Ode to my 50-year-old stripper

Quiet Saturday afternoon at the club and we meet again as we have so many times before: neighborly chat at the table, a little more cuddling and chat upon getting to the couches and then three songs of intense grinding and groping. But this time, that couch chat included a confession from Carolyn -- she had her 50th birthday earlier this week. I think I've been getting dances from her for nearly 25 years at various clubs. It all became Crystal clear to me. I'm just three years older. Our chats were never phony strip club patter but the same kind of talk I share with my peers. For years now, she only comes in to work the occasional Saturday afternoon shift. She works the week as a home-care nurse. She probably doesn't need the money but can't disconnect from the scene. And she doesn't have to. By appearances, she looks mid 30s. And here's the funny part. She tells me she can't dance for younger guys....it makes her feel creepy to dance for someone who's young enough to be her son. I don't know how much longer our occasional meetings will continue, but it's all pretty remarkable to have such a long string, especially in a business where turnover of talent can be measured in months. Here's to the 50-year-old strippers!