Mrs. Shaw

Third grade teacher. An old-fashioned lady in every way - with a beehive that doubled her height. Let us write and put on plays, on the last day of school gave me a string of pearls (fake) with an embroidered handkerchief. I sometimes still wear the pearls.

John Anthony

Random pick up in my favorite bar. He was two weeks out of the seminary which meant I got 12 straight hours of insanely great sex. No curse of the Irish here. After countless orgasms my exhaustion was taken as a lack of interest. As if.

Jackie Schillig

Taught me more than I thought there was to learn. Believed in me when no one else ever had - and with very little proof that she should. Complete dedication, endlessly rehearsing me in a single piece for competition, she made me perfect for the first time.

Miss Scanlon

One tough cookie, she scared the hell out of me, but was the only gym teacher I ever liked. She understood that a kid with a fear of heights was never going to be able to jump over the pummel horse and she quietly excused me.

Mr. Drexel

Tall, dark-suited and bespectacled, elementary school music teacher, accordion player and purveyor of viciously hot fire balls as rewards for our jobs well done. To this day the taste of hot cinnamon candies or the sound of an accordion make me think of him and smile.

Mark Haack

Set designer, long, lean and dry of wit. Co-owner of a male Persian cat named Lady who was so laid-back he seemed drugged. Lady appeared on stage with me - my character threatened him with a hammer. Lady stole the show. Never work with kids or animals.