LA GAY DIN DIN

LA GAY DIN DIN

‘Wooohoooo, darling! Give us a kiss!’ Obviously, Tony and husband were already at my Chee Seng home when ___ and I arrived. Thus summoned, I went straight to the Hall and gave dear Tony a tight squeeze and a peck on both cheeks, and the same for Peter. I hollered to ___ who had obviously chickened away to play with the dog for a bit… but not for long. *snigger*

We chatted for a bit about nothing much, Tony handing out his customary gift. He’s such a great gift-giver, always managing to find the perfect thing for me. This time round it was a shimmery lipstick palette encased within a slim case, like a CD-case. The outrageous colours were perfect for nights at the club!

Nan was her usual self, playing the Queen Mother. She gets that way when an English or European guest comes to visit. A trifle annoying, but it comes in handy. She’s ever the attentive host, even when the rest of the family is not in the mood for visitors. However this time round, the family was busy getting ready for dinner. Nan had already prepared, as she generally gets ready for a dinner party by 3 in the afternoon.

With a clang on the dinner gong, the household was summoned. Everyone gathered round the dinner table which had been extended by a mahjong table aka the Kid’s table. The kids (Ian, ___ and myself) sat there – close to the fridge containing ice-cubes and the liquor. The elders and the ancient had pride of place at the proper dining table.

I can’t remember now what dinner was, but I’m pretty sure Pork Pot Roast was involved, as it always is at family functions. Tender chunks of Pork that is cooked till soft, in a generous gravy of vinegar, soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar, for about 2 hours.

Dinner was fun. The elders and the ancient carried on the main conversation, while Ian and I filled ___ in on the inside jokes and the backgrounds of various notorious family members.

There was Godpa who looks like Elvis and has a childlike sense of mischief, but who is also a successful Director of 2 Japanese run companies. He and his wife were not blessed with children of their own, but were Godparents to a whole neighbourhood of kids. His wife – my Mom’s best friend and my dear ‘Mama’ – was Trinidadian and sadly passed away at an early age due to complications from diabetes. True to her Trinidadian nature, she was fun, loving and totally outrageous.

There was Aunty Mo, a stalwart lady who loves the colour purple (purple clothes, purple watch, purple shoes) and is capable of drinking the rest of our family under the table… even though she now walks with a stick. A very tough lady but with an easygoing demeanour, Aunty Mo is always ready for a joke. “40 years of bliss and blisters,” she happily proclaimed at my parent’s anniversary once.

Tony is Aunty Mo’s eldest son and is thoroughly gay. He is slightly effeminate, very affectionate and with a totally infectious laugh. I always look forward to his trips to Penang and love him dearly. Peter, Tony’s beloved, I know little about but he comes across as a sweet and loving character. The two of them have been together for as long as I can remember.

Before long, dinner was over and the ‘kids’ were well sloshed. The topic of my new found gay-ness was never brought up, to ___'s delight. We all said our goodbyes and left for our respective homes, and that was the end. Anti-climax, no?