Part 3 (editing)

When aunt Patty arrived the crowd that had grown large enough to fill the hall they started filing through the door at 6:40. Lilah counted the people as she took their money and then signaled to Dee to tape a sign up that read, “Sold Out: next showing at 9:30”.

Aunt Patty again was dressed in black slacks but with a purple polyester blouse clinging to her torso delicately. It was a simple top but the color alone was very bold and unusual for her.

When she came up to greet Lily who wore a black skirt and leopard print knit top that stretch over her flat chest and arms tightly, Lily saw Phillip come up behind with her. “They’re showing it again?” She said incredulously.

Lily nodded and shrugged. “Mrs. Bright warned us there’s going to be a huge turnout.”

“Well who’s going to play the music for it? Betty’s 80 odd years old, we can’t expect her to stay so late.”

Lily stared at her aunt blankly then offered a helpless shrug.

“That is just like your mother to come up with a hair brained scheme like this out of no where!”Aunt Patty glared over at Lilah, who was laughing and greeting all the people coming through the door. “Look at her, no care in the world…so daft!”

Lily looked around seeking out a familiar face who may be able to save her from aunt Patty’s sudden disproving temperament.

When her eyes glanced at Phillip, his expression was soft but full of concern and he looked at her with an understanding gaze.

“She’s going to have to cancel it. I don’t think anyone would want to sit through a silent without some music, only the die-hards perhaps.”

She was starting to turn, to head in Lilah’s direction when Phillip blurted, “I could probably do it.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“You know how to play the organ?” Aunt Patty said her suspicious nature in full force, and turning back to him.

Phillip nodded. “Yeah, my grandma was a music teacher and she taught me how to play.” He was sheepish and he looked to and from aunt Patty and Lily, then added as an after thought, “Mame.”

“You can play for silents?” she queried further.

He nodded awkwardly, “I suppose so. She would seat me at her organ and have me play the organ for effect when her friends were over as she told stories and even recited poems. My dad said, being raised by her was like being raised in the vaudeville.” Phillip laughed at that but the jest was lost on aunt Patty.

“Well give me an example, Phillip, what will you play? I don’t want you playing the Frost Waltz while the Sheik is snatching his prey off her horse.”

“Well that,” Phillip said, with strained confidence, “I would probably play something like a chase sequence. I don’t know the names for it some are just little numbers she taught me in a few afternoons.”

Aunt Patty still wasn’t sold on the idea.

Phillip sighed, “If you want I can show you.”

After Phillip proved himself on the organ while people were finding their seats, she was convinced that he could handle the silent score and finally not only gave him an ok but a much appreciated hug and smile of thanks.

Lily softly thanked him too and said, “So good of you to help us out.”

Phillip smiled softly and nodded to Lily with a gentle look of acknowledgement. “It’s a pleasure to help you out.” The “you” was emphasized in such a way, Lily looked to aunt Patty who was looking back and forth to her niece and Phillip with an ardent smile.

While The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse brought a pulsing romantic performance from Rudy seducing Lily's thoughts and desires to him, the Sheik exploded on screen and into her imagination he blazed eternally. He, she thought, was a luminescent angel, with devilish pride and all in a role he was dangerous and very sexual. Yet, underneath it all, Lily thought taking him in with an unguarded passion of her own, he showed such a sweet presence and it gleamed through all the intimating gestures and forceful groping. Throughout the film she also had the distinct impression, as if she were enjoying it all along with him, his joy of horseback riding and the desert surroundings where he presided.

Even though, no one, that Lily knew of, fainted when the Sheik reached over and grabbed Diana, pulling her from her saddle to his --- there was a great gasp and then excited “Oh’ from the audience when he did. And Lilah, grabbed Lily’s arm and gave it a squeeze while smiling like a little kid who just saw a magician pull a rabbit out of his hat for the first time.

Lily smiled in excitement, sharing the thrill, her imagination on fire, flames scorching her dreams.

*

Lily curled up to her pillow and tried to ignore the feeling that Rudy was standing over her, just behind her, looking down waiting for her to turn her head to see him and that any moment she would feel him slide in next to her, and wrap a strong arm around her waist, pull her close, and nuzzle his face in the soft curve of her neck.

It was a dream she reminded herself much later, the next morning. The late morning sunlight spilling into the room uninvited and bright with the Sheik playing over and over in her mind, like some broken record on a record player. She desperately wanted to go back to the hall and watch it again and felt it was the only thing she could do to appease her at that moment. If only if she could talk Dean into meeting her at the church before the last film was scheduled to show. Then, she could watch it again, watch him again. Knowing the movie was still there and would be there until tomorrow morning gave Lily a powerful feeling of temptation and even desperation to go get it and maybe run the projector herself, or at least perhaps, get the film and keep it with her always, hidden away like a little treasure of her own. But of course she couldn’t do that, she couldn’t put her mom in such a situation no matter how much she wanted to have it.

