Dedicated to
My dear readers
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To you, whoever reads this — Thank you. Thank you 278 times.
— My love letter to you —
It's now the 2nd of May, 2023. And it's also the 5oth chapter, and I felt that meant something. The first written word in this book happened on the 29th of July, 195... No, I'm kidding—2022 😂🙈
Each thanks is given for each day this book has existed. Because that day, writing that first chapter, I dreamed of sharing this story with anyone. One person. One other mind than my own. And right now? There are 14.300 of those minds—new or returning ones.
And you know what? I've smiled a million times more for each of your minds opening this book—traveling through this journey with Sal and Elvis.
This chapter is dedicated to you, whether you're reading on your phone, computer, train, or couch—wherever you read from. I'm honoured you're here. The chapter we're heading into represents love. And that is what I have for you.
🍃✨🌼 Thank you 💐 💕✨
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* chapter music *
- Again (with The Mellomen) -
Doris Day, The Mellomen
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Elvis POV
26th of June, 1957
Staring at the roof, I lay down on my white duvet. Clean-cut all-black suit and shirt prided my body, ready for dinner with Judy and her husband in ten minutes.
From mindlessly being near, Sal noticed and nervously reacted to my touch—as it conveyed my desire to touch her rather than keeping things neatly on a down low. Our usual touching moments were written off as a part of our friendship—and had glazed over the true colors I had now exposed. My need to have her had grown much greater than any other reason not to.
Savouring in the memory of last night, Sal didn't need to admit why she'd reacted the way she did when I took her hand. With her emotions at her sleeve, tensed up against that wall, her body told me everything I needed to know. Out of my hands, we'd fallen into each other's eyes yesterday. I didn't intend to create that instance—at first. Then I placed that second hand by her head, and damn it; I wanted to kiss her.
Had this been months ago, I would never have dared to dream of doing what I'd just done. Now though? Our dynamic had changed, and I believed there was a chance of becoming an us.
Contrary to Sal's denial or the deal she had made herself of not admitting a thing; that she failed miserably at, might I add—my own denial was the fear I pushed aside. Deeply rooted in me, I had an awful fear of getting rejected. Praying Sal had let go of her memory of me cheating on June with the horrendous mix of showgirls, actresses, and singers—I hoped she didn't associate me with traits of Wendell's. God, she had to understand how much she meant to me—enough to keep my promise to Rachel of never hurting her. I wouldn't do that to her, would I? What I did to June, I would not allow to happen to Sal.
'I think you can't help yourself, Elvis'; I heard Sal's voice in my head, creating shivers down my spine.
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Awaiting me in the lobby, in a light grey silk evening dress down to her knees, Sal turned to face me. A sheer layer of black embroidered flowers covered the silk cupping her chest and flowing skirt. Mountainous tall ceilings shed a bedazzled glow from chandeliers embellishing its path. Falling and falling, it flooded and caught by Sal; her silk glistened, making me believe she lit up the room all on her own.
Struggling to breathe, I tugged at my silky black tie with one hooked-on finger. «Hi, girly.» I smiled boyishly. «You look dashing, darlin',» I repeated Sal's way of imitating me last night, stripped of humour as I meant it dearly.
Her colours changed. An image of our past cast before me, coming with a frozen breeze and lit firewood, evoking the recollection of her cheeks in wintertime. Sal shied away with a concealing smile. «Thank you..»
«You're welcome.» In such a way, it embodied a well-balanced cheek; the corner of my lips rose.
In a dare with her own self, watchful, she turned to a vigilant outglow, letting her eyes travel my attire. Live and let live; I did the same—witnessing signs of yearning reveal themselves in her dark blue eyes. «You... You put on a tie.» She noted, stating the facts.
In earnest amiability, a gentle laugh from the depths below chimed. And the outbreak of a smile, with subtle glimpses of teeth, surfaced. «I sure did.»
