the Presleys

chapter 24 - 1955

ELVIS PRESLEY

"Since Miss Martin has been introduced to the audience as a Presley, why not keep it as such?", the Colonel said with an excited smile.

"Bill did that to mess with my— good friend.", Cece rolled her eyes and I withheld a laugh at her choice of words. As good as a guitarist that he was, he was a moron. "It was a simple mistake, sir."

"Miss Martin, the audience doesn't recognize a mistake unless someone points it out.", he explained and leaned back on his chair. "We take a name for the two of you where fans will wonder: Are they married? Or are they siblings? A name that will keep them intrigued for a long time."

Cece and I shared a look, sighing. "Yeah, but once they find out we're not married and we're not related it won't make any sense.", I chipped in and crossed my arms.

"You won't have to make any statements, Mr Presley. We'll let the audience wonder about the what ifs and— if anyone ever asks, I will personally take care of it.", Colonel explained. I looked over at Cece and immediately recognized the look on her face. She wasn't convinced and quite frankly, I wasn't either.

"Why so much trouble just to hide who we are?", Cece asked with furrowed eyebrows. "No one cares about our private lives since all we do is sing."

"That's where you're wrong, Miss Martin.", the Colonel smiled. "You're only singing, yes, but your music makes people feel things they've never felt before.", he pulled out a picture and slid it on the table. I grabbed it and inspected it, recalling the moment it was taken.

"You think that this gentleman was there just to hear you sing?", I sighed and blinked away the tape of memories running in my head. A fan came too close to the stage and grabbed the sleeves of Cece's jacket, pushing her to the ground. Security showed up seconds later and Cece was fine after all, but it was me who should've reacted. I stood there with my guitar in hold and did nothing. I was paralyzed.

"I guess not.", Cece mumbled the words.

"Fans need to feel safe - this man felt safe enough to approach you and grab your jacket.", the Colonel said in a tone as if his words made sense. Cece's eyes met mine in slight confusion and my own lips parted, wanting to interrupt him.

"You need a name that will be known left and right — a name that will bring comfort and familiarity.", he continued his little monologue, but his words made me think and all of a sudden I knew.

"... they're only seventeen and nineteen years old. They have a new, distinctive style - Elvis and Cecilia Presley."

"The Presleys."

The Colonel and Cece turned to look at me.

"What did you say?"

"We can be the Presleys. You've been introduced as a Presley since the club days, honey.", I explained to her and despite the familiarity of her brown eyes, I couldn't detect what she was feeling right now.

"Excellent idea!", the Colonel's voice was the most joyful I had ever heard. "The Presleys.", he said it out loud, testing it on his tongue. "The name is going to sell I can promise that—"

Through the Colonel's rambling, I looked over to Cece and was now able to catch the same conflicted look she had the day Parker suggested to be our manager.

"... we can test the name tomorrow at the Hayride—"

"I think we need some time, Colonel Parker, sir.", I interrupted his jolly banter. "We've got rehearsal with the band a-and we'll think about it.", he quickly agreed without objection and stood up. I offered Cece my hand, who took it and then quietly stood by my side.