“Is your mom up yet,” aunt Patty asked after coming into the house.

Lily was sitting at the table, leaning over a cup of coffee, deep in her thoughts but the sound of aunt Patty’s voice brought her back and she managed, “No, she’s still sleeping.”

Aunt Patty came to the table after throwing her jacket over the couch and sat across from Lily. “So, what did you think?”

“I have to see it again. Aunt Patty can you ask Dean to meet me in an hour or so or whenever so we can watch it again?”

“What? The Sheik? Oh dear, Lily, I was talking about Phillip. And Dean told me that he was going to be doing stuff with Phillip pretty much for the the day, anyway.”

Lily’s expression broke into disappointment and she softly said, “Oh. That’s too bad.”

“Lily,” aunt Patty called sweetly, then chuckled softly, “Are you ok?”

Lily looked at her aunt Patty and then with a small smile said, “Yeah, I guess I’m just a little overwhelmed with this whole weekend. With the Valentino movies and the excitement and everything. It’s taking a toll on me I guess.”

“You have that look on your face, the one like your mom has had for the last 30 years and it’s all about Valentino isn’t it?”

Lily nodded slowly. “I can’t stop thinking about him, aunt Patty. It was bad enough the other night with the first movie and now, this … well, I just can’t get him out of my head. He is so intoxicating.”

“But what did you think of Phillip? He took you home remember? I kind of got the feeling that you two were sort of flirting especially when he played for the second movie. I saw you looking at him.”

The idea that she could have been looking at Phillip with Valentino on the screen struck Lily funny and she started laughing. At first it was a slow chuckle but then she gave a hearty good one that left her feeling a bit more relaxed with her thoughts.

Aunt Patty smiled, and said, “Now, Lily, now really, are you going to sit there and act like a love sick puppy over Valentino all afternoon or are you going to tell me what happened on the way home, with Phillip?”

Lily sipped her coffee after muttering quickly, “There is really nothing to tell. I did let him kiss me though. But it was only so I could pretend it was Rudy.”

Aunt Patty gasped. “Lily!”

“Well, he seemed to like it!”

“Actually, you’re right he did like it. Dean called me this morning and told me that he liked it very much that he likes you very much. I think he’s going to ask you out.” Before Lily could dismiss the idea, aunt Patty said, “I suggest you go. Phillip’s heart is actually beating.”

Lily was stung a bit by those words. She knew that Rudy was dead but she hated hearing it used against her feelings for him. She felt that these feelings made her feel more alive then ever and in that respect she felt they had a life of their own.

“Lily,” Patty said, taking her niece’s hand. “I can’t handle this from you. Don’t you remember our talks about your mother? Don’t you remember me comforting you that she wasn’t crazy just because she held a torch for a movie star who’s time had come and gone? Please do this for me. Go out with Phillip. And if you want to think of Valentino when you kiss him, be my guest, it wouldn’t be the first time a woman like yourself kissed a man and pretended it was Valentino!”

*

When Lily dressed that night for the “Son of the Sheik” showing, she took extra care in her appearance and wore a dress she had for over a year that she had bought on the clearance rack at the boutique she worked at and although got a great deal for it never really had the opportunity or daring sense to wear it. Tonight she not only had somewhere to wear it but the courage to do so. It was a red satin dress with a black lace overlay that had sheer petal black lace sleeves and a low neck line. As she stepped into the dressed and zipped the back zipper, it hugged her tightly around the waist, exposing her curves which was surprising because she always felt she really didn‘t have any. Looking in the mirror and glancing herself over, she couldn’t escape the feeling it was Rudy she was dressing for, and with him in mind, she wanted to look as beautiful as she could and totally different from her gawkiness, like a girl dressing up in her mother’s closest but a real flesh and blood woman full of love and romance. She carefully applied mascara, lipstick, and a little blush, something she had done only twice in her life and she brushed her long dark wavy hair around to one shoulder, in one big beautiful curl.

When she came out to the living room to meet Dee and her mother, they both looked dazed looking at Lily as if they couldn’t believe their eyes. Dee finally broke the stunned silence by saying, “Ooo la la, don’t you look stunning Lily.”

Lilah smiled and said, “Oh my gosh Lily, you’re so beautiful. Come here let me look at you.” She held Lily’s hand as she led her towards her and she then gushed. “I can’t believe this is my little girl.”