The few feet keeping us apart evaporated as I took the steps closing in on her. In swirls of dancing air, moving with motion, I knew we shared equal ounces of it, even if impossible to see—to spot. It was there, floating from one breath to another. At the offer of my arm, I invaded that space between us, making a barrier. In kindled astonishment, she met my eyes. All but careless, a smile developed for her as I intended to take her to dinner as a proper gentleman. Faintly ignited, a late night in June of last year seemed similar. That first night I met her.
God, please don't leave me hanging, Sal...
Her chest moved, taking charge of where the remaining oxygen went as she got situated. Exhibiting a Sal that let her guard down, or at least trying to, she ventured on—letting me attain her lovely hand. Two people, two different beings, met like silk and satin; her hand melted in place. Seamed together.
My shoulders could finally relax as I had her close; no rejection yet.
«You clean up nicely.» She called on my amusement teasingly as she gave me a look. Side by side—shaping up to go.
«Of course I do; I'm the nicest of them all, remember? Ask the Colonel.» Widespread, I grinned, tilting toward her with an all-consuming act of confidentiality. Yeah, cause Colonel Parker camouflaged my image—as if.
«I don't have to. I ain't blind.» Copying my exact manner, rubbing shoulders as she leaned in, her voice shot out in confidence—imitating my trying joke from ages ago as we strolled.
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Illusionary depictions of dark on dark, as a sailor's boat in moonlit oceans, we made no contrast with the celestial sky of the late evening, having borrowed Red's car.
While Elvis Presley could spin someone's record player, Elvis, a boy from Tupelo, could travel off the record—seamlessly catching no one's eyes.
As the clock struck eight, we passed doors promising a state of lush evergreen greenery—an ambiance telling the tale of forest walks. From rounded shapes of nature, rocks, and shrubbery in deepened emerald shades, dirt paths glided into rugged wooden floors in roughly paved lines.
Leaves cloaked in strings of lights led your eyes, guiding you through what grew into the imagery of a lake house. As if taking a walk to the edge of a pier, the floor looked to be leaping into a fountain stretching through the private room we had rented out at a public restaurant. In a misty vision, your eyes tried reading its murky-shaded depth as the lit bottom gloomed in golden shimmers—hitting every surface in watery patterned wobbly lines.
With Sal at my arm, I gleamed as I spotted Judy and Gregory by the white-clothed table. Her hands covered her mouth as she took in the sight of my Sal. Going from Sal's to my eyes, we shared the look of 'aaah, yes, that's really her. My girl.'
Close to jumping up, Judy sprung to us enlightened. «Sal, what a joy to finally meet you!» Boosted into our personal bubble, it popped as Judy couldn't contain her delightedness with meeting her. Sal's perfume faintly lessened as I gently let her go to Judy's delicate reach. Clear as day, I saw how taken aback by wonder Sal grew from the sudden embrace. Yep, no secret Judy knew all about Sal.
«This is my husband, Greg,» Judy announced as they pulled apart, gesturing behind her to Greg getting up. «We married back in March, so you know, the honeymoon phase is still going strong.» Her laugh rolled angelically. Giving me a short look, she smiled like she held a secret, and I wondered if it where in terms of her cheeky comment on her marriage or referred to me somehow.
«God, Judy, Elvis showed me some of your scenes. You have such a strong presence. You really outshined him. Which is very hard, as much as he puts shiny gel in his hair.» An energized Sal smiled greatly with eyes for Judy's charismatic demeanor. Her way of entertaining herself was always at the expense of me, poking fun at whatever she could. I couldn't help but chuckle through a diverted smile.
«Ha! You're as quick-witted as he said you were.» She giggled at Sal, giving me a quick raise of her brows and a well-placed smirk going into her pouty lips.
As Greg put a loving arm around Judy's waist, he stretched for a friendly handshake.
