Chapter 29 - Becca - Do You Dara Mia Two?
The big dumb grin is still on my face when I turn back to look at my mom.
“You can’t believe he really means that, do you?” she scoffs. “I mean, look at him. He’s a very good-looking man, dear. He should be with someone who is equally good-looking, don’t you think? It would be quite embarrassing for him to be with someone who isn’t on his level.”
I sigh. Of course, seeing me with Johnny once wouldn’t be enough for her. I knew this would happen, but it still stings. It probably hurts more because he just said he loved me.
Does he love me?
No, of course not. That was just part of the act. Wasn’t it?
But my mom’s right. I’m not on his level. He’s being a good friend. A good friend with good benefits, but still just a friend.
The way he turned his back on my mother and acted like I was the only person in the room. Like I was important. Well, let’s just say it was difficult for me to stop myself from dragging him off to the bedroom again.
I felt beautiful this morning.
Now, not so much.
Mom has that effect on me.
“You should consider one of the more appropriate men I’ve chosen for you, Rebecca. Any of them would be a far more suitable match for you. Don’t try to hold on to one who deserves more.” She walks to the door. “Next Friday. Eight o’clock at Club Redemption. Chris will meet you outside.” And with that, she opens the door and leaves.
My breath escapes me in a rush.
That bitch!
She might be right, and Johnny does deserve better than me, but she’s still my mother. She shouldn’t get such joy from saying so. Or be saying it at all.
I find my phone on the counter and open my contacts. I’ve been meaning to call Uncle Silas for a while. I just need to hear his voice right now, to help get my mother’s voice out of my head.
On the third ring, Uncle Silas answers.
“Becca, sweetheart. It’s so nice to hear from you, darling. How are you?”
Uncle Silas’ voice is a little strained, but it soothes me instantly.
“Uncle Silas. I’ve missed you so much. When are you going to move back to Westborough?”
“Come on now, darling. Do you really think I could give up the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to come back and live in boring old Westborough? Besides, Uncle Patrick ’s show is here. I couldn’t ask him to leave the Dara Mia Two Revue behind.”
Not only is Uncle Patrick is Uncle Silas’ husband, he is an accomplished drag performer who goes by the name Dara Mia.
The story goes that when Uncle Patrick was in film school, a local drag club had an amateur night with a cash prize and one of his friends said he should do it, since he was a great performer. Uncle Patrick said he’d do it, but only if ‘you dare me’ to. And that’s how the Dara Mia character was born. He won the cash prize at amateur night and was invited to be part of the regular show at the drag club.
That’s where he met Uncle Silas. He went in with a bunch of friends and it was love at first sight. They’ve been together ever since.
Years later, when Uncle Patrick was invited to Vegas to headline his own show at a small club, he named it the Dara Mia Two Revue. I’d never begrudge his success, but it’s been bittersweet because that’s what forced them to move away in the first place.
“Ugh, I know. I just miss you both so much. And it’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”
“Tell me about it, honey. When can you make it out for a visit? I’ll bet you need a break from your mom, don’t you? Come to Vegas and stay with us for a while.”
“I’d love to, Uncle Silas, but there’s a lot going on right now. Mom’s been trying to set me up with a guy. You’d die if you saw the guys she’s picking out for me. I don’t know where she finds them, but she needs to put them back.”
“She’s always had… interesting taste in men. Worse than that, though, is that she’s always had such a skewed vision of you. You are an amazing woman, darling. You deserve a man who worships the ground you walk on, one who would give you the world. Like me and your Uncle Patrick , but less gay.”He laughs, but it turns into a cough.
“Not feeling well? It’s probably all that desert air,” I tell him. “You should consider a more temperate region. Like maybe… Westborough?”
