Tramps Like Us: A Novel

by Joe Westmoreland

But New York wasn’t like that. It was piled on top of itself instead of spread out. You didn’t need a car to get around. From the minute I arrived I was surrounded by the feeling of life everywhere. It was like I had been plopped down in the middle of a giant school of fish and had to swim fast to keep up.

People said weird things. The price of the ride was listening to people talk.

Fred told me stories about famous people he’d met when he worked at the Fairmont, like Kim Novak when she was filming Vertigo.

think being gay means being alone. I mean, you might find someone to satisfy you sexually for a while, but it’s rare that you find someone that will satisfy you emotionally too.”