Another Diana story.. this one is long.
Our mothers told us we couldn't go. We had to go! We were young, and we were both in love- and I do mean love of the fanatical kind. We weren't going to let a thousand miles stop us. Yes, we had school, we should be there, but we had time off for Thanksgiving so we wouldn't miss that much. Besides, we were smart enough girls, and only had the year to get through before we graduated. It didn't really matter if either one of us didn't graduate anyway. Diana (cherryskinwino) had her steady boy, and I had mine. Taking off like this might make the boys mad, but we were willing to risk that too. If they didn't want to marry us, we'd have no problems finding some fella's who would.
We were dead set. We knew all the reasons to not go, but they didn't matter. So on the morning of November 24th, 1962, Diana stole the keys to her dad's old Chevy and picked me up on the way out of town. We were excited. We giggled all the way up through Mississippi, didn't calm down till we hit Tennessee.
I'd packed sandwiches, but by evening, they weren't tasting so good. We'd both been saving up for months, and we had about 50 dollars between us, so we stopped at a cafe for dinner in Nashville. I had a hamburger, Diana had fried chicken. There were a couple of good looking boys sitting across the restaurant from us who kept looking our way. I managed to smile at them, though it made me blush. It was just that kind of day, the kind of day for smiling at boys you don't know, in a diner, 3 states away from where you should be. They came over to our table when we'd finished eating.
"Hey girls. I'm Johnny, this is my buddy Bobby. How was your dinner?" said the dark haired boy who had taken the lead in the race for our table.
I introduced myself and Diana, and invited them to sit down. The conversation quickly went to where we were from, since Johnny said he knew he'd remember if he'd ever seen me around before.
"We're from New Orleans," I said, "and we're going to Northbrook Illinois."
The boys were impressed that we were going so far on our own. Bobby asked if we were going to see family for the holiday.
"Oh, no, not at all," Diana said, "our destination is the Villa Venice. Frank Sinatra is playing there in a couple of days. Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, too. I've been waiting my whole life to see Frank!"
The boys were shocked. Yeah, they looked the rebellious sort, but they weren't the kind to take off like we had done. They were, in a way, even more impressed. I'm sure they were thinking that we were bad girls, and maybe we encouraged that a little. It was a nice role to play, and no one would ever know that we were actually both upstanding Daddies girls for the most part.
Johnny scooted a little closer to me and asked if we were going to drive through the night, just as Diana let out a huge yawn.
She smiled, and said something about catching a nap in the car for awhile before we headed on.
"Why don't you come over to Bobbys?" Johnny said, with a little sparkle in his eye, "his folks have headed to Louisville to pick up his Grandma, so no one will bother you. Then you could get some real rest and be safe on the road."
I looked at Diana, and saw she was ready to say yes. I pulled her to the ladies to discuss it. After all, we didn't know them, they were boys, no one else would be there. My Daddy would kill me!
"What does it matter?" she said, "they're already gonna kill us when we go home. And we're not gonna tell them about this part of it, and we'll be the only ones to know."
She was feeling the bad girl, way more than I was. But I was feeling it too. So I agreed. I told her she had to tell them yes, I was just too chicken to do it. She did, we walked out of the bathroom, and she said to them "let's go."
We followed them up the road a couple of miles, and turned down a long drive that lead to a somewhat dilapidated farm house. I was nervous as heck, but Diana didn't seem to be. In the car, she told me that Bobby was awfully handsome, and Johnny was too. I agreed, they were, but, well, I had reservations. We parked the Chevy behind the boys' Ford, and got out. They were at our sides instantly, Bobby took Diana's hand and lead her into the house. Johnny just walked next to me.
The house put me at ease once we entered. There were family pictures covering the walls, and it all seemed so normal. The wallpaper was a little faded, but everything was clean and so orderly. Bobby took Diana upstairs, to give her a place to sleep. Johnny asked if I wanted to sleep yet, and I said no. He lead me into the living room, and we sat on the sofa. We fell into talking, mostly about music. He thought that since I liked Frank enough to go so far to see him, that I must not like Elvis. He was excited when I told him that, actually, Diana and I had snuck out when we were only 12 to see Elvis at Ponchartrain Beach. As far as I can think, that was the only really bad thing we had done in our lives before this, and we got away with that one. But I guess it made Johnny really think we were bad. I found myself not correcting his thoughts.
