“That must have been a shock,” James whispered.
“To say the least. Mom was thrilled, and I can honestly say that no child was loved more. I sang, danced, and Fosse’d—” he made jazz hands above them “—my way into their hearts. Mom took me to acting and dance classes, vocal lessons, you name it. She came to every school performance or recital, sitting in the front row.”
“Did they know about you being gay and the drag?” He was curious how Daniel’s family took it. He could already imagine the uproar in his own family, the yelling, the ridiculousness, and the threats that would follow because he didn’t measure up to what his mother thought he should be.
“They knew I was gay.” Slowly Daniel turned toward him. “Lala has always been part of my life, but I didn’t acknowledge that part of me until five years ago. Before that, I modeled as a way to try to break into the theater. As a guy, I don’t think I was special enough. I didn’t have something that really set me apart.” He shrugged, and James felt himself being pulled closer, like some invisible cord tugging him.
“I think they were crazy,” James whispered, holding Daniel’s gaze until he blinked and turned away. He instantly missed being the subject of such intensity. “I believe you said your mom has passed?”
Daniel hesitated. “Mom contracted cancer while I was in college. She fought it with everything she had, but it was too much. Dad nursed her though the entire ordeal and followed her a year later.” Daniel stared at the ceiling, and James slid his hand along the bedding until their fingers met. “I don’t think he could bear to be without her.”
“So, your grandmother, the one you care for…” he prompted.
“You remembered.” Daniel forced a smile. “She’s the only family I have left, and she isn’t able to care for herself and needs medical attention. The social worker wanted to put her in one of those homes most likely to appear on the national news, so I pay what her benefits won’t for her to be in a place where I can see her regularly and where she gets treated better.” Daniel’s eyes darkened. “Yes, she knows about the drag, and Lala has taken her show to the care facility more than once.”
“What about Candy and Creamy…all the other people in the show?”
“They’re my drag family; that’s very different. We look after one another and have each other’s backs, but as much as we use the word family, in the end it’s really a job and we all have to work together. Sometimes there are especially close relationships, just like with anything else. Creamy Sugar is my drag daughter, I helped her learn the ropes and helped hone her raw talent into the performer she is today, just like my drag mother, Tulane Highway, did for me.” James couldn’t help chuckling at the name. “She’s in New York now and has been doing amazing things.” The pride in Daniel’s voice was unmistakable, and he lightly squeezed James’s fingers.
James rolled onto his side, propping his hand under his head. “I have to ask, and it will probably sound stupid.” He shrugged. “But why drag? You’re really talented and have a real gift. Your voice is amazing, and I’m sure you could do whatever you wanted.”
Daniel’s expression hardened. “I am doing what I want.” He sat up, turning toward him, tugging his hand away. “This is part of who I am.” His jaw set and his eyes grew stony. “I don’t play at my craft. I work hard, and I’m damned good.” Daniel stood and went to the closet, moving clothes aside, the hangers scraping on the rod. “Look, I get it. You’re a cop. Your work is gritty and you live a hard life that could get you injured or killed every time you make a mistake. You have to be tough.” He whirled around like a damned ballerina.
“Lower your voice,” James interjected.
“Yeah…” he whispered. “You may not see me the same way you do the guys you work with, or the men you fuck, but I’m true to myself and I don’t play a bunch of games. I’m not the one who hired a drag queen to play my girlfriend at my sister’s wedding. I know the person that I am on the inside, and believe it or not, I like myself.” He turned away and began tossing clothes onto the bed. “I need to get ready for this party, and so do you. I suggest you use the bathroom to clean up and dress, because I need some time to let this urge to rip your nuts off pass. Otherwise it’s going to be one hell of a party tonight, and me having a screaming hissy fit will end up as the damned entertainment.”