Chapter 45
Late on Friday afternoon, Grant McCarthy was home alone when he received a delivery of flowers. “Thank you,” he said to the young man who’d brought them from the island florist.
“Have a nice day.”
“You, too.” Grant took the vase of multicolored roses into the kitchen, placed them on the counter and then found the card.
Since we didn’t know what to send a fancy award-winning screenwriter on his big night with the hometown crowd, we hope roses will do. We’re so proud of you, Stephanie and Charlie and so sorry to miss the premiere. We can’t wait to see the movie!
Love you, Mac & Maddie + 5
Touched by the gesture and the sweet words, Grant put through a call to his older brother.
“Hey, bud,” Mac said. “How’s it going?”
“I should be asking you that. Thanks for the flowers. You guys didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, we did. We feel bad about missing it.”
“You’ve got the best possible excuse. I’ll make sure you get your own private screening when you get back.”
“We’ll look forward to that.”
“How are Maddie and the babies today?”
“Everyone’s doing well. The girls are still in the NICU for the time being, but we’re told that’s a good thing because they can keep a really close eye on them there.
They want to keep them another week or so, and then we’ll move to Frank’s house for another week so we can be close to the hospital if need be.
That’s the plan at the moment, anyway. Of course, we’re dying to get back to the other kids, too. ”
“They miss you, but they’re doing okay.”
“Thank God for Mom, Francine, Tiffany, Kelsey and everyone else who has helped. It takes a village to have twins on the mainland when you have three little ones on an island.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Are you ready for tonight?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“How about Steph?”
“I don’t know, she hasn’t said much about it. I’m trying to play it cool with her. I don’t want her to feel pressured to see it if it’ll hurt her.”
“Sounds like the best way to play it.”
“I have to be honest. I’ve been kind of caught up in the details and so excited about the way it came together that I hadn’t given enough thought to how it would affect her to see her story played out this way.”
“She was foremost in your mind the whole way through, Grant. I have no doubt about that. It’s an amazing story, and she and Charlie deserve all the praise and publicity they’re getting—and so do you. I’m hearing there’s lots of Oscar talk attached to this film.”
“Ack, don’t even say it. You’ll jinx us.”
Mac laughed. “I won’t say it. I’ll just wish you all the best.”
“Thanks again for the flowers.”
“Break a leg, bro.”
“Give Maddie and the babies a kiss from us.”
“Will do. Talk soon.”
Grant took a shower, shaved and got changed into a dress shirt and khakis, which were much more in keeping with the Gansett Island vibe than the tuxedo he’d worn to the Hollywood premiere.
He thought about stopping at the Bistro on his way to the theater, but decided not to because he honestly didn’t want Stephanie to feel pressured.
Friday nights in August were busy at the restaurant, so she might not make it, and he was fine with that. After spending the better part of the last two years fully immersed in her story and Charlie’s, Grant understood better than just about anyone how painful it might be for them to see the film.
He loved them both too much to ask more of them than they’d already given to make this project possible. Besides, Stephanie had offered to host the after-party at the Bistro, so she was probably overseeing last-minute details.
When he arrived at the theater, he was greeted by a crowd of family members and friends that included his parents, siblings, uncles, cousins, Dan and Kara Torrington, and just about everyone else he knew on the island. He couldn’t think of anyone who wasn’t there.
They applauded when he walked in, embarrassing him with their effusiveness.
Grant spent a few minutes greeting his guests before making his way to the stage in the front of the room.
He’d thought a lot about what he wanted to say to this hometown group about Stephanie and Charlie and the film.
When he had their attention, he stepped up to the microphone his brother Adam had helped him set up earlier.
The theater was rather basic, and as such, he’d enlisted Adam to make sure everything was good to go.
He couldn’t help but wonder what his friends in Hollywood would think of the Gansett Island theater.
They would look down their noses at it, but it was right here in this musty room with the folding chairs and the headlights shining through the windows that he’d fallen in love with movies and visual storytelling.
“Good evening, everyone, and thank you so much for being here for the Gansett Island premiere of Indefatigable. As most of you know, Indefatigable tells the story of my wife Stephanie’s fourteen-year effort to free her stepfather, Charlie Grandchamp, from unjust incarceration.
After meeting Stephanie, hearing her story and falling in love with her, I thought I understood what she’d been through.
