Didi-Day 1 -After (remove names)

I removed Terry's name all but one time.

In the case of this monologue, Terry is not on stage so it felt to leave her name a couple times.

Before: (beginning only)

So you are wondering how I, all of this, (gesture) am friends with the birthday girl , Terry, right?

The first time I noticed Terry was at yoga (drops into a vinyassa, ending in cobra). My full face was an inch from her ass in the air.

After:

Lena: Oh, Fifi! Are you ok to go first?

Fifi - you bet! I love to be the centre of attention and I can get the ball rolling … Can I act it out?

Lena- that would be fun (general agreement).

Scene 3 – Fifi’s Monologue

So you are wondering how I, all of this, (gesture) am friends with the birthday girl, am I right?

The first time I was graced with her divine presence was at yoga (he drops into a vinyasa, ending in cobra). My full face was an inch from her ass in the air.

(Fifi acts out the positions he is describing, throwing in some extra moves and spins for effect- the rest of the monologue is full of dance moves)

I must have been flowing my vinyasa faster than her. She was still in downward dog- hands and feet on the ground with back and butt stretched up toward the sky. Terry’s feet were wide apart, lowering her butt in the space. And opening it. She was lengthening her back in such a way that her weight shifted back towards her feet, sending her butt back, closer to me on the mat behind her. Since I had already transitioned into a cobra- on my belly pushing my back and chest up and open with my hands on the ground. My nose practically brushing against her anus.

It took me by surprise. I was feeling all breathy and stretchy. My eyes were half closed. I admit that I was actually thinking about eating dim sum after class. When I realized where I was, my eyes returned to focus like a cinematic technique. I heard a very gay squeal. Oh, was that me.

She looked at me through her legs, maintaining her pose. I had scurried back away from her enough to see her face near the ground. I was still on my belly with my torso raised, my hands on either side of my ribs, arms straight and pushing up. She gave me the cutest upside down smile. No embarrassment or apology (I was going to apologize but that smile relieved me of that anxiety). Pure humour and practicality.

Our friendship was launched. I invited her for Dim Sum after class and she accepted with enthusiasm. Maybe we were an unlikely pair. She was straight, maybe 35. I am 23 and a gayer than gay club dancer. I dance in a cage on the weekends. She seemed to have the confidence of money. I was wondering how I was going to make rent (and going out for lunch). We had the gift of intimacy. Not sexual, obviously, despite my practically rimming her.

We had honesty, no edits, no pretending or protecting. We became fast friends and confidants. I looked forward to lunch with her after yoga sometimes even more than the class itself. But Terry never wanted to skip class. She was strict. At lunch, we’d pig out (she often treated me), and laughed and cried. She is a great listener and tells me things she can’t tell anyone else. I hold her secrets like… diamond wedding rings.