“Well if there is anyone to make a woman out of any girl, it’s Rudy,” Dee said.

Lily didn’t say anything because she was flushed already and she was worried she could turn red permanently.

When they arrived at the hall, this time aunt Patty was handling the ticket situation and letting everyone in very slowly as she carefully counted each person. The night before, Lilah hadn’t been as careful and there were about 12 people standing around many who finally just sat on the ground to watch the show but it made for a mess when people were trying to get up to go to the rest room.

When Lily spotted Phillip near aunt Patty, she noticed he was the one handing out the tickets to the patrons at aunt Patty's cue.
He saw her and waved her over to him.

“Hi,” she said, stepping up next to him, careful not to stand in the way of the entrance. She thought he looked nice. He was wearing a dark brown cardigan and dark blue jeans. His hair was neat and he seemed especially happy to see her.

After staring at her for a moment, he said with a nervous breath, “You look amazing.”

“Thanks. I finally was able to wear this. I’ve had it for a long time. I just finally had the guts to wear it tonight.”

“Well, it’s a shame you’ve kept it hidden so long, Lil. You really look swell.”

Lily smiled and looked away feeling a bit shy about the whole matter. Phillip seemed very sweet with her and she wondered if that kiss had meant something to him.

“My uncle Dean is holding us some seats. For you and your mom and Dee and of course Patty. Their right up at the front. Be sure to hold my seat for me ok?”

“Sure. I’ll go now so we won’t lose them.”

Phillip nodded and smiled and it seemed to Lily like she just agreed to somewhat of a date.

During the showing of the Son of the Sheik Lily was barely aware of Phillip taking her hand in his. Her eyes were glued on Rudolph Valentino and she felt herself growing more and more passionate for this movie star of yesteryear. And although she could sense Phillip’s own deep infatuation with her growing all she could think of was Rudy and him taking her in his arms and demanding her love. The Son of the Sheik, was the final nail in the coffin for her innocent mind with regards to romance. She was now completely lovelorn and affected. She was sure her whole being was glowing and heating up by the second, and anyone who looked her way or got too close to her would surely know it.

When Phillip offered to drive her home, she agreed and climbed in his car with the thought of climbing onto Valentino’s horse and as Phillip drove her home she could picture Valentino there in the driver’s seat, turning to smile at her softly and always with that sideways glance to let her know he was thinking of her.

“I don’t want to go home yet,” she heard herself say suddenly.

“Where do you want to go,” Phillip asked. He was sweet with her and eager to be with her. She knew he felt that her calm and dreamy state was about him and for a second she felt a pang of guilt come and then quickly go.

“Anywhere, where we can look up at the stars,” she sighed.

He drove them to lookout point and although it was known as a popular make out place in town he took her there mostly because he didn’t know of any other place, they could look out over the cliff and see the stars hanging over their little town, without getting out of the car. When he put the car in park, he scooted closer to Lily, who looked up at him and pictured Valentino’s face. And when he kissed her, she thought of Rudy kissing her just had the night before. Phillip kissed her hungrily and Lily could sense a little insecurity in his kisses.

When her arms snaked around his neck, bringing him in for even longer kisses, he broke away unsure of the situation. She could tell he was taken aback by Lily, who was so warm and inviting. Then, he whispered in her ear, “I can’t believe your up here with me, Lil. Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?”

Lily smiled, shook her head delicately and then, pulled him back to her and they kissed again. This time it was a long, passionate kiss with her body pressing up to his. He then hugged her tightly to him, and feeling his body against hers she let her thoughts and love for Rudolph Valentino completely fill her. With her eyes closed she could see it was him who was holding her, and kissing her neck and her lips late into the night and early morning.

*

Thankfully, her mother was still sleeping when she got into her room after 4 a.m. she took off her dress and got under the blankets with just her bra and underwear. Her mind was foggy but she was still able to recognize what she had just done. She had made love for the first time and she had made love to Rudolph Valentino. She knew it wasn’t really him. That it was Phillip but she thought of no one else but Rudy. It surprised her that she was not alarmed with her behavior or even somewhat concerned. It all felt very natural and normal. But there was a voice in her head nagging at her how unnatural and abnormal the whole situation had been and her cavalier mood over the whole matter was equally troubling. But it was a flimsy voice that aired it’s grievances in a tone with static and whispers.

The thought that the movies went back tomorrow filled Lily with a deep sadness. She would no longer have the source for her love soaked dreams. She would have to refer to memories of these movies and her mother’s stash of mementos kept hidden in her room. Lily knew she could find them. Her mother never kept them too far out of reach.