Full Balance (The Peachtree Series Book 3)

by Brigham Vaughn

  “That’s me.” He held out a hand. “Russ Bishop.”

  “Darius Simmons. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”

  “No, this is my first time here. I’ve been doing a lot at the admin offices,” Russ admitted. “I work in marketing, so I’ve been volunteering my time helping with the campaigns. Dan just asked me to pinch-hit here today because you were short.”

  “Thanks for that. It’ll be a huge help.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “I appreciate that. I’d stay, but I have kids at home and my wife’s a home health nurse who leaves for the night shift in a couple of hours.”

  Russ held up his hands. “I get it. No worries. I can handle this. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

  “Truthfully, I just need you to greet and sign kids in. Then observe and report any issues to the rest of the staff. They’re the ones qualified to handle any problems that crop up.”

  “Sure,” Russ said easily. “I’m a hall monitor. I can handle that.”

  Darius gave him a relieved smile. “It’s not the most exciting shift ever, but it’s good for the kids to see a friendly face when they walk in the door.”

  “I’m on it.”

  Darius ran through a few of the rules and some information about what to expect. He wrapped up with a final word of advice. “One thing to remember, these kids don’t trust anybody. They don’t trust the system. They don’t have a reason to. They have been failed at every turn. They lash out because it’s the only way to protect themselves. So, don’t take it personally if they’re suspicious of you and don’t want to interact.”

  Russ nodded.

  “Let me take you on a quick tour and introduce you to the staff.” He gestured around the space they were in. “This is the main area for kids to socialize.”

  Russ glanced around. The house had a fairly open layout plan, and they were in what had been the living and dining rooms. There were comfortable couches and chairs everywhere, many in small clusters to facilitate conversation. A handful of kids were sprawled across them. Russ nodded at them and shot them a small smile as he listened to Darius.

  “Back here, we have a kitchen. Kids are welcome to help themselves to the food here or cook for themselves, though we do ask they pick up after themselves. If someone doesn’t, politely but firmly ask them to. If they don’t comply, let Maria know.” The kitchen was plain and well-stocked and there was a platter of muffins on the long narrow table in the center of the room.

  “I can do that,” Russ promised.

  “You’re also welcome to help yourself, but the rules about cleaning up apply to you too.” There was a twinkle in Darius’s eyes.

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he replied with a laugh.

  Russ followed Darius back out into the main hallway, then into another room with small, round tables and chairs set up. A few kids glanced up at them, eyeing Russ curiously for a moment before they returned to their work. “That’s Maria there.” He pointed to an older Latina woman crouched down next to one of the kids. She gave them a small wave, then held up a finger as if to indicate she’d be over in a minute.

  When she joined them, she gave Russ a small smile. Darius introduced them and Maria nodded. “Glad you could fill in. I am helping with homework here, but I can’t watch the desk at the same time.” She smoothed back her thick curly silver hair. “Don’t hesitate to come to me if you need anything though.”

  “I won’t,” Russ promised.

  “Miss Rivera,” a kid called out and she turned toward them.

  “Coming, Frankie.”

  Darius continued his tour. “So, as you’ve probably figured out, we have a homework area here.” He pointed to the adjoining room. “There’s GED tutoring and literacy in there. The structured rooms create an opportunity for the kids here to improve their life situation while still offering them some dignity.”

  Russ nodded. He could see how it would make a huge difference to kids who had little of that in their lives. “Further back, we have an art room and some other classroom-type activities. We don’t have any classes scheduled for tonight, however. They’re mostly on the weekends. Most of the kids here tonight are here to do homework or socialize.”

  “And this is open to anyone, right? Not just kids who are homeless.” Russ asked.

  “Yes. Some have homes but need a sense of community with other LGBTQ kids. Some are from our residential foster facility. They’re in the system but under our care.” Darius snapped his fingers. “Before I forget, anyone can go upstairs to use the showers if need be. There are beds up there too so they can nap. They just have to check-in and let someone know where they’ll be. We’re not super strict but we do monitor who goes in and out in order to prevent unsafe situations. Tami’s upstairs now. If you need anything, let her know. Or Maria.”

  “Will do,” Russ said as he glanced around, awed by what they had to offer. “This place just goes on forever, doesn’t it?”

  Darius shot him a grin. “Pretty much. An old home was converted into a nursing home some years back and they added on to the structure a bunch of times. We made a few changes once we took over the lease, but it really was perfect for our needs. And it helps to have it in a neighborhood that’s accessible to the kids and isn’t trying to push us out.”

  “I would imagine.”

  “We also own the place next door and have healthcare options there. We have a pediatrician, a dentist, an ophthalmologist, and several counselors on staff. There are appointment times and drop-in clinic hours.”

  “Yeah, I’m familiar,” Russ said. “A lot of our marketing campaigns have been focused on those services.”

  Darius grinned at him. “Oh, that’s right. Sorry, man.”

  “No, it’s amazing to finally see this place,” Russ said. “My husband and I missed the grand opening. I’ve seen all the photos, but it’s even better in person.”