It occured to me that Bobby hadn't come downstairs. I guess I was a bit surprised at what that might mean. It was a little different, her being upstairs with a boy, than me being downstairs with a boy.
Johnny went to get a drink, and came back with a beer for me. I'd never had a beer before, but I was game. It was pretty good. We had a few more, and were talking loudly about the merits of Frank versus those of Elvis. Then we kissed. And you folks probably can guess at what all came next, but things were different then, and it meant more then.
It was quite a night. In the morning, I met up with Diana in the bathroom. We kind of just smiled at each other and giggled a little. As I was washing my face, Diana mentioned that we better get on the road. She surprised me. I guess I wanted to go on too, but part of me wanted to stay with Johnny a little longer. But I'd been telling myself all night that I would never see him again, so I was somehow ready to move on. But I did get his address before we left, and I promised to write him. He asked me to stay, and said some wonderful things, but Frank was waiting, and Diana was too. She honked the horn as I had one last kiss with Johnny. As I turned toward the car, Johnny grabbed my arm and made me promise again to write. I said I would, and got into the Chevy. I was sad as we pulled out, but part of me was relieved. I did have a steady guy at home, and I did feel horrible that he couldn't even begin to compare with Johnny.
The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful. The car started to overheat when we'd just crossed into Illinois, but we were in front of a service station when it got hot. We stopped, and the older gentleman filled up the water and told us we'd be fine. He didn't charge us a cent.
We stopped and ate a couple times. There weren't any good looking boys at any of those places, but I could tell Diana was looking. I didn't mind. She could be wild if she wanted to, me, I didn't think any boy would look good after Johnny.
I piloted the Chevy into Chicago at one in the morning. We were both really tired, but we wanted to get close before stopping. Tommorrow was the day of the show, and we weren't going to risk missing it. We spent the night in the car behind a drug store. Nobody bothered us, and I can't speak for Diana, but I slept like a log.
When morning rolled around, Diana got behind the wheel and drove us up to Northbrook. We went into a little restaurant that was close to the Villa Venice, and had a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and eggs. It tasted better than any pancakes and eggs I'd eaten in my entire life. Heavenly pancakes, heavenly eggs.
After eating, we went straight to the Villa Venice. We were really early, it was barely mid-morning. Didn't have any more plans though, we were there to wait for the show.
I sat on the hood of the car in the parking lot while Diana kind of paced around it. We talked of how excited we were, how much trouble we were likely to get in when we got back to New Orleans, how great the night was going to be. We didn't talk about Bobby and Johnny, but Johnny was all I was really thinking about. I wrote him letters in my mind, plotting out just what I would say to him. We'd been sitting there for about an hour when a janitor for the place strolled up. He was amused that we were sitting in the parking lot so early. But he was the kind sort. He said he'd let us inside if we wanted, and mentioned that Frank was already there and that he had met him. Our excitement quarupled, and we followed him inside. He took us into the hall where the show was playing, sat us at a table near the bar, and got us each a Coke. He made us promise to stay put, and to not go wandering around. It would cost him his job, he said, and he had 2 kids at home. We promised.
The excitement was starting to wear off by early afternoon. Sitting at a table in an empty hall really isn't very entertaining, even if you are waiting to see the neatest people in the world. We'd lapsed into silence. Diana was sitting with her elbows on the table propping up her head, and I was once again writing mental letters to Johnny. Since we'd been in there, people had been coming and going, making preparations for the show. A man had come and fiddled with the lights, another came and checked the mics. We'd watched them all, but it really wasn't very interesting. Another man entered, and stood in the shadows near the stage. I looked, but couldn't really see him. I guess I figured it was another technical person making adjustments or something. But it wasn't. The man stepped out of the shadows, revealing a face that was nearly as familiar as my own. One I'd gazed at for hours on end, dreamt about, one that I loved. I couldn't say a word. My hand flew up to my mouth. Diana gave me a look, then turned to look where I was staring.
