I never saw Elvis on Monday. He was gone before I got up and came back after I went to bed. I hadn't seen him since we talked at the top of the stairs Sunday morning and agreed on just friendshipâsomething I didn't really want to do but had to be done. The clock just ticked to 7am Tuesday morning. I was itching to know what he thought about the notes I gave to him.
Those blueberry muffins filled the air in the kitchen with their scent. The moment I set them on top of the stove, over the burners, Elvis stepped into the kitchen, sniffer high in the air. I had to chuckle at that since it was so adorable. He wore a white dress shirt and black slacks. Bland, but oh so dashing on him, especially since both fit his tall, lean form really well.
"Long time no see, stranger," I said to him, and he brought his head down. A smirk grazed those incredible lips. Again, it was irritating how handsome he was.
"Yeah, no kiddin'. Smells delightful in here. I knew it was those muffins."
"You were right." I popped out the muffins onto a plate and set them nicely. There were twelve of them. As I finished, I noticed Elvis staring at me with that look. I met gazes with him.
"Sorry," he said. "I just missed ya, that's all."
He far more than just missed me. "I missed you, too." He grinned, and I knew what that meantâit was another hint of my feelings for him. I had to change the subject. "So, did you like the notes?"
That smile remained, and he pulled out something from his back pocket and held it out to me. It was my little black notebook. "Thank you so much for this. I read it all the other night after I came home."
I took it, my eyes wide with surprise. "You read it all that night? You must've been up for hours after you came home."
"I went to bed 'round midnight. I couldn't put it down. It did for me just as it did for youâgave me peace, and it made my heart feel light. It was also really wonderful to read what touched your heart and made ya feel closer to God."
I nodded, remembering some of the things I wrote in there. "Well, the notes I wrote on Sunday were more a summation."
"Still, it was great to read."
"I'm really glad, Elvis. We'll keep on doing this, then. I'll write notes for you every Sunday and keep it in its own notebook."
"Hey, you don't have ta do that. It would be an inconvenience."
"But I want to."
"How 'bout you just write your notes like normal in that notebook there, and I can read it all later?"
I really had no idea why I never thought about doing this for him before. "Okay, let's do that."
He nodded, and we stood there, staring at each other, smiles on our faces, and much like two people who like each other would stare at each other. Heat started to rise up my neck.
"Good morning!"
We jumped out of our trance as Vernon came into the room. "Good mornin', Daddy," Elvis said, and right as I was about to greet Vernon, we heard the front door open, as well as the Colonel shouting:
"Elvis, you around here somewhere?!"
"In the kitchen!" Elvis shouted back, and the Colonel came in, clad in a gray suit and matching fedora. He was holding a newspaper.
"Good mornin', Colonel," Elvis said. It was amazing how we thought nothing of the Colonel just waltzing on into the house without knocking.
"Let's skip the pleasantries and get to business here," he snapped, and I suddenly realized this was serious. We all did. He gave Elvis the paper. "There's a couple things in here that we all should look at. First, take a look at this."
He pointed to an article on the side, a column article. His brows rose. "Hey, Mary, it's about you."
"Wait, what?" I asked and went and stood next to him. He showed me, and sure enough, there was an article titled "Elvis Presley's Housemaid Revealed." I went on to read the article, and it talked about Sunday in the parking lot. "Well, now I know that Eve said something."
"Who's Eve?" Elvis asked.
"She's the girl who tipped the press, a girl that I've known for years who goes to my church." I pointed to the article. "She's the reliable source it's talking about. She heard me talking about you at church and demanded an explanation. Honestly, I'm not all that surprised that she said something, or that this would be revealed. I've been trying to keep my job a secretâit was only a matter of time before word got out. Honestly, it's not that big of a deal."
"That may not be, but this is," said the Colonel before Elvis could respond. Elvis had never said a word about me to anyone since he knew I wanted to keep things a secret. "Turn to the page before that one. It's the headline."
Elvis turned the paper, and when he, Vernon and I saw it, our eyes widened. "An intruder on Graceland?" Vernon asked and looked at the Colonel. "Honestly, Colonel, that's not a big deal, either. People always try to get onto the property. Men and women alike."
"Read the article," he told us, and we all did so. My blood ran cold when the article talked about how the man was captured by Graceland security and apprehended, and the identity of the man was disclosed.
"Oh good heavens..." I muttered, placing a hand over my heart. "Excuse me."
I left the room and walked on into the living room. I heard Vernon say, "Honestly, the man could've just came through the front. We would've let 'im in."
