It was still fifteen minutes before the parade was going to take off, and people were everywhere looking for their section. Nora was standing alone in the middle of the group from PFLAG. She looked with big eyes at people passing, people with amazing outfits, regular peoples of all ages and photographers following.
When Kevin came out five years ago she had immediately joined PFLAG, it was a statement for her. Not just to show her support to Kevin, but also to show her husband what she thought of this reaction to Kevin's coming out. Now she had finally found the courage to go to the Pride parade celebrations in Los Angeles, and she had managed to bring Kevin.
He had left her a couple of minutes ago to find a collegue who apparently was there too, and they were going to parade with other lawyers. Nora shook her head to get rid of the picture of twenty-or-so people with suits and briefcases, all on their phones while walking down the street.
A woman about her age came over to her. "Hello, I'm Judy. Are you new here?"
"Yes, I am. I'm Nora. Well, I've been a member for a couple of years, ever since my Kevin came out. But I've never been here before." Nora rambled on as she shook Judy's hand.
"Well, then I hope you'll like it here. It's the best ego boost I've ever had." Judy picks up a bottle of water from her bag. She waves it towards Nora. "Do you have one?"
Nora shakes her had, she doesn't.
"Then take this one. I brought some extras, just in case. It takes some time to get into the parade-feeling, but once you do, you know what to bring." Judy laughs.
Nora takes the bottle and thanks Judy. Again she's standing there all alone. She's kind of intimidated of the others and doesn't dare to start a conversation with anyone. They seem to know each other.
A young man, in his early twenties walk up to them. Nora notices that he's probably already had a drink or too, probably in the great spirit of the parade.
"I just want to say, to all of you." He starts. "I think you're great. I live two blocks from my dad, and we haven't spoken in three years, not since I came out." Some other men comes up to the young man to drag him away.
Nora looks at the group leaving, her eyes starting to tear up. A man, good looking, in his early 50's, comes up to her.
"Hi, I'm Noel." He shakes her hand. "You're new, right?" Nora nods her head, still in chock.
"I can tell." Noel says and waves his hand in the direction of where the group of young men went. "This happens all the time when we're out somewhere with PFLAG. Not every parent goes here."
"I know, my husband… he wouldn't ever…" Nora's voice trails off as two men with a baby walks by. Suddenly she smiles. Noel follows her gaze.
"So, is your child here?" He asks.
"Yes, he is. Your's too?"
"No." Noel chuckles. "Our Kate, she's not a Pride parade kind of girl. I think she was here once, but now it's just me and Livia, my wife. This is our tenth year."
"Wow, that's impressive."
"I guess it is. But it's worth it. When you walk and everyone… You'll understand, I'm sure Nora. Now I think it's time to leave soon." Noel says and looks at his watch.
Slowly the parade starts to take off. Nora chats with some other parents in the group, only to find they're all very sympathic. After a while she even feels comfortable to share her discomfort with dealing with her husband while being supportive of her son. She quickly finds out she's not the only with dealing with that issue.
In the middle of their talk they enter the big parade route, with hundreds of people standing on the sides. When they see the big "Proud parents and friends" banner the air is filled with a deafening jubilation. It takes Nora a while to understand that it's aimed towards them, and when she does her eyes once again tear up.
Judy comes up from behind her and puts an arm around her shoulders. "Yep, Nora. Get ready for the sob fest of your life."