Page 36

ETHAN

ONE YEAR LATER

The mid-June sun warmed my face as I stood at the microphone, Andre’s hand steady in mine.

Familiar faces stretched before us—friends, family, and what seemed like half of Maplewood—gathered for the Rainbow Maple Camp groundbreaking ceremony. Rainbow banners fluttered from the trees as the audience chattered with each other.

My moms sat in the front row, smiling wide. Next to them, Ray and Sato looked ready to burst with happiness. Mickey and Liam gave encouraging nods from the second row. The local press had their cameras ready, and Wade did final checks on the live stream setup.

Andre’s fingers interlaced with mine. The sunlight caught the amber flecks in his brown eyes. His gentle smile calmed my racing heart. Countless rehearsals hadn’t prepared me for the emotional wave that hit as we prepared to make the official announcement.

“Good morning, everyone.” Andre’s voice carried through the speakers. “Thank you all for joining us today for this moment that means so much to us.”

I picked up where he left off, our words flowing together naturally.

“A year ago, this was just a vision—Andre’s vision specifically.

He shared it with me, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

He was right that this land was perfect for a youth camp.

We imagined a place where queer youth could feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves. ”

“Not everyone comes from a place as inclusive as Maplewood, and this camp will allow more young people experience our corner of the world. A place to explore their passions, whether in sports, arts, technology, or a combination unique to them. It’s about teens finding their own path.

Thanks to the incredible support of this community, the Maplewood Foundation”—Andre shot a glance at me—“organizations like the You Can Play Project, the National Hockey League, the Vermont Arts Council, and several generous private donors, that vision is becoming reality. The Rainbow Maple Camp will welcome its first campers next summer.”

The late nights we’d spent planning flashed through my mind. Andre’s eyes lighting up describing cabins and programs. My excitement bubbling over while discussing possible activities. We’d hoped to open this year, but getting everything right meant waiting.

A winter session might be possible for pond hockey and other activities, but we’d decided not to mention that until we were sure.

“We’ve already had an overwhelming response since registration opened earlier this week,” Andre continued. “Now, before the official groundbreaking, we’d like to thank our friends who helped make this possible.”

We acknowledged everyone who’d supported us and their contributions: our parents’ unwavering encouragement, Mickey’s reliable sounding board, Liam’s sports program expertise, Clara’s educational components, Olivia’s artistic vision, and Wade’s technological mastery.

Mayor Axelrod stepped up next, speaking passionately about Maplewood’s commitment to inclusivity.

“This camp represents the very best of our community,” she declared.

“A place where every young person can be who they are without worry.” Andre blinked back tears as she described how the camp would “enrich lives for generations to come, just as Maplewood has since its very founding.” I gripped his fingers tighter.

Finally, the time for the ceremonial groundbreaking arrived. Mayor Axelrod, Andre, and I each took a shovel—rainbow-painted thanks to Olivia—and moved to the marked spot where construction would begin on the main building.

“Ready?” I whispered to Andre.

“Let’s do it.”

Together we pushed our shovels into the soft earth and turned over a patch of dirt. Cheers erupted from the crowd, camera flashes lighting up around us. Mom wiped away tears while Momma wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Ray and Sato stood applauding along with everyone else.

After Alex shot the official photos and we answered a ton of press questions, our friends gathered close. Mickey brought over glasses of sparkling cider from the refreshments table.

“Actually,” Andre said, his voice taking on a nervous edge I didn’t often hear, “there’s something I’d like to say since so many of our friends are here.” He turned to face me, and my heart hammered at the look in his eyes.

“Oh, I have something too,” I blurted out.

Andre chuckled. “Why don’t you go first?”

“No, you should?—”

“But I really?—”

We stopped, chuckling at our simultaneous starts and stops.

“You go—” we said together.

Liam’s amused voice cut through our fumbling. “Since Andre spoke up first about having something to say, he should go. Otherwise, we’ll be here all day.”

I nodded, my throat suddenly dry as Andre took both my hands in his.