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Rosalie POV
Best described as contentment, our space filled with tuneful chatter and delicious pasta dishes oozed in the middle of the four of us. Laughter came easy, with Elvis throwing his head back and nonchalantly waving his hand 'no' to deny another wild story Judy told us from the set. If seen as a puzzle, there lacked no piece. In fact, all there was was peace, at the natural equation of his arm casually at the back of my chair, with two pairs of people meeting over a delightful dinner.
Judy's sense of humour was incomparable, as was her beauty. In curves, her raven hair looked to be elegantly dancing, framing her refined risen cheekbones softly, coming to a petite point. Even though she wore the cooling colours of a Chess board and its pieces from head to toe, her smile and persona burned in a darling scarlet warmth. I knew of her mom and dad, who were in show business themselves. Her father, Julian Hess, had the title of King of Swing, and her mother, Lorelei Kendler, was a known dancer. No wonder she followed in their footsteps with flying colours.
At the lift of my hand, I took a sip of the fresh summer life in the shape of white wine, and through the abstract glass, I gazed towards Elvis. At peace himself, I admired our normalcy tonight. As my hand once again rested with the put-down glass, he caught me and let me have his blue. Tired eyes from a long day went into mine with such radiant happiness. My lips transformed into a doting smile, all while Greg spoke of New York.
During the early hours of the night, I'd melted as Greg spoke of a dear family member he used to visit as a kid—in the countryside. His aunt and uncle used to own five Gordon Setters. On the date of his uncle's passing, it became too much. She couldn't take care of them all, and with both her and her dogs as seniors, something had to be done. Greg and his parents took three of them in, and they lived out their golden years in a quaint apartment in the city of tall buildings and few birds for the four-legged ones to chase.
He longed for what that gave his family, and Judy had head-on gotten aboard on the idea. With the addition of a cat. With their life still in the busiest of the busy towns, Greg and Judy didn't want a dog to miss out on anything they needed. And so, he let his adoring memory of the Gorden Setters go, and instead, they showed us pictures of a wee little Cocker Spaniel—welcomed to their new home in just a handful of days. Enthusiastic, Greg still housed an introverted outer shell. At times, he had funnily troubled himself with too-long sentences, and Judy's hand had wrapped around his in a non-invasive supportive laugh, helping him shuffle through his words.
Elvis' smile lasted. And endearingly, his closeness increased as the conversations progressed. His arm shifted as if outer space let it all flow, taking a rounded hold of my far-end shoulder. With serenity, his touches relocated his mellow heat, seeping from his rested palm. Already at ease from the lovely dinner with lovely people, it seemed his hand belonged there—nothing of the earlier tensed-up worry present. Left by the Hollywood sign.
Laughing, as Judy told us Elvis stopped a whole day of shooting earlier this spring because of his comb getting stuck in his greasy hair, I watched Greg grin. He was sweet—short ash blonde hair, round eyes, and a handsome smile. Watching the married couple, it was apparent how their love lay thickly on their skin. Always touching, they were highly aware of each other. If her glass was empty, he poured her water. And if he seemed to love one garnish of the dish? Judy gave him hers. They were young—but he was younger. Judy would turn twenty-five by the time Jailhouse Rock was to hit the movie theatres next fall. Greg was my age. Nineteen. He seemed way older—a calmer soul, and I admired what I saw in them as a couple.
A leaf fell, tangled in Judy's shoulder-length locks, and Greg gregariously bustled through light-hearted hums, fishing it out.
The pair chatted by themselves in subdued mumbles, and a sensation tingled my shoulder. Steady but soft as cotton blankets, the feeling called on me to look to Elvis. His thumb stroked my shoulder in circles, and easy as pie, he straightened his back and leaned forward. No further sweat was broken with his palm on the wine bottle to pour me another glass slowly. Cascaded, the crisp blend of wine so light green it reminded me of a green apple orchard, met the last lagoon of my drink—right before it would have been empty.
Pondering over his gesture, I examined him as he relaxingly took care of me without asking. We had sat by a public table before, with sacred holds of hands below a table filled with microphones. I had no problem remembering how I indulged in water to avoid talking, and neither had I any trouble thinking of how he made the same gesture at our press conference.
