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Then there was Maddox.
Because he had worked on a host of blockbuster films and seen his fair share of direction. Plus, he had the opposite expertise of me. He knew post-production and angles and settings. He saw the half of the picture that I was missing.
Eventually, a script had been shaped out of the journal. Scenes came into focus. Everything fit together like the ingredients for Gran’s perfect biscuit recipe.
I’d phoned in some favors to get actors in for the roles. The scheduling was a nightmare, to say the least. But I was excited that at least I’d gotten Iris in for a part. The role of my dad was easily the most difficult to cast, and Edward was the easiest. A young me had also been challenging, but officially, the film was set. And we were doing everything to not go over budget.
Which was why we were digging through my mom’s boxes.
“Found it!” I cheered.
I ripped open a box to find an array of tulle, big puffy sleeves, oversize blazers with shoulder pads, mom jeans, velvet track suits, and more.
“Oh my God,” I gasped. I held up a ruffled hot-pink dress with massive sleeves. “Why did you keep all of this?”
“I hate getting rid of things,” my mom said. “And that was my senior prom dress, mind you.”
I burst into giggles. Even Maddox chuckled.
“Here’s a box of Edward’s clothes too.” She removed clothes that looked like they had come straight out of a John Hughes film. “Well, will it do?”
“1988 has never looked so good.”
“Ready?” Maddox whispered against my ear.
I leaned back into him, soaking up his warmth and encouragement. He’d shown me the sets he’d designed for his visual effects studio on his computer. I’d oohed and aahed in amazement that I was going to get to use the studio for the cost of utilities and his assistants. I’d tried to pay him in some way multiple times, but he’d winked and carried me to bed.
“Ready,” I said.
The lights flicked on, and the LED screen projected back the landscape of Forsyth Park. My heart hammered. It looked just like we were in the park, only a few miles away. As if I could reach out and touch it. I’d seen the system used to make Academy, but that had been a Faerie world. It hadn’t been real. This felt … even more incredible because I couldn’t tell the difference.
“You’re brilliant.”
“Thanks. I know.”
I pushed him, and he just laughed.
“Don’t get cocky.”
He nipped at my ear. “You like me that way.”
“In the bedroom.”
He snorted. “Fair. Are you ready for your first scene, Director?”
I got ecstatic at that word. “I’m fucking ready.”
I’d been in hair and makeup all morning, re-creating my mother’s infamous ’80s hair. The wild curls with more volume than I’d thought was possible. I was in a simple dress that set off my eyes and layers of makeup. And I was ready.
I stepped into the room for my directorial debut. A clapperboard cracked in front of me.
“Montgomery House. Scene one. Take one.”
And then I was walking forward through Forsyth Park, taking the short trek to Abercorn and getting my first look at Edward’s family’s historical home—Montgomery House. I’d have a voice-over speaking during this opening scene. But for now, it was just me wandering through Savannah and staring up at the house that had haunted me.
“Cut,” I called and turned around. “How’d it go?”
I dashed back over to look at the film and watched that momentous first walk, giddy with anticipation. Tears came to my eyes all over again. It was really happening. Really, really happening.
I shot Maddox a thumbs-up, and he nodded his head. I glanced over and found my dad, of all people, walking into the room. And standing next to him was my mom.
My eyes rounded, and I jumped out of the director’s seat and straight for them. “Hey, this is a surprise!”
“I didn’t want to miss your first big day,” Mom said.
“And I … read the journal you left at my house,” Dad said.
“Really?”
“So, I called Rebecca to ask if she wouldn’t mind if I came over to discuss it with her. And she invited me to the set.”
I looked between my parents. “You went over to Montgomery House?”
“Well, I didn’t go inside,” Dad admitted. “Haven’t wanted to be in that house in a couple decades.” He laughed, brushing it off. “But it was good to talk to your mom here.”
My mom’s eyes were only for my dad. After all this time, did she still love him? They hadn’t spoken since my college graduation. I was sure it had been longer than that since they’d said a civil word to one another. My movie was doing more good than I’d even known possible.
“I’m glad you’re both here. I love to see you two in the same place. Dad, you’re free to come down anytime. Maddox and I have a guest bedroom too, you know?”
