Honoring My
Quiet Giant
by: Pat G’Orge-Walker
So many times I’ve heard someone say that there is no such
thing as “love at first sight.” I disagree.
My “love at first sight” appeared in 1976 when I was working as both a NYCTA transit clerk and an
entertainer. I worked the 3-11pm tour on Rockaway Avenue on Brooklyn, New York’s “A” line. It was
quite common to have several transit cops or, at times, the anti-crime undercover around or inside
my booth. It wasn’t particularly allowed, but I always figured having them around meant the holdup
guys wouldn’t be willing to test the waters.
One particular night, several of the Anti-crime unit guys at my site. Several of them always felt it
was their duty and right to tease me, ask me out or just downright play “big brother and protector.” All
the guys were doing their usual teasing routine except one. I wasn’t bothered by his standoffishness
at first. We’d never seen each other before. Well, at least I hadn’t seen him. As time went by and it
was nearing the end of my shift, I needed them to leave so I could prepare the booth for the person
coming to relieve me. To this day, I don’t know what made me do it I told everyone, “Get out!”
Looking at the quiet one, I added, “Not you. You need to stay. Obviously, you have a problem.”
In my mind, I was a size six prize package with a lot of sass in my game. With all that beauty and
brains and this fella hadn’t bothered to even throw his hat in the same ring of what all the other men
were after. The man was tall and built the way I liked—not too muscular but looked like he could
handle himself when and if the need arose. Perfect combination.
Long story short, the Quiet Guy remained seated on the booth stool. The other guys left and from
that night on Robert Walker, Jr., remained my friend, my lover and ultimately, my husband.
Life with this quiet dude eventually was everything but quiet. Many years had passed before I