Chapter 46 - Becca - On Purpose
The last few weeks have been intense. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know more about my dad. It feels so weird to say that after all these years of thinking that my dad had left because of me, but it’s nice.
I’ve settled on calling my biological father, formerly Uncle Patrick, Dad, and calling his husband, formerly Uncle Silas, Poppa Silas.
Dad and I have had several long discussions about why he never told me he knew I was his daughter and even though it hurts that we missed all that time, I understand, and I forgive him. He didn’t even figure it out until Poppa Silas was telling him about how he got her permission to tattoo me years after the fact.
“Well, honey,” Dad says, walking into the kitchen where I’m having breakfast. “I’m so excited to have you come see the show tonight. Are you sure it’s okay if I introduce you to the audience?”
Dad is going to introduce me as his daughter in the middle of his Dara Mia show tonight. He’s more excited than a kid at Christmas. So am I, actually.
“Of course, Dad. I can’t wait.”
“Can’t wait for what?” Poppa Silas walks in behind Dad and gives him a hug before bending to kiss me on the cheek.
“For the show tonight,” I say, sipping my coffee. “I still need to find something to wear. Do you have time for some shopping today?”
When I got here, after we sorted through that disaster of a phone call I overheard, Dad and I went shopping for some essentials. It turns out I did a terrible job of packing when I was running away from Johnny. I threw the contents of my underwear and t-shirt drawers in my suitcase, grabbed a toothbrush, and called it a day. Underwear and t-shirts will only get you so far.
“Oh, me too. I love going to the shows. Your Unc—I mean, Dad is such an amazing performer. I am truly a lucky man.” He pulls Dad in and gives him a sweet kiss. Ugh. True love.
“I have to get in to the club to make sure everything is ready for tonight. I don’t want any mistakes. My daughter is going to be on stage with me tonight. This has to go off without a hitch. It’s one of the most important days of my life.” Dad is so cute.
Being here has been amazing. Spending time with these two men, who both love me more than anything, has me feeling like the grinch. My heart’s grown three sizes. It still hurts from Johnny’s confession, but it’s getting better every day.
He’s been calling and texting me every day, but I haven’t answered. I’m not ready to talk yet. I will be soon. I miss him. But I won’t settle, even for him.
“I can take you shopping,” Poppa Silas says. “We can drop Patrick off at the club, then hit the shops. Does that sound good?”
“That sounds perfect.” I get up and bring my dishes to the sink. “Let me get dressed and I’ll be ready to go.”
I leave them eating their owns breakfasts and head back to my room. My room full of amazing cameras. Dad helped me track down everything I needed for a couple of the old 35mm cameras and I’m bringing one of them with me to the show tonight.
The art exhibit I thought of creating is underway. I’m taking pictures of things using all the cameras in my collection and comparing them to each other and to current technology. I love it. Dad introduced me around at all the shops he’s used to source the cameras and the men and women working there have been an amazing resource. One of them is even giving me free rein in his darkroom for the time being, so I’m developing everything myself.
I may have been running away from something, but coming here has changed me in so many good ways that I can’t be mad about it. If Johnny hadn’t said he agreed with my mother, I never would have come here. I never would have learned Uncle Patrick was really my dad. And now that I know he is, I can’t imagine going back to having just my mom.
I’ve been gone for three weeks, and she hasn’t even called me. For a woman who used to leave me upwards of twenty voicemails in a row, it’s strange. But she seemed a little weird when I told her I was coming here, so I’m not worried about it. I’m sure she’s fine.
I’m pulling on a t-shirt when my phone rings from its place on the nightstand. I look at the screen, see Alex’s smiling face, and pick up immediately.
“Alex! I miss you,” I say as soon as I press the answer call button.
After a week or so, I finally texted to let Alex know I was in Vegas. She was relieved but didn’t seem all that surprised. We haven’t had time to talk on the phone though, so this is our first time actually talking since I left. I lay back on my pillows and get comfortable. This could be a long chat.
“Hey, Becca. Oh my god, I have missed you too. When are you coming home?”
“Pretty soon, I think. I’ve got another couple of series of photographs to take, and then some more developing to do before I’m done with the first part of my art project.”
“I can’t believe your dad bought you all those cameras. He helped you get your passion back. It makes me want to come there and kiss him silly.”
“Yeah, you and me both. After the initial shock wore off, everything started to make sense. I almost can’t believe it never occurred to me before.”
“Right. Because it would make total sense for you to suspect your surrogate uncle’s husband, a gay man, was secretly your biological father who your mother had stolen you from.”
I laugh. Of course she’s right. It makes no sense, and there is no way in hell I would have ever figured it out on my own.
“Fine. You have a point.”