This was insane. What was he thinking?!
My body shook a little at figuring out just what type of man I let myself get tangled up with.
"Mary, you okay?"
Elvis was standing right behind me. I could smell him. "Obviously not. How could he...? I mean, Vernon was rightâwe would've let 'im in. I would've. What has gotten into 'im? He seemed fine at church."
"Hold on, he was at your church? He goes to it?"
I folded my arms tighter over my chest. "Yes, well... not often, according to him. He went there since he thought I would be there. I was talking about you with him in the parking lot, and that's when Eve heard what she did, and the place became a chaotic mess of my fellow church-goers asking me questions."
Elvis was silent for a moment, then, "Mary, you know what's goin' on here, right?" I said nothing. "The man's stalkin' you."
The reality of it came crashing through the roof, pummeling me. I suspected there was something off about him just showing up at church after our encounters. "He's..." I couldn't figure out an alternative explanation.
"It's what's goin' on, Mary. That man is obsessed with you."
"He's interested in me," I tried to correct. "Just like you."
"No," he said passionately. "No, what I feel for you isn't like that. I love you, Mary. He's obsessed with you. You shouldn't meet 'im anymore, for your own safety."
My chest pinched, and hot tears stung my eyes. I knew he was right, but I wished he wasn't.
"He's been arrested, so he's definitely not comin' near this place again," Elvis continued. "I'll make sure of it."
Those tears fell. I shook my head.
"But Mary, that guy's bad news when we thought he was good. I'll take care of all of it."
I whirled around, and Elvis's eyes saddened the moment he saw my state. "I don't wanna hear any more of this," I spat hotly. "Just leave me in peace, for God's sake!"
I rushed passed him and up the stairs and to my room. My door slammed when I shut it, and I sat on the bed, my chest tying into knots. Whimpers escaping me.
~ ~ ~
She was hurt because of a man, only this man didn't cheat on her, but showed that he was a crazy stalker. Honestly, I saw a lustful look in his eyes when he was first at the house and met Mary. Of course, I understood his interest, but taking it as far as to follow her to church and try and get into the property she lived on? That was going too far. It was like he was Mary's crazy fan.
"Well, Elvis, I guess Mary knows a bit about how you feel, huh?" the Colonel asked as he came into the room after Mary ran up the stairs. My lips lowered to a frown.
"That's not funny, Colonel."
"As horrible as it is, it's pretty hilariousâthat guy trying to break in. What did he think was going to happen when he knocked on the back door and explained to Mary just how he got there? If you ask me, she would've stayed quiet about it since she doesn't want to cause a commotion." He sighed. "It's too bad. I liked the guy. He was good for her, at least before this."
"Good for 'er, meanin' he was a good substitute for me," I said pointedly and turned around to face him, my gaze not the kindest it should be. "Anyone would've been better than my housekeeper who's forty-three."
"Other than convicts."
That did not help. "Colonel, she's hurt! She liked that guy, and he goes and does somethin' like this! Do you think this is good for 'er after what she went through with Randall?"
"I never said that, Elvis."
"You might as well have!" I shot at him. "You probably think that she would be better with 'imâa guy who's stalkin' 'erâother than me."
His face started to turn pink. "You know I wouldn't want something like that! She's a dear friend to me!"
"Then take back what you said about the convicts. How dare you compare her to them!"
"I was only exaggerating."
"That was a mighty mean exaggeration!"
His gaze blazed as we glared at each other, and mine was no different. Daddy came into the picture and took my shoulder. "Hey, simmer down, you two. Elvis, go for a walk. Now."
He demanded that of me every time I lost my temper, especially when I was a teen. I walked miles of Memphis because of it. Not saying another word, I left them and made my way to the back of the house and out the back door into the warming spring morning, and the sun was shining. I stood there, staring at the bare line that didn't have any sheets on it, and then to the spot where Mary and I stood when I kissed her the previous Friday. Only four days had passed, but it seemed like a lot longer.
Birds chirped happily somewhere. I was jealous of them.
A door opened behind me, and I found Daddy standing next to me. We stood there in silence for a moment as a soft wind blew, and it played with my bangs a little bit.
"I was only tryin' to defend 'er, Daddy," I said, breaking the silence. "He was sayin' some mean things."
"I know, son, but that still doesn't give you the right to say what you did. I get that you're annoyed that Mary was involved with Earnest for a little while, but you can rest assured now... she's not gonna have any kind of relationship with 'im again. He's a felon."
