I would see them periodically in the building’s dining room: a couple in a residence populated mainly by widows, always sitting just the two of them, well dressed, slightly formal in speech, given to remarks like, “ ‘60 Minutes’ is starting shall we forgo dessert?”
Three years ago, the two men moved into a senior building in Lower Manhattan where my mother lives. They worry about how much longer they will be able to care for each other. Cott wears two hearing aids and has been given a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s. Leedom walks with an aluminum cane since he broke his hip a couple years ago in a fall in their bedroom. Cott have been together for 58 years, during which time, both say, they have never had a serious argument. And I think it cost a nickel to get in in those days.” “And there was always gay activity going on in the toilets.