But it was only when I delved into the writing of the screenplay that I found out I only knew a fraction of it.
The more I learned about Stephanie and Charlie, the more I loved and respected them both for not only surviving an ordeal that would’ve ruined lesser people, but for who they are now in the aftermath of this story.
We named the film Indefatigable in honor of Stephanie’s unyielding determination to right a terrible wrong, against the greatest of odds.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Indefatigable. ”
While the audience applauded, Grant left the stage and went to sit in the front row next to his parents. His dad patted him on the back and beamed a proud smile as the opening credits played.
Two hours and twenty-one minutes later, the closing credits began scrolling as the audience burst into wild applause.
Grant noticed both his parents mopping up tears.
“It was magnificent,” Linda said. “Even after all this time that we’ve known Stephanie… I still had no idea.”
“Congratulations, son,” Big Mac said. “It’s a triumph for everyone involved.”
“Thanks, guys. So glad you enjoyed it.” Grant returned to the stage to accept a standing ovation.
“Thank you so much, everyone. I have so many people to thank. First and foremost, to my parents, Mac and Linda, who told me I could be anything I wanted, even a screenwriter. The team at Quantum Productions, especially Hayden Roth, Kristian Bowen, Jasper Autry and the incomparable Flynn Godfrey, who brought this story to life, along with the incredible cast and crew and all the many people involved. I want to send a special shout-out to my friend and attorney extraordinaire Dan Torrington, without whom this story might’ve ended very differently. ”
Grant paused to lead another rousing round of applause for Dan, who stood and took a bow.
Then Grant saw them, Steph and Charlie… in the back, standing against the wall, side by side as they’d been from the beginning of their incredible story.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw Stephanie wiping tears from her face as she smiled and clapped for Dan, who’d saved them both by intervening in Charlie’s case.
“Finally,” Grant said, contending with a huge wave of emotion that he battled through, “I’d like to acknowledge my beautiful, courageous wife, Stephanie Logan McCarthy, and her beloved stepfather, Charlie Grandchamp.
” He held out his arm to indicate their location in the back, and everyone turned to face them as they applauded.
Grant came down off the stage and headed down the center aisle.
Stephanie met him halfway, nearly leaping into his outstretched arms. She held on tight to him as she whispered in his ear, “It was incredible. Absolutely incredible.”
It was the best review he’d ever gotten—and the only one that mattered.
The after-party at the Bistro was packed with friends and family, celebrating Stephanie and Charlie, both of whom seemed to be enjoying the limelight.
Julia Lawry was doing a set onstage with her brother Owen and Evan. The three of them were magic together.
“What a night,” Big Mac said to Linda as he sat with her, Adam, Abby, Grant, Stephanie, Grace, Joe and Janey.
Charlie and Sarah were holding court at another table, with her parents, Russ and Adele, along with Jeff, John, Cindy, Katie, Shane, Laura, Frank and Betsy.
“What a week,” Linda said. “Did you ever hear any more about what caused the power failure?”
“Apparently, it was due to lightning striking a substation on the mainland. Took them a few days to figure out where the problem was and then another couple of days to get it fixed.”
“Everyone who doesn’t have a generator is talking about getting one.”
“I’m so glad we got ours after the last big blizzard.”
Oliver and Dara were sitting with Ned, Francine, Kevin, Chelsea, Riley, Nikki, Finn, Chloe, Mason and Jordan.
Over dinner at the lighthouse the other night, they’d convinced their new friends to come to the premiere and the after-party so they could introduce them to more island residents.
So far, they’d met the Martinez brothers and their wives as well as Slim and Erin and many of their other island friends.
“They seem to be having a nice time,” Big Mac said, using his chin to direct her attention to the Watkins. He’d asked his brothers and Ned to help make them feel welcome.
“They do. I’m glad they agreed to come.”
“Me, too. They seem to really like it here so far.”
“What’s not to like?” Linda asked, grinning.
“There’s nothing not to like about Gansett Island. It’s good to see Chloe out and about, too. Kev said the new meds are giving her relief.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. I hate to see her suffering. We had a meeting yesterday about the new spa at the hotel. She has so many great ideas. It’s going to be awesome when it opens in the spring, and she’s going to be a wonderful manager.”