Sunday, February 9, 1964, 8 pm
Riverton, WY
“Ennis, you want ta watch Ed Sullivan?”
“Sure, I don’t care.”
Alma tuned the small black and white TV and adjusted the rabbit ears, trying to make the grainy, snowy picture come in more clearly.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beatles!
“What the fuck are the Beatles?”
“It’s a new band…from England I think.”
“Why are all those girls screamin’? Can’t hear em singin’.”
“Hush, Ennis…”
All my loving, I will give to you….All my loving, darlin’, I’ll be true…
“What’re they wearin’? Lookit those skinny pants.”
“They’re just suits. Lookit the one on the right. He’s kinda cute.”
“Ain’t my type.”
Alma giggled. “You got a type Ennis?”
“Mebbe…and he ain’t it.”
There were birds…on the hill…but I never heard them singing…
“That’s a pretty song,” said Alma, leaning into the circle of Ennis’s arm.
“They got long hair. What’re they, fags or somethin’?”
“Ennis! It’s just the fashion. Don’t go assumin’ that just ‘cause they got long hair, they’re queer.”
“I ain’t queer.”
Alma looked at her husband, her features puzzled. “A course you ain’t! What a strange thing ta say!”
And when I touch you…I feel happy inside…It's such a feelin’ that my love…I can’t hide, I can’t hide, I can’t hide…
“Not sure I like these guys. Lil too weird for me.”
“I like em. I like their singin’.”
“I like the guy with the spinnin’ plates. Now there’s some high class entertainment.”
Alma gave him a little poke. “Oh, Ennis, yer so silly.” She turned her face and looked up into his eyes. “I love you.”
Ennis looked at her, then turned his attention back to the TV, words unspoken.
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah…She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah… And with a love like that…You know you should be glad.
(304 words)