It's Up To You

Chapter 32

I stayed by Elvis' side through everything. He'd go away to work and I'd stay home to look after the house. He would always send postcards and photos of these amazing places.

It's best you stay home, honey. There's no place for a girl like you out here on the road.

He'd bring home rings, ones that would make my heart skip a beat only to find out they're only gifts. With every passing month I wondered when I'd get the ring I had been waiting for for.

In 1961, Elvis had two movies come out. I'd go to the movies and watch Elvis on the big screen. Jealousy would take over as I would see Elvis connect with other women. When he'd come home, he was so distant.

Laying together in the bed, I'd tell him how I felt about him being so close with his female co-stars.

"It's only acting, baby." He'd whisper to me as we held each other close. Then, he'd sing the songs that he usually performed on screen. "Wise men say, only fools rush in. But I can't help... falling in love with you."

Love. I felt that he loved me, but once he got home from filming he wouldn't show it. He slept all day and sat around with his friends. We hadn't made love in months. While laying in bed, his back would be turned to me. I'd try to warm him up, kissing his shoulders as I laid next to him. All he'd do is tell me he loved me and goodnight.

Elvis once again left Graceland to film another movie. I was left alone to my own devices to entertain myself. My thoughts were filled with contemplation on where my life was headed. I was 22 years old and still not married nor had I done anything with myself.

I went to work with a makeup company that sold products door by door. That occupied my time, but I didn't feel like I needed to work because I lived in Elvis' mansion. I wanted something more fulfilling, something that would give me peace of mind.

So, I wrote a letter to my best friend, Martha, inviting her to Graceland. It had been so long since I last saw her, I couldn't wait to catch up on everything. She wrote back and said she'd fly down, but she would be leaving Jim at home.

When I opened the front door, she stood in an all black Chanel suit with a pillbox hat fastened to the top of her head. With a smile I wrapped her in a big hug. She slightly hugged back, then stepped inside my house. She looked around, she hadn't been to Graceland since I moved in. "Wow, you really got yourself a good one."

"I know." I smiled as we looked up at the chandelier in the foyer.

"Yes, you get everything you want." Martha squinted at me. I looked at her, then motioned towards the living room.

"Let's sit and have a drink or two." I suggested as we walked together. Sitting across from her, the live-in brought us cold glasses of lemonade.

"You've been so busy chasing down this man, you haven't even bothered to call." Martha said with risen eyebrows.

"I wrote you all the time when I first got here, you barely wrote back." I furrowed my eyebrows, sipping my drink.

"Well, I had my own battles to hurtle." She crossed her legs on the couch and fixed her skirt.

"Battles?" I asked in surprise. "Martha, you're my best friend, if you had any problems you should've called. What was it? Money?"

"No, it wasn't money." Martha shook her head.

"Is it your husband? Are you having problems?" I asked with a frown.

Martha was silent for a moment, then she looked to my hand. "Is that an engagement ring I see? Did you finally trick that man into making love to you?"

"Trick? I didn't trick him, it was what he wanted." I sipped my lemonade. "Besides, this isn't an engagement ring. We're taking things slowly."

"Slowly." Martha rose her eyebrows. "Since 1957."

I squinted at her, the way she was speaking to me was so cold. I figured it was because I had moved on with my life.

"Elvis is just racking up all the money he can get. After he gets his savings up I'm sure he'll retire." I bragged. "He does give half of it to Colonel."

"Half of what?" Martha asked with a risen brow.

"Half of his money to Colonel." I answered in a high pitched voice. "His manager."

"That seems like a lot of money to give to the person who isn't actually performing." Martha furrowed her eyebrows.

"Colonel has been with Elvis since day one. He deserves it." I shrugged. I felt that it was so pathetic that Martha didn't truly understand showbiz.

"Who told you that, Elvis?" Martha said in a condescending voice. I nodded yes. "And who told Elvis that, Colonel?"

I officially was regretting inviting Martha over. All I had been to her was a good friend, yet here she came with such an attitude toward me! "Must we talk about these dull subjects? Let's get in the nitty gritty of things. How are you and Jim?"

"Well, why are we starting with me? Your life is obviously way more interesting, Lauren." Martha smiled. "Have you spoken to the Nelsons since you've run off with Mr. Presley?"

"I haven't." I lifted my head up high. "Especially Ricky."

"Ricky? You mean the one you were sleeping with?" Martha brought up sarcastically. "It must've been so embarrassing when the news broke a year ago. Two Rock & Roll stars at once... you were a very busy girl."

"Well, I made my choice and it was Elvis. He's the only one I'm with now." I reassured her. "Trust me, it's been very lucrative."

"Lucrative financially or physically? You've always been one to try everything once." Martha said in a sweet voice, but her words didn't match her tone. "Including my husband."