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Andre: Starting to worry. Please tell me you’re okay.
10:55. I took the walkie-talkie off my belt. Not everyone had one, but several volunteers along the parade route did.
“Is Ethan on the route anywhere?”
Sarah responded first. “Not that I’ve seen.”
“Not where I’m at,” Olivia chimed in.
“Saw him about five minutes ago,” Jenny said. “He was talking with someone at the Harmonic Circus float.”
Relief flooded through me, followed by anger. He was socializing? Now?
“Jenny, can you see if he’s still there and tell him he needs to be at the starting point immediately?” I struggled to keep my voice level.
“On it!”
I paced the starting area, checking my watch every few seconds. I felt the weight of everyone’s questioning looks.
10:58. Still no Ethan. I tried calling again but nothing.
The frustration building in my chest surprised me with its intensity. Earlier I’d appreciated Ethan helping me to be more relaxed and holding back on reading messages as soon as they arrived. Now my agitation was building as it was clear we wouldn’t start on time.
10:59. Jenny’s voice came through the walkie at a whisper. “Ethan waved me off when I tried to interrupt.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He’s on the float in a corner, talking with Kirk. I don’t know why.”
“Take your radio to him, please.” I didn’t need to get mad at her. This was on Ethan for not being here.
“Will do.” Hesitation rattled her voice.
TWENTY-FIVE
ETHAN
At the rink, I fell into the energy of the campers reviewing yesterday’s game with video that Wade had provided. Liam and the coaches were breaking down the plays that went well and the ones that didn’t. When it was time to head to the parade, everyone got into their rainbow best.
Once I’d changed into the special Maplewood Pride Grand Marshal T-shirt I’d been provided, we left the rink together: the coaches, their boyfriends, the campers, and me. Our first stop was the float the coaches and campers would ride on.
“Wow,” Nick said as we reached it. “This is incredible.”
The float exceeded the proposed design I’d seen weeks ago. Rainbow-colored hockey sticks arched over the flatbed trailer with panels featuring action shots from yesterday’s game already mounted along the sides. NHL team logos and the You Can Play Project emblem adorned the base in Pride colors while a Hockey Is For Everyone banner stretched across the front. Even the stairs sparkled with Pride flag stripes.
“I’ve been on the league’s float in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and that has nothing on this.” Caleb snapped pictures, including a selfie with his husband, Aaron.
“It’d be so cool to ride with you all, but I’ve got to get up front.” I hugged my friends as campers scrambled onto the float. “Thank you all for being here. I’ve loved celebrating Pride with all of you.”
“See you on the other side,” Kyle called as I waved goodbye.
Walking to my place in the lead car gave me a chance to appreciate the incredible floats. Usually I watched the parade with my moms outside the theater, but this perspective offered something special.
Andre had sent pictures earlier of the convertible at the starting point gleaming with rainbows and streamers, but I looked forward to seeing it in person. Maybe he could ride with me, share this moment together. After last night and this morning, experiencing the parade with him would feel perfect.
Was he allowed to do that? Could he allow himself to do it? I doubted it would surprise anyone if we did since we were being very open about our new relationship.
Greetings echoed around me as I passed by people on the floats or those on their way to stake out a place to watch. The sense of community wrapped around me like a warm embrace. Over the past few days, my nervousness about being grand marshal had transformed into embracing the honor that it was. This was my hometown and being asked to take a lead role in the festivities meant a lot.
