I speak to an issue in our town of Whately. My wife and I moved here in 1994, so we’re still newbies.
But I want to let my fellow townsfolk know how some are feeling about our long-standing embarrassment: Castaway Lounge (“Hopeful Castaway buyers urged to craft harassment policy,” June 16). For the last 2½ decades we raised our daughters, and now our granddaughters, here in town answering the question: “What’s that building?” and “What are those cars doing there?”
When they were younger, it was easy to pass it off by claiming ignorance. But they grow up fast, learn as they grow, and hear from their classmates and neighbors what goes on in there. It’s impossible, as a responsible parent, to ignore the topic.
Once they’re old enough, trying to say as little as possible, I had to explain: It’s where men pay women to take their clothes off, was the short answer. (That’s right sweetheart, your innocence is over now.) Regardless of progress made in how women are treated by men today, some women still have to work in such places for income.
After that, passing by the joint daily often elicited attempts at humor: “There’s the Whately Ballet.”
Now, as a new proprietor enters the scene, I would like to quote a friend of mine who recently said, “I wish we didn’t have this in our town.” The future looks inevitable. It will continue for now, evidently with renovations and expanded hours.
My granddaughters are six years and 18 months old. I’ve had practice dodging the topic, making excuses 20 years ago. Eventually, I’ll have to fess up to what goes on in there to this next generation.
Like others with young ones in Whately, I will try to help them hold on to their innocence as long as I can.
Michael Archbald
Whately