This is a tale of two cities. The dark city and the city of lights. I am from the suburbs, good schools, college, nice home, car at 16. She is from the inner city, Hispanic, half Puerto Rican, half Mexican. Bad schools, no college, pregnant at 15, her child went into foster care and later adoption. What we have in common is that we work together and we are the same age.

I gave her some advise, to get an education, better herself. My boss, who does not mind his own business, told me I had rich girl syndrome. She had made it as far as she was going to go. Her man wasn't going to let her get an education and if she tried he would put her in her place. It upsets me, she has a three year old child with her man, and the little girl sleeps in the same room with them. She had told me that she tells her daughter to turn off her ears and not to watch when her man wants to have sex with her.

I have a man in my life too. The same man who won't mind his own business. He made me, I am supposed to say encouraged me, get a masters, he paid for it and hired tutors so that I graduated with honors. He watches over me like a hawk. He has my career plan in mind all the time, and my life plan too. He minds how I dress and present myself, he treats me to the theater so that I can navigate around refined people. He treated me and my mother to a trip to France so that I could see the Mona Lisa and the Eifel Tower in person. I have been given classes on how to entertain, how to choose a menu for a dinner party, how to represent him when I am hosting his events. I had a diction coach, a dancing coach, even a lady who taught me how to apply make up and do my hair. I am currently in a class on identifying fine antiques. I am going on a three week museum tour of Europe later this summer.

When he is with me in my apartment outside the bedroom there is a living room and large kitchen/dining room, two guest rooms, fine furniture and paintings, the kitchen has fine china and cutlery, all selected by me with the help of a decorator. I have a car that picks me up and takes me to work and home again. I live at a very exclusive address overlooking the park. She lives in a rent controlled part of town. No car.

She is very smart and she understands me more than anyone. She has helped me deal with my role, she has softened me, helped me woman this man in my life. She knows about taking care of a man, things I never learned growing up. I have learned so many things from her, she is gentle and sure of herself. All my education, but no one ever told me about being that woman for a man. Please the man and you please yourself she says. I want her to get educated and she wants me to get pregnant, to have a baby before I turn 30.

We come from two cities, side by side, and meet at work every day and I look after her and she looks after me. She is my best friend. I have never been to where she lives and she has never been where I live. I mentioned to my man that I want her as my maid of honor. My man stares at me and asks me not to embarrass her, if I care for her, then recognize where she comes from. The wedding wont be for her people.