𝑰 𝑾𝒂𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒏𝒆

𝗢𝗵, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻

"You could be a linebacker with a tackle like that."

I couldn't believe my eyes. It didn't even occur to me that the women from earlier said that this was Beale street in Memphis, Tennesee. Or the fact that it's 1954.

"Uh-no, no! It was an accident, I swear! I was just in a rush and-and-" Before I could continue, he had grabbed my outstretched hand, and without pulling on it hardly at all, hoisted himself off the sidewalk.

"I'm just jokin' honey. No need to get all excited. By the way, why were ya in such a hurry? I-I mean where were ya goin'?" He lifted his guitar, balancing it on his left shoulder.

"I don't really know. I just got some...bad news and I just wanted to get away from here." He looked like he was thinking about my answer, that's when I noticed his gaze shift to my clothes and I noticed his eyes widen.

"Woah, interesting clothes ya got on there. 'Pink Cadillac'. Thought I was the only one who like em'. How'd ya get that on there anyhow? The words and the image I mean. I ain't never seen nothin' like it before. Those pants too. Rarely see girls wearing pants like that less' they workin'. And don't tell me them shoes are what I think they are?" He shot off so many questions about my clothes at once, that I didn't know what to say. I started stumbling with my words and even started getting red in the face. 

Here we have one of the greatest music legends of all time, before he even becomes popular at that, standing right in front of me and I can't even say anything? I'm sure to him it seemed I was about to cry for being put on the spot. The second he noticed, his facial expression changed from the slight upturn of his mouth, to a more worried look.

"Hey, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ask ya all them questions earlier, it's just, you look different is all. You said ya got some bad news earlier, and after the rude way I was actin' towards ya earlier, why don't ya come over to my folks' apartment this evening for supper? My girl's supposed to be coming over too, so it shouldn't be too much invitin' one more." He reached for a pen in his breast pocket. "Ya got a piece of paper I can write on?" I reached in my pocket and pulled out the note from earlier. I handed to him still folded, hoping he didn't unfold to to write. Luckily he didn't. "Mind holdin' this for me?" He held out his guitar and I was shocked at first, but quickly got over it and grabbed it. He smiled at my nervousness.

"The name's Elvis by the way. Elvis Presley. And you are?"

"Bonnie. Bonnie Hill." I watched him write his name and address on the piece of paper, and then exchange his guitar for it.

"Well, Miss Bonnie. I hope to see you this evenin' round 6:00. And hopefully your day gets better. See ya round." He walked past me, waving as he did so. I clutched the piece of paper tightly. I couldn't believe what just happened. It was still taking a while to set in. I looked at the piece of paper and saw how elegantly his handwriting was. 6:00, huh? Speaking of time, I don't even know what time it is now. I looked around. I didn't want to ask anybody again. I walked a little way more, having calmed down from my initial shock. I didn't know where I was going. I was trying to find a way to figure out what time it was. Until I walked past a store with the words Sun Records on the window. Under it, was a help wanted sign for someone to take calls and do simple errands for them. I couldn't believe it. At first, trying to get the job wasn't my plan. But it's like it just happened.

"You're hired!" The woman's high-pitched voice announced from her chair in front of the desk. This woman being Rebecca Irene Burns. Who just so happens to be the wife of Sam Phillips. The guy who owns the place. She had a bright smile. 

"Um, thank you Miss Rebecca, but, I already told you that I'm not exactly fit for the job. I don't have anyplace steady to stay and I don't have any belongings 'cept the clothes on my back." I know I could have lied, but what would be the point in all that?

"In any other circumstance, I wouldn't hire someone like you. However, I have a good feeling about you. And I'm sure Sam'll think the same thing when I tell him."

"Thank you. I don't know what to say."

"You could start with 'thank you'. Also, if you don't have anywhere to stay tonight, I can find you a place."

"No, no. Please don't trouble yourself. I'll figure something out."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course." She smiled once more and returned to what she was doing before.

"Now then, I hope to see you bright and early tomorrow morning."

"Actually, one last thing, do you mind telling me what time it is now?"

"It's 4:37 p.m."

"Um, if you're sure about hiring me, do you mind if I stay for the next hour or so, so I can observe and get used to the place?"

"Why, of course, sweety. Come sit back down. I'll give you a rundown of everything."

~~~

I waved goodbye to Miss Rebecca. I can't believe I really just landed a job that easily. Now I need to figure out where to stay. I looked down at the old, worn watch I held in my hand. When I told Miss Rebecca that I didn't have a way to tell time, she fished through some of her husband's watches and found one she knew he wouldn't miss, and gave it to me.

"He's got too many of these things anyway. He won't miss it." She said with energy in her voice. Once again, I was more than grateful. 

The watch read 5:41 p.m. I pulled out the piece of paper and looked at the address. I made my way down the street and even though I didn't have a good idea of where I was going, it was like my feet knew the way already.

~~~

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of a big green apartment complex. I walked inside the front and made my way up the stairs. I looked at the apartment number Elvis had written down. Elvis. I still couldn't believe it.

I finally found the door after a few flights of stairs. I put the piece of paper and the wristwatch in my pocket and got ready to knock on the door.

I knocked three times. After a few seconds, I heard footsteps approaching. They sounded like light footsteps.

The door opened, revealing a slim woman, about the same age as me, maybe a little younger, open the door. She was a few inches taller than me. I'm about 5'2, so she had to have been 5'5-5'6.  She had dark hair and dark eyes.

"Hi there. You must be Bonnie. Elvis told us you were coming over. My name's Dixie Locke. Come in."