Tag Archives: The Novel Serialised

I find myself at the Louisiana Hayride in the days after my birthday, seated in the audience beside his little girlfriend, whom, for some reason, I’ve been appointed to chaperone. Oddly, I don’t mind. I look out for her: buying sodas, finding our seats. She feels so young to me, untested, unarmoured, especially beside theContinue reading “Chapter 30: The Memphis Flash “

I’m nearly halfway through college, and the final term before the summer holiday in 1955 has been something of a whirlwind.I go to Palm Springs with Topper over spring break.We look at houses out West because Grandpa George has told me I should diversify my investment portfolio, and that real estate is always a solidContinue reading “Chapter 29: Young at Heart “

I don’t know quite how it’s happened, but I’m falling in love with Topper.  He’s so different from the boy, steady where the boy is volatile, conscious where the boy is instinctive. Topper is deep, calm seas; the boy is like a bottle rocket. With my parents gone, the boy still childlike like me, andContinue reading “Chapter 28: Only The Strong Survive”

The boy calls me often this term; he wants to tell me all about the fun he’s having. He says he has to be humble with everyone else, and I’m the only person he can brag to, the one he can tell everything. His little girlfriend would be upset by some of it, and MrsContinue reading “Chapter 27: I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone”

The boy is nervous as we drive to the studio. “Don’t be,” I tell him. “Remember, I’m here, and you were born for this.” “Thank you,” he says. “I don’t know. I just hope it’ll…” “Breathe in. Slowly. Then out.” I guide him through it. “Centre yourself. Find your core before you walk in. I’llContinue reading “Chapter 26: That’s All Right “

I watch the boy, Scotty from Sun, and his bass player Bill run through every song the boy knows. Scotty’s wife is warm and sweet and keeps me company, but I can tell they aren’t exactly blown away by him. The boy doesn’t seem to mind. He’s off in his own little world today, notContinue reading “Chapter 25: Life Could Be a Dream “

We are in the patio garden at Tilly’s parents’ house. I arrange to spend the summer in Newport with Cornelia. Her parents will be in Europe, so we’ll have the house to ourselves. She invites everyone to drop in whenever they want. Topper says he might come and see us, if I would like himContinue reading “Chapter 24: A Fool Such As I”

I am surprised when I receive a letter from Bryn Mawr, and it turns out I’ve done much better in my exams and essays than expected. I decide to give college a chance before I determine whether or not I want to drop out.I speak to Tilly, who, for once, is warm and generous withContinue reading “Chapter 23: I’ll Never Stand in Your Way “

“We’ll come off too pedestrian if we stay in college housing,” Tilly informs me.  “We’re adults. We need our freedom now.” I agree, if only to keep the peace. It’s the first term at Bryn Mawr, autumn after our debut into New York society, a debut none of us took seriously, which upset Tilly’s mother.Continue reading “Chapter 22: You May Go to College – You May Go to School “

I rush over to the boy’s new apartment on Alabama, they’ve moved again, as soon as I’m back for the summer of ’53.  The boy isn’t home yet, but would I like to wait? He won’t be long.His mother brings me a cup of coffee, and sits with me at the kitchen table. “Did youContinue reading “Chapter 21: My Happiness”