the king and the pauper

flowers can't grow without a little dirt

I closed the cafe and began the long walk home normally I hate walking home and get envious of people with cars. When you have been on your feet all day the walk home feels so much longer. Today I didn't mind the walk as my head was full of clutter and I needed to work through my thoughts to give me some space for some new thoughts to evolve. Was I going on a date with Elvis Presley? did he actually ask me out on a date or was he being polite and just wanting to catch up with people from his school years? Why did I feel a pang of disappointment when I thought about it not being a date?

It feels crazy to me that this morning I never even thought about Elvis Presley or thought about what he was doing now he's outta school but now he's all I can think about. I have never had these feelings about a boy before and definitely have never felt this curious about a boy after one quick random meeting. There was something about just being in the same room as he felt electric that I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to be alone with him and to have his full attention I think I would blow a fuse at that much electricity I don't think I could handle it.

I turned the corner and there I saw that tiny shack I called home as I walked towards the door I saw Mrs. Pritchard coming out of my home.

"Hello, Mrs. Pritchard I hope all is well?."

" oh, it is now my dear. Your mother can work wonders with a needle and a bit of thread."

" oh she is just brilliant," I say feeling full of pride for my mother.

We lived in a small community but everyone thought very highly of momma.

" well I better get going before my cornbread burns and I set fire to my kitchen."

" it was lovely to see you send my regards to your husband and if daddy brings us some extra eggs ill bring some over to yous"

" Thank you little one"

I walked into the house and I saw mum in the kitchen peeling the potatoes and getting started on the dinner

" hiya momma"

" oh hi, baby I'm so glad your home. You know I don't like you walking that long road home at this time of night" she said her honey voice peppered with worry

"I know momma but what else can I do? It's the only way for me to get home and I'm always safe and I stay alert"

"well that ease's my mind a bit"

" momma I will quickly go and wash up and ill help with dinner"

"no, you won't child. You have been working all day and you will rest now"

"momma I am ok I can even shell the peas"

" well if you insist and you know how I hate shelling those fiddly things"

I walked into my bedroom and got changed into my ragged dress. It was a pretty pink dress but it was full of patches from being mended so many times but it was comfortable and was good enough for doing chores. I slipped my shoes off and wiggled my toes trying to get rid of the burning feeling but it wasn't working. I walked into my bathroom and quickly washed my face and hands. We were so lucky as we had an indoor bathroom with a  bath and an inside toilet. We have 3 neighbours who have an outhouse and an outdoor tin bath. There are times when the weather is so bad that our neighbours can't use their outdoor tubs so we let them use ours and as a thank you they make up the best apple pie so I say we get the best side of the deal.

I walked back into our kitchen and mum had the peas and a bowl waiting for me and I sat down and rested my feet and got my slim fingers to work with popping the peas out of their shell.

" So how was work?"

" It was so busy as always. There are always those customers that don't have any manners like they were never taught to say please or thank you."

"The world is always full of people like that but its important to never focus on people like that and focus on the kind people and the good in people"

"Well, there was one lovely customer I met. It turned out I went to school with him"

" oh, really what was his name? Maybe ill know him or his parents?."

" You won't know him mamma he only had two classes with me but he's called Elvis Presley"

" What an unusual name"

" Yeah he also looks a bit unusual his clothes are different and his hair is long with sideburns but the look is his own and he suits it and he remembered me from school as the girl with the ribbons in my hair," I said laughing knowing mamma will love this

" I always told you the ribbons gave you a look that people will remember and it turns out I was right"

" you really were. It turns out that Elvis has made it as he has been signed to sun records and has a song out. He came from being poor he lived in the housing project I think Susie said Lauderdale courts and now he's got a record out which is turning into the next big thing"

" well I've never heard you be so interested in a boy before sugar"

"I haven't ever felt this way before mamma he has just grabbed my attention but I have a problem"

" he isn't married is he," she said laughing

" of course not mamma. The problem is he has asked me to meet up with him sometime after work"

" What is the problem with that?."

"Well we don't have a phone so how will I let you know that I'll be late home? and what if he wants to meet on a Thursday when I help you with your mending and how will I get home afterward he's famous I can't let him know how poor I am as maybe he won't wanna see me again."

" that's a lot to be worried about. Well if you're late I won't worry as I will know you with this young man but if you are not home by 9 I will be mad as a bunch of frogs. If he wants to meet you on a Thursday then you will go as I will be fine and if I get too busy ill ask Mrs. Pritchard to help ill bake her a batch of my cornbread and she will be happy to help. Little un doesn't ever be ashamed of where you come from. I know when people find out we live in a small shack they look at us like dirt but remember no beautiful flower can grow without that dirt. If he likes you then he won't care that we're poor plus you said he grew up in Lauderdale courts so he's been poor himself and he will understand more than anyone and if he doesn't then you move on to someone who will"

"mamma you always know the right thing to say"

"When you are honest you never have to worry about what you say you just open your mouth and let the words out. Now get those fingers going and shell those peas or your daddy will be having a very late dinner