To Nakita

Lurking around Facebook today I found out that my ATF dancer passed away last week. Hadn't seen her in at least a couple years. Her time at the club was getting less and less frequent and then the club closed not long after. She was dealing with some long-term health problem that was impacting her diet and metabolism and the last few times I saw her, the usually vigorous dances were, well, losing their vigor.

I'd been getting dances from her for longer than I'd realized until I stopped to do the math today. She was the most aggressive and dominant dancer I've ever encountered in Minneapolis. But beyond that Nakita was also closest thing to a friend I've had among dancers. Especially when she switched to working the slower day shifts, she'd be more than happy to sit back and chat about practically anything, of course all the while knowing we'd be heading up to the VIP for at least a half hour. She understood the business adage that it's more worthwhile to keep a good customer than to try to attract new ones.

As her health declined, she would sometimes text me to not come to the club as she was home ill. She didn't want to reveal what exactly was wrong. I respected those boundaries. But what I feel badly about was not ever straight out telling her she was the best.

If you're lifting a glass and at a loss for what to toast this week, lift one for Nakita.