Page 58 of Baran
Sam exhaled sharply, his hands clenching on his knees. “Gay guys,” he whispered, as if the words might crumble in his mouth. “I’ve had trouble at other shelters. You know, people aren’t always…understanding.”
Darien studied him for a moment, reading the authenticity in his discomfort. “What kind of work did you do before?” he asked, steering the conversation gently away from those bad memories.
“Retail. Stocking shelves mostly,” Sam answered quickly. “I’m willing to do anything, though. I just need a chance.”
After a few more questions, Darien nodded, writing something on his notepad. “You’ll have a bed here tonight,” he said, and Sam’s face lit up with relief.
The second applicant was a younger man, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two, with dyed pink hair and a confident swagger. He introduced himself as Malik, his voice carrying a sharp edge as he talked about his struggles.
“Been couch-surfing mostly,” Malik said, sprawling casually in the chair. “That ran out, though. My friends aren’t exactly the reliable type. I saw your flyer and thought, why not?”
“What brought you here specifically?” Darien asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Malik’s lips curved into a smirk. “You mean, am I gay?” he asked bluntly. “Yeah, I am. Not everyone’s thrilled about it, but hey, their problem, not mine.”
Darien smiled at the honesty. Malik’s bravado was clearly a shield, but it rang true. “What’s your plan if we accept you?”
Malik shrugged, but his eyes softened. “Get a job. Maybe go back to school. I just need a place to stop running for a while, you know?”
Darien nodded again, jotting down a note. “Alright. We’ll make room for you.”
The third applicant walked in with an air of unease. His name was Larry, a man in his thirties with a scruffy beard and calloused hands that hinted at a history of manual labor.
“Why do you want to stay here, Larry?” Darien asked, skipping past the pleasantries.
“I heard you help people down on their luck,” Larry said gruffly. “I just need a roof over my head for a bit. Got laid off a few months ago. Been trying to find work, but it’s hard without an address.”
Darien glanced at Baran briefly before returning to Larry. “You know this is a space specifically for gay individuals, right?”
Larry hesitated, shifting in his seat. “Yeah, I know,” he said carefully. “Look, I don’t wanna lie to you. I’m not…gay. But I’m not looking for trouble either. I just need help.”
Darien leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I appreciate your honesty, Larry, but this shelter has a specific purpose. There are other places that might be able to help you.” He handed Larry some pamphlets on other shelters in the area.
Larry’s face tightened, and he nodded stiffly, standing up. “Thanks anyway,” he muttered before leaving.
When the door closed behind him, Darien exhaled, rubbing his temples. “It never gets easier,” he mumbled.
Baran finally spoke, his voice low but steady. “You did the right thing. We’ve got to protect the space.”
Darien nodded, though the weight in his chest lingered. “Let’s get Sam and Malik settled in.” He showed him the map of the rooms and occupants.
They walked the two men to their room and showed them which bunk would be theirs. Darien took a picture of each and put them on the board in their room. Once they were settled in, Darien and Baran walked back to his office and they each took a seat.
“What do you think of the interviews as your new job?”
“I love it, but the part of saying no will kill me.”
“Yes, it really does. Sometimes, I go home and think about the ones I had to turn away. We’re building a large temporary room with twenty beds for gay men who are waiting for a permanent shelter or a room with us when there is an opening. If we can’t fit them for longer, they can go in there until we have a spot or we can find them another shelter.”
“When will it be done?”
“Christmas Eve. Follow me and I’ll show you the room.
Darien led Baran through the familiar halls of Rainbow Haven, his excitement clear in his quick stride. When they reached the new addition, he pushed the door open, revealing the room he’d worked so hard to complete.
The space was expansive yet cozy, painted in a soft, tranquil shade of blue that reminded Darien of a clear spring sky. Two neat rows of bunk beds filled the room, ten on each side, their metal frames gleaming under the warm overhead lights. Each bed was made up with crisp white sheets and hadthick blankets in shades of gray and navy carefully folded at the foot of the mattresses.
The air smelled faintly of fresh paint and new linens, and Darien couldn’t help but feel pride as he watched Baran take it all in. The beds, the warmth of the room, the care in its design—everything was meant to give a sense of safety and belonging to those who would stay here.