Her face blanched. I thought for a moment that she would faint. I thought for a moment that I myself might faint. Neiter of us did, just stared in silence as the man walked toward our table. He said hello as he passed us and went behind the bar to get a drink. As he was making his own, he called over to us, asking if we wanted anything. I shook my head, no. Diana didn't manage anything. She just stared. Her jaw was practically on the table.
He grabbed his drink and walked back over to our table. He didn't sit, stood in between us, and started talking. When he asked us if we were there for the show tonight, Diana found her voice.
"Yes, yes! We've driven up from New Orleans, just to be here tonight. I've been wanting to see you forever. I love you. You're the best ever. I love you!" she gushed.
Frank smiled, and put his hand on her shoulder. "That's quite a drive. We'll have to make it a good one tonight, just for you girls."
Diana gazed up at him with eyes as big as saucers. If I said I wasn't green with jeaousy at that moment, I'd be the biggest liar ever. But as the jealousy was getting unbearable, Frank took his hand off her shoulder and moved over to me. He put his hand on my shoulder then, and said to me, "You enjoy the show. If you girls need anything, tell someone to come get me and we'll get you fixed up." Then he walked away.
I can't tell you how long we sat there without a word passing between us, staring into the darkness by the stage into which he had vanished. It was quite some time. The hall was getting much more active by the time we could talk. "We better get dressed for tonight," I said. Diana nodded.
We walked out to the car and grabbed our bags. We went back inside and found the ladies, where we changed our clothes and put on fresh makeup.
"We met him. We really met him." Diana mumbled. She carefully touched her shoulder where his hand had rested. "I didn't even get an autograph!" she said, "but what's that matter really... oh, I wish I had!"
I hadn't thought of that either. I felt regret too. We should have gotten something. Anything. To remember the moment, to show our friends. But it was still all too fresh for me to care very much about it. Who would want an autograph, when they could say that Mr. Sinatra had rested his hand on her shoulder?
We left the restroom, dropped our bags back out in the car, and went back into the hall. The final preparations were underway, and there were a couple of other girls that had come early. We went and talked to them, telling them about how we had met Frank earlier. Their eyes were all green! They asked us a million questions, and commented on how gentlemanlly he was. One girl tried to convince us to send for him, to say that we needed something. But we didn't need anything, and we didn't want to share Frank with the other girls anyway. The time was passing quickly then. We all went to a table and sat down. Me, Diana, and a couple of the girls we'd just me, we all sat down at a table that was pretty close to the stage. The hall was quickly filling up. Seemed like only minutes before the lights on the stage dimmed, and the hall went quiet.
A spotlight lit the stage, and Dean Martin came out. He opened the show with a parody of 'The Lady is a Tramp.' We were all laughing. He talked, and we were all rolling. Then he sang some more. And then, then, Frank came out. He sang, oh how he sang. He sang, then he did a monolouge, then he sang again. As he finished 'Please Be Kind,' a spotlight drifted over the crowd, and he was following it with his eyes. When it rested upon our table, he smiled and pointed toward us. Then he started singing 'You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You.' I was fit to be tied. As were all the other girls at the table. We were all giggling and couldn't sit still. Except for Diana, who just stared with a dreamy expression on her face. Sammy came out after that song, but I can hardly remember what he did. I remember the impressions, they were really funny, but the rest is a haze. After a bit, Frank and Dean came out to join him, and it was just amazing. They did the funny stuff, then a medly, then more impressions, and then more singing. Then the show was over.
It wasn't nearly long enough. I wanted them on stage for, say, a few more days. But I guess that's what makes such things so special, they don't last forever.
