremiah to call cut. Instead, he loomed over her with the camera as she continued to die.
The director zoomed in, smiling, giving her a thumbs-up, mouthing, “Amazing!”
On the winter field, where an ancient battle for freedom had been fought and won, Chloe Daschle found her own freedom, dying to her fears, her reputation, her resumé of death scenes, and even her desire for true love.
When Jeremiah called, “Cut,” she pushed up from the ground smiling, alive, because she was finally and truly free.
“That’s a wrap, everyone.” Jeremiah drew Chloe into his arms as they stood among the trees, the day just beginning. “I have chills. That was incredible.”
The actors and crew applauded while Margo from craft services popped bottles of champagne.
The other actors patted her on the back.
“Chloe, what an ending.”
“Take that, Zarzour.”
“I can’t find that line in the script. Where did you come up with it?”
Just like that, Chloe’s inspired improvisation breathed a bit of life back into the cast and crew.
When the champagne had been poured, Jeremiah gathered everyone together, his glass raised. “We were dealt a blow on this one, but you are all my heroes. Thank you for your hard work. And, Chloe, wow, what a way to end it.”
The cast and crew applauded her again. She smiled, trembling under her costume, shaken by the emotion of the scene and the power of her declaration.
Death, you cannot have me!She felt healed from a disease she didn’t know possessed her. As if she’d lost thirty pounds of emotional baggage.
“To Jesse Gates andBound by Love,” Jeremiah said.
The cast and crew chorused, “To Jesse andBound by Love.”
But the celebration was short-lived. A car awaited Jeremiah and Chris and the crew heading to New Zealand with them. Assistant director Sharon Lee would remain behind to oversee their exit from Chesnee.
Chloe sank to the ground, her legs unable to hold her any longer. Chris strode toward her with a cocky grin, his buckskin garb stained with fake blood. Dropping to the ground next to her, he roped his arm around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss on her forehead. “Way to kick death in the teeth. Where’d that banshee yell come from?”
She rested her arms atop her raised knees, the dark-blue wool skirt covering her legs and feet. “I don’t know... it just came out.” She peered at Chris. “Was I really okay?”
“You had me in tears.” He took a small sip of his champagne, then poured out the rest. “I sorta like being alcohol-free. And yes, Chloe, you were really okay. More than okay. Best death scene I’ve ever seen.”
Jeremiah stooped down in front of her, cupping her face in his hands. “You... I’m still playing that moment over and over in my head. I am so proud of you. I know dying was a huge disappointment, but wow! You best get an Oscar nod. I’ll personally campaign for it.”
“Me too.” Chris popped Jeremiah a high five.
“Thank you.” Chloe motioned to where she’d flown through the air, shouting down death. “I’m sorry about my spontaneous—”
“Roar?” Chris said. “Don’t be. You rattled my bones.”
Jer grinned. “Rattled your bones? Well, that’s one way of putting it.” He motioned to Chris. “We should get going. I have twenty-four hours at home, and I want to see my kids and make love to my wife.”
“TMI, Jer.” Chris hopped up, reaching down to help Chloe. “Have you heard from Jesse?”
She shook her head. Her adrenaline had ebbed, but the calm remained. She was strong and alive.
“I texted him,” Chris said with a sigh. “He never responded.”
“Chris.” Jeremiah walked backward to the limo waiting on Green River Road, motioning for his star to come along. “Let’s go.”
“See you back in LA.” Chris kissed her cheek, started away, then returned. “Hey, Chloe, I just want to say... you know... if I hurt you back in the day, or made you think—”
