Heavenly Days
“Have you really never been before?!” Arizona yelled over the buzz that consumed the streets.
Callie shook her head as she dodged a recklessly waving flag and chuckled as she grabbed Arizona’s hand for guidance through the crowds.
“No,” she confirmed. “I went to one in New York with my buddy from med school when he was just coming out and it was awesome, but the Seattle one has always just kind of passed me by.”
Arizona turned on her heel and rolled her eyes at the woman behind her, almost causing a ten deep pile-up in the crowds. “I don’t care who you were or were not dating, Calliope, how can this pass you by?!”
She gestured to the vibrant floats that passed by with men dressed in heels bigger than anything either of them had ever worn, dancing with abandon to some classic 90’s europop.
“I just love it,” she almost vibrated with the excitement. “It’s so full of joy and acceptance and everyone just wants to be allowed to love each other, you know? It feels like the most positive thing in the world!”
Callie smiled broadly at her and grabbed her around the waist. “You’re very cute at pride, you know that right?”
“I’m very cute all the time,” she threw back playfully and they both giggled their way into a kiss.
Several onlookers good-naturedly whooped at their display of affection and the two bashfully pulled apart and continued to hold on to each other through the crowd.
“Can we head toward the stalls?” Arizona had to yell a little less now that they were away from the very centre of parade action.
“Sure,” replied Callie.
“My friend Jenny makes the most beautiful jewellery and I want you to see it so you can buy me some for my next birthday,” she shrugged her shoulders, “or, you know, Christmas, Valentines... Tuesdays!”
“Oh, O.K!” Callie nodded her understanding and fell into step beside Arizona. The warm June sun warmed their backs as they walked to the area filled with endless stalls and food vendors, their hands gently linked.
“Hey, and you know what Jenny tells me is the stall right next to hers this year?” Arizona asked quietly.
“Nope,” said Callie distractedly, her attention captured by the enthusiastic troupe of dancers spinning on their heads nearby.
“Lesbian and bisexual Moms of Seattle,” Arizona ventured carefully.
Callie stopped in her tracks and turned to face her girlfriend, her eyes wide and questioning.
“Aaand?” she questioned carefully.
“And I thought we could check it out. Talk to a few people.”
Callie started to dance on her toes and make unintelligible but obviously excited sounds as she grasped both of Arizona’s hands.
“Are you serious?” she asked. “I-I-I mean, I meant what I said, I meant it. I want you more than anything else, b-b-but if you’re thinking about it then that’s, I mean that’s really grea...”
“Calliope,” Arizona interrupted. “You do know we’re just going to a stall, right? And that they don’t give away babies there as a prize on the tombola. O.K?”
Callie rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh.
“I know,” she nodded thoughtfully. “I’m just... you just make me so happy.”
“Good!” Arizona beamed at her. “Now about that jewellery!”