We lingered with the rest of the girls from our table, and were joined by a bunch of other girls. Frank, Dean and Sammy came out maybe a half hour after the show ended. They signed some autographs, but didn't stay out long. I got Dean's autograph, and a killer smile from him in the process. Diana was standing a bit back from the herd of girls, staring at Frank. He noticed her at one point, and waved. She stepped forward, pushing the other girls out of her way till she was face to face with him again. I pushed over to them too. I asked Frank for an autograph, and he gave me one. Then he leaned forward, and gave Diana a hug. A hug! I about died! Then he and Dean and Sammy all turned and retreated.
The herd of girls dissapated, and we were left standing alone in the hall again. Not entirely alone, there were plenty of people cleaning up, but for all purposes, we were alone again. Grinning at each other.
"It was more than I'd dared to dream it would be." I said.
"It sure was." Diana replied.
We turned to go, so sad that we were leaving, but, well, satisfied. We left town that night, even though it was already late. Neither of us would be sleeping anytime soon. I said something about stopping back in Nashville on the way home to see Johnny again but Diana said no. She was right, we had to get home, but I still wanted to see him again. She was adamant. The fun was over, we had to get back to New Orleans and face the music. So we went. We took turns driving. I'd drive while she would nap, then we'd switch. The drive home took forever. She was driving when we hit Nashville, just as well, I don't think I could have kept driving, I would have stopped. Instead, I just stared out the window, caught a glimpse of the cafe we had eaten at a few days before, and it felt like my heart was breaking.
We drove straight through, stopped only for gas and food. By the time we were back in Louisiana, we were both dog tired. Diana dropped me at my house, and I was scared. All the lights were on. I went in to face the music. It was awful, but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. That night, after all the yelling was done, and my punishment had begun, I sat in my room and wrote a real letter to Johnny. I mailed it the next day, and got a quick response. My parents were angry about that too, but I bribed my little brother to snag Johnny's letters out of the mail and bring them to me before my parents could see them. A week after graduation, Johnny came down to New Orleans, found a job, and we got married.
I wasn't allowed to see Diana for a long time, it was part of my punishment, but I saw her at school. She got in lots of trouble too. But she wouldn't take it, it just made her angry. She dropped out of school in January, stole her Daddy's Chevy again and was long gone. I got a letter from her a few months later. She'd moved to Las Vegas, and saw Frank on stage as often as she could. She saw him once on the floor in a casino, and he remembered her. She was working as a waitress, making good money, and having the time of her life. I wasn't jealous though, because I had Johnny, and to me, he's worth a hundred Frank Sinatras.
We were dead set. We knew all the reasons to not go, but they didn't matter. So on the morning of November 24th, 1962, Diana stole the keys to her dad's old Chevy and picked me up on the way out of town. We were excited. We giggled all the way up through Mississippi, didn't calm down till we hit Tennessee.
I'd packed sandwiches, but by evening, they weren't tasting so good. We'd both been saving up for months, and we had about 50 dollars between us, so we stopped at a cafe for dinner in Nashville. I had a hamburger, Diana had fried chicken. There were a couple of good looking boys sitting across the restaurant from us who kept looking our way. I managed to smile at them, though it made me blush. It was just that kind of day, the kind of day for smiling at boys you don't know, in a diner, 3 states away from where you should be. They came over to our table when we'd finished eating.
"Hey girls. I'm Johnny, this is my buddy Bobby. How was your dinner?" said the dark haired boy who had taken the lead in the race for our table.
I introduced myself and Diana, and invited them to sit down. The conversation quickly went to where we were from, since Johnny said he knew he'd remember if he'd ever seen me around before.
"We're from New Orleans," I said, "and we're going to Northbrook Illinois."
The boys were impressed that we were going so far on our own. Bobby asked if we were going to see family for the holiday.
"Oh, no, not at all," Diana said, "our destination is the Villa Venice. Frank Sinatra is playing there in a couple of days. Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, too. I've been waiting my whole life to see Frank!"
The boys were shocked. Yeah, they looked the rebellious sort, but they weren't the kind to take off like we had done. They were, in a way, even more impressed. I'm sure they were thinking that we were bad girls, and maybe we encouraged that a little. It was a nice role to play, and no one would ever know that we were actually both upstanding Daddies girls for the most part.
