Rebels Never Smile

Elvis

Elvis: finally home

The train back home was extremely dull. After months of sleeping in the day and singing all night, my body was still getting used to walking around in the bright sunlight shining through the corridor windows. I walked out of my prison cell shirtless since there ain't no use wearing 'em. It was hotter than Satan's armpits. I chuckled at myself at that one, thats something June would say. June. My baby. It was a long time since I'd seen her. I told her I would've been coming back but she don't know when exactly. I was going to surprise her. I made my way down the halls, to Bill and Scotty's room. I could hear them laughing from inside. I slid the door open to see Scotty in the corner, with his guitar on his lap and Bill was... attempting to sing. I sat beside Bill and put my arm around his shoulder. "How we doin' boys?" I screeched. Bill leaned into my arms and mocked a girls face, " Oh Elvis, we love you!" He said in a high pitched voice. Scotty laughed heartily and I threw him off me. "Now, now little girl Elvis is goin' on break." I said sarcastically. "Oh but from what I heard, Elvis don't take breaks!" Bill hollered from the edge of his seat. We all laughed till we could just about choke. We were homesick and every minute we got closer to our homes, we got closer to our hearts.

It was about midnight when we arrived. My parents and Scotty's wife were already there. The air was cool, and there was a sense of rejoice in it. Scotty ran to his wife and lifted her off the air before setting her down to hug her. My parents watched lovingly, my daddy's arm around my mama's shoulder. Bill went along with Scotty and hugged both of them. I made my way to my mama and daddy and we all stood smiling at each other before mama's tears made me a happy man. I wrapped my arms around her and Daddy wrapped his arms around us. I hadn't noticed I was crying until Mama pulled away and pointed it out. " Baby, ain't no need to cry, yous about made us as proud as no other parents in the world!" She beamed, wiping away my tears. " Oh how I missed you Mama." I whispered, once again burying my head in her shoulder.

Daddy drove home, while I sat in the front. Mama had fell asleep and daddy was still patting my back from time to time, mumbling about how proud a daddy he was. My mind wondered off to the one person my heart had ached so long for. I wondered what June was doing, and what she was thinking. She was probably sleeping since it was late. I sighed at the thought of finally lacing my fingers in her hair and looking into her beautiful eyes. I trembled as I remembered the last time we kissed, how close we had been to losing ourselves into the night, how strong she was. Most of all, I missed the feeling of her lips against mine, and I so wanted to see her once again.

We arrived very late, a few hours past midnight, and I walked Mama up the stairs. I chuckled at the thought of living in a poor place, knowing full well I could buy a bigger, more magnificent house, all for my Mama. As soon as I settled her in, I went back outside and looked down, to June's window. I sighed and gripped the bars, wishing so badly I could see her. " Now don't go disturbin that poor girl's sleep son." Daddy's voice rang out through the coolness of the air. I chuckled because I was really considering knocking on her window this late, even if I knew her daddy wouldn't like it. "She missed you almost more than you miss her son." He said again, moving beside me in the darkness. "How so?" I asked, thinking about how much I missed her these past few months, how much I wish I could see her in this moment now that she's so close. It seemed almost impossible. "Son, think of it this way, you was out in the world, having fun, playin round with the guys, messin around with them girls, you was in a different planet, and she was here, waitin for ya, sleepin by the phone just so you could disrupt her sleepin, I'm just sayin..." He trailed off. I couldn't hear any more anyways. " I'm gonna take a walk, daddy." I croaked.

Daddy was right, in terms of it being a different world. On the road I was having endless fun. I was doing what I never thought I'd be doing. I should've ended up breaking my back, picking cotton with the rest of my family but I'm out makin more money a night than my daddy did in a month. And the girls. I'm living a lonely mans dream. They throw themselves at me, they want me. Every night was better than the last. And my baby was at home waitin for me. I didn't know how, but I somehow ended up at June's door. I took my comb out of my pocket and swiped it once through my hair. I was nervous and I don't even know why. I made my way to her window. I was just going to see her pretty face and then go home and call her in the morning. I glanced inside once, and as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw the outline of a body. Her body. I could see her breathing beneath the sheets and I could see her pretty hair flowing around her face. I sighed deeply, knowing I was just a few feet away from the love of my life. Deciding that was enough for the night, I made my way back across the lot and up the stairs. I'd see her tomorrow and maybe I'd get her something pretty and surprise her.