Daddy knew very well how to reprimand me and teach me a lesson at the same time. I smirked. "Yeah, you're right. And I'm gonna do what I saidâhe's not gonna be allowed here again."
"The police won't let 'im. And neither will I. Mary's been a good friend to our family for years. I'm not gonna let another man hurt 'er... and I'm not just talkin' about Earnest."
He gave me a pointed look, and I stared back at him incredulously. "Daddy, you know I wouldn't hurt 'er!"
"I know, not in that way. You've been forcin' your feelin's on 'er, and that's not good for 'er at all."
He didn't know about our talk earlier, in the morning. "We agreed to set those feelin's aside and be friends. It's what she wants."
"Good for her. If you want my honest opinion, Mary's probably the best woman for you in terms of how well you two get along and the strong bond you have, but..."
"She's older than me, and she's my maid. I know."
"Yeah." He took my shoulder and shook it. "I say you go on with your day and give Mary time to herself. This was quite the blow, and one that she didn't deserve."
I nodded as I stared down at the green grass, the color of Mary's eyes. "I agree. Okay, maybe I'll talk to 'er tonight or somethin'... and apologize."
"That would be a good idea, even though what you told 'er was rightâhe's obsessed." I nodded again. "Let's go."
We turned and walked back into the house, and I forced myself to apologize to my manager. He only waved a hand and told me we had to get going. It was like our argument never happened.
~ ~ ~
A car sounded down the drive as I was vacuuming the living room after dinner at around seven, and the sun was just beginning to go down. Elvis wouldn't be home this early, would he? After turning off the noisy vacuum, I went to the window and moved the red curtain slightly out of the way.
Yes, it was him. He exited one of his white cars and came up to the door. I left the vacuum in the room and hiked the stairs. I made it to the top right as he came in. He didn't even notice me standing at the top of the staircase because he went right into the dining room, and I heard his footsteps in the kitchen. Cupboards opening commenced. He was getting something to eat.
He needed his cook. Elvis could make little things, but not things requiring more than three steps to make, at least, when he was on his own. Taking a breath, I descended the stairs, my heart beating quickly. The last time I saw him was after our argument. Or was it a fight? Regardless, it would make this next encounter awkward.
Once in the dining room, I stopped at a china cabinet and looked at my reflection in the glass. I fixed the loose hairs and my bangs. I still wasn't satisfied. Since I only clipped my hair back, I pulled out the clip and let my graying blonde hair wave passed my shoulders. I recalled the way Elvis looked at me when he saw me with my hair down the other day.
I huffed any pulled my hair back with the clip again, leaving it half-up, half-down. I was being ridiculous. I went on to the kitchen.
The moment I came into the room, I saw Elvis, wearing the same attire as in the morning, and leaning against the counter to the right of the stove, a bag of Wonder Bread out, and a jar of peanut butter. A sandwich was in his hand, and he was working on the first giant bite. Maybe I would forgo making something for him. He turned his head and saw me, and he swallowed.
"Hey, Mary."
"Hi. I see you came home early for dinner. And there's no bananas."
I pointed to the sandwich, and he smirked. "Yeah, I didn't feel like it this time, and... I wanted to come home. Um, look... I'm sorry about earlier."
Our argument. "Me, too. Let's just move on from that."
"It's a bit difficult, considerin' the situation. You know, I almost didn't come home with this extra free time, but I forced myself to."
I rested my hip against the edge of the counter, my body in his direction. "What do you mean?"
He pursed his lips for a moment, a deep furrow in his brow. "I..." he began but stopped. He placed the sandwich on the counter behind him and folded his arms. A sigh escaped his nose, and it wasn't a happy one. "I didn't wanna go to the police station and tell that guy what I really think of 'im. I could care less that he tried to get onto the property, but... to think that you were goin' on with a man like him... Who knows what could've happened to ya?"
I understood where he was coming from, but I had to clear some things up. "Elvis, he's not a criminal. People just do foolish things when they have feelin's for someone."
"Yeah, I know."
There were so many things said with those three words, and the look he was giving me told them all as wellâwe both experienced that with each other, acting foolish.
"Maybe I should just go and talk to 'im," I said. "Get the whole story. He's not a bad man, just a lonely one who met someone after a few years of bein' divorced."
"I don't like the idea of you two meetin'."
"Of course you wouldn't."
"That's not what I mean. Yeah, I don't like you two goin' on because of how I feel about ya, but... c'mon Mary. He could be dangerous."
