From the moment I saw you

Chapter 8- A boy at the doorstep

Memphis Tennessee, May 31st, 1948

"Baby someone's at the door!" my mother shouted at me with a slight crack in her voice. I went to go answer, straightening out my dress and smoothing down my hair. I turned over to my mother who was lounging on the couch and asked " Did you see who it was?" she shook her head " Don't know, just a boy at the doorstep." I continued my way to the door and unlocked, then opened it. I looked at the ground to see the paper and picked it up, when I straightened out I felt like I had a heart attack. It was Elvis!

We both wrapped each other in a hug, I wore a wide smile on my face. " It's so good to see you again! I'm so happy you've moved here!" He let me go and said " Happy to be here, thought i'd never see ya again!" His mother called for him to come help with getting their stuff in the house, fortunately next to ours again. "I gotta go, let's hang out this afternoon though!" I nodded as he ran off to go help his family move in. I walked back in my house and asked my mother "You already knew he was there didn't you?" She started giggling while nodding her head " Gladys called me before they left their home, so I knew it had to be him at the door." I smiled a shook my head at her, then went back to my room to go get the painting I made for them. I picked up the large canvas and walked out the door, I went up to their door and said " I have a gift for y'all!" Gladys ushered me in the house , Elvis and Vernon coming around the two of us, As I sat the painting down for them to view I said " I made this when Elvis called me to tell me you guys were moving, homesick but happy, I made this." I got out of the way of their view of the painting and stood beside Elvis. Gladys gasped and Vernon stood there with his mouth agape, Elvis's as well. Gladys began to speak and stuttered " I- It's beautiful sweetheart! I can't believe how talented you are." Vernon chimed in saying " It's gorgeous honey." Elvis just stood there with a cheek to cheek smile, examining the painting , not saying a word. We all stood there for a minute then Elvis finally looked me in the eye " I love it. you know me so well, Scarlett." Gladys exhaled and said " You two go have fun in the square, me and Vernon will get this all set up."
Elvis looked at his mother in confusion " Really mama?" She nodded and Vernon added on " Go before me and your mother changed our minds" with a smile.

As we walked into the town square there was a thick cloud of silence, the only noise being the sound of our steps. Elvis finally broke the silence by saying " Y'know i'm kinda happy that I don't go to that school no more." with a tiny smirk on his face I turned my head to him and asked " Why, Is it because of those kids that made fun of you?" he shook his head " You'd think, but no, I'm happy to be away from that damn Librarian." I laughed, I could've sworn that librarian was out for him constantly. " God I can still hear her nagging voice are you friends with that Presley boy?" I imitated her making Elvis laugh, and he grabbed my arm pulling me closer, then said " I'll miss Tupelo, but Tupelo don't have you." Which made red crawl up my cheeks.

As we finally got into the square I began to give Elvis a tour " So right down there is the bookstore my mother works at, then there's the pharmacy, market, barbershop, clothing store, and then down there is the way to Beale street." He turned his head to look at me " What's on Beale street?" I quickly answered knowing he'd be excited " Sun records, Sam Phillips owns the place, he records artists songs and tries to get them on the market, then there's Club handy, and then Lansky Brothers, they do tailoring there." He looked amazed " They have a Recording studio?" I nodded at his question, he looked like a kid in a candy store.

After our hours there Elvis and I started to walk back home, Elvis began to speak " I know I keep sayin it but, i'm really glad to see you, with the whole thinking we'd be separated forever thing going on." He finished with smile, I said back to him " Yeah, it's great to have you here Elvis. Memphis don't feel so lonely anymore." which made him smile even wider. As we neared closer and closer to our houses he said " Glad we ain't apart anymore Scar. see ya tomorrow." I got to my door steps and responded " See you tomorrow." I got back in the house and my mother looked at me and said " You two are in love!" My jaw dropped at the accusation " No way! we are just friends, I was happy to see him that's all!" She shook her head at me and mumbled " uh huh" her breath. I rolled my eyes and went into my bedroom and said " Goodnight mother." as I shut the door, and I heard her return it quietly while continuing to read. It felt good to know Elvis was no longer states away, but just a few seconds. As I got into bed, all my anxiety from the past few weeks melted away, not having to worry about him, my dad, or anybody.