Pride Practice
Stef stood on the corner with the other SDPD Pride task force. This was the first year she'd been in charge. The city enacted zoning laws that allowed the parade to go without protesters. She'd stressed to the co-captains to impress upon their team, even idiots were afforded the first amendment. "Thanks everyone," Stef said. "Command will be at the top of University. We will meet there at 0600, unless otherwise specified. Captains, we will have a premeet at 0520." She looked out at the group, "finally, thank you all."
As the group broke up, Stef saw Lena on the other side of the street, "hey, Babe," she greeted.
Lena took the red balloon Jude had filled, tying it, "hey, hon. Good to go?"
"Yep," Stef answered. "Having fun, buddy?" She asked, taking another red balloon from Jude.
Jude nodded enthusiastically, "it's like being inside a kaleidoscope," he exclaimed, pointing at the balloon arch being made. "I've never seen anything like it," Jude handed another red balloon to Lena.
Laughing, Lena tied it and stuffed it in the bag, "wait until tomorrow," she promised. "You seen our kids?" She asked Stef. "Brandon is helping Anchor Beach's LGBTQ club set up the AV equipment, but the others," she trailed off.
Stef shrugged, "Not sure," she looked around. "Here come two," she waved at Callie and Marianna.
"I don't care how free everybody is tomorrow, moms will not let you wear that," Callie spoke to her sister through gritted teeth. Seeing Stef, she gave her a small wave.
Marianna laughed, swatting Callie's shoulder and waving to Stef at the same time, "relax, girl," she instructed. "You only saw one bag," Marianna held up two other bags she'd found while practicing for dance. "Hi Moms, Judicorn," she happily greeted. Setting her bags down, Marianna looked up, "this is my favorite part of the whole parade."
"And we helped build it," Lena said with a smile. "Did you find a new outfit?" She smirked and rolled her eyes at Stef. Any occasion for Marianna to go clothes shopping,she happily took.
Marianna pulled out the skirt she had bought with Callie. It was bright purple with an neon orange waistband. Just as Stef was about to argue, she handed it to Callie, "now," Marianna raised her eyebrows, "check this out."
"Oh my God," Callie couldn't help it. Marianna proudly held up a terribly ugly pair of rainbow blocked tights. "It's too much," she handed the skirt back to Marianna. Laughing, Stef nudged Callie, "ah, come on. One day a year, we don't complain too much about Marianna's outfit." She looked over at Marianna, "the tights stay on all day, yes?"
"Oh, mom, of course," Marianna rolled her eyes. "Nails for everyone," she held up a small bag. "Even Jesus agreed."
Callie had to smile. The atmosphere was really great. Patting Marianna's shoulder, "well, at least I'll be with Girls United most of the day," she joked. "You can do my nails, though," she allowed. Turning to Lena, "so, we should help." Callie accepted the red balloon Jude gave her, smiling to herself. A lot had changed in a year. For the first time in a long time, she was starting to see the world again. Too long her life had been black and white, but now, the color was coming back. Stuffing the balloon in Lena's bag, Callie thought, if this is practice, the real thing is going to blow me away.
-Prompt: The colours of the rainbow/amandaonwriting