The 22-Year Friendship

Ch. 12: California Bound & an Unexpected Plan...

*Elizabeth, Sloan, Madison, and Molly are mentioned in this chapter*

It was January 1959 and I celebrated my 17th birthday in California. My family and I sold our Memphis home to my Aunt, then moved back into our big, California home near Beverly Hills. My brothers, Michael and Nat, were growing up right before our eyes. Me and James had been dating for almost two years now, and we were still madly in love with one another. For my birthday, he gave me a bouquet of roses, a teddy bear, and a beautiful pair of earrings. He knew how to buy the perfect presents. Education-wise, both Jack and James were attending UCLA and playing football together. They became best friends who were more like brothers. For me, I was attending Beverly Hills High School for my Senior Year and reunited with some old friends of mine. Everyone from California heard about what I was up to in Memphis and of course, my close friendship with Elvis and The Presley's. I had talked to Elvis more than 20 times over the phone since he left to Germany, and I could tell that he was lonely. I worried about him, but I knew he would stay strong while he was in the Army.

On January 10, I went to watch the football game at UCLA. I brought along Michael, who was really excited to watch the guys play football together. I arrived on campus about three hours before the football game in order to spend time with Jack and James. They showed us around the campus and introduced us to the rest of the football team, their coaches, and their head coach, Coach Smith. He looked like he could be in his late twenties, maybe in his early thirties. He was pretty young to be the Head Coach for the football team, but I heard he was really passionate and dedicated to the sport. He had this really deep, husky, but loud voice, which reassured me that he had played football in the past.

Jack: "Coach, I would like you to meet Lillian Preston and Michael Davis. Lillian is my lovely step-sister and Michael is our half-brother."

Coach: "Nice to meet you miss... and this little fella over here. Maybe he will play football in the future?"

Lillian: "He's definitely loving the sport, thanks to Jack and James!"

Coach: "Let me get this straight, Miss... you are the talented daughter of the beautiful Ann Preston, and the step sister of Jack, who's very close to James, who is you're beau?"

Lillian: "That's correct. You pay attention to detail, Coach. But thank you for your kind words as well!"

James: "Coach is an easedropper, he's really close to everyone on the team."

Coach: "I'm not.. I'm just- WILSON! STOP FOOLING AROUND AND DO SOME GOD DAMN DRILLS WITH THE OTHER BOYS."

Michael got frightened of Coach's voice, but I was amazed on how he could interact with him.

Coach: "I have two little kiddos of my own, so I know how to calm down children."

The remaining hours before the game were spent meeting the whole football team, getting to know them better, and watching the guys do practice drills in front of the bleachers. As time got closer for the game to start, people filled the bleachers quickly. The aroma of popcorn, hot dogs, and burgers dispersed and filled the cold, winter air, and the sound of college students cheering were heard all around the arena.

UCLA ended up winning the game, with the final score being 35-27. It was an exciting game! The chaos of the crowd's cheers could be heard from a mile away. After the game was over, the guys came over to see how Michael and I were doing. Michael was fast asleep, and I looked really tired. James kissed me goodbye, and Jack, Michael, and I drove home.

As We arrived at our home, my mother was waiting outside. Jack wondered if I had a different curfew or if I snuck out. The last time I remembered, I did not have a different curfew. Instead, Mother brought me good news.

Mother: "Lillian, you have gotten a great opportunity! Ms. Randolph called, and requested for you to teach dance lessons and choreograph dances for a huge, Summer Dance show!"

Me: "Really, Mother?! Oh, this is fantastic news!"

Mother: "There's a catch..."

Me: "A catch? What catch? Ms. Belle Randolph is in New York, that will work out with my schedule."

Mother: "Actually, you will be teaching dance lessons and preparing for the Summer Dance show in Germany. Your plane will leave in five days, and you will be attending Wiesbaden High School to finish your Senior Year there. You'll be leaving during the first week of February of 1960. Robert and I have talked about this, and we think this will be a great opportunity for you to experience something by yourself. Your new manager, Melinda, will travel with you to Germany and make sure you're in line with everything."

I was absolutely surprised, and so was Jack. I immediately called James to break the news that I would be gone for a year. 365 days. I wondered if this was going to affect and put a strain on our relationship. I was excited to see Elvis again, but very sad to be far away from James. James was shocked, but planned to spend my last 5 days in the states with me.

I spent those days with James, my family, and a bunch of my friends. Elizabeth, Sloan, Madison, and Molly flew to California just to say goodbye! It was really nice of them to do that.

When it was time for me to leave, I had all of my luggage packed and ready to go. I took a look at my room, which was very plain and almost empty. It didn't look right. I said goodbye to my family and friends, and drove off with my manager. The drive was very quiet and my mind was out of it.

Things really didn't hit me until my new manager and I boarded the plane and got settled down. I realized I would be in Germany for a year, many miles away from family and friends. I was basically sent away, feeling alone and wanting my family by my side. Most importantly, James. However, the thought of seeing Elvis for the first time in months cheered me up a bit.