On Thanksgiving Day, the Malibu estate was filled with the warm aroma of food and the sound of laughter.
That afternoon, George Lucas and his family arrived right on time, and the entrance to the estate immediately grew lively. Lucas's youngest son, nine-year-old Jack, stepped out of the car with shining eyes and rushed toward Irene like a little cannonball.
"Irene! I've watched the trailer for your new movie ten times! You're the best director!" Jack looked up at her, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "I've decided—I want to be a director when I grow up, just like you. You're so cool!"
George Lucas pretended to be jealous. "Didn't you say before that Dad was the greatest director in your heart?"
Jack looked at Irene on his left, then at his father on his right, caught between the two.
Unable to hold back her laughter, Irene decided to help him out of his predicament. She crouched to meet his eyes and gently patted his shoulder. "Thank you, Jack. Then you'll have to study hard, especially how to tell a story. I'm sure you'll make wonderful movies someday. For now, come have some little cakes with us. I made them myself."
At the mention of cake, Jack took Irene's hand without hesitation and led her inside.
George Lucas watched them with a warm smile.
He was an old friend of Francis's and Irene's godfather. Watching Irene grow from a little girl into a director who could stand on her own filled him with pride.
As everyone enjoyed their aperitifs, he naturally asked Irene about her new film.
"You've made two teen comedies set in school in a row. Do you have anything else planned next?"
Irene paused in the middle of feeding Jack a piece of cake and answered confidently, "I