Karaoke Queen by Dominic Lim

Author:Dominic Lim [lim, dominic]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2024-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

I WORRIED THAT MY FIRST NIGHT HOSTING KARAOKE at the Pink Unicorn was just a fluke. Old fans rushing out to see what happened to me and then, having satisfied their curiosity, moving on and deciding they had better ways to spend their Saturday night.

But I was wrong. If anything, my second night hosting karaoke is bigger and better than my first.

Eva’s social media campaign has brought in even more people, resulting in a line down the block and around the corner. And Paolo’s skills with the SYNGX program have somehow improved. He’s now figured out how to project a QR code onto the video screens for the SYNGX app, which allows patrons to request songs electronically and even allows them to interact with the show by sending chat messages that pop up on the video displays.

I’m more comfortable and having even more fun than last weekend. And perhaps the main reason for that is because Aaron isn’t here.

Not because I don’t miss him. It’s just easier to be myself without him around.

In fact, there’s really only one thing that makes me uneasy. At one point during the night, I catch Loretta filling up a glass of ice with soda and handing it to someone in a dark hoodie. Something about him seems familiar, but his hood is pulled way over his head and the lighting at that end of the bar is too dim, so I can’t get a proper look at him. It seems sad to me, that someone in such a fun, welcoming environment would want to keep themselves hidden. And it reminds me of the fact that I’ve been hiding who I am to people. To the public. To my dad. And to Aaron.

But everyone has their own journey. It takes time for people to be comfortable with things they’re not used to. I tried to rush things the last time I was with Aaron, and it didn’t work out. I need to be patient and, when the time is right, tell him why I’ve been hiding my drag identity.

At the end of the night, after leading a final group singalong of “Don’t Stop Believing,” I check my phone to see if Aaron has texted me. I’m hoping he’s invited me over since he’s no doubt already done spending time with Joey.

Not a peep.

Which is okay. Really. It’s been a fabulous night, but my feet are swelling past the straps of my slingbacks. I’d love to just soak them in my bathtub while I unwind with a glass of wine, which I just might do. Because tomorrow will be another long day of drag.

Although this time, it won’t just be me putting it on.

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