Chapter 5
The Diary, June 27, 1966
Penny’s wedding is in three days and the rehearsal is tonight. The gowns have all arrived and I picked mine up today.
The rehearsal is at five followed by a small dinner.
I was a last minute replacement, one of the bridesmaids became ill. History seemed to be repeating itself more and more.
I feel as if I am at Kellerman’s all over again.
The show, by the way, was fantastic. I think I have included a detailed description, but I don’t believe I have said how I actually felt.
We did see Johnny after the show. At first he didn’t recognize me. He hadn’t changed at all.
“Baby?� he questioned, narrowing his eyes. “Frances Houseman?�
“At your service,� I said, smiling, trying not to cry, but my voice caught in my throat and I could hardly say a thing.
“How are you, Johnny?� I began, but I never finished the sentence. He ran to me, tears in eyes, embraced me and wouldn’t let me go.
“Baby,� he whispered, in my ear. “I missed you.�
“I did too, Johnny,� I answered, a little surprised at how I felt.
“Let me look at you.� He released me and gently pushed me away to get a good look at my face. He smiled. “You have grown, haven’t you? How old are you now, Baby?�
“Older than I was at Kellerman’s. I was sixteen then. I am nineteen, going on twenty.�
“You are beautiful, Frances Houseman,� he whispered touching my face. He ran his fingers through my hair.
“Not as beautiful as you, Johnny Castle. You haven’t changed a bit.�
We started to talk and I introduced Rochelle around.
“Well then,� Penny said, “now that we are all here, let’s go out for a burger and a some Cokes and talk over some old times.�
“Sounds good,� Johnny said, “just let me get dressed and…�
“Johnny, you can’t do that,� a female voice whined from the back of the room. “Don’t you remember? You promised to take me for a burger and a vanilla Coke “