Last night I dreamed I was backstage with Dolly Parton. It was to be her first public appearance after restoring her breasts to their previous size; she had recently undergone a surgery to undo the effects of her previous breast reduction procedure. I was backstage, waiting to lead her through the wings and out in front of the audience. A theatre in Tennessee, I knew that much.

She came out of her dressing room. She was wearing a silvery dress that did indeed highlight her newly-restored cleavage, and she looked wonderful. I introduced myself and led her by the arm through a hallway. She seemed very polite and kind of amused when I told her how much I loved her work & how much she meant to me. I remembered that “Straight Talk” had taken place in Chicago.

Just as she was about to go through the door that would put her onstage, I told her that she could call me Rob. She smiled and said, “Thank you very much, Visa.” I fought off the impulse to hand her one of my business cards. Then she walked through the door & was onstage.

I don’t remember people applauding, but suddenly I was sitting in the audience & it seemed to be a flashback to before I was backstage. A few members of the audience were staring at me with great hostility. They knew I was gay. I turned to a fellow sitting to my right and laughed. I said, “These people aren’t used to homosexuals around here! That’s Tennessee for ya!” But he wasn’t amused either. I just remember feeling very superior to everyone else at that moment.