Date: September of 1965
*Do You Feel It Too?*
The next two weeks went by quickly. Maybe a little too quickly. Mary found herself nervous as she sat in her last class of the day. Mary stared down at the portrait she had just finished up.
“So Mar are you excited about tonight?” Amanda said looking up from her picture.
“More nervous. I really wish you were going to be there.”
“Oh don’t worry Mary everything will be fine. Peter’s a great guy, you said so yourself.”
“You’re right, he is. Plus I’ve really gotten to know him the past two weeks. That’s not what I’m worried about.” She knew what she was worried about. She was scared of making a total fool out of herself. And it’s not like Mary did much of the talking these past two week, she just kept pretty quite and let him talk. But she had gotten to know him better. They took the same bus home so she had thirty minutes to spend in his presence. She had found out that they had more in common then just their music, actually a lot more then music.
“Just be yourself tonight and everything will be fine. Plus if he doesn't like you he doesn't know what he’s missing”
“I’ll try Amanda but I can’t promise anything. Oh did I tell you that’s Peter’s favorite color is orange?” Mary said trying to change to subject.
“Let me think, YES! That’s number 13 today babe.” Amanda rolled her eyes. “I think you should just tell him you like him. What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“Well for one thing he could laugh or say he doesn't’t like me.” Mary said biting her lip, something she always did when she was worried. Amanda just didn't’t understand why Mary was so shy. She was a great person once you got past her shy points. When you got to know her, her being shy sounds kind of funny. “I can’t tell him”
“Alright then don’t but please just stop talking about him. I think I know more about him then you do” Amanda laughed. Mary gave her a playful shove.
“Fine I’ll do my best but I’m not promising anything.”
After class Mary said goodbye to Amanda and headed off to gather her things from her locker. She ran to her locker and quickly grabbed her things. She closed her locker and made her way to the parking lot. Mary found everyone gathered around Micky’s green beetle.
“Hi guys, sorry it took me so long”
“It’s okay, we weren't’t waiting too long” Davy replied. They all piled into Micky’s car and headed towards Peter’s.
“How about some music?” Micky turned on the radio. ‘Blowin’ in The Wind’ by the Mama’s and the Papa’s can on the radio.
“Oh I love this song. Turn it up Mick” Mary said from the backseat. Mary sang alone with the music. Thankfully the music was loud enough so that no one could hear her singing.
Shortly later they pulled into Peter’s driveway.
“Here we are guys” Micky said putting the car in park. They all piled out of the car and walked up to Peter’s front door. He unlocked the door and ushered everyone inside.
“No one’s home so we get the place to jam” Peter started walking up the stairs. Everyone else just stood at the door with their mouths a gasp. Peter’s house was breathtaking. Everything was done in white. Off to the right was the living room that was also done in all white. In the middle of the room was a black grand piano. On one wall was a brick fireplace that looked as if it was never used. Mary had never seen such a beautiful house.
“Are you guys coming?”
“Um yeah” Davy replied coming to. They all snapped back to reality and followed Peter up the stairs. He led them down a long hallway. He entered the last door on the right. Everyone followed in behind him. It was Peter’s bedroom, and Mary thought her bedroom looked hippie. His walls were painted multi-color with different designs painted onto them. Covering his windows were beaded curtains. He had brown shag carpeting and candles everywhere. His bed was huge and piled with pillows. Over to Mary’s left were all his instruments.
“Groovy room man.” Micky said jumping onto his bed.
“Thanks,” Peter picked up a white guitar and handed it to Micky “You can play this one. Mary just take a seat and we will play something for you. Any request?”
“Do you guys know Paper Back Writer?” Mary sat down on Peter’s bed.
“I know it” Micky looked at Davy and Peter for an answer.
