Catherine

Catherine (I won't give her full name as she lives and conducts business under it) was one of my special girlfriends, like Lady Barbara. They weren't girlfriends in a sexual way, but in a social way. These women, for it is the only way I ever thought of them, were my dates to events of all sorts. They exuded class, taste, and--most of all--illusion. On one hand, they were flattered to be accorded the dignity and fun they deserved. On the other, I adored having them with me; the laughter and fun seemed endless. And, how they loved the camera!

I guess I was "the other side's" version of A Walker. Usually A Walker is a single man who escorts ancient, society women to social events since their husbands couldn't be bothered by the nonsense. I watched a documentary once on a Palm Beach Walker who made his living that way; Walker's are invariably gay. Mine weren't ancient, society women, but they weren't women, either.

There aren't many of these women down here. Everything is either over-the-top or Cha-cha-Babes; it is a non-stop freak show that, while entertaining, leaves me remembering the class that was New York. But I won't turn on any smaltzy music, Mikevil, and wax nostalgic again.