  “Thank you. I’m really proud of what we’re doing here to create a genuine, empathetic relationship with unconditional positive attention and concern for these kids. There are rules, of course. The kids are required to follow them. But we only get through to them when we show them we know they’re capable of following them.”

  “I will do my very best,” Russ said.

  Darius smiled. “You’ll be fine, man. There are lots of other people here you can talk to if needed. We just need a warm body and a friendly face at the desk.”

  “I can manage that.”

  An hour or so into what had been an uneventful shift, the door opened, and Russ looked up from the magazine he’d been perusing to see several kids walk in. Chattering with each other, they made a beeline for his desk and signed in without prompting. Russ was so busy greeting them, he almost missed the one kid who made a beeline for the couches without stopping at his desk first.

  “Don’t forget to sign in,” Russ called out, keeping his voice light and cheerful.

  Even across the room, Russ could see him roll his eyes as he stomped over. Russ studied him as he approached. He was pale with a mop of dark auburn hair and brown eyes that narrowed in a hostile squint as he looked Russ up and down. Russ had left his suit jacket and tie in the car, unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and cuffed the sleeves, but he felt oddly lacking as the kid looked him over. He wasn’t sure if he was underdressed or overdressed, but he clearly didn’t meet this kid’s standards.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  Russ held out his hand. “Russ Bishop. Who are you?”

  “Austin Carr.” He didn’t reach out to take Russ’s hand, so he pulled it back, wondering if that had been the wrong move.

  Probably better to not initiate physical contact with children who don’t know you, he thought wryly. “Nice to meet you, Austin. Have you been here before?”

  “Yep. Loads of times.”

  “Cool. Then you know what to do.” Russ tapped the pen on the sign-in book.

  Austin rolled his eyes again, but he took the
pen and scribbled in his information. “Anything else?”

  “Nope, not unless there’s something you need.”

  Austin shook his head and disappeared without another word. Russ watched him out of the corner of his eye for a while and noticed he didn’t interact with any of the other kids. He flopped into a big chair close enough to see the show the kids were watching on TV, but he didn’t talk with them at all. He hardly even cracked a smile as the other kids laughed and joked with each other about what was happening on the TV. Russ was too far away to see his eyes, but he’d curled up in a ball and there was nothing happy about the set of his face or body as he studied what looked like a graphic novel.

  It made Russ’s heart ache, but he didn’t think the kid would welcome a conversation, so he returned to the men’s health magazine he’d been staring at but not really reading.

  Maria made her rounds a short while later. “Hey, Austin,” she said in a cheerful tone as she passed him. She’d cruised through a while ago to check on things and Russ was grateful. It had been quiet, but he had no idea what a typical night was like here.

  Austin glanced away from the TV. “Hi. Where’s Kellie?”

  “I don’t know.” Maria frowned at him. “I haven’t seen her all week.”

  “We were supposed to meet here today,” Austin said. “She told me she’d be here.”

  “I’m sorry. You know it isn’t always that easy for her to get here.”

  “I know.” Austin picked at something on his jeans. “But she promised.”

  Maria clasped his shoulder. “Maybe she’s just running a little late. Or will be by tomorrow.”

  “I guess. Can we go look for her?”

  Maria shook her head. “No, you know that’s practically impossible. If Kellie doesn’t want to be found, she won’t be. This isn’t the first time she’s been gone a while.”

  “But why can’t we try?”

  Maria sighed, looking exhausted. “Because there aren’t enough people here as it is. I can’t just leave to try to find someone who doesn’t want to be found. I know it’s hurtful when she doesn’t show up when she said she would, but that happens sometimes. And Kellie isn’t in a position where she can always be reliable. You know that.”

  “I know.” Austin’s sigh made Russ’s heart hurt even more.

  “Just try to be patient. Your sister will show up. In the meantime, you could hang out with some of the other kids here.”

  A couple of them glanced over at Austin and Maria curiously. There was nothing hostile in their expressions, but Austin shook his head so vehemently it was clear there would be no arguing with him.

  Maria apparently came to the same conclusion because she nodded and patted his shoulder again. “Okay. Well, you let me know if you need anything, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh, there are some blueberry muffins in the kitchen, if you want one. I know they’re your favorite.”

  “Yeah, maybe. I’m reading.” He pointed at the graphic novel.

  “You can have some too if you want, Russ,” Maria called over her shoulder. “The muffins are pretty good. Darius is a great baker.”

  “Thanks.” He offered her a small smile.

  About fifteen minutes later, when Austin had continued to mope and had made no move to grab a muffin, Russ got up and went into the kitchen. He snagged two and took one over to Austin. “Thought you might like this.”

  Austin squinted suspiciously but took it. “Thanks,” he muttered.

  “You want some water? I saw some bottles in there.”

  “Nah, I’m good.” He didn’t look away from the page.

  “What are you reading?”

  “Dunno.”

  “You don’t know what you’re reading?” Russ asked with a little laugh.

  “No, I do. It’s just dumb but whatever.”

  “Right.” Russ nodded. He was doing a terrible job trying to make conversation here. “So, this seems like a pretty cool place, huh?”

  “Do you ever stop talking?” Austin finally looked up, a scowl on his face.

