Morning, on Muneca Lake Beach.
Zenobia: Because the village of Barbieville stopped hosting Pride Events, it's been unfairly labeled. Mayor Rose-Grace Pike has been accused of homophobia and transphobia, but nothing could be farther from the truth. (laughs) The 1810 village charter contains the following: "Private acts by adults, inflicting no harm upon others, shall not be governed by law. If such is sin, each of us will answer a higher authority." The simple fact of the matter is this: Behavior of celebrants at past events brought private acts into the streets. Celebrants who chose to be more discrete were openly mocked. (pause for effect) This event is being hosted by me, Zenobia Malfoy, as a private citizen. It's not fancy because almost everyone participating has volunteered. Love is love, the details don't matter, so let's not focus on them.
Crowd cheers.
Zenobia: We've got no parade, but a nice little festival. Including live music by my band Sarcastic Fringehead, which starts as soon as I pass this microphone to the lovely Whitney Darling.
*****
Later, down by the floodwall.
Ken: Hey, your band is good!
Tanner: Yeah, we do all right as long as some jackass isn't yelling "Free Bird" from the crowd. (To Peeta) What the hell is that?
Peeta: We won these for Tommy at the arcade. Cost us a good bit, but it was totally worth it. And by the way, that was his mom yelling Free Bird. She laughed so hard when the entire band "freed their birds" at us I thought she was gonna hurt herself.
Tanner (shrugs): We're gonna do another set later, but Whitney had to go to work, so it'll be when she gets back. You guys more comfortable here? No one telling you to act more gay?
Ken: Our matching outfits and holding hands doesn't seem to be upsetting anyone on either side of the fence. I really wish people'd stop thinking all gay men are flamers.
Tommy: Your dad looks more like people think a gay dude should than my brother does, and he's walking around with a pretty woman! Is that your mom? Did she rainbow her hair just for today?
Casey: You know Dad. He ain't gonna let being straight keep him from looking fabulous. And no, Mom's hair is always like that. (to Stacie) If Angus is here, who is pulling the carriage?
Stacie: Our new mare, Ka-Gae. She's kinda scary looking, almost totally white and she's got the blackest eyes! Really sweet, though. Angus will get his turn later, when Ka-Gae is tired.
Tommy: Hey, Mommy, did you meet Casey's mom and dad? They're so cool.
Doreen: Yes, I met Iris and Coby at teacher conferences. Coby is one of Ken's college instructors, too.
Coby: You kids can ride the carriage together, if it's okay with Doreen. (laughs when Tommy and Casey get excited) I thought you'd like that, but y'all better behave for Mr. Windu.
Speaking of the carriage rides, The Hernandez family is returning from a pleasant jaunt around town.
Esperanza: This is the worst Pride Festival ever. I keep waiting for the hog-calling contest.
Daisy: It is a little dull, but I don't mind. (To Bertie) How did we raise a city slicker? Small town life is so much nicer.
Bertie: Probably because we were living in a city for most of her life. Of course, she is a grown woman and could go back if she chose, but I don't see her packing.
Tate: I'm thinking, now that I've got the house in some kind of order, of getting a job here. Do the rest of it at my own pace, you know? It's not like I've got anything to go back for.
Albus: Witch's Cove is always hiring, but it's mostly summer. What kind of work are you looking for?
Tate: Well, I've worked lots of janitor type jobs. Some construction.
Albus: Joe Montez is a contractor. I don't know the number, but you can google him.
Leia: Who is that fine looking slice of man?
Boudica: Which one?
*****
The evening winds down.
Luna Jones relaxes at her face-painting station on the beach, listening to Sarcastic Fringehead perform requests. One of twins is singing a duet with Whitney, some ancient love song. Luna hopes Mom or Aunt Gwen picks her up soon - it's gotten chilly since the sun went down.
