Walking In Memphis

by: Courtney

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Then I'm walking in Memphis

Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?

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By 9 o'clock that night, Beale Street, perhaps the most famous street in Memphis, was filled with people. The street was lined with blues and jazz clubs, restaurants, and bars. Every night at sundown the police barricaded off the strip of road that housed most of these establishments and the entire block became one huge street party. This night was no exception. The windows were lit with neon, music filled the air, and the streets were overflowing with vendors, street acts, and everyone in the city of Memphis who was out to have a good time.

"Wow, this is something, huh?" Doug commented as they made their way down the crowded street together. Doug had his arm around her shoulder and hers was wrapped around his waist.

"Yeah, it's great," Carol agreed.

"So, where to?" he asked as they stood on the sidewalk.

"Hmm . . . that place has a sign for seafood and live music. Care to risk it?" she asked as she pointed to one of the places across the street. Doug nodded and they started through the throng of partygoers towards the opposite sidewalk.

'B.B. King's Blues Club and Restaurant,' the sign proclaimed in flashing blue neon. The place was packed as Doug and Carol entered. "Two, please," Doug told the man by the door.

"This way, sir," he instructed and grabbed two menus. Doug was surprised they were getting a table so quickly but didn't question his good fortune.

"Enjoy your meal," the host said with a smile and returned to manning the door.

A band of blues musicians were warming up on stage as Carol surveyed the room. Music memorabilia of every genre from rock and roll to jazz to blues covered the walks. There were lots of photos of famous patrons adorning the walls as well.

Before long, a waiter came over and took their drink orders. They both ordered beer, which was brought to the table just as the band started playing. Doug stood up and offered Carol his hand. "Would you care to dance?" he asked.

There were a few other couples out of the floor as well and Carol nodded. She took his hand and he led her out to the small, dimly lit dance floor. The song playing was by the restaurant's namesake, B. B. King. The name of it was 'Dark Is The Night'.

Blues has got me, there is teardrops in my eyes

Yes the blues has got me, there is teardrops in my eyes

Well dark is the night, since my baby said goodbye . . .

Doug and Carol danced close to one another. The low, steady beat of the music and the rhythmic voice of the singer penetrated the room as they moved across the floor. Doug's hands roamed Carol's back and then tangled in her hair. Neither of them spoke a word, they just danced.

Oh how I've suffered since my baby went away

Yes how I've suffered since my baby went away

And I've got that feeling that my baby's gone to stay . . .

The dance continued. Carol's eyes never left Doug's. His hand caressed her cheek and she pressed her face to his palm.

Take me back baby, forgive me for the wrong I've done

Yes take me back darling, forgive me for the wrong I've done

Well I know I love you, and you're the only one . . .

Carol couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed a dance this much. The soft, sexy smile that played at Doug's lips, the warm feel of his hand pressed against the small of her back, pulling her closer . . .

Yes talk to me baby, call me on the telephone

Yeah talk to me baby, call me on the telephone

Yes the blues has got me, and I want my baby home

Yes if your baby love you, keep her home and treat her nice

Oh if your baby love you, you better keep her home and treat her nice

Well never mistreat a good woman, this is some doggone good advice . . .

The look in Carol's eyes was incredible. Watching her in front of him, Doug couldn't imagine his life for one second without her in it. She was everything to him. As he made these quiet revelations, the song continued at it's sultry beat.

Yes it's been so long since I've seen my baby's face

Well it's been so long since I've seen my baby's face

I'm tellin' you people, no one else can ever take her place

Yes the doorbell is ringing, I know there must be somethin' wrong

Yes the doorbell is ringing, I know it must be somethin' wrong

Well looka here it's my baby, she's done changed her mind and come home . . .

Carol was taken aback by the look in Doug's deep, brown eyes. He seemed to be gazing straight into her soul. As they continued to move to the music, Carol could feel the love in his eyes. She felt tears spring to her own eyes and she reached up to touch Doug's cheek.

So hurry baby, come on in and close the door

Yes hurry baby, come on in and close the door

Let me put my arms around you baby, so my nights won't be dark no more . . .

Doug mouthed the words, 'I love you,' as the song wound down. Carol smiled and mouthed back, 'Me too.' She pulled closer, her lips finding his. The kiss was explosive, all encompassing, and completely magical. The music, the crowds, the neon lights, all disappeared as they stood kissing on the dance floor of that blues club. As far as they were concerned, no one existed that night but the two of them; and neither would have had it any other way.

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After their dance, Doug and Carol had dinner at the blues club. The food was pretty good, but they both knew they'd never remember what they had eaten that night. All they'd recall about that night in five years time was the incredible dance in front of a small stage in the low light of that Memphis club. The memories of their trip would fade with time, but that was one they both knew would stay with them.

