the Presleys

chapter 23 - 1955

"Well, it's one for the money two for the show

Three to get ready now go, cat, go", Elvis gripped the microphone stand and sang into it. Hips moving as they usually did and automatically the roar of the crowd followed his actions.

Cece smiled, angling her body so that she was looking at him.

"But don't you step on my blue suede shoes."

August 1955

Young singers from Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis Presley and Cecilia Martin sign an official management contract with Hank Snow Attractions, which is owned equally by Hank Snow and Colonel Tom Parker. It is rumored that manager Bob Neal will remain involved only as an advisor and Colonel Parker is to be the Presleys exclusive manager.

How were they expecting nothing to change, when everything did?

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CECE MARTIN

"I don't trust that man.", Gladys said without batting an eye. She set down her glass and wiped her lips with a napkin. Elvis slapped his hands on his thighs, sighing in desperation.

"Mama, he's a good man.", Elvis defended his case. That seemed the only thing I kept hearing the past months. I've heard it so often that I almost started believing it. I sighed and looked at my mama, whose eyes stared at her half eaten meal - her appetite long gone.

"We've never met him, son.", Vernon chipped in, making Elvis turn to look his way. "Hell, we don't even know what that man looks like.", he said and grabbed another cigarette from the small box.

"'Dora met the Colonel.", Elvis said and suddenly all eyes were on my mama. I hesitated, but I also ended up turning her way. She looked exhausted - dark circles marked her under eyes and the familiar sparkle in her eyes was gone. I gripped her hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I, uhm, yeah, I met the Colonel.", mama confirmed. "Nothing formal, though. Saw him when the kids were on stage at the Hayride.", mama nodded and picked up her fork again.

"Any impressions?", Gladys asked and I immediately recognized the doubt in her voice. She didn't want to lose her son.

Mama shrugged. "He looked like a man who knows what he wants.", I looked down on the napkin on my lap and fiddled with the ends of it. For I knew who they were going to ask next.

"Cece?", Vernon directed his words to me. "Opinion on the Colonel?"

I recognized the familiar stare on the left side of my face. But I didn't dare to look his way. It was up to me to either be honest or give an answer that would please the boy of my dreams.

"I-I don't know.", my cowardly gaze was on my plate, not daring to look ahead.

"You must've talked to him, right, sweetie?", it was Gladys' turn to ask.

I looked to my right and made eye contact with her. "I have, yes.", I confirmed, nodding. "Just like mama said, he looks like he knows what he's doing.", unbeknownst to me, Gladys and Vernon shared a look - like they knew what was going to come at us.

"Alright, enough torture for tonight.", Elvis stood up and moved his eyes on me, nodding towards the door. "Cece and I are going out.", he said swiftly and kissed Grandma Dodger's temple.

Dodger pointed a finger at him. "If you forget your house key again, Elvis-"

"I won't, Grandma, I won't.", he chuckled and walked past her, patting his daddy's back. "Bye mama."