Free THE SANCTUARY by Cassandra R. Siddons Page A

one-piece stretch bodysuit with glitter and rhinestone trim, as well as an oversized matching hip belt.
    “Last night when you two went to move the RV to the designated parking area, I visited the Love Me Tender Gift Shop. As soon as I saw these, I knew they would make a great memento of this trip,” Julia said.
    “Let’s wear them,” Lydia said.
    “You mean try them on?” Julia asked.
    “No, I think she means wear them today when we go to Graceland. What a great idea,” Sonya squealed.
    “You mean wear these costumes out in public?” Julia asked doubtfully.
    “Why not? It’ll be a hoot,” Lydia said. “Come on, let’s at least try them on.”
    “Well, okay. I’ll try mine on, but that’s it. Y’all aren’t going to convince me to do anything foolish. Those days are o-ver . Got it?”
    An hour later, the women paid the admission fees and entered Graceland.
    “I feel like an idiot wearing this skintight costume,” Julia said as she tugged at the polyester. “This cannot be a large. Ouch, I think I just gave myself a wedgie.”
    “You’re the one who bought these crazy outfits,” Sonya reminded Julia as she adjusted her gaudy rhinestone-studded sunglasses. They had purchased the over-sized shades in the hotel gift shop before they checked out.
    “It means large in China where it was made, but that’s more like a small in America,”
    Lydia said. “Besides, I wouldn’t worry if I were you. Look around.”
    At her prompting, Sonya and Jules studied the crowd and then burst out laughing in amusement. There were dozens of men and women walking around the grounds of Graceland wearing the same costume or sporting jailhouse rock costumes. The Elvis impersonators came in all shapes and sizes. Everyone looked ridiculous, and no one seemed to care. This crowd was here to have a good time and pay homage to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
    “You got to be kidding me,” Julia said.
    “I’m in heaven,” Sonya said, snapping photos with her digital camera. “This is a dream come true. I’m here at Graceland with my best friends.” She grabbed a nearby tourist and asked if he would mind taking a picture of them.
    They stood there in their silly, skin-tight polyester costumes with arms linked, grinning like idiots. Carolina Girls Forever.

Eight
    LIZ
    A fter spending a full day visiting Elvis’s legacy, they reluctantly set out again in the RV. At five hundred dollars a night, it wouldn’t be long before their new theme song was “Ain’t Got
    No Money Honey.” They headed north towards Minneapolis, making it about three hours before stopping for the night. As Lydia pulled into the parking lot of a superstore at Peoria, Sonya and Julia looked around in surprise.
    “Need something?” Sonya asked.
    “Just a good night’s sleep,” Lydia said.
    “Here?” Julia asked incredulously.
    “Yep. Derek Duane told me that anyone is welcome to park and sleep overnight in any superstore parking lot as long as they don’t park near the front of the store. The company doesn’t mind, and they don’t charge a penny,” Lydia explained.
    “Are you sure about this?” Sonya asked.
    “He assured me that it’s safe as a campground and twice as easy, not to mention free. Look, it’s just for a few hours, until early morning. Then we’re back on the road. Won’t this be easier than searching for a campground and getting checked in?”
    They both looked uncertain but said nothing. “As long as we’re here I think I’ll go get a book to read,” Julia said.
    “Let’s all go inside,” Lydia agreed. They strolled across the large parking lot to the entrance of the superstore. Forty minutes later, they returned with sandwiches bought at the sandwich kiosk inside the superstore, along with a few other purchases. The women pulled out the folding chairs and ate their dinner in front of the camper while they watched the customers come and go.
    “This was my first visit to a superstore. I think the closest ones to