I stepped back into the bathroom and ran the shower for the sake of privacy.
“Why are you calling? Is everything okay?” Betty asked.
“It’s fine, Bets. I have a situation here and I need to attend to it. Alia needs… support. I don’t think I can come tonight, even if I want to. It feels like… I don’t know.”
“Unfinished business? The chance to do it right again?”
I smiled at myself in the mirror. “Yeah. That’s it.”
“Take care of the kid,” Betty said. “I will suffer the atrocity of my family alone and see you tomorrow.”
“Your family’s nice,” I said. “Don’t lie.”
“They can be a lot.”
“Sometimes, you need a lot.” I looked towards the door and thought about where Alia found herself. “It’s good to have people show up.”
Chapter 54
Symbolism
BETTY
“You should meet her on the red carpet,” Ingrid said. “Oh, the teal is so nice.”
She offered a dress from the wardrobe cart provided by UniVox. They sent nothing but very fancy dresses, which I didn’t mind. But I needed to choose three for the evening and the choices were endless.
“I.. I don’t think that would be the best idea,” I held up the dress.
“Why?” Ingrid asked. “You should get to walk the opening red carpet together.”
“It looks like favoritism.” I shook my head.
“You can’t vote,” Cici snickered. “I like the teal. That could be great for the opening segment. It’s not anyone’s colors.”
“I like the fuchsia one, too,” I unhooked a sparkly fascia minidress trimmed with pink feathers. “But maybe it’s too much… or too short?”
I looked to Cici for advice, but she was on board. “Pappa won’t say shit about the dress. He’s given up with policingwardrobes for fear of Mamma’s ire. You should wear it. It’s campy and fun.”
I groaned, tugging on it and wishing like hell any of this was easier.
“Are you not feeling it?” Cici asked. “Because I think it’s perfect.”
“It’s just… it feels like this big choice.”
“You’re coming out, Bets,” Ingrid said. “I don’t mean to tell youhowto do it, but like, if you can’t wear a dress with feathers to your coming out party… when can you?”
“It’s not even that,” I admitted. “I got outed and I will unpack that another day. It’s that I’m about to go public at the same event as Mary. Is this the vibe we want to project? I’ve never dated anyone famous!”
Cici put her arms on my shoulders and shook me playfully. “Have fun with it. UniVox is about camp and love and happiness. Youarethe vibe. Walk the red carpet with her or not, wear a flour sack or couture, it won’t matter. Everyone knows the truth. They way you love each other is palpable, sweetie.”
I blushed. “Fine. I’ll wear this, the teal, and the red dress for the middle-of the performance option.”
“And you’ll walk the red carpet with your girlfriend,” Cici said, voice serious.
“It’s going to be seen as… as…”
“Electioneering? Oh, it’s not that serious! Norway doesn’t have a chance in hell at winning. Sweden is out. The Germans are fine if not a little weird. BASH! isn’t about to run away with it. The winner will no doubt be Mary and The Zamboneys. She’s going to kick ass and will be even better if she can hold your hand on that red carpet.”