My lips parted and closed, faltered. Never leaving his side, I somehow thought that looking at him would hold the answer to the questions I hadn't even asked myself—not to mention Elvis. With a slight clank, the bottle traveled into the blurry parts of my sight. Away. At no time did his eyes leave mine either as he sat back in his seat.
«Did you like the wine?» He mildly asked me.
«It was lovely,» I admitted. «Thank you...»
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Elvis POV
We sat waiting for Sal and Greg at the rounded high-raised stone flower bed in a deserted foyer—both of them off to the loo. Almost tickling the top of our heads, a ceiling-high tree and its leaves had its home behind us—in glorious scents of earthy terrain.
With crossed legs, Judy turned to me abruptly. «E., promise me you'll tell her how you feel one day. Anyone can see you belong together.» Her eyes were begging me with a true passion for my love life.
Chuckling, I shook my head. «Easy for you to say, you already married your love. I'm scared; I really am. I think I'm doing it the right way, but if I'm not, she'll run.»
«If she does, she's just frightened as well. She will come back. She's in love with you too, Elvis.» Her hand found my knee, priding her delicate diamond from Greg and her wedding band. Thinking of that hand being Sal's, there could be no other happy ending to my story.
I dared face Judy with a cleared throat to push back my emotions. Strangle what her words did to me. «You think she's truly in love with me? Not just... you know... some light feelings? I know she cares a lot about me, but... »
«God no, Elvis. Can you hear yourself? The girl is living your life with you, just not... with you... yet.» She gently smiled, reaching for both my palms compassionately, and a trying smile appeared on my lips at her cue.
Noting her words, I breathed in and let my held air out for what felt like forever and a day. Seeing my past year with Sal, there was no way Judy didn't speak the truth. We were partners in crime. Sal was my rock and peace. But to her? I was her comfort. A steady presence taking care of her after I let go of my dense ego around her. If not work, my day revolved around her as she did with me.
«So...» I sighed, contemplating my words—unsure of how I felt about it all.
Different from me, Judy fought to have me raise my chin. Her hands nudged mine, trying to reassure me to the best of her abilities. «She won't let you go, E. Give yourself a chance and tell her soon. Maybe one day, I can tell people I'll spend my summer at your wedding.» She ended on a smile of secrecy, and I gazed at her with a complementary goofy, tilted-up lip as I laughed lightheartedly.
I shook my head at the surreal image. «What's next? Aunt Judy and Greg coming to visit?»
«Sure! Our kids would love to hang out. It could be our tradition, E. Each summer.» She did indeed laugh, but her delivery of the line somehow made me think she meant every word.
«I'm so far behind your imagery. I can't see longer than Germany.» Taking a breather, the threat of heading off to the army, leaving Sal, had crept its way in.
«She'll wait for you.» She blurted out, confident to heart.
Without further ado, I scratched my forehead with wide-opened eyes of disbelief. «If she'll have me in the first place. I'm not exactly her picture-perfect guy. She knows all my dirty secrets, and trust me; there's many of them.» I admitted to being garbage—at least in the eye of a possible girlfriend. As Sal's friend, though, she cared deeply. I did what I could to make her happy, and she knew I valued her. What we had together was way beyond any other relation of mine. But Sal had still felt safe—since I couldn't hurt her as her friend. In the sense she feared.
«Do you have any dirty secrets now?» Judy questioned me, asking for honesty.
This was easy to answer. Straightforward. «No, I haven't looked at anyone but Sal since June.»
«Then you're off the hook.» She shrugged, raising her palms upwards to her sides.
«Hah... Believe me; it isn't that easy.» I chuckled at how Judy thought that was enough for Sal. Sal told me I didn't deserve June, and she was right. Of course, she didn't think of being with me as easy.
