Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiancée and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

the idea of a “date” with Elvis was unimaginable to my sisters and me. That only happened in the movies! Terry had also been dating someone since high school, so upon hearing her accept the invitation, we knew she had done so for the same reason we would have: She was eager to meet Elvis in person and get a peek inside Graceland.
    The three of us were very close, and knowing Terry would feel uneasy about going alone, Rosemary brought up the possibility of the two of us accompanying her. As exciting as it sounded, I didn’t feel comfortable with this idea because we hadn’t been invited.
    Before I could protest, however, Rosemary quickly approached Terry while she was still on the phone and whispered, “Ask George if Ginger and I can come!”
    Terry paused for a second—she knew this wasn’t proper, but she was our sister, and we always looked out for each other, so she went ahead and asked. Then, lowering the receiver from her ear, she told us George had sounded a bit hesitant and put her on hold while he checked. Now we were embarrassed.
    When George came back on the line, however, much to our relief, Terry nodded yes and Rosemary and I went to tell our mother and Larry. Larry wasn’t too keen about me going to Graceland, but seeing how excited we all were, he said, “I don’t blame you for wanting to go,” and left.
    When Terry finally hung up the phone and joined us back in the den, she said Elvis had wanted to send a car for us, but she’d told him she would drive. George had asked what car we would be in so he could tell the guard at the front gates to watch for us.
    Our appointed time to be at Graceland was 11 P.M. We began getting ready, feeling enthusiastic but nervous. Meeting Elvis plus touring the inside of Graceland meant we were in for a double treat!
    As we chatted and touched up our makeup, Terry said, “I’m glad you and Rosemary are going.” A few moments later, she reflected on George’s hesitancy and having to check about it. “I really hope it’s all right you’re coming with me.”
    Feeling uneasy about it myself and not wanting Terry to feel worried, I walked away and stopped getting ready. Rosemary soon noticed and told me, “George said it was fine.” Then, half-joking, she added, “The worst Elvis can do is ask us to leave.”
    She was right, so I finished getting dressed. By 10:30 we were saying good-bye to our parents and excitedly heading out the door.
    Graceland was a little less than half an hour from our home. We were so keyed up, we chatted all the way over. What once had been a section of Highway 51 South was now Elvis Presley Boulevard; as we turned onto it, the three of us grew quieter. The fieldstone wall surrounding Graceland soon came into view and, as we entered the turning lane, blinker flashing, the wrought-iron gates with the image of Elvis holding a guitar slowly began to open. It was an incredible feeling, knowing this was happening just for us!
    Terry gave her name at the guardhouse. The gates swung closed behind us as we started up the long driveway, eventually stopping just shy of Graceland’s lit front porch. We sat in the car for a few moments, unsure of what to do next. Would someone come out to get us? Should we park here or around back?
    A security guard soon emerged from the darkness and approached the driver’s side of the car. Terry lowered her window and asked, “What should we do?”
    Smiling, the guard replied, “Try knocking on the front door.”
    My sisters and I climbed out of the car, laughing at ourselves and the guard’s comment as our nerves got the better of us. Passing between two huge lion statues, we jokingly chanted, “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” in an effort to relax.
    We walked up the stone steps to the front porch where Rosemary, always the bravest among us, pressed the doorbell beside the green wrought-iron front door. Expecting Elvis to appear at any moment, my earlier concerns about showing up uninvited