“Yeah I know most of it” Davy replied. Peter nodded his head in reply. Peter grabbed another one of his guitars and started into the opening riff of the song. Micky joined in and at the right moment Davy started singing. For Davy not knowing most of the words they did a great job. The then moved on to another Beatles song and then they all agreed it was time for something a little different. After ten minutes of arguing they all agreed on ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ by Bob Dylan. Peter wanted to sing it but Davy ended up singing it. It was odd to hear Davy’s British accent coming out of that song, but it had a real uniqueness about it. They then agreed that they each wanted to sing a song by themselves. Micky choose ‘No Particular Place to Go’ by Chuck Berry. He picked up the guitar and took a seat on the floor. He strummed the guitar and then started singing.
“Ridin' along in my automobile
My baby beside me at the wheel
I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile
My curiosity runnin' wild
Cruisin' and playin' the radio
With no particular place to go.
Ridin' along in my automobile
I'm anxious to tell her the way I feel,
So I told her softly and sincere,
And she leaned and whispered in my ear
Cuddlin' more and drivin' slow,
With no particular place to go.
No particular place to go,
So we parked way out on the Kokomo
The night was young and the moon was bold
So we both decided to take a stroll
Can you imagine the way I felt?
I couldn't unfasten her safety belt!Ridin' along in my calaboose
Still tryin' to get her belt unloose
All the way home I held a grudge,
But the safety belt, it wouldn't budge
Cruisin' and playin' the radio
With no particular place to go.”
Mary got up and clapped for him. Micky then got up and took a bow.
“Thank you, thank you. No sorry I can’t play any more. Really I’d love to but I must go.” Micky said a little too dramatic.
“Micky come back to us” Mary laughed. It was now Davy’s turn. He went over to Peter and whispered something in his ear. Peter nodded his head and walked over to his keyboard.
“I’m going to sing Beautiful Girl from Singin’ in the Rain” Davy cleared his throat then nodded at Peter. Peter started playing his keyboard and then Davy started singing
“Beautiful girl, you’re a lovely picture
Beautiful girl, you’re a gorgeous mixture
Of all that lies, under the big blue skies
My heart cries...
Beautiful girl, you’re a dazzling icon
Beautiful girl, I could never -----
If I have you making my dream come true
They may be blondes or brunettes
They are hard to resist
You surpass them like a queen
You’ve got those lips
That were meant to be kissed
And you’re over sweet sixteen
Oh, Beautiful girl, what a gorgeous creature
Beautiful girl, let me call a preacher
What can I do
But give my heart to you
A beautiful girl is like a great work of art.
She’s stylish, she’s chic and she also is smart.
For lounging in her boudoir, this simple plain pajama.
Her cloak his trimmed with monkey fur to lend a dash of drama.
Anyone for tennis? This will make them cringe,
And you’ll knock’em dead at dinner if your gown just drips with fringe.
You simply can’t be too modest at the beach or at the pool.
And in summer time it’s organdy, that’ll keep you fresh and cool.
You’ll never guess what loud applause this cunning hat receives,
And you'll never dream the things that you could hide within these sleeves.
A string of pearls with a suit of tweed, it started quite a riot.
And if you must wear fox to the opera, dame fashions says dye it.
Black is best when you are in court
The judge will be impressed,
But white is right when you’re a bride
And you'll want to be well dressed.
Beautiful girl, for you I’ve got a passion
Beautiful girl, you’re my queen of fashion
I’m in a whirl, over my beautiful girl.”
Davy stopped singing and sat on Peter’s bed with everyone else.“That was really beautiful. You sang it beautifully.”
Mary smiled.“Thank you luv”
“Oh that all he needs Mary is more girls flocking over him. What about me?” Micky whined.
“Oh give it up Micky. I was just telling him I liked the song. Don’t be such a baby” Mary gave Micky a playful push.
“Fine” Micky pouted. Mary throw her arm around Micky’s shoulders.
“You know I love you. So what are you going to sing Peter?”
