Free Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiancée and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story by Ginger Alden

seeping through my coat.
    It was so cold inside the plane, I could see my own breath. Milo and George greeted me when I boarded and handed me a blanket. As we took off and began our journey west, I reflected on how, once again, I was experiencing things with Elvis that I’d never done before in my life: leaving Memphis alone for the first time and going to another city I’d never seen before, to be with a man I hardly knew.
    I felt a shadow of trepidation creep over me. I suddenly wished my sisters or a friend could have accompanied me, so I wouldn’t feel quite as alone. I lay across the couch, pulled the blanket up around me, and tried to sleep, knowing I’d need my energy for whatever adventures lay ahead.
    We landed in San Francisco a few hours past midnight on what was now Sunday, November 28. I rode with Milo and George to a Hilton Hotel, where they helped with my suitcase and escorted me to my room.
    The first thing I did was place a collect call to my parents to let them know I was okay. Then I started unpacking. I didn’t know if Elvis would have a show that afternoon or evening, but because he had arranged my travel, he must have surely known of my arrival. I was certain I’d get a knock on my door or a phone call shortly. I was really looking forward to seeing him.
    The minutes ticked by. I began to feel tired from the thrill of the trip, the anticipation of seeing Elvis again, and being awake for so long, especially since I was still running two hours later on Memphis time. I tried to fight sleep by watching television.
    A couple of hours went slowly by. It was getting closer to dawn, but still feeling like I was on call, I was reluctant to wash my face, put on pajamas, and crawl into bed only to have Elvis knock at my door. So I stayed up, letting a few more hours pass.
    Finally, feeling silly, I decided Elvis was asleep and I should get some rest. I gave up and went to bed.
    I woke that afternoon around 3 P.M. , feeling better but still a bit jet-lagged. Positive that I’d hear from Elvis any minute now or at least from someone who’d give me information about his show, I took a quick shower and hurriedly got dressed.
    I hurried for nothing, as it turned out. More time passed. Even if Elvis had performed last night and had not gotten to sleep until early morning, he must have been up for a while now because it was after four. Why hadn’t I heard from him?
    Again, I tried to rationalize what was going on. Since I’d arrived so late, maybe Elvis was letting me sleep, I thought. I hadn’t eaten since leaving Memphis and began to feel hungry. Suddenly I realized that, in all of my excitement and rushing around, I hadn’t brought any money with me. I’d never been in a situation like this.
    I didn’t feel right taking advantage of Elvis by calling room service. I wondered if I should leave the room and try to find a member of his staff, but I was afraid to leave for fear of missing Elvis or a phone call from one of his employees.
    Feeling more awkward by the minute, I continued to watch television as the hours marched by. It was bizarre, being whisked out of Memphis and then having to wait around like this without a word from anyone.
    I didn’t really feel angry at Elvis because he clearly had wanted me to see his show enough to bring me here. I was happy that he’d asked and excited about seeing him. But, as day turned into night, I was starting to feel abandoned and confused. Where was Elvis?
    The phone finally rang around 6 P.M. I leaped to answer it, excited that someone had finally remembered I was here.
    It was one of Elvis’s employees, asking if I needed anything. When I told him I was hungry, he said, “Order anything and charge it to the room.” Then he hung up with no mention of Elvis or where he was.
    Was Elvis’s location a secret? I felt completely baffled. I still had no idea what was going on. At that point, though, I was just relieved to know I could be eating soon, and so I