Part 35 (2/2)
”Do you have a wife or girlfriend?”
”No, Kate. I lost my love seven years ago.”
”What happened?”
”She died. Heart attack.”
”I'm sorry... .”
”Started as the happiest day of my life. That morning I woke up knowing this was the day I would ask her to marry me. I couldn't wait until dinner, so at breakfast I got down on one knee and asked for her hand. We cried, we were both so happy. I was teaching fulltime then. Evelyn worked for the phone company and was in night school getting her masters in sociology. She went to take a shower, and fell over in the shower. And she was gone, just like that.”
”Oh, Charles.”
”I wanted to die myself. Almost did, of sorrow, you know.”
They share a silence. ”My family pulled me out of it. I had locked myself in my apartment and wouldn't come out. I just knew I'd never have another love like that. And I really didn't want to teach anymore. Reminded me of Evelyn way too much.”
”So that's why you're here?”
”For a while I was just wandering the streets a lot, singing at night on the corner.”
”I remember. That's when you and I first met. I love your voice, Charles.”
Charles smiles. ”So the owner here offered me a job, since I already knew a lot of the kids in Hollywood.”
”Don't you ever get bored out here?”
”No. I've got my books, and you kids have been like an extended family, especially you, Kate.”
”We love you, Charles.” Kate gives him a hug. Her cab pulls up and Kate gets in ...
Kate has exited her room from a generic-looking motel across the street from Graceland, distinguished only by a huge mural of Elvis on the wall. Just as Elvis's ”Blue Christmas” became the soundtrack for Kate's transition from the crippled jetliner to F.M.'s truck, now Charles's lovely baritone voice can be heard singing a cappella.
Goin' home, goin' home,
I'm goin' home.
It's not far, jus' close by
Through an open door... .
Over the years the wall surrounding Graceland has been richly inscribed with standard-fare graffiti. JIMMY LOVES SALLY, ELVIS LIVES, etc. Kate walks along the wall, running her hand along the bricks, as Charles's voice continues to be heard.
Work all done, care laid by
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