An Unexpected Connection
In the summer of 2022, comedian Becky Goodman found herself browsing a website connecting sugar babies with potential benefactors. Struggling financially and feeling adventurous, she decided to give it another try after a previous, uncomfortable experience. The profiles were blunt, outlining specific arrangements and desires, but one stood out for its unusual sweetness.
'First time on here,' it read. 'You don't have to be good-looking, just please be kind.' Intrigued, Becky sent a message. The man, Salvatore (Sal), was a self-deprecating Italian-American from Staten Island who worked in construction and cared for his mother. Their connection was immediate, built over two weeks of online chatting and a two-hour phone call before their first meeting.
The Unconventional Arrangement
Their first date at a Manhattan café revealed a genuine, if unconventional, bond. Sal was funny, kind, and wealthy, though his dishevelled appearance hid his fortune. He asked Becky what she needed. As a comedian wanting to focus on her craft, she requested help covering her rent and utilities.
'Like $1,800 a month?' she ventured. 'We can do that,' Sal shrugged. In return, he sought companionship and intimacy without the pressures of a traditional commitment. As she left, he handed her a white envelope. Inside was $1,000.
Their relationship continued sporadically over ten months. Meet-ups were infrequent, but the conversation was electric. The financial support was unpredictable yet significant: one dinner brought $2,016, another date three months later provided $1,878. Crucially, Becky's feelings evolved from transactional acceptance to genuine affection.
The Heartbreaking Finale
In July 2023, Sal invited Becky to his home. He immediately led her to the kitchen, presented a wrinkled brown paper bag, and told her it contained $16,008 (approximately £12,500). When she accused him of pushing her away, he admitted he had met someone else organically. He explained that for a real relationship, it had to feel genuine, not obligatory.
Despite her pleas, Sal ended their arrangement, leaving Becky heartbroken but with profound financial stability. His money had paid her rent, funded cancer treatment for her cat, and even sent her and two friends to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
A Story Takes Flight
This unique experience became the catalyst for Becky's new musical comedy show, 'The Day My Sugar Daddy Dumped Me', which she is taking to the Edinburgh Fringe. The relationship, though born from a website for financial arrangements, was the first where she developed feelings based on genuine connection rather than sex or infidelity.
Sal's final words were a prediction: 'You're gonna forget about me, OK? You deserve to fly, and I'm only gonna hold you back.' Now, as she prepares for her second trip to Edinburgh, Becky reflects on the meaningful, if strange, relationship that helped her heal and ultimately, take flight.