“It’s a surprise.” Peter went over to his keyboard and played the opening. Mary knew it right away. He was playing ‘In the Good Old Summer Time’ It was one of Mary’s favorite songs or it had been. Now all it did was bring back too many heartrending memories.
“There's a time in each year that we always hold dear,
Good old summertime.
With the birds and the trees and sweet scented breezes, Good old summertime.
When your day's work is over then you are in clover,
And life is one beautiful rhyme,
No trouble annoying, each one is enjoying The good old summertime.”
Tears streamed down Mary’s face. They came without warning. Micky knew what was wrong right away. He was the only one in the room that would know what was wrong. He threw his arm around Mary and pulled her into his embrace. Mary’s dad always sang her this song. It was the only song that Mary just couldn't listen to. Mary wiped the tears away.
“In the good old summertime,
In the good old summertime,
Strolling through the shady lanes with that baby of mine
You hold her hand and she holds yours,
And that's a very good sign,
That she's your tootsey-wootsey
In the good old summertime,
Oh to swim in the pool you'd play hooky from school
Good old summer time
You would play "ring-a-rosie" with Jim, Kate and Josie
Good old summer time
Those are days full of pleasure we now fondly treasure
When we never thought it a crime
To go stealing cherries with face brown as berries
In good old summer time”
Mary looked up at Micky.
“Are you alright?” He whispered.
“I’m okay, really I am.” She replied truthfully. Peter finished up the song and came and sat with them. Neither Davy nor Peter seemed to notice Mary’s little moment.
“Peter I’ve never heard that song play so beautifully.” Mary smiled.
“Thanks” Peter smiled back.
“Well that was fun” Davy leaned back on the bed.“It was fun. We should do this everyday”
Micky laughed.“Hey that’s not such a bad idea. You guys are really good. I would pay to see that. Why don’t you guys start a band?”
“Mary that’s a great idea. Why not? It’s not like we have anything better to do. And we could get some money. Plus I have most of the things that we need.” Peter said excitedly. “How can I say no to money?”
Micky laughed and so did everyone else.
“Sure why not. But ‘hem lady’s love singers. Amanda’s goin’ to ‘ave to fight them off me.” Davy said with stars in his eyes.
“Well now all we need is a name” Peter said thoughtfully. Micky hopped off the bed and grabbed a piece of paper from Peter’s desk. He scribbled something down and then held it up.
“How about the Monkees?”
“Hey Monkey is spelled with a ‘Y’ and not two ‘E’” Peter laughed“
Really I always thought it was spelled with two ‘E’” Davy said shocked.
“No it’s like the Beatles and the Byrd’s. Get it the Monkees?”
“Oh alright. I like it. What do you think Mary?” Peter asked.
“I like it. No I love it. Plus Micky kinda looks like a monkey anyways.”
Everyone but Micky laughed.“Hey!” Then Micky noticed the time.
“Hey is that the time. I have to be at work by nine. I better get going”
“Me too. I ‘ave to pick up Amanda from work soon. Mind giving me a ride kat?”
“Sure man” Micky and Davy said goodbye and saw themselves out. Soon Mary realized that she was completely alone with Peter and in his bedroom. She started to panic a little.
“I should probably get going too.” Mary looked at anything but Peter.
“Can’t you stay a little while longer?” Peter asked with begging eyes.
“Well I guess I can stay a little while longer”
“That’s great cus I wanted you to tell me what you think of this new song I wrote.” Peter hoped off the bed and grabbed his guitar. He then sat down on the bed again with Mary. He strummed a few chords and then started singing.
“Walkin' down the lonely street, I need someone to meet.
I run across sweet lookin' you,
Do you know what you do?
Oh, you tear the top right off my head
Blow my mind.
Yeah, I'm goin' blind.
Freakin' out in the afternoon,
Lookin' at a daytime moon.
Talk to me, I'll talk to you,
Do you know what you do?
Yeah, you tear the top right off my head
Blow my mind.
I'm goin' blind.