When they'd finished their dinner, Doug suggested they go to a few other clubs and see what else Beale Street had to offer. So, hand in hand, they moved down the crowded street to another club. This one catered more to jazz. They had a few drinks and talked, danced a few more times. The evening was nice, just like they had hoped it would be.

Their last stop that night was at a piano bar on Beale Street. The music in there was blues, jazz, but mostly they catered to the rock and roll crowd. And you don't get far with rock and roll in Memphis, Tennessee without playing some Elvis. As soon as they walked past and heard 'All Shook Up' coming from inside, Doug knew they'd found the right place.

"Come on, let's check this out," he said to Carol as he pulled her along inside. The room was full of people, as all of the places on Beale seemed to be. A band on stage was belting out one after another of Elvis' classic songs. Doug and Carol found a small table and ordered a beer as they listened to the music. After a few songs, they were both getting tired.

"We should go," Carol said after Doug finished his beer.

"Yeah," he said as he looked at his watch. "We need to get up early so we can get to Graceland and get back on the road before too late tomorrow. I'd like to get to Louisiana before nightfall."

Carol nodded her agreement and turned around to tap their waitress on the shoulder. The girl turned around and Carol handed her the money for their drinks and then turned back to Doug. They both got up from their seats and started for the door. Just then, the band finished playing 'In The Ghetto' and started on a new song. It was 'Love Me Tender'.

Doug stopped and turned to look at Carol. As he took her hand, he said, "One last dance?" She smiled and nodded and Doug led her out to the dance floor where several other couples were already swaying to the music.

Love me tender, love me sweet

Never let me go

You have made my life complete

And I love you so

Love me tender, love me true

All my dreams fulfilled

For my darling I love you

And I always will

Doug and Carol were dancing so close it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. She closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder as the voice of the singer, who sounded remarkably like Elvis himself, continued the song . . .

Love me tender love me long

Take me to your heart

For it's there that I belong

And will never part

Love me tender, love me true

All my dreams fulfilled

For my darling I love you

And I always will

Carol was so close to him that Doug could feel her heart beating. He closed his eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. He brought up his arm, which was wound tightly around her back, and ran his fingers through the soft curls of her hair. Elvis' words had never felt more true to him than they did right now . . .

Love me tender, love me dear

Tell me you are mine

I'll be yours through all the years

'Til the end of time

Love me tender love me true

All my dreams fulfilled

For my darling I love you

And I always will

The song was ending and it was time to go. Doug kissed Carol deeply. "I love you . . . forever," he whispered into her ear. Carol smiled and grabbed his hand to entwine her fingers with his. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to.

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Saw the ghost of Elvis

On Union Avenue

Followed him up to the gates of Graceland

Then I watched him walk right through . . .

By 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning, Doug was pulling the rental car onto Elvis Presley Boulevard and headed towards the gates outside Graceland. They got out and walked together to the ticket booth where Doug purchased two passes for the tour. Tickets in hand, they headed for the first leg of the tour.

After seeing Elvis' legendary pink Cadillac in the auto museum, both of his planes, the Hound Dog and the Lisa Marie, and visiting half a dozen gift shops, they were ready to head for the bus that would take them to the mansion itself. They took their seats and waited as the other visitors filed onto the bus.

"So, are you having fun?" Doug asked.

Carol giggled. "You know, as much as I *hate* to admit it, yeah, I am."

"Good, I'm glad."

She smiled. "This whole trip was a great idea. I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun."

"Me either. It's going to be rough going back to work after this . . . if I have a job to go back to, that is." He fiddled with the corner of the ticket in his hand and looked a little sad at the prospect of losing his job at County. It wasn't so much the job; he could always find another job. But, his best friend was there, some of the best co-workers he had ever had, and, of course, Carol. She was the only real family he had aside from his mother. He loved her; after the last few days he had absolutely no doubt. What would he do if they couldn't be together?

Carol saw the look in his eyes and clutched his hand in hers. As she reached up to rub his freshly shaven cheek with her other hand, she said, "No matter what happens, we are going to be together. Whereever you go, whatever road life takes you down, I'll always be right behind you."

Doug turned his head a little and kissed her palm. He smiled slightly and said in a soft voice, "No, not behind me . . . beside me."

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"Is this great or what?" Doug said as they entered the infamous Jungle Room.

Carol looked around with her mouth agape and could do nothing but laugh a little. "Great? Uh . . . interesting would be more the term I'd use." The room was interesting all right. Green shag carpeting covered not only the floors, but the walls and ceiling as well. Several pieces of gaudy, lacquered wood furniture were spread about the large room. On one end, a man-made fountain still had water running through it, just as it had when the house actually served as a home.