Johnny scooted a little closer to me and asked if we were going to drive through the night, just as Diana let out a huge yawn.
She smiled, and said something about catching a nap in the car for awhile before we headed on.
"Why don't you come over to Bobbys?" Johnny said, with a little sparkle in his eye, "his folks have headed to Louisville to pick up his Grandma, so no one will bother you. Then you could get some real rest and be safe on the road."
I looked at Diana, and saw she was ready to say yes. I pulled her to the ladies to discuss it. After all, we didn't know them, they were boys, no one else would be there. My Daddy would kill me!
"What does it matter?" she said, "they're already gonna kill us when we go home. And we're not gonna tell them about this part of it, and we'll be the only ones to know."
She was feeling the bad girl, way more than I was. But I was feeling it too. So I agreed. I told her she had to tell them yes, I was just too chicken to do it. She did, we walked out of the bathroom, and she said to them "let's go."
We followed them up the road a couple of miles, and turned down a long drive that lead to a somewhat dilapidated farm house. I was nervous as heck, but Diana didn't seem to be. In the car, she told me that Bobby was awfully handsome, and Johnny was too. I agreed, they were, but, well, I had reservations. We parked the Chevy behind the boys' Ford, and got out. They were at our sides instantly, Bobby took Diana's hand and lead her into the house. Johnny just walked next to me.
The house put me at ease once we entered. There were family pictures covering the walls, and it all seemed so normal. The wallpaper was a little faded, but everything was clean and so orderly. Bobby took Diana upstairs, to give her a place to sleep. Johnny asked if I wanted to sleep yet, and I said no. He lead me into the living room, and we sat on the sofa. We fell into talking, mostly about music. He thought that since I liked Frank enough to go so far to see him, that I must not like Elvis. He was excited when I told him that, actually, Diana and I had snuck out when we were only 12 to see Elvis at Ponchartrain Beach. As far as I can think, that was the only really bad thing we had done in our lives before this, and we got away with that one. But I guess it made Johnny really think we were bad. I found myself not correcting his thoughts.
It occured to me that Bobby hadn't come downstairs. I guess I was a bit surprised at what that might mean. It was a little different, her being upstairs with a boy, than me being downstairs with a boy.
Johnny went to get a drink, and came back with a beer for me. I'd never had a beer before, but I was game. It was pretty good. We had a few more, and were talking loudly about the merits of Frank versus those of Elvis. Then we kissed. And you folks probably can guess at what all came next, but things were different then, and it meant more then.
It was quite a night. In the morning, I met up with Diana in the bathroom. We kind of just smiled at each other and giggled a little. As I was washing my face, Diana mentioned that we better get on the road. She surprised me. I guess I wanted to go on too, but part of me wanted to stay with Johnny a little longer. But I'd been telling myself all night that I would never see him again, so I was somehow ready to move on. But I did get his address before we left, and I promised to write him. He asked me to stay, and said some wonderful things, but Frank was waiting, and Diana was too. She honked the horn as I had one last kiss with Johnny. As I turned toward the car, Johnny grabbed my arm and made me promise again to write. I said I would, and got into the Chevy. I was sad as we pulled out, but part of me was relieved. I did have a steady guy at home, and I did feel horrible that he couldn't even begin to compare with Johnny.
The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful. The car started to overheat when we'd just crossed into Illinois, but we were in front of a service station when it got hot. We stopped, and the older gentleman filled up the water and told us we'd be fine. He didn't charge us a cent.
We stopped and ate a couple times. There weren't any good looking boys at any of those places, but I could tell Diana was looking. I didn't mind. She could be wild if she wanted to, me, I didn't think any boy would look good after Johnny.
I piloted the Chevy into Chicago at one in the morning. We were both really tired, but we wanted to get close before stopping. Tommorrow was the day of the show, and we weren't going to risk missing it. We spent the night in the car behind a drug store. Nobody bothered us, and I can't speak for Diana, but I slept like a log.
