RANSVESTIA

As we drove down town, Barb told me that the manager of the Sky Room at our largest hotel had seen our dance act many times in the past year. He had told Barb that when we felt we were ready for a pro- fessional debut, that he wanted to hire us, but for a more sophisticated routine. Our ballroom dancing of the last summer was our practice as Barb did not know how I would react.

My answer was to reach over and squeeze Barb's arm. She turned and flashed that boyish grin: “Honey, you just follow me tonight and we'll improvise as we go.”

Jack Cannon, the manager, met us in the foyer of the club and whistled as he looked us over: "Wow, you kids have got everything going for you in the looks department. Now I have a table for you right up front. When I announce your act, you can begin from your table." he told us.

We followed the 'maitre de' to a table next to the dance floor where he seated me with a flourish. I looked over the crowded room and felt scared. Barb reached over and squeezed my hand and said: “Don't be nervous, honey, we'll knock them dead.

I sighed with relief to know that Barb wasn't nervous. Some of her confidence came to me and I knew, too, that this was only the beginning for us. We were two happy people who had found each other. I was as appealing to Barb as she was to me. But somehow, she did not seem to be Barb. She was the someone in my dreams that I had followed all these years.

We suddenly became aware that we were being introduced from the M.C.'s microphone, and Barb reached over and took my hand: "Come on, Darling, just follow me."

With a glimmer of understanding and in something of a fog, I said: "Dearest, I'll follow you forever!"

That dance was heaven. I floated through intricate steps that we had never tried before. Barb led masterfully and we danced as if this was a dedication of our lives to each other. When the music stopped, I curtseyed deep to the floor. I held on to Barb's hand for fear I would faint. The sound that rose from the appreciative audience stopped only when the orchestra began an encore. Barb led through a gliding waltz, and as I happily looked up into her eyes, I realized that this was the