"Elvis is an acquired taste," said a middle-aged woman behind them. She smiled at Carol. "You'll get used to it. Trust me, he'll grow on you." Carol smiled and nodded, though she wasn't sure she could ever 'acquire' such a taste. In fact, when she looked around this room, 'taste' was the last thing that came to her mind.

"Come on, let's go take a look outside," Doug said as he pulled her along. Carol followed, wondering what other treasures where in store for them on this tour through the world of Elvis Presley.

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They went on with the tour and saw the horses that lived on the grounds and the sliding board that used to belong to Lisa Marie, which now bore a bullet hole inflicted by the King himself. They even saw the Meditation Gardens where Elvis and several of his family members were buried.

"Well, I hope you had fun," Carol said as they started back onto the bus to go back across the street where the car was parked.

"Oh, I did . . . but we aren't done yet."

"Aren't done? What else is there to see?" she asked.

"The Elvis Memorabilia museum; it was closed this morning, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," she replied, not sounding too into the idea of gawking at more remnants of the life of Elvis Presley. She tried not to sound too unenthusiastic, though. She knew Doug was having a good time.

They got off the bus and headed for the museum. It was opened now so they gave their tickets at the door and entered. As they started through the winding corridors, Carol was surprised to find the stuff was actually interesting. There was everything from Elvis' baby shoes to his high school diploma to his first Grammy award.

"Hey, look at this," Carol said as she called Doug over from a display of the uniform Elvis had worn when he was in the army.

"What is it?" he asked as he came up behind her.

"That," she said as she pointed to a plate that was displayed beyond the glass casing that lined all the walls. It was the plate made to commemorate Elvis' wedding to Priscilla. On it were porcelain renditions of the bride and groom together and wedding bells and doves. In gold leafing, it had both of their names and the location of their wedding as well as the date, May 1, 1967.

Carol looked at Doug and said, "It's sort of sad, you know?"

"What's that?" he asked.

"Well, she must have been really in love with him when this was made. And, well, it must have been really hard for her when he died. I mean, when you love someone like that, you never really stop. They might have had their differences and gone their separate ways, but I'll bet she still loved him." She looked back at the plate, then back at Doug. "Do you think . . . will that ever be us?" she asked.

"Us? On a plate?" he asked in confusion.

"No, I don't mean that. I mean . . . do you think we'll ever, you know, not be what the other person needs?"

"Are you asking if I think we'll ever break up?" he said. Carol nodded and looked at him as she waited for an answer. "Gosh, I don't know, Carol. I certainly hope not. I really can't imagine my life without you. I guess the only answer I have is that I'm not planning on giving up so easy. I plan to stick around at least until you kick me out, probably longer." He grinned and took her hand.

"That'll never happen," she smiled back and kissed him sweetly.

They walked on, as they had lingered so long at this display that the rest of the tour was way ahead of them. When they had caught up to the rest of the group, Doug got a glint in his eye as a sudden idea came to him. He turned to Carol.

"What?" she asked when she saw the look he had on his face.

"I have something to ask you," he said.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Well, I was wondering . . ." he stammered, as he looked for the right words. "Actually, let me do this right." He knelt down in front of her and as she looked down at him she knew what he was getting ready to do. Carol just smiled.

Several people noticed the scene and turned to watch as Doug reached into his pocket to produce a ring. It was the same ring he'd given Carol some months ago, which she had returned to him, saying she wasn't ready then. He was hoping her feelings had changed since then.

"Carol Hathaway," he began, "I love you with all my heart. You're the most important thing in the world to me. All of the good things about my life now, I owe in some part to you and the love and support you have given me. I know we've had a hard time getting down this road, but we've made it nonetheless. The past year has thrown us some curves and I know this won't be the first time we've tried this, but I hope it'll be the last. I'm not asking you to set a date or buy a dress, all that can come when you're ready. But, I'd be honored if you would accept this ring and wear it as a promise of someday, no matter how near or far away that might be. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Carol Hathaway, will you marry me?" He looked up expectantly, hoping and praying that the answer he was waiting for would come. He didn't have to wait long.

With tears rolling down her face, Carol said, "Yes! Yes, yes, a million times yes!" He smiled the biggest grin she'd ever seen and slid the ring onto her finger, then stood up to wrap her in his arms. Their fellow tourists, who had been watching the whole time, applauded for the couple as they embraced. Doug and Carol's lips met as they sealed their promise with a passionate kiss. That day, in front of a case full of rhinestone capes and gold lapeled suits, Carol and Doug finally knew they'd said forever.

June 7, 1998

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