When morning rolled around, Diana got behind the wheel and drove us up to Northbrook. We went into a little restaurant that was close to the Villa Venice, and had a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and eggs. It tasted better than any pancakes and eggs I'd eaten in my entire life. Heavenly pancakes, heavenly eggs.
After eating, we went straight to the Villa Venice. We were really early, it was barely mid-morning. Didn't have any more plans though, we were there to wait for the show.
I sat on the hood of the car in the parking lot while Diana kind of paced around it. We talked of how excited we were, how much trouble we were likely to get in when we got back to New Orleans, how great the night was going to be. We didn't talk about Bobby and Johnny, but Johnny was all I was really thinking about. I wrote him letters in my mind, plotting out just what I would say to him. We'd been sitting there for about an hour when a janitor for the place strolled up. He was amused that we were sitting in the parking lot so early. But he was the kind sort. He said he'd let us inside if we wanted, and mentioned that Frank was already there and that he had met him. Our excitement quarupled, and we followed him inside. He took us into the hall where the show was playing, sat us at a table near the bar, and got us each a Coke. He made us promise to stay put, and to not go wandering around. It would cost him his job, he said, and he had 2 kids at home. We promised.
The excitement was starting to wear off by early afternoon. Sitting at a table in an empty hall really isn't very entertaining, even if you are waiting to see the neatest people in the world. We'd lapsed into silence. Diana was sitting with her elbows on the table propping up her head, and I was once again writing mental letters to Johnny. Since we'd been in there, people had been coming and going, making preparations for the show. A man had come and fiddled with the lights, another came and checked the mics. We'd watched them all, but it really wasn't very interesting. Another man entered, and stood in the shadows near the stage. I looked, but couldn't really see him. I guess I figured it was another technical person making adjustments or something. But it wasn't. The man stepped out of the shadows, revealing a face that was nearly as familiar as my own. One I'd gazed at for hours on end, dreamt about, one that I loved. I couldn't say a word. My hand flew up to my mouth. Diana gave me a look, then turned to look where I was staring.
Her face blanched. I thought for a moment that she would faint. I thought for a moment that I myself might faint. Neiter of us did, just stared in silence as the man walked toward our table. He said hello as he passed us and went behind the bar to get a drink. As he was making his own, he called over to us, asking if we wanted anything. I shook my head, no. Diana didn't manage anything. She just stared. Her jaw was practically on the table.
He grabbed his drink and walked back over to our table. He didn't sit, stood in between us, and started talking. When he asked us if we were there for the show tonight, Diana found her voice.
"Yes, yes! We've driven up from New Orleans, just to be here tonight. I've been wanting to see you forever. I love you. You're the best ever. I love you!" she gushed.
Frank smiled, and put his hand on her shoulder. "That's quite a drive. We'll have to make it a good one tonight, just for you girls."
Diana gazed up at him with eyes as big as saucers. If I said I wasn't green with jeaousy at that moment, I'd be the biggest liar ever. But as the jealousy was getting unbearable, Frank took his hand off her shoulder and moved over to me. He put his hand on my shoulder then, and said to me, "You enjoy the show. If you girls need anything, tell someone to come get me and we'll get you fixed up." Then he walked away.
I can't tell you how long we sat there without a word passing between us, staring into the darkness by the stage into which he had vanished. It was quite some time. The hall was getting much more active by the time we could talk. "We better get dressed for tonight," I said. Diana nodded.
We walked out to the car and grabbed our bags. We went back inside and found the ladies, where we changed our clothes and put on fresh makeup.
"We met him. We really met him." Diana mumbled. She carefully touched her shoulder where his hand had rested. "I didn't even get an autograph!" she said, "but what's that matter really... oh, I wish I had!"
I hadn't thought of that either. I felt regret too. We should have gotten something. Anything. To remember the moment, to show our friends. But it was still all too fresh for me to care very much about it. Who would want an autograph, when they could say that Mr. Sinatra had rested his hand on her shoulder?
