A Navy man and a gentleman

Before the drag show started last night, a tall handsome man sat next to my friend. He looked like a character out of a 1940s movie - grey slacks, white shirt and tie, and a top hat, of course. As he and my friend chatted, she learned he's an engineer in the U.S. Navy. He had such an all-American, Opie Cunningham kind of look about him. But was he gay or straight?

He had also been backstage helping the girls dress. And I'm sure they all loved having such an adorable man with them in their various stages of tucking, applying makeup and primping.

"Oh," my friend said, pointing at me. "Can she go backstage too? She's writing a book about drag queens."

"I don't know, but I can ask."

He disappeared for a few minutes and came back. "She's really nervous, but she can talk to you afterwards. She's my girlfriend. She's so good but she doesn't even know it." He was beaming.

And she was the star.

But she was even more of a star to her Navy man. Her gentleman. This part of the performance was for him - especially when she pulled the dollar bill out of his teeth with her mouth. While she performed, my other friend commented on all of the bruises on her arms. It looiked like this girl might have enjoyed a little bit of the rough stuff.

And then he was part of the show. It seemed so natural for her to grab his hand and pull her guy onto the stage, but I didn't expect him to rip his shirt off. And I really didn't expect her to cover him in blood.

In spite of the bruises and the blood, I loved seeing how proud he was of her. I only hope their relationship is a happy one. We all hope for someone in our lives to be supportive. To be proud and good to us - all of the time.

Love to the single girls,
Addison