Sittin' by a firelight,
Coffee cups for two.
Touch my lips with your fingertips,
Do you know what you do?
Yeah, you tear the top right off my head
Blow my mind.
Yeah, I'm goin' blind.”
He stopped playing then looked at Mary.
“What do you think? Is it any good Mary?”
“It was more then good. You’re an amazing song writer Peter. You music and lyrics are groovy together.”
“Thanks” Peter blushed. Mary started fiddling with her top. She didn't’t know what to say, she didn't know what to do.
“Mary” Peter said in a whisper. Mary looked up at Peter. He had put his guitar down. She didn't notice before but he was quite close to her.
“Yes Peter?” She looked right at him. He leaned in closer and brushed his lips against hers. Mary closed her eyes, and returned the kiss.
“Wow.” Mary said once he pulled away.
“I’ve been trying to tell you that since I first laid eyes on you.” Peter said breathless.
“Really, I’ve been trying to tell you this.” Mary kissed Peter a little more passionately. She wasn’t sure where the sudden burst of courage had come from but she was glad it was there.
“You sure have a way with your words” Peter laughed. “Well now that we have kissed I have no other choice but for you to be my girlfriend.” Peter laughed again.
“Oh really? Do we have to?” Mary said joking.
“We have no other choice babe”
“Alright since we have no other choice” Mary laughed “But I really have to be going now.”
“Alright if you have to” Peter walked Mary to the door. He watched her walk until she was out of sight, then let of a sigh. Everything was finally going right for him for once and it was just the beginning.
Mary hurried home. Once inside she dropped her stuff at the door and grabbed the phone. She dialed Amanda’s number. Amanda’s dad answered on the third ring.
“Hello” came his voice.
“Hi it’s Mary. Is Amanda home?”
“No sweet heart she went out with Davy”
“Alright will you tell her I called please?”
“Sure will. Bye Mary.”
“Bye Mr. Benondia” Mary hung up the phone. She had no one else to call. So she decided to just go up to her room and hit the hay.
The rest of the weekend flew by. Peter called her on Saturday night. Other then Peter, Mary hasn’t talked to anyone. Everyone seemed to be busy. Mary wasn’t concerned; she could tell everyone on Monday at school.
Mary was walking to her first class when she heard someone calling her name. She turned to the source. A giant smile spread over her face when she saw Peter running up to her.
“Good morning Peter”
“Wow you look beautiful Mary!” Mary had done nothing special. She had on a pair of bellbottoms and a peasant top. Her hair she wore down like always. Mary gave a twirl.
“Thank-you, but you don’t look so bad your...” As the words were coming from her mouth Peter took a hold of her and gave her a kiss.
“I’ve been waiting to do that all weekend” Peter said still holding on to Mary.“As much as I’m enjoying this, we just can’t stand here all day, we'll be late for class” Peter let go of Mary and they headed off to class. Neither Mary nor Peter saw anyone of their friends until lunch. Mary, Peter, Davy, Amanda and Micky all sat outside eating lunch. It was a warm day and they thought they would take advantage of it before they got any snow. Mary was busy eating her food but couldn’t help but feel the stares of her friends.
“What!” Mary putting down her sandwich.
“Are you two, well you know an item now?” Micky asked.
“Yeah we are.” Peter then pulled Mary to his side.
“Since when and why didn’t I know about this!?” Amanda demanded.
“Since Friday and why none of you know is because you were all gone. I tried calling all of you at least twice.”
“Oh alright that’s groovy, you kats look great together.” Davy said as he got up and threw his sandwich in the garbage.
“Hey Davy you know there’s starving Chinese?” Peter argued.
“Yeah I know man, but they wouldn’t even want that sandwich.”
Everyone laughed.
“Mary I’m happy for you” Amanda smiled. Mary smiled too but more to herself. She was happy. Finally she had gotten something she wanted and she didn’t even have to work for it.