The 22-Year Friendship

Ch. 15: Keeping Secrets

I was glad I was back in California. I loved being back with my family, boyfriend, and friends. But, I knew that when I came back to the States, everyone wanted to know about my Germany experience. I told my family and friends about the Summer Dance Show, my first time modeling for clothing, school, people I met, and of course, how Elvis was doing. I told the press the same things, minus the fact that my manager and I lived with Elvis and his family in Germany.

March was probably the best month in 1960. Everyone welcomed home Elvis from the Army and my family welcomed our newest addition to the family; a baby girl named Susan Renee Davis. She was born on March 9, 1960. Everyone was estatic to learn that there was finally another girl in the house. I thought March couldn't get any better, but it did.

On March 11, James surprised me with a candlelit dinner at my house. My mother and Robert were still in the hospital, while Jack was at a friend's house and Michael and Nat were at my grandparent's house. It was the first date we had alone since I left for Germany. It was nice to finally have some alone time. We were casually eating dinner when he dropped something. I didn't pay attention to what he dropped, but the next thing I know is that he's kneeling beside me. I didn't know what was happening, but I finally realized what was going on.

"Lilly, it's been three wonderful years that we've been together, and it's been the happiest I ever been. And to sum it all up... I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

Without hesitating to think, I said yes. He slipped on the engagement ring, and I was mesmerized by its beauty. We had a tender moment together, and finished dinner. I questioned him if he asked my family for my hand in marriage, and he said everyone in my family supported him. We decided to keep our engagement a secret from public because it was a personal highlight of our lives that we didn't want to reveal just yet.

The next day, I visted my mother in the hospital. I was surprised to see Elvis visiting my mother in the hospital. It wasn't an unusual thing, but I expected him to be busy.

"Elvis! What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to stop by and congratulate y'all on finally havin' a cute baby girl. I mean, Lilly is cute, but ya know. Another addition!"

"Such a nice compliment Elvis... Thanks for stopping by! I thought you would be busy recording or discussing a new movie with Colonel. "

"It's my day off I guess you can say. Can I hold the baby?"

I looked at my mother, and she carefully handed Susan to Elvis. It was the cutest sight I had ever seen. Elvis was good with kids, and I couldn't wait for when he would become a father. He was cradling her in his arms, and humming a song. After a while, he gave Susan back to my mother, and pulled me outside the hospital room to talk about something.

"I heard that you're engaged.. Is that true?"

"Why, yes it is. James proposed to me yesterday night."

"I just wanted to congratulate you two. You're not a little gal anymore. I'm sure my mama would of loved to see you get married and have some youngins running around. I'm amazed you have been wearing the ring I gave ya for your 16th birthday."

"It's your friendship ring to me Elvis! I'll be wearing it for a long time on my right ring finger... I might take it to the grave you know.

"I hope that you would wear that ring for a long time. I gotta ask you somethin'. Colonel has been discussing a new movie I might be in. Whatcha' call it... It's called G.I Blues and we were both wonderin' if you can choreograph a dance number for my co-star. I don't have a clue on who it is, but it would be nice if ya could do that. You could audition to play the role of Tina in the film. Whattaya' say, Lilly?"

"I'm up for it. Tell Colonel to call my manager, and we'll work something out."

"Alright... Has uh- Erin been callin' you?"

"No... Should I be expecting a call from her?"

"She might ask ya about Priscilla. Just tell her that Priscilla is a young fan of mine."

I was surprised! My suspicion about Elvis' relationship status was answered. Not only was he dating Erin, but he also dated other girls in Germany! I didn't know if Elvis and Priscilla were dating in Germany because I never saw anything. Despite Elvis and Priscilla spending long hours in his bedroom, I would like to think that they were talking.

Erin called me later that day, and congratulated me on welcoming Susan into our family. It was about a good 10 minutes of catching up until Erin brought up her pondering questions she has been dying to ask me.

"Lilly, when Elvis was in Germany, a lot of rumors were reported."

"The one about me and Elvis being engaged? Well, that's false."

"No, I know that's false. The one about the girl he left behind. Her name is Priscilla Beaulieu. Did she and Elvis begin to date?"

"One of Elvis's friends brought Priscilla to a party. Elvis talked to her, and she was often brought to the parties and gatherings Elvis had. I'm sure she was an Elvis fan. I never saw anything though. I was busy with school and the dance show. Priscilla is a nice girl, but I don't think they're dating."

"Ok, thanks Lilly. I was just wondering. By the way, I'm excited to see you and Elvis on the big screen if you get the part!"

I was torn between telling Erin of what happened in Germany and keeping my friendship with Elvis. I wasn't lying, because I never saw Elvis and Priscilla kiss or act like they were in a relationship. Priscilla went up into Elvis' room, but I didn't know what happened up there. I was the type of person who didn't want to cause any unnecessary drama.

In May, I auditioned for the role of Tina in the film, G.I Blues. Instead, I managed to land the role of Lili. Getting the part of Lili meant that I was Elvis' love interest in the film. The director of the film, Norman Taurog, and the Colonel agreed that I fitted the part of Lili perfectly. I was nervious for this role because there were some kissing scenes and I had to act madly in love with Elvis.

[July]

On July 3rd, 1960, Vernon and Dee got married. My family and I were invited, but Elvis and I were finishing the production of his new movie, G.I Blues. Elvis wasn't a big fan of his father marrying another woman, but he was excited to gain younger stepbrothers. I didn't really like Dee, but as long as she was nice to me, I respected her.

August came along, and G.I Blues was released on August 18, 1960. It was fun filming with Elvis and portraying his love interest. Not many people know this, but Elvis purposely messed up his lines during our kissing scene, which made us repeat the scene from the beginning. The thing is, I was so nervous that we had to repeat the scene eight times to get it right!

Alex Marie traveled to California to congratulate me on my new sister and to catch-up on life. We planned to go see G.I Blues in the nearest theatre at night time, so I disguised myself and went unrecognized. I revealed to Alex that I was engaged to James. She was so excited and jokingly added, "Make sure I'm one of your bridesmaids!"

On a serious note, I told Alex about my Germany experience and about Priscilla. Alex told me that Erin was worried that Elvis was going to break-up with her soon, but she insisted it wouldn't happen. Alex knew Elvis had the tendency to please his female fans, but she never knew if he was being unfaithful to his girlfriend.

Cassie, one my classmate from my German language class, called and told me that she had ran away with her G.I boyfriend. In the 1950's, being associated with G.I's while in high school was a big no-no. She also added that they were going to live together and eventually get married. Her mother didn't know where she was, and made me promise not to tell anyone about where her location was.

Keeping the questionable relationship between Elvis and Priscilla, along with my engagement with James, and the whereabouts of Cassie were secrets that were difficult to keep from everyone close to me and to the press.