“Yeah,” I nod, “and I’m glad I get to share it with you.”
“Me too.” He lifts onto his tiptoes and gives me a chaste kiss. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely, let’s do this.”
Donovan
There’s color everywhere, and people, so many people. When I think back to a year ago, I felt so alone, like nobody would ever truly know me or understand me, but all of these people existed. And even though we’re strangers, we’re connected by this sense of community, connected by our experience. We’re all individuals, and even though our journeys have been different, there’s this understanding we share that we’ve all been through something, and the knowledge that there’s still so far for our community to go, and so much still to fight for.
“Donovan! Beth!” Jamie shouts, as he runs towards me with Max trailing behind him.
“Hey,” I say, throwing my arms around him, before hugging Max.
“Where’s Stephen?” Max asks.
“He’s looking for his parents,” I say. “They said they were coming and wanted to find a good spot to watch from.”
“Amazing,” Jamie says, “and I’m loving the glitter.”
“Thanks, it took me forever, I don’t know how you do your make up all the time.”
“Practice,” he chuckles, “lots and lots of practice. Are you excited for today?”
“I am, but a bit overwhelmed, maybe a bit emotional too?”
“That’s natural,” Max says, “I cried during my first Pride meet up, happy tears, but still.”
“Yeah, it’s a lot to take in, be kind to yourself, sweetie,” Jamie says.
“Thanks. Are you still joining the motorcycle club for the march?”
“Hell yeah,” Jamie says, “leather daddies on parade.”
“Oh my god, please don’t call them that,” I chuckle. “There are real leather daddies here, I’ve seen them.”
“True, I can’t wait for them all to meet,” Jamie laughs.
“What about you, Beth?” Max asks. “Who are you joining?”
“I was supposed to be marching with our group from college, but you know what Diablo is like,” she chuckles, “wants me on the back of his bike, so I’ll be with you.”
“Sorry I can’t be with you too,” I say. “I’ll try and come to take some photos though, otherwise I’m glued to the Warriors.”
“That’s okay, we’ll see you at the end,” Jamie says. “Speaking of, there’s a group of rather muscular men in rainbow jersey’s heading this way, I’m guessing they’re looking for you?”
Marcus, Tyler, Jordan, and about thirty other guys whose names I haven’t memorized yet are parting the crowd with their numbers.
“Hey,” I say when they reach us.
“Hey, Donovan,” Marcus says, “we were told to report to you, that you’re in charge.”
“In charge? Who told you that?”
“Mindy,” Tyler says.
“I guess this is my cue to get to work then,” I chuckle.
I say a quick goodbye to Jamie, Max, and Beth, before heading off with the guys, but I don’t get far before I feel a tug on my hand.
