Pride

From the upcoming book by the one and only me, here is another look into Annie and her Rowen (and by the way, Rowen is one of my favorite characters, if you cannot tell. I love writing about Rowen):

Setting: Texas Roadhouse.

View: Rowen Quin.

We walked into the restaurant, I followed Rowen, which is how it usually went. Rowen was always assertive and always flashed that finger with the emerald and gold band. Oh, Rowen.

“We need a table for two, please,” said Rowen. The host gave Rowen a buzzer and R noticed the rainbow Apple Watch band of the host. We sat down. “I know exactly what we’re doing after this,” R said. I said, “Oh, really?” Ya know… it is an odd occurrence when someone has an idea before I do, guess anxiety can do that to ya?

Rowen asked me, “Do you have any pride stuff to wear later?” I looked at them and I said, “I mean, I can figure it out, but I don’t just have specific pride stuff. But I can always make a rainbow.” “Eh, don’t sweat it, we will arrive at Target after this and pride you up, my dear,” Rowen said. Sometimes, you just had to go along with what Rowen said… that was best. Actually, Rowen’s wallpaper on their phone was rainbow. And I liked that.

“So what exactly are we doing with this pride attire?” I said. Rowen said, “We’ll see.” I said, “No, no, no. Tell me. Are we going to where I think we’re going?” Rowen said, “And where would that be?” I said, with a very exciting face, “We’re going to PRIDE, aren’t we?!” Rowen rolled their eyes in a cute way and said, “Yes mam, get ready. Your life is about to change.”

We finished up dinner, I drove Rowen to Target. Rowen went straight to the clothes, thankfully there was a big selection of pride wear because it was pride month. “Okay, so, the goal is to make you look even more obnoxious than you already always do and it is going to be amazing,” Rowen said. I said, “You’re just jealous because you always wear mostly solid colors, boring outfits, and those combat boots.” Rowen said, “I mean, I like consistency, what can I say, babe?” I just rolled my eyes.

“These earrings would be fab with your beautiful blonde hair,” Rowen said as they got close to me to hold them up to my face. Rowen looked into my ocean eyes while I looked into the emerald eyes. They “booped” me on the nose and smiled.

“What size are you? L?” Rowen said. “HA, funny. I am an XL or 2XL, or 3XL depending on what it is,” I said. Rowen looked at me and the eyes just rolled. Rowen, focused, gave me several options, looked me up and down and said, “Okay, we’re ready.” We checked out, we left. Rowen took me to their house.

“I’m going to go change, be right back,” said Rowen. I responded with a big ole okay. I looked around Rowen’s house, room specifically. Receipts from the jeweler’s piled the left corner of the dresser. “Receipt for a cross necklace,” I wondered to myself while wondering who Rowen got it for.

Rowen came out of the bathroom door with black pants, black boxers with a wide rainbow band, thanks Calvin, a cut off black shirt and a rainbow sticker under their chest, visible through the cut off in the shirt. I kinda had to pick my jaw up from the floor for a second. Rowen said, “I thought you were supposed to be changing?” I gathered my bag and went inside the bathroom and shut the door. I looked around, looked through some of the drawers, smelled their cologne that was used the most. I admired their choice of shower curtain and decoration, frames on the wall that were unused. I noticed a picture of Rowen and a girl on the bathroom counter. I picked it up, looked towards the door to make sure Rowen wasn’t coming, and looked all around it. Was trying to find a name of that girl. Jane Doe didn’t have a name to me yet. I’d have to get some of my FBI friends on it.

I put on all the clothes that Rowen picked out for me and looked in the mirror. I felt my ring finger that used to hold my Neil Lane diamond that it no longer held. I opened the bathroom door and Rowen just chuckled, “I love it,” Rowen said.

Rowen had been to PRIDE before, a bar in downtown Mt. Mountaine, a lot of times. “You’re going to love it,” Rowen said. I said, “I imagine I will, I’ve always wanted to! Thanks for taking me.” Rowen put their hand on my knee and said, “Of course.”

We pulled up to the bar, got the car parked, and started to walk in. Rowen said, “WAIT! We forgot the glow in the dark paint!” Rowen got it out of the back seat and let me tell you - never have I seen someone so excited. Rowen said, “Be still.” Their hand held the bottom of my chin while the emerald eyes watched the paint strokes along my cheek. I couldn’t help but stare.

As soon as Rowen was finished and the contact with the eyes stopped, I noticed how much of a trance that Rowen could have me in. And I didn’t realize that I liked it.

Rowen to put the paint away and I said, “Um no, give it here.” Rowen rolled their eyes and let me, as they should’ve and always should’ve. I painted a rainbow on one side and a lightning bolt on the other, just like my Betsey Johnson earrings.

Rowen was that type of person and friend that made you feel wanted and needed. I never felt unwanted when I was in Rowen’s life; it was like a breath of fresh air.

We walked into PRIDE and there were all smiles. Well, except for that girl crying over her ex (typical). Don’t we all…? *insert anxiety emoji here.

Ya know when your girlfriends all want to go to a gay bar and just have fun? That was Rowen and I. Simple fun. We enjoyed every moment of that night. To people watching to Rowen pulling me onto the dance floor and then pulling Rowen. “C’mon C’mon” by One Direction played and we danced and danced and danced. Laughed and laughed and laughed. That night was one of the best nights of my life! Rowen was one of the best moments of my life.

I hope you enjoyed! In honor of Pride Month, I wanted to share this little excerpt. I want you to know that you are accepted, wanted, cared for, and loved. I am your friend and I am here for you! God loves you as do I; do not ever forget it! Be proud of who you are- and that goes to everyone! As my dear Lea says, “Be about it.” You heard her!

God seriously loves you no matter what. Call on Him, He will always answer. That’s one of the most special things about Him - He is ALWAYS there. That’s what makes Him my ultimate best friend. <3. If you need/want to contact me, please go up to the top and select “Contact" and your message will go to me. I am here for you. You are not alone, my dear!

“To thine own self be true,” as Shakespeare said.

Happy Pride Month! XOXO! I LOVE YOU!

Yours,

Anna