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Now, I was here again. The nerves were still there, but certainly not the same ones. Montgomery House was perfect. Or as perfect as I could get it. If no one else liked it, then I’d done my very best, and I knew it for the masterpiece it was. I was confident in the movie and what Maddox and I had accomplished together.
Because this was as much his triumph as it was mine. I was certain that I never could have done what I’d done with him. Together, we were a formidable team.
“This looks good on you,” Maddox said, sliding a hand down my hip.
“The dress that Amelia made for me?”
“Confidence.”
I grinned back at him. “It’s the best that I can do. I love the movie. I cry every time I watch it. No matter how many times I watch it. I even saw you shed a tear.”
He brought my mouth up to his. “It’s perfectly you, Jos.”
“Thank you for all your help.”
“It was fun.”
And he was right. It had been fun. Even in the stressful months when we’d had to flit between Savannah and LA while he was working on the next superhero film. Even in the hours of post-production when I had been certain we’d have to do reshoots. Even through the tears that it wouldn’t come together, I would always rather be working on it than anything else. Working for myself than another director.
I’d made a speech before the showing of Montgomery House. It was the only showing there would be since I’d sent it out to all the major film festivals—Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, Venice, and so many more. I couldn’t officially premiere it before I was accepted, but all of my friends had wanted to see it. So, I’d rented out Trustees Theater for the night—the same exact theater where my first film had premiered at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival a decade earlier—and invited all of my friends in to see it.
No red carpet.
No celebrities.
Nothing special.
Just me with a microphone, thanking everyone for coming and welcoming them to my favorite movie, based on a true story—Montgomery House.
My mom and dad were in the first row, holding hands. They hadn’t made anything official, but I had a feeling it was only a matter of time. Lila and Cole sat next to Derek and Marley. Amelia was a row behind them with her cousin Marina. No Ash Talmadge in sight. My SCAD film advisor was in the audience. Martin was there with his latest girlfriend. Iris and the rest of the cast and crew, who had come into Savannah for the showing, took up the back half of the audience. All of my favorite people in one place.
The credits rolled, and to my utter shock, every single person in the stadium got to their feet and applauded. My hand went to my mouth at the standing ovation. Tears in my eyes.
Maddox gave me a little shove. “Go on. Accept everything you deserve.”
I laughed and stumbled forward. The cheers only got louder when I appeared. Maddox jogged out a microphone to me.
“Thank you. Thank you so much. I couldn’t be happier that each and every one of you was in attendance for the first official viewing of Montgomery House. We’re still waiting to hear about any of the film festivals and a possible theatrical release, but I wanted all of you to see it first. Special shout-out to my mother, Rebecca Montgomery, who the script is based off. And all the cast and crew, who put their hearts and souls into it. Especially my boyfriend, Maddox Nelson, who, without his genius, this never would have been possible.”
I gestured offstage and waved for him to come out. He hated the spotlight, but he walked out with all the confidence that I knew him capable of. He waved at our friends and family as they cheered me on, and together, we took a small bow.
Maddox took the microphone from me and stepped back. “Ladies and gentlemen, Josephine Reynolds!”
The crowd went wild at my introduction. I bowed again, thanking them all profusely.
When the room finally cleared, it was just my friends and family backstage. I hugged them all and agreed to go out on River Street with them to celebrate.
“Mom? Dad? You in?” I asked.
They laughed and shook their heads.
“All you, sweetheart,” Dad said, kissing my cheek.
“We’re going to call it an early night,” Mom said with a wink.
“Ew, I’m still your daughter,” I said but couldn’t help laughing.
“We love you.”
“I love you too. Both of you.”
My mother was still the ridiculous, over-the-top woman she’d always been. But when she looked at my dad, she was just a girl again. And the feeling seemed to be mutual. I was happy for them.
We waved good-bye and then grabbed jackets and trekked down the cobblestone streets toward River Street. Our friends headed into the nearest bar, but Maddox tugged me away. I laughed but jogged across the street to lean against the railing and look out at the paddleboat coming in.
