Final Goodbyes

Well, Rebecca is finally gone.

I'd been dreading her departure for some time. Even though I knew it was inevitable and that there was nothing I could do to stop it, I still dreaded it. I'm what many call a hands-on person (no sexual innuendo there), and not being able to change something I don't like often leaves me frustrated.

Still, I can't believe she's gone.

Even though we only dated briefly, we remained friends for much longer than that. In addition to getting me into escorting, she was there for me on a number of occasions when I needed her -- when I felt like there was no one else in the world that could or would understand/sympathize with me.

How did we say goodbye? A hug, a kiss, a promise to keep in touch. We were on South Beach (the SoFi area, known locally as South of Fifth Street). It's been our favorite haunt for awhile, close to the action of Ocean Drive but far from the more frequented by tourists. We'd often talk about how, one day, we would both own apartments in the beautiful condominiums in the area, and look back on our escorting days with humor and satisfaction.

Well, now it's just me. Adam and Bailey have been great, but walking along the sand by myself without her beside me is tough. The smell of her perfume, the way I'd run my fingers through her hair, and listen to the soft, girlish laughter when I'd crack a stupid joke.

Before getting in the taxi, she told me that perhaps I should look to get out of escorting and into a traditional job. It's not that I'm getting over the hill (hell, I'm not even twenty-five), but that it's a job that can become addictive if you let it.

"Well, will you?" she said.

"Look for a nine-to-five? Maybe. Eventually."

"You'd probably have to leave Miami, too," she added. "The economy here in Florida is terrible. But then I know how much you leave the beach."

I nodded. "We'll see where life takes us. Good luck in ________. I'm sure you'll do well. If not..."

Rebecca laughed. "Yeah. There's always escorting."

And then off she went, out of my life and out of the city we both called home since college. Even worse was the fact that I had a client that night, and had to make myself look presentable and cheerful for the woman who was paying for my company. No small miracle.

Now, as I type this entry into Blogger, I'm about to switch into another tab in Firefox. It's for Monster.com. A job site. Just to see what's out there.

I'll report back soon...