My best friend Al, died of AIDS nearly two decades ago.
He was the first gay man I knew well. He was a good friend of my husband, and introduced us. (Knowing if we were both crazy enough to enjoy his company we would get along with one another - LOL)
He had a wicked sense of humor and could always make me laugh. He taught me things about pleasuring a man that I would never have thought of - LOL
When I was an unwed mother, he accompanied me to an elegant soirée held by the radiologists of the hospital I was shaming by continuing to work in their x-ray department, despite being knocked up and not married. Having premarital sex is not an adequate reason for dismissal, so they had to put up with me.
I told Al of the upcoming event, to be held at an exclusive club. I said since my future husband/father of my child had to work, that I wouldn’t be attending. I was informed in no uncertain terms that I would be attending, with him (Al) as my “date” because he’d always wanted to see the inside of the place.
I kept pretty quiet about my private life, (hard to believe, huh? LOL) so my co-workers knew little, but were intensely curious. Showing up pregnant with a flaming gay man provided enough gossip fuel to heat the building for a year - LOL
We arrived in a VW Beetle, which was valet parked. We entered the chic Palace of Plentitude, me carrying the out-of-wedlock child who would be born in a couple of weeks, and Al in all his Gay Glory. He wore more makeup than I did, including black eyeliner; a large back cape lined with blood red satin, and a pair of loafers spray painted gold.
We were quite the pair. We ate, laughed, danced the tango (YES - what a sight!) and had a blast.
He knew when he was dying, but didn’t fear the reaper, saying he’d rather live fast and die young than to be a lonely elderly homosexual. “There’s nothing sadder than an old queen,” he used to say.
He was wrong.
There was me, the day he died.
I hope you’re cloud-dancing in those gold-leaf loafers, Al. I miss you.
Categories: Special Days, Friends
Posted by Marti @ 
{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}
December 1st, 2005 at 12:16 pm
What a wonderful tribute! I second the hugs.
December 1st, 2005 at 3:28 pm
Awww, Marti. *wipes a tear away* I’m sure that Al valued your friendship as much as you did his. Sounds like he was a kick and someone that I would have liked to known.
Kel
December 1st, 2005 at 9:12 pm
Yes, this was a fantastic tribute, Marti. I’m sure Al was quite a guy. He’d have to be to keep up with you!
December 1st, 2005 at 10:00 pm
There has been some wonderfully informative programs the last few days. It’s really been eye-opening.
I wish there was more I could do to help.
December 2nd, 2005 at 5:50 am
Marti, this is such a beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing.
December 8th, 2005 at 2:06 pm
beautiful….
December 22nd, 2005 at 5:35 pm