Marcus answered, ‘No. But my wife is.’ It shocked Paula to find a straight man at a Pride festival. Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up" was playing while Paula got more in depth with Marcus.

Paula asked, ‘You’re telling me that you, a straight man, are married, and that your wife and you support gay rights?’

Marcus responded, ‘Is that so hard to believe? There’s no rule that says you have to be gay to support their rights.’

Paula said, ‘Yeah. But even vegetarians don’t eat meat while they support animal rights.’

Marcus agreed, ‘True. But once again, there’s no rule that says you have to be LGBT to fight for R E S P E C T.’

While Paula was talking, Franzi was at a shirt stand and showed off the "She’s With Me" t-shirt she bought. She didn’t know but Daniel was right behind her.

Daniel said, ‘You might like the light blue one. It makes your eyes prettier.’ Franzi turned around, saw Daniel standing there, and hugged him with all her might. ‘Daniel! I am so glad you could be here.’

Daniel asked, ‘You didn’t think I’d miss out on supporting your and Paula’s first Pride?’

Franzi called, ‘Paula? Paula, come here!’

Daniel was wearing an LGBT Free 4 Life t-shirt in support of Pride rights. Paula approached Franzi and Daniel and she was surprised by his shirt. She raised her left eyebrow and asked, ‘Daniel? Is there something you’d care to tell me?’

Daniel joked and said, ‘Yes. I’m a lesbian and I am 43 years old.’

Paula said, ‘Wow. Not what I expected but hey, who am I to judge?’

Daniel said, ‘I’m joking, Paula. Tim told me you two were attending Pride today and I thought I’d come out to support you.’

Paula said, ‘Ah. Well, thank Tim when you see him next. And give Helga my love.’

Daniel said, ‘No need. She’s at the dunking booth. But how are you doing?’

Franzi and Paula said they were hanging in. They’d never attended a Pride festival so they didn’t know everything to expect. Daniel told them that it was just like a regular carnival. He’d even met his wife at a festival like this. Helga was managing a dunk booth; where people would throw balls and try to sink a person into a tank of water. Paula went to get a Margarita and water while Franzi started talking with Daniel again.

Franzi said, ‘Daniel, I’m thinking about taking a sabbatical from work and school. Now I know I have come back to work yet. But I just think I need to take some time to myself for me and Paula.’

Daniel said, ‘Franzi, you don’t have to explain to me. I understand. You’ve just gotten out of the hospital and you’re afraid of things coming on at full blast.’

Franzi said, ‘Yeah. Something like that. In fact, I’m not so much taking a leave from school as I am taking all my courses at home.’

Daniel said, ‘Yes. You told me about that; where somebody comes by the flatshare and drops off your assignments.’

Franzi continued, ‘Yes, well. I’m just thinking that I want to get caught up on my studies before I get back to work. Actually, I’m thinking about working in a quieter area.’

Daniel asked, ‘Do you mean away from the city or just away from the people here?’

Franzi didn’t want to go into the technicalities right now but she told Daniel that she was going to be here for as long as she can. Kelly Clarkson’s "My Life Would Suck Without You" came on when Paula got back with the drinks.

Paula said, ‘See you at Mocca, Daniel.’ Daniel threw them both kisses before he went back to work.