We left the restroom, dropped our bags back out in the car, and went back into the hall. The final preparations were underway, and there were a couple of other girls that had come early. We went and talked to them, telling them about how we had met Frank earlier. Their eyes were all green! They asked us a million questions, and commented on how gentlemanlly he was. One girl tried to convince us to send for him, to say that we needed something. But we didn't need anything, and we didn't want to share Frank with the other girls anyway. The time was passing quickly then. We all went to a table and sat down. Me, Diana, and a couple of the girls we'd just me, we all sat down at a table that was pretty close to the stage. The hall was quickly filling up. Seemed like only minutes before the lights on the stage dimmed, and the hall went quiet.
A spotlight lit the stage, and Dean Martin came out. He opened the show with a parody of 'The Lady is a Tramp.' We were all laughing. He talked, and we were all rolling. Then he sang some more. And then, then, Frank came out. He sang, oh how he sang. He sang, then he did a monolouge, then he sang again. As he finished 'Please Be Kind,' a spotlight drifted over the crowd, and he was following it with his eyes. When it rested upon our table, he smiled and pointed toward us. Then he started singing 'You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You.' I was fit to be tied. As were all the other girls at the table. We were all giggling and couldn't sit still. Except for Diana, who just stared with a dreamy expression on her face. Sammy came out after that song, but I can hardly remember what he did. I remember the impressions, they were really funny, but the rest is a haze. After a bit, Frank and Dean came out to join him, and it was just amazing. They did the funny stuff, then a medly, then more impressions, and then more singing. Then the show was over.
It wasn't nearly long enough. I wanted them on stage for, say, a few more days. But I guess that's what makes such things so special, they don't last forever.
We lingered with the rest of the girls from our table, and were joined by a bunch of other girls. Frank, Dean and Sammy came out maybe a half hour after the show ended. They signed some autographs, but didn't stay out long. I got Dean's autograph, and a killer smile from him in the process. Diana was standing a bit back from the herd of girls, staring at Frank. He noticed her at one point, and waved. She stepped forward, pushing the other girls out of her way till she was face to face with him again. I pushed over to them too. I asked Frank for an autograph, and he gave me one. Then he leaned forward, and gave Diana a hug. A hug! I about died! Then he and Dean and Sammy all turned and retreated.
The herd of girls dissapated, and we were left standing alone in the hall again. Not entirely alone, there were plenty of people cleaning up, but for all purposes, we were alone again. Grinning at each other.
"It was more than I'd dared to dream it would be." I said.
"It sure was." Diana replied.
We turned to go, so sad that we were leaving, but, well, satisfied. We left town that night, even though it was already late. Neither of us would be sleeping anytime soon. I said something about stopping back in Nashville on the way home to see Johnny again but Diana said no. She was right, we had to get home, but I still wanted to see him again. She was adamant. The fun was over, we had to get back to New Orleans and face the music. So we went. We took turns driving. I'd drive while she would nap, then we'd switch. The drive home took forever. She was driving when we hit Nashville, just as well, I don't think I could have kept driving, I would have stopped. Instead, I just stared out the window, caught a glimpse of the cafe we had eaten at a few days before, and it felt like my heart was breaking.
We drove straight through, stopped only for gas and food. By the time we were back in Louisiana, we were both dog tired. Diana dropped me at my house, and I was scared. All the lights were on. I went in to face the music. It was awful, but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. That night, after all the yelling was done, and my punishment had begun, I sat in my room and wrote a real letter to Johnny. I mailed it the next day, and got a quick response. My parents were angry about that too, but I bribed my little brother to snag Johnny's letters out of the mail and bring them to me before my parents could see them. A week after graduation, Johnny came down to New Orleans, found a job, and we got married.
I wasn't allowed to see Diana for a long time, it was part of my punishment, but I saw her at school. She got in lots of trouble too. But she wouldn't take it, it just made her angry. She dropped out of school in January, stole her Daddy's Chevy again and was long gone. I got a letter from her a few months later. She'd moved to Las Vegas, and saw Frank on stage as often as she could. She saw him once on the floor in a casino, and he remembered her. She was working as a waitress, making good money, and having the time of her life. I wasn't jealous though, because I had Johnny, and to me, he's worth a hundred Frank Sinatras.