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My heart swelled as I smiled wider than I had in a very long time. “I’m happy too, sweetie.” As I listened to Tori and Bella continue to laugh together in the other room, I realized just how much I meant those words.
Chapter 4
June 4, 2022
I breathed a sigh of relief mixed with a lot of tiredness. The day was finally here. After months of work, we were hosting the first annual Live Like Willow Pride Festival in Melsborough. Thanks to word of mouth around our town and at East Pine University where Willow and I went to college and where she worked after we graduated, we had filled up all of our vendor spots for the event. I hoped having a lot of vendors would help to bring in a big crowd, but only time would tell.
I walked around to each stand, greeting the vendors as they set up. “How’s everything going here?” I asked as I came to a stand where a young girl was setting up very provocative, but also ridiculously beautiful, artwork.
The girl with shoulder-length black hair flashed me a wide grin. “It’s going great. I’m so excited to be here. I love that there is finally a Pride event so close to where I live.”
“Are you from Melsborough?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “I'm originally from a small town in Maryland, but now I live in East Pine. That’s where I went to college, and I loved it so much, I stayed after I graduated.”
“No way.” I raised one hand in the air. “I’m an East Pine alumni, too.”
“Oh yeah? What year did you graduate?”
“Way before you, I’m sure,” I said with a chuckle. “2011.”
The girl shrugged. “Just a few years. I graduated in 2019.”
I wanted to laugh because eight years wasn’t exactly just a few years. Before I could say that, the girl’s face became serious and she spoke once again.
“Wasn’t that around the time the girl that this festival was named after graduated?”
My heart clenched, but I managed to keep the smile on my face. “Yeah, it was. She was actually my wife.”
The look on the girl’s face told me she wanted to hide inside her own skin. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. We had a lot of really amazing years together.” I motioned my arms around the festival. “And she would love this, so I’m really happy we’re able to do it for her.”
“In that case, I’m even happier to be here.” The girl stuck her hand out toward me. “I’m Dakota, by the way. Let me give you my card. If you ever want me to do a painting for you, I’d be happy to. Free of charge. And not one of a naked woman.” She laughed and rubbed the back of her neck. “I’d be happy to paint one of you and your wife at some point. All I need’s a picture. Just let me know.”
“Wow. That’s really sweet of you. I might actually take you up on that offer. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you for doing this. It’s amazing.”
“I can’t take much of the credit. Most of the work was done by my wife’s childhood best friend. She’s pretty amazing.” My whole body warmed at the thought of how much work Tori had put into this. I felt like she had spent every waking hour over the past few months making sure this event would go flawlessly, and even though it hadn’t technically even started yet, I had a feeling that was going to happen.
“Well, tell her thank you as well. And the same goes for her. If either of you want a portrait painted, I’m happy to do it free of charge.”
“That’s incredibly sweet. Thank you.” I pointed down the row of vendors. “I better keep moving, but it was really great to meet you, Dakota.”
“It was great to meet you, too…”
“Rosemary. Sorry. My head is all over the place today.”
“I get it. Don’t worry about it.” Dakota winked at me, and I flashed her one more smile before walking away.
That conversation left me feeling rejuvenated, and even though I knew my social battery would need a very big recharge at the end of the day, I made it my mission to talk to as many people as possible. There was something very special about the LGBTQ+ community, and I was so lucky to be part of it. I still couldn’t believe there was ever a time I actually believed I would live my life in the closet.
As if my thoughts of trying to be straight had summoned him, I spotted Silas as he and Andrew turned the corner onto the block hand in hand. I waved my arms in the air to make sure they saw me. “Silas! Andrew! Over here!”
Both of their eyes lit up when they noticed me, and they quickly made their way to where I was standing. “Rosemary! How are you?” Silas asked as he pulled me into a tight hug.
“I’m good. How are you two? I’m still so surprised you didn’t want to have a booth here today.” Since Silas and Andrew owned a law office together, I had assumed they would have been the first to sign up.