«Maybe it can be?» Suggesting it could, Judy was rather sweet but naive. Her husband hadn't cheated on her before, and I knew firsthand how hard Sal took Wendell's deceiving.
«No, not with Sal. She's hella scared of getting hurt again.» Closing my eyes, the plan to go for it with Sal seemed impossible. I couldn't keep my distance anymore, though. I needed her, but it was foolish to think she had forgotten about the past year of my mess. The mess I left for her to clean up, with late-night calls and everlasting conversations.
«Then all you can do is show her your love and hope she one day sees you're worth the risk.» Laying it all out on the table, Judy made me out to be this dangerous thing Sal could go for.
«I don't want to be a risk.» Even if I could see my pure intentions with Sal, she couldn't. It pained me—thinking of how she might see me.
«You can't control how she feels, E.» Judy carefully professed.
«I know that... But I can't help but feel like she's it. I know she is... And if she'd give me a chance, she would see I intend to stay with her. Not hurt her. I have never felt like this, and I don't mean the physical stuff. I mean within me. It's like she's a part of me. That cheesy other-half-saying, but more. Close to how I love my Mama.» Confessing in the most honest way I could, it felt deliberating to hear the words spoken.
«Holy God, E.» Astonished, she gaped at me. She cupped her cheeks, and her whole presence told me my confession was as big as it sounded.
«If she... if she pushed me away. Like, truly shut me down? I don't know what I'll do. How could I have Sal at my reach and then cope with not getting her? That Judy... would break me.» Sorrow filled my eyes as the fear of losing Sal tried to get a hold of me.
Sighing, Judy shook her head with hands not leaving her cheeks. «E., you haven't even tried yet. Give it a go. Then don't give up so easily if she won't go for you right away.»
With a fond chuckle, I smiled at Judy. «I'll try to remember that, Judy.»
«You do that, and I'll try to prepare some of those kids, so you'll be their uncle and aunt. Gotta start out our summer plans somewhere, right?» Her generous laughter and smile lifted my spirit. I would gladly be her kid's uncle, with Sal as their aunt and my wife. Wife. I hadn't thought of that title since I brought Sal to Graceland. Bringing me warmth, I hoped Judy's summer plans weren't too far off reality.
«Guess we're set then, Aunt Judy.» I winked at her.
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Author's note:
And here we are, arriving at the Lady and the Tramp chapter—at least, that is how I feel about it 🍝🍷🕯 I wouldn't be lying if I said my hand several times flew to my heart at the occasion of a few moments this chapter.
How do you feel about this chapter? From Elvis' thoughts, insecurities, and professions of love? Sal and Elvis' way of being around each other? And Judy and Greg, his Golden Setters, and a little pup soon to be joining their family?
Judy and Elvis' friendship is dear to my heart. The way she thinks and cares. I'm glad Elvis got that close friendship with her.
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Greg and Judy's wedding
Photographer — Unknown. Probably a family member or a publicist.
In the picture — Gregory Lafayette and Judy Tyler. Gregory Lafayette and Judy Tyler. The far-right and left persons could be their best man and maid of honour.
Greg and Judy married on the 18th of March, 1957, in Miami Beach.
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Greg Lafayette
Photographer — Unknown
In the picture — Gregory Lafayette
Greg was the son of Mrs. Virginia Lafayette. And he was born Earl Gregory Nisonger Jr. He started his acting career in 1956, starring in one episode of the TV series Studio One. He went on to the musical Saturday Spectacular: High Button Shoes—and cascaded into the movie Under Fire and the TV series The United States Steel Hour. The latter was a live drama series that went on for ten years (1953-1963).
Greg grew up in New York. While Judy and Greg did add onto their family with a cat and a dog, heading home for New York, the background story of the Gorden Setters was made to broaden his character.
And I just gotta say, Greg seems like such a Golden Retriever kinda guy. Very sweet! 🙈
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(Chapter 50/64)
This chapter is edited with Grammarly.
New chapter every week (Tuesdays)
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