”Rachel smiled. “That’s true but I love him, too. He’s a great guy and I appreciate his presence in my life. We’ve enjoyed being together si...nce the first moment. Gerald makes me feel at ease.”I was getting uncomfortable with all this. Rachel leaned her head on my shoulder and whispered, “You’ll survive being praised. I’m proud to be seen with you. Gerald, you’re one of the good guys.”I sort of shrugged. I ate and listened. The girls moved to talking about other things. They both taught though. You wouldn’t just be any old escort, hired to do with as the client pleases. You’ll be arm candy for the businessmen; and women alike.” She added the last part quickly. “Hold on. Women?” I inquired. “I’m not a lesbian Mona,” I added. “I know Tee, neither am I. However, they are not like the sleazy, egotistical, chauvinistic pigs that usually hire escorts. Trust me, I feel like a queen when I’m hired by my usual, Casey. She’s an art dealer and always likes to hire me for company, and also a. Kath and I celebrated my fifteenth birthday bygoing with her folks to see a touring production of 'Phantom of theOpera'. It was awesome! The story, the music, the singing, the costumes,the sets - everything was spectacular. At intermission, Kath and I wentto the lobby to get a soda, then we headed over to the restrooms. Asusual, there was this massive lineup outside the ladies', but none at allat the men's. I was almost inside when a hand grabbed my arm - it wasKath."Slow down, I'm coming with. I misspoke. You didn't dump me. You dumped on me! Bad enough, Lily, to drive me away," I said. "Do you have even the slightest idea how bad you hurt me, and how bad I'm still hurting? Do you!" I said. She seemed to deflate. She looked around. "I do now," she said. "Frankly, I didn't realize it before. Not even the other day when I woke you up. I just saw you as behaving like a little kid whose bike just got stolen or something. I was going to—and I still am—make it up to you. And, I mean in.