To an androgynous figure in a fuzzy leopard overcoat and thigh-high boots:You wore that last time, Bertie.
To a rugby-built boy:This is the Blitz, not your local pub.
The man at the door wears a suede cape. Huge geometric collar. No shirt. Short shorts. Knee-high suede boots. He flings his cape back every time he lets someone in. He eyes me up and down when my turn comes. Turns me around. Hums curiously. “So how do you know Lily?”
“Oh, uh, she’s... a new friend.”
“I’m surprised she let someone wear her abandoned menswear collection. You must be special to her.” He leans closer to me. Gazes curiously at my eyes. “Your orange contact lenses are fabulous. Where did you get them?”
“Oh, I— Well, they’re not—”
“Oh, fine. Don’t reveal your secrets. I wouldn’t either. Havefun.” He waves his cape to let me in. I can’t believe my luck as I take in the extravaganza. I feel a sense of wonder again. For the first time since leaving Oliver.
I enter to the sound of Petula Clark singing “Don’t Sleep in the Subway.” I approach the cloakroom near the DJ booth. An androgynous stunner asks if I want to check my jacket.
“Be careful. George is famous for stealing from coats.” I turn to see who’s speaking. Another androgynous beauty. Hair like a punk Veronica Lake.
“Blow me, Marilyn.” That’s the coat check creature. His voice is velvety.
“You wish, George.” They both laugh. Their ribbing of each other seems grounded in affection.
There’s a gleam in my eye as I hand my jacket to George. “It’s all right, I’ve stolen from my share of coat pockets in my day.” Stealing is stealing. No matter the century.
“A fellow thief.” George flashes me a charismatic smile. “Rest assured someday I’ll be famous for more than theft.”
That’s when I hear Lily’s voice behind me. “That’s right. Someday George will be famous for stealing Jamaican music.” Lily kisses George’s cheek to let him know she’s joking.
Lily gives me a nod. I feel my face open up into a smile. “I came!”
“So you did.” She eyes me up and down. “Boy, have you changed your clothes or washed up since I last saw you?”
Lily is interrupted by a man before I can answer. “There you are!” He’s Tom of Finland handsome. Like something out of a physique pictorial. Chiseled face. Body like a Michelangelo statue. “I need to introduce you to someone.”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Archie, if this is another doomed attempt at matchmaking—”
“Career matchmaking.” Archie pulls Lily close. “A film producer. You could do costumes for his next film.”
“What’s the movie?”
Archie laughs. “Darling, I didn’t get that far. But he’s gorgeous and I’d gladly offer myself up to him if he promises to hire you.”
“Archie!” Lily wags a finger at him.
Archie cackles. “What? I’d do it anyway. May as well get something for it.”
“First, introductions.” Lily puts her arm around me. “This is the boy I told you about.” It pleases me to know she’s told her friend about me.
Archie introduces himself. Tells me that Lily was thrilled that her menswear pieces were finally being put to use.
I turn to Archie. “How come you never wore them?”
Archie laughs. “She refuses to design for me. She hates my body.”
Lily slaps his shoulder playfully. “I just think you work too hard to conform to some masculine ideal, at the expense of your own joy.”
“Youbring me joy, darling friend.”
“I can’t go out to dinner with you anymore.” She turns to me now. “This man thinks raw celery and boiled chicken is a meal.”
