"Demian, could you run this tray up to room 107 please?"

I nod and take the tray of dinner, sidestepping a coworker who was coming back with a cart of empty trays and dirty dishes. I enjoy caring for the residents here. While some are very snappy at times, it's usually peaceful and simple. There are a variety of tasks to do each shift, which keeps me busy. I find I get along fairly well with the elderly. They're much easier to interact with, and we have interesting conversations regularly. I often find myself laughing - it seems like they start having no filter after a certain age, or they just don't care about how they come across.

After dropping off the food in room 107 I make my rounds, visiting the residents. Some rarely get visitors and appreciate the one-on-one that we give them. I can't imagine leaving my loved one here and not visiting, or what it feels like for the residents not getting visits from their families. Then again, it's been 8 years since my parents last saw me, so I suppose I do have some idea what that's like.

I read a bedtime story to a wonderful lady with dementia before visiting a newer resident. She's only been here a few weeks, but she's quickly becoming one of my favorite residents to visit.

"Oh, Demian, it's so nice to see you tonight," she greets me with a smile. "I just got off the phone with my daughter. I'm sure you'll meet her when she comes back from her business trip. She says my grandson is settling in well, which is such a relief."

"That's good to hear, Mary." Her smile is contagious, and I can't help but smile back.

"How has your day been?" She pats the bed next to her and I sit carefully, making sure not to sit on her IV tubes.

"Not too eventful," I lie smoothly, not wanting to bring her mood down by the negative events at school. She seems to have a true interest in what I do, how I feel, and what I have to say. I appreciate that, though it's taking some time to get used to.

"Ah, so you had a bad day. I hope tomorrow goes better for you. You're such a sweet young man. And very handsome as well."

I was surprised that she saw through my dishonesty so easily, and I felt a bit awkward with the compliments. It took me a moment to respond as I regained my composure. "Thank you."

Mary nods. I think she can tell that I'm uncomfortable because she begins asking me about my courses instead. We've been chatting for a while when she asks, "Do you take many classes on Fridays?"

"I have three courses that day, and I have the evening off."

"That's good. A young man like you should have freedom on Friday nights. Oh, how I remember being young on a Friday night." She giggles and her face lightly flushes. "Your girlfriend must love that you have it free."

"I'm single," I reply somewhat awkwardly. And I'm gay, though I don't say that part out loud. You never know how people will take that, and I don't want any drama at my job. My sexuality has nothing to do with me being a caregiver, and it's not like I have time for romance, anyway. I don't have much chance of meeting a guy who would actually get to know me, either, considering how everyone talks about me around campus.

"That's quite surprising! I thought a guy like you would have been snatched right up!" She proclaims with a giggle. Her eyes soften. "Well, I hope you find someone who truly brings you happiness. My husband, may he rest in peace, was always so kind to me. I remember one evening he brought me a rose and took me out dancing, just because I'd had a bad week at work." She sighed, and her smile was tinged with sadness. "He's been gone for 10 years, but I was blessed to have 35 years with him before the good Lord took him."

I patted her hand, not knowing what to say. She seemed to appreciate the gesture.

"Someday, I wish for you to be blessed with a love as deep as what my Harold and I shared."

Her words touched me a bit more than I would have expected them to. I knew it would be some time before I would date again, but there are times I wish I had someone. I have to focus on completing college, though, and between classes and my shifts at work I have very little time to devote to a boyfriend, I remind myself, to try to distance myself from thinking about my lack of love life.

"Oh, it's getting dark. I don't want to keep you too long. I'm sure they're keeping you busy here," Mary stated, bringing me out of my thoughts.

We shared brief goodbyes before I resumed my rounds of the facility, quickly immersing myself in my duties and pushing our conversation out of my mind.