I leaned off the counter and planted my hands on my hips, over my light-blue collar dress that hugged me to the waist. "Elvis, he's not dangerous! Like I saidâhe's lonely and desperate. Most divorcees are. They think they lost all hope because they think that no person would want them anymore. They're stuck in a rut until someone comes along and expresses interest in 'em. Their confidence comes back. It's just with some people, it comes back full-force, and they do stupid things because of it."
He took a step to me, his gaze firm and serious. "You're not just talkin' about Earnest, now, are ya?"
My lips pressed together, and I forced myself to not react at the way he was looking at me. I turned around. "You know very well I was hurt because of Randall. And then when I find someone else who expresses interest in me, he turns out to be a stalker, following me to church and breaking into the property I live on."
Hot tears gathered in my eyes as he came up behind me, and I could feel his heat and smell his scent. "Mary..." he said softly. "You know he wasn't the first guy who was interested in ya since your divorce."
I gulped hard, wanting to run from him, but I stayed put. My heart banged inside of me, and my face seared with heat. "Elvis... don't."
"But it's true. You went on with Earnest because you didn't wanna deal with your feelin's for me, but now that Earnest is outta the way..." He took my shoulders. "You know you want this, Mary."
I forced myself to walk out of his hold and take a few steps away from him. My back still faced him. "Regardless, it isn't right. You know that."
"Yeah, but we're gonna be miserable otherwise."
He was right. "Still... you should stop pushin' this."
"I'm only pushin' since you feel the same way."
Those tears leaked and slid down both cheeks. Not wanting him to see me like this, and wanting to leave the situation, I left the room and stepped up the stairs. I heard footsteps follow me, on up until I came into the dim hallway that my room was down. My right arm was caught, and Elvis suddenly appeared in front of me. He lifted that arm and held onto my wrist as he pressed it against the wall near my head, and he leaned in close.
"Elvis..." I managed in a whisper, my mind whirling, and my whole body numbing with emotions, most of them rather pleasurable. "You could have any woman... You went steady with so many of 'em... Why me?"
He took my other arm and pinned it to the wall near my head, clutching my wrist. He leaned down, and our foreheads touched. "Why not you?"
"There are so many things... I'm divorced, I'm your housekeeper, I have a daughter near your age, I'm forty-three, seven years from fifty..."
"So?"
"So..."
He neared my mouth. "I think you should stop talkin'."
"Why?"
"Because I'm gonna kiss ya... and you're not gonna stop me."
He inched closer, and I felt his lips suddenly catch mine. My brain suddenly disconnected from the rest of my body, and I found myself closing my eyes.
His lips nipped at mine, and a little gasp escaped me through my nose when he leaned into me, so his whole front was pressed against mine. His hands gripped my wrists, and his head tilted to the side as he deepened the kiss. Disoriented, my mouth responded.
All I could focus on were those incredibly delicious lips moving with mine. My body completely pressing against the wall caused mild pain on the back of my head since the clip was there, digging into my scalp, but I still kissed him, not caring about the pain. His hot, moist mouth continued moving with mine, and I felt it with my own over and over again, feeling his front teeth, his tongue...
Heat overtaking me, making me sweat in certain places and feel pleasurable feelings elsewhere, I slowed the movement of my mouth. He did as well. We broke apart, and right as we did so, I gasped, just like I did that morning he first kissed me, and also like that morning, I walked away a few steps, my back to him. I wrapped my arms around myself, my whole body feeling weak and heated, and my mind foggy. My lips tingled with the memory of that deep, passionate kiss. The last time I was kissed like that... it had been ten years.
"I hope you know that friends don't kiss like that," he said breathily behind me.
"I know," I mumbled, my limbs shaky. "This shouldn't happen."
"But it is."
"No one wants us together."
"You don't know that. Yeah, the Colonel doesn't like it because of image and whatnot, and Daddy's a bit weary, but others might love it. We just need to see." He came up close to me and put his hot hands on my shoulders. His form loomed over me. "I think now's a good time to take back what we said about bein' just friends. Whaddya say, huh?"
At this point, I really didn't have the strength to fight it. For years, I suffered with not being loved romantically and desired physically. It felt so good to feel this way, to feel those wonderful feelings...
Yes, no more fighting.
I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him like my life depended on it. His arms immediately wrapped around me incredibly tight, pressing me against his heated body, and his head dug into the crane of my neck as he kissed the skin there, making me shiver.
This was my answer to him. Now, we both had to live with it... and live with people's reactions.
~ ~ ~
So, I grew up listening to 70s and 80s music, and this is a song I particularly like. It came out in 1984. I thought it fit Mary's feelings pretty well ~