“Ethan.” His voice wavered. “This past year has been the most incredible journey. From that tense meeting before the Pride festival to standing here making this camp a reality, you’ve helped me to understand what it means to truly trust and to love.”

He released one hand to reach into his jacket pocket, and my breath caught as he pulled out a small box. Around us, everyone went silent.

“The thing is,” Andre continued, dropping to one knee, “I don’t just want to build this camp with you. I want to build our whole life together.” He opened the box, revealing a silver ring with a subtle pattern etched on the band that caught the sunlight. “Will you marry me?”

Tears blurred my vision as I reached into my pocket, pulling out an almost identical box. Andre’s eyes widened as I kneeled down facing him.

“You know,” I said, my voice trembling, “I had this entire speech planned about how you challenge me to be better, how you make me laugh, how I’m never more at ease than when I’m with you.

” I opened my box, showing him the ring I’d chosen weeks ago.

“But really, it comes down to this. I love you, Andre Thompson, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me too?”

Andre laughed, a sound of pure joy that made my heart swell. “Yes,” we said in unison, and our friends erupted in cheers.

My hands shook as I slipped the ring onto Andre’s finger and he did the same for me. We stood together, and I pulled him close for a kiss.

“I can’t believe you planned to propose today too,” Andre whispered against my lips.

I pressed my forehead to his, overwhelmed by how perfectly right this was.

Our private bubble burst as Mom and Momma reached us first, wrapping us in tight hugs. Ray and Sato followed, both crying happy tears.

“Did anyone know about this?” Mickey asked, looking between us with an amused expression.

“I knew Ethan had the ring,” Liam admitted. “But I had no clue about when he was going to pop the question.”

“Clara was my coconspirator,” Andre said, his thumb tracing over his new ring. “She helped me pick the perfect moment.”

Clara grinned. “Though I didn’t expect you both to have the same idea on the same day. I love it, though.”

The celebration moved to the house, where someone—I guessed Clara—had laid out treats from Special Blend.

As the festivities continued, Andre and I found a quiet moment together, looking out toward the lake.

“We’ve come a long way from our high school days.” Andre turned to face me.

I kissed him. “How are we going to decide whose proposal counts as the official one?”

“They both count.” Andre’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Though I did ask first.”

“Only by a few seconds!”

“Still counts.” He kissed me again, ending that debate. “And it makes for a great story.”

“What a year it’s been. I’m glad we’re back here. It’s always going to be home. But between the brilliant run Seattle had this year and the work you did around the country on banned books, it couldn’t have been better.”

“I think your teammates would disagree. Getting the Cup would’ve been a great cap to everything.”

“Still, great hockey was played. We lost in game seven, after all.” I caressed his cheek. “Coming home to you, or being there when you got back from a trip—that’s been the best part.”

His smile softened. “Even when I reorganized your entire kitchen while you played on the East Coast?”

“Even then.” I chuckled, remembering how he’d created what he called a “more logical system.” “Though I’m still not sure why the coffee mugs needed to be color-coded.”

“It makes perfect sense and you know it.” He leaned into my touch. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” The words held extra weight now, with a ring on my finger.

Liam’s voice carried over from the other side of the deck. “If you two are done having your moment, we’re about to cut the cake!”

We joined our friends and family, our deck overflowing with life. Our parents were deep in conversation about wedding venues. Clara and Wade were talking about technology for the camp. Olivia was showing Mickey her sketches for the camp’s common spaces.

The cake was a work of art—three rainbow-colored tiers decorated with maple leaves, books, and hockey sticks. The top featured two rainbow hearts with Congratulations Andre & Ethan in elegant script.

“To the happy couple.” Liam raised his glass in a toast.

“To Andre and Ethan,” everyone echoed as Andre slipped his hand into mine.

“Think we can handle planning a wedding while building a camp?”

I pressed a kiss to his temple. “I’m sure of it.”

THE END

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Maplewood for its Pride festival, and Ethan and Andre’s journey to their HEA.