The 22-Year Friendship

Ch. 6: Memphis Bound

The last months in California were filled with memory-making days. I attended dance classes every day, then spent three hours with my friends afterwards.

My mother, Robert, Jack, and I left for Memphis on August 6, 1955. I had talked to Elvis at least five times since I found out I was moving in June. He told me that his mother, Gladys, was excited to meet me and my family.

We arrived in Memphis the early morning of August 7th. My Aunt welcomed us to our new summer home on Audubon Drive. I lived only two houses away from where Elvis' parents lived while he was on tour.

My mother was planning to introduce herself to our neighbors, but that was not necessary. I guess everyone heard that we would be there, and a swarm of neighbors gathered around our house. I met many nice neighbors, especially my next door neighbors - The Swanson's. There was Mr. and Mrs. Swanson and their two children, Stephen & Susan. I learned that I would be briefly attending Humes High School with them.

I saw a couple who were waiting to meet my mother and I. I walked towards them and the lady introduced herself.

Gladys: 'Welcome to Memphis, Lillian! I'm Gladys Presley, Elvis' mother. My boy has talked about you a lot! My, you're as pretty as he described you. This is my husband, Vernon."

Me: "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Presley, it's nice to finally meet you. Elvis has told me about you, especially his loving mother! It will be great to live near both of you."

I waved my hand, which motioned my mother to come. When my mother finally made it through the crowd, she got to meet Elvis' parents. Gladys gave her a hug, which made my mother smile. I learned that Gladys admired my mom as a dancer and as a mother. Vernon complimented my mother and I on our beauty. I had a feeling that our families would be close for a very long time.

[August 14, 1955]

I began attending Humes High School. Elvis told me to enjoy my first day at Humes. I was nervous because I was a 13-year old starting my freshman year. I was suppose to be in eight grade, but Humes decided to let me in due to my "stellar academic and extra-curricular performance." Yes, those were their exact words. After dropping some paperwork at the office, I got my schedule and looked at the classes I was having this year:

1. English 9 H (Room 210)

2. Geometry (Room 501)

3. Spanish II (Room 351)

4. Dance (Gym)

5. Biology (Room 620)

6. History (Room 311)

Where are any of these classes? I must of looked very confused and worried, because two cheerleaders walked up to me and offered assistance.

Sloan: "My, my, it really is Lillian Preston. I should have believed the Principal when she told us you were attending Humes High. I am Sloan, and she is Madison. It is nice to meet you. Do ya need help finding your classes?"

I looked at them and nodded slowly. The high-energy blonde circled where my classes would be on the map, while the tall brunette looked at my actual classes.

Madison: "We have dance together! Finally, someone who has a lot of dance experience and choreography skills. Last year, Sloan and I worked on our cheerleading routines for the football games on Friday during dance class. Say, you should come tryout to join the squad during lunch today."

Me: "I'll tryout, even though I have no experience with cheerleading. Thanks for helping me out and inviting me to try out for the team!"

I made a lot of distractions in my classes. I apologized to my teachers, and they were very understanding. My English teacher, Ms. Ashley Marie, was my favorite teacher so far. Our first assignment was to write about our summer. My paper was filled with exciting events, which made my paper alive. I later found out Ms. Ashley Marie was secretly an Elvis fan, along with her mother who admired him as well.

Ring! Ring! Ring! It was finally time for lunch. I was getting hungry, so I decided to look for crackers in my lunch bag. I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking through the halls and I bumped into someone. All of my books and papers fell on the floor! I rushed to pick them up, only for my hands to awkwardly meet with anothers. I quickly looked up, and my eyes met with a guy in my spanish class. I only knew four things about him: His name was James, he was on the football team, he was a sophomore, and he was very handsome. He handed me my books and my papers, then continued to look at me for a good second.

James: "Are you alright?"
I nodded, and apologized for bumping into him.

He asked, "You're new right? You must be the gal who everyone has been talking about. I'm James, James Prescott."

Me: "Lillian Preston. I just moved here from Los Angeles."

James: "California is where I was born and raised. I just moved here two years ago."

We talked and walked together to the gym. He was surprised to learn that I was trying out to become a cheerleader. Tryouts were easier than I thought, and I made it into the team as a flyer. It was nice to see Jack stop by and see me tryout for the team. I knew he was going to be the best stepbrother I could ever ask for.

I headed to my Dance class with Sloan, Madison, and all of the other cheerleaders in our class. It was actually fun, but our teacher, Mrs. Devonshire, told me my mother is her dance idol. They all asked me to dance, which astonished them when I was finished with one of the dance numbers I did in Jacksonville.

My last two classes of the day were my Geometry and History class. Although both classes were boring, I did manage to make some acquaintances.

When school ended, me and Jack got picked up by my Aunt. We told her how our first day at Humes was, and she was intrigued to hear about our day. After I was done telling my aunt how my day was, she remembered to tell me that Elvis called and wanted to know how my day went. As soon as we arrived home, I ran inside and immediately called Elvis.

Me: "Hi Elvis, it's Lilly."

Elvis: "Lilly, how was your first day?"

Me: "Oh, it was great! I made new friends and I made the cheerleading team! My teachers are nice, and they didn't mind the commotion my presence made."

Elvis: "That's good to hear, I was worried that the kids would of givin' you an awful time. You met my mama and my daddy yet?"

Me: "I did! I love your parents, Elvis. Especially your mother. She's a sweatheart, and my mother gets along with her. Enough with my day, but how are you doing?"

Elvis: "I'm a bit tired, but still feeling good."

Me: "Have you talked to Dixie lately?"

Dixie was Elvis' girlfriend.

Elvis: "Last night, I actually spent a whole hour talking to her. Y'all better take care now, I have to go."

Me: "Ok Elvis, bye."

I hung up the phone. It was nice to hear Elvis' voice every now and then. I missed his southern accent, one of the traits I liked about him. I didn't notice, but my mother caught me staring outside the window for a long period of time.

Mother: "Lillian Marie, quit staring outside your window and please start your homework now. You have dance in three hours."

Memphis was fantastic so far. The people were humble and very nice. It seems like I am fitting in pretty nicely.