  “I do,” Russ said. “I just thought it might be nice to have a conversation since neither of us have anyone here to talk to.”

  “Don’t be annoying.”

  Russ sighed. “Fine. Enjoy your muffin.”

  After he took a seat at the desk again, he looked up to see Austin staring at him. He ducked his head immediately and didn’t look over again, but Russ would swear he had a guilty expression on his face.

  He remembered Darius’s words. These kids don’t trust anybody. They lash out because it’s the only way to protect themselves. So, don’t take it personally.

  He let out a little sigh. Damn it, he was definitely taking it personally.

  TWO

  An hour later, Russ was bored out of his mind. Most of the kids had left and none had really wanted to interact with him. He was used to doing things, not just sitting there waiting for things to happen, but he reminded himself that was what the center needed. It didn’t matter that he was bored, he was helping. When the front door opened to reveal Dan and Stephen, Russ he let out a little sigh of pleasure at the sight of his husband. Dan was nice looking too but Stephen … just the sight of his face lighting up as their gazes connected made Russ’s heart beat a little faster. Russ stood and walked over to join them in the entryway.

  “Hey there.” Stephen stepped close and brushed his lips across Russ’s temple. Since their wedding, he’d become increasingly affectionate in public. Russ didn’t mind at all.

  “How’d the meeting go?” Russ asked Dan as he slid a hand along Stephen’s waist and squeezed his side.

  Dan beamed. “Very well! As usual, Stephen was a huge asset. He really impressed them with his numbers.”

  “I merely explained that for every dollar they invested, they’d see a return in numbers of kids helped by the organization, thus decreasing the need for public assistance.”

  “He’s good,” Dan joked. “I’d love to lure him away for a permanent position.”

  “Carrie is doing very well,” Stephen said with an easy laugh. “She knows her stuff; she’s just not quite used to working on this scale. These days, I really am letting her lead and offering advice when asked.”

  “She is,” Dan agreed. “She told me the other day what a fantastic mentor you’ve been to her.”

  Stephen looked pleased. “That’s great to hear.”

  “How’d you do here?” Dan asked. He glanced around the mostly empty place. “Looks like a slow night.”

  “I have nothing to compare it to, but it was definitely quiet,” Russ agreed.

  Maria joined them in a moment later. “Okay, Tami left about half an hour ago and I’m ready to head home for the night, if that’s okay with you, Dan?”

  The drop-in center was closing for the evening, although Russ knew there were people available twenty-four hours a day at the residential facility and homeless kids could drop by there if they needed a place to stay overnight.

  “Sure,” Dan said with a smile. “Enjoy your evening.”

  “Hey, are you ready to go, Austin?” Maria said as she walked into the living room. “If you’d like, I can run you home after I drop Carlos off at the residential center.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” He frowned.

  “Kellie didn’t show?”

  He shook his head. The look on his face made Russ’s heart hurt all over again.

  “Well, there’s always the next time.” Maria placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry we can’t stick around and wait, but I really don’t think she’s going to make it here tonight, and I need to run you home so I can get Carlos back to the residential home in time for curfew.”

  “Curfew’s so dumb.” Austin let out a long-suffering sigh.

  “Lots of rules seem like it if we only look at it from our own perspective,” Maria said with a cheerful smile. “Until we see they’re to help everyone.”

  “I don’t care about everyone,” Aus
tin said. He sounded cranky. “I just want to be sure my sister is okay.”

  A pained expression crossed Maria’s face. “I know. I wish we could get Kellie to let us help her, but you know how many times we’ve tried. She’s just not ready.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “We’re doing the best we can, Austin. You and me both. Kellie, too.”

  “Yeah.” He didn’t look convinced though.

  “Okay, you ready to go?”

  “I guess.” Austin rose to his feet with a sigh.

  “Carlos?”

  An older teen boy with ripped jeans and a baseball cap rose from his spot on a couch across the room. He towered over Maria and he had a patchy beard that was struggling to grow in. “Yep.”

  Maria turned back to them. “Have a good night, Dan. Thanks for coming in, Russ.” She gave Stephen a small, quizzical look. “Sorry, I didn’t actually officially meet you.”

  “Stephen Parker.” He held out a hand. “I’m Russ’s husband and I’ve been helping out at the main center offices.”

  “He’s a financial genius,” Dan said. “He’s wrangled more funding out of people than I can count in the past couple of years.”

  Maria shook his hand heartily. “Well, it sounds like we have quite a power couple here. So glad you could join the team.”

  “Are we going or what?” Austin said. He was already in the doorway, looking impatient.

  “Yes. Goodnight!” she called out as she walked behind Carlos. “Hey, where’s your backpack, Austin?” she asked more quietly.

  “Dunno. I think I left it at school.”

  “Austin.” She sounded a little exasperated. “This is the third time this month. Did you have homework?”

  “I dunno. I think so.”

  The door closed behind them before Russ could hear her reply.

  “Hey, would you two like to grab a drink?” Dan asked. “It’s been a while since we’ve done that.” They socialized with Dan outside of work occasionally, but he was right, it had been months.