C is an easy letter for me. It could be Continental, children, childhood, or Cookie Monster; all would be good choices as far as I am concerned, but for me C has to be Camelot. Not the actual/mythical place, not even the time period for JFK and family, but the Broadway show and movie. Confused? Let me help since this is my letter after all.
When the Flyer and I met, we were friends at first. He had a girlfriend, and I had someone else in my life. We hit it off as well as could be expected in college and had a lot of the same friends in common. Later on, during a summer at school, and in a drunken haze, we really hit it off and things kind of charted their own course from there. Fast forward about a year and we find ourselves with two kids and planning a wedding (we're not conventional; did I mention that yet?). For some strange and unknown reason, I mention that growing up, my parents always had different soundtracks in the house and I loved singing along. My all-time favorite was Thoroughly Modern Millie but Camelot came in a close second. Then, it happened. In the middle of the St. Clairesville Mall the Flyer and I proceeded to get into a rather protracted and heated exchange as to who played Lancelot. We're talking hands being snatched away, who-do-you-think-you-are kind of argument over who played Lancelot: Robert Goulet or Franco Nero. My first mistake was saying "Who the fuck is Franco Nero?" My second mistake was to assume that there was only one version of the Camelot soundtrack floating around. My third mistake was not realizing that neither one of us would give up since as to this point, we never had an argument . . . never. Through the whole pregnancy, we never argued. After the birth, we never argued. Even living with the Flyer's parents for a few months, we never argued. Now, in a tiny mall that had seen its better days, we choose to argue over something so damn insignificant that most people laugh at me now. So, who played Lancelot? They both did. Turns out that my parents had the Broadway soundtrack and the Flyer's parents had the movie version. How did I find this out? It took the Flyer dragging me into a record store, getting both soundtracks, and shoving them under my nose. "See . . . you're right and I'm right," he said. I think I stalked off to stew for a minute.
About twelve years later, I decided to get him a new wedding ring since the old one was battered and a bit on the small side. The one I selected was engraved inside with "The rain may never fall . . . " If I ever get around to buying one for myself, it will finish the lyric ". . . 'til after sundown." You might recognize it as the opening to Camelot. Me? It reminds me of our one and true only real fight. Do we disagree? God yes. Do we get irritated with each other? We're married. Do we full on fight? No . . . never. Ask my sister. She'll answer truthfully. Along with the ring, I found two albums of the Camelot soundtracks, had them framed, and hung them up under our wedding photo. They all hang at the bottom of our stairs in the basement as a reminder that whatever life throws at us, we will eventually get through it.
Ava
PS - Franco Nero never actually sang in the movie (I was right!), but it worked out for him. He married his Guenevere some 40 years later about 38 years after they had their child. Maybe there is something to that whole non-conventional thing after all.
PPS - Veil of Leaves socks are almost done. I'll finish them tomorrow at the NEPA Sit and Knit.
OMG, Camelot is one of my favorite movies EVER.
See, another reason I love you guys so much.
Posted by: Hygiene Dad | February 16, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Hold on, I feel a tear about to fall. So sweet! And I love the part about the album covers!
Posted by: sappmama | February 16, 2008 at 07:28 PM
That is an awesome story!!! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Cath | February 16, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Good story about Camelot. That's one musical I've never really listened to.
Thanks for the kind words about the Tilted Duster-- I think the finished shot was a little redder than real life. See you next month at the NEPA sit and knit!
Posted by: Emily | February 17, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Ah, the mall in St. Clairsville... That'll make anyone fight.
Posted by: lola | February 18, 2008 at 09:45 AM
You grew up with musical soundtracks in the background, too? With me it was "Brigadoon" and "Carousel." There are worse soundtracks for one's childhood. :-)
Posted by: Becky | February 18, 2008 at 08:23 PM
oh, that was a great "C"!
Posted by: Debbie | February 20, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Very well done, the 'fight', the album covers, and the "C" entry. Fun writing. I check back in.
Posted by: Becky | February 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM
That's a fantastic story. I hope one day I can have such a sweet story to tell. =)
Posted by: Shannon | February 23, 2008 at 02:01 PM