Don't Go Breakin' My Heart

Part 1

Los Angeles, California
April of 1954

I dial my number of interest into my telephone as I'm brushing my black hair. Grabbing it, I place my comb down on my vanity.

"Hello?" I clutched my cherry red corded phone to my ear. "Margret, are you able to meet up near the house?"

Margret sighed, fiddling with the phone cord. "Nope. Dad grounded me for spending too much money shopping with you again." She huffed forcefully in annoyance.

"But.. we went shopping two weeks ago.." I furrowed my brow when I realized she made a mistake. Why would he wait to ground her?

"Look, he just said I couldn't go out! Why're you attacking me over it?!" Margret spoke harshly through the speaker.

I wasn't dealing with her.
I immediately launch the phone back into its holder, rushing out the door to my car.

Margret and I were supposed to meet up at my house since she needed personal assistance with getting ready for a party we were invited to.

I guess not.

"Hey, Johnny." I walk into his diner and sat at the red leather bar seats. Johnny took off his apron, grabbing a notepad from the counter.

"Lana, You're late. And where's your friend?" He chuckled, popping a toothpick in his mouth.

I placed my purse on the counter, running my hands through my ebony locks.
"She couldn't make it. Again." I mumbled under my breath. "Don't you have a shift?"

"Nope. Break time still counts as long as I'm behind the counter." Johnny grinned before turning to fold his apron on the table. "Say, she's been missing out on a lot nowadays, hasn't she?"

"Yeah, you're right. What do you think is going on? Is there something happening at home?" I raise my head with suspicion, staring him in the eye.

He is right. Margret has been avoiding me for a while now.

"Wow, Lana. Why don't you find out for yourself? Is she not your friend?" Johnny grabbed his black pen and began doodling illustrations on his notepad.
"But I will say...Jesse has been doing the same every now and then. He flaked us by not coming to the party that Stella invited us to."

My facial expression immediately converted to one of confusion. That's odd. This isn't like Jesse at all, and why didn't he tell me? Margret has also been acting so strange lately...

"Anyway, are you for sure going to Stella's party?" I shook the glass, focusing on the ice cubes inside of it.

"I get off at 7:30, so if I'm not tired then I'll come." He continued doodling but then stopped after he saw that a couple of people walked in his diner.
"Looks like I have customers. You still want an order?" He walked to the back to grab his apron.

"No, but thanks. Here you go." I handed him a dollar.

He raised in eyebrow, indicating that he was questioning me for the dollar.

"For the water," I said, though he pushed it back before walking away.

"It's on the house."

"Hello?... I'm not going...I'm busy...okay, bye.." I hung up the phone with Margret, who was still in a bad mood. I didn't want to attend the party by myself. Besides, Jesse can't even make it. Hopefully, Johnny will go and tell me if it was fun.

"Hey, kiddo." Dad stopped by the doorway. "Did ya go out with your friend today?" He crossed his arms, leaning against the doorway.

"No, not today. She canceled on me, again. " I bluntly say, my voice woven with sadness. My dad, who was no idiot had immediately known something was up.

"You guys are fighting? If that's the case, are you not going to that party with her that you talked about?" Dad asked, looking towards the ground.

"No, Jesse can't make it so what's the point?" I got up and sat on the edge of my bed. Dad followed, sitting next to me. I gazed with a soft stare at my vanity as my dad came closer.

"Look, honey. I know some things can be tough, but it seems as if you need to get your mind off of things." He spoke softly, "I don't want you going to the party. However, I am going to allow you to attend as long as your cousin is with you."

"...thanks, dad." I responded with a meek tone.

"Of course. As long as you're back before 1. You can ask Johnny to drive you." My dad chuckled before getting up. I hugged and thanked him as he kissed my head.

Johnny soon arrived and drove us in his Red Ford Crestline. On the way, he kept blasting his favorite song, "Mr. Sandman" which was very overwhelming. We finally arrived at Stella's house, parking near the end of the block.

"Damn, these stupid cars always block the whole road!" Johnny, who was pissed, walked out of his car and tucked his hands in his pockets while walking by my side.

"It's fine, Johnny." I chuckled at his little tantrum. As we entered closer to the house, the smell of smoke from the cigars immediately hit me.

We walked in the house and the scent got stronger.
Girls were dancing to the song, "Is This Love?" While boys were smoking by their side. Of course, I'm not interested in any of that tonight.

"Let's go get some punch, Lana." Eric tapped on my shoulder.

"Johnny, have you seen Stella?" I questioned him as I watched him pour the drinks into some cups.

"Nope. Ya wanna go look for her?" He asked me out of curiosity. I shook my head and grabbed my cup from his hand.

"Okay, let's go." I smiled as we brought our drinks with us. After a few minutes of searching, we finally spot Stella, who was sitting with her boyfriend, Dennis.

She seemed very nervous as if she wanted to tell me something important. I didn't want to pry right away until she brought up what was happening.

"Hey... Lana?" Stella asked me as if she was hiding something.

"Yeah?" I smiled awkwardly, starting to worry about how serious she sounded. She came close to my face, tilting her head to whisper into my ear.

"There's something you should see...do you mind following me...?" Stella backed away, looking at Johnny and I.

Dennis sat up, anxiously staring at the ground. What was happening? To find out, Johnny and I followed the couple up the stairs.

"Should I?" She pointed to her doorknob while staring at Dennis. He nodded, gulping harshly. She opens the door, gesturing for me to go in first. As I do so, I immediately stop in my tracks. I couldn't believe my eyes.

What I saw was something I thought I'd never have to worry about.

"Jesse?! Margret?!"