Ashes, Ashes.

“Yeah. I agree with... well, most of that anyways.” she admitted. “Sometimes it’s best to send in the person that best knows how to do the job and that was definitely me in this case but sending me in with no backup was uncalled for. And dangerous.”

On Friday, April 12th, Indivisible Aurora made the anguishing and difficult announcement that due to an unanticipated increase in costs, we would have to cancel the Aurora Pride Festival, including the Aurora Pride Parade. After continued discussions with the City of Aurora and energized reactions from supporters in the community, we have decided to make a last ditch effort to raise the remaining funds needed for the Pride Parade and a couple of smaller events… and fast. So what do we need? We need $17,000 in 2 weeks! Yes, you read that right. $17,000 in 2 weeks! No less. Why $17,000? This, alongside the $4,500 graciously provided as grants by the City of Aurora, will make up for the gap between our current fundraising and what we need to provide to the city for services and for operational costs to service providers. Why 2 weeks? The City of Aurora needs a FINAL decision on the Parade by April 30th for police and first responder staffing . This is a call to our supporters. Can you help us out? If we can't raise the entire $17,000, we can't hold the parade this year (simple as that) and every dime of the funds  collected will be put toward the Aurora Pride Parade in 2020. All donations will follow our current sponsorship model and the perks that go along with each level. To see our sponsorship information, please see our sponsorship package . Thank you to all of our supporters for your passion and encouragement to making this event happen in 2019! If you'd rather send us a check or money order (old school, baby!) you can send it to Indivisible Aurora, 3015 E. New York St, Suite A2-273, Aurora, IL 60504. Your passion brought this celebration -- your celebration --  back to life. Now, let's raise money!

“Ah, well, I got transferred to a different department, a promotion, really, and my new boss has a habit of calling me when I’m not at work and pestering me over things that he really... has no business bothering me over.” she was making out to be a minor annoyance when it was actually hedging on dangerous at this point. But she was handling it. Mostly. “He’s the guy that sends me on my missions so to speak. So he sent me into a mission last month without enough of my own reinforcements.” and it had gone just about as badly as it could have gone.

“I’m not too concerned.” she snorted, though she did smile. Did appreciate that he brought it up. “Okay. I’ll take this bed here and... we can go back to my house in the morning and pick up some things.”

“Guess we are. How about we get some sleep and then... we can just go from there.” she’d need to get her things from her house. Now that she was calming down a little there were a few things she did want.

“Today may have been easy monster-wise but it wasn’t easy at all.” emotionally speaking... it was probably the hardest thing she’d ever done. “I think... I think I’m feeling a little better. About maybe doing this. Leaving this behind. You know? Starting... fresh.”

So, recently I haven’t been on a lot. I know I haven’t been on a lot and I’m sorry for vanishing more or less. I’ve had a rough year. In July I was raped and I’ve had a lot of trouble wanting to be here. I did just get engaged and I moved from Illinois to North Carolina. Hopefully things are going to be looking up for me soon. Thank you for your patience.

“I didn’t ask for easy, I asked for a starting point.” she nodded as he spoke though. A partner. At least for a little while. That could be exactly what she needed for a starting point. “Yeah. That sounds... I really appreciate it. The offer. The fact that you’d be willing to do that. It feels like... maybe this isn’t a job a lot of people do. And I want to do something good. In Maggie’s name.”