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- 12/18/2020
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
A Child's Haven - 9. Chapter 9
I called Abe and asked if he could attend the Saturday Board meeting. I wanted to review the expansion of the cook shack. “I have a few more ideas for the offices over the loading dock. If we extend the office area up to the same level as the current building, we could have a maximum of 15 floors. This would give us plenty of space for offices, and we could include an infirmary on the first level. I thought of having the Board room at the very top with a small kitchen to make coffee. I could have the cook shack do that and also bring lunch. What do you think?”
“Let me put some ideas down on paper, and we can review them after the Board meeting.”
I called Tony and asked him to stop by Sanctuary. I had wanted to run the idea of giving the kids an allowance and perhaps paying some of them for working in Sanctuary. “If you come over in one hour, I’ll treat you to lunch.”
I started to frame out my ideas for the third floor. Since the second floor is divided into three floors, I thought that would be a good idea for the third floor. On the first floor, 3A, I envisioned classrooms. On 3B, I imagined efficiency apartments. Each apartment would include a kitchen serving four bedrooms. Each bedroom would contain a bunk bed and a single dorm bed; three small compartments would be over the single bed. I would put desks, utilizing the space at the end of the bunk bed, and the space between the single bed and the bunk bed. On one wall, I would split the area into two sections, one section for a small bath with a shower and the other section for a closet divided into three sections. Each occupant would have closet space, a desk, a cupboard over the single bed, and a space in the closet.
There’d be four of these modular rooms with a center room that will be the kitchen containing a microwave, small refrigerator, a sink, and cupboards, of which one will have a drawer for cutlery. A small dining table will be included. At one end of the apartments, I included in the design an open area equipped with desks, bookshelves, and restricted computers. This was my idea, and now I wanted to see what Abe could do with it.
I wanted to create living conditions for the kids as they got older, trying to simulate actually being on their own but still have the assurance that help was nearby. The apartments would be assigned to the older kids, and depending on their financial status, rent would be charged, which would go into a bank account for each kid. When the time comes for them to leave, they will be given their rent money. The idea was to get them use to paying a monthly bill, and of course, when they got the money back, they would have a small nest egg to start their independent life.
On floor 3C, I wanted to create sleeping rooms. Each room would have a bed, desk, and access to an ensuite bathroom. Next to the bathroom would be a closet with built-in drawers and an area to hang clothes. These bedrooms would be used by the staff of which I’d occupy one. They could be used on an emergency basis by anyone and the medical staff if in-home recovery was necessary.
The third floor has already been divided into three floors similar to the second floor. The only thing to be done is the construction of the school rooms, apartments, and bedrooms. For that, I need Abe’s input and drawings.
Then we must address the elevator for the main building. Starting on the first floor, it‘ll need to have six stops to service all the floors. This would be a significant construction project.
Walking back from lunch with Tony, “Brad, why don’t you paint this building? It looks like an old warehouse.”
“That’s a good idea, and I think I can make a game out of it for the kids.”
After dinner, I announced a new contest. “I’d like to paint our building, and I need your help. I want you to submit your ideas on what the building should look like after it’s painted. You pick the color and any design you want. Mr. Carver will review your designs and announce the winner.”
One of the kids put their hand up, “Yes, Ronnie.”
“’What’s the prize going to be?”
“I haven’t thought about that. Let me think about it, and I’ll announce the prize before the contest is over. Is that ok?”
“Can we work on this as a group or individually?”
“That’s up to you. If you want to work on it as a group, that’d be fine. If just two want to work on it, that’d be ok as well. This is now your project, so run with it. You have one week, starting now. If you need paper, pencils, crayons, see Beth.”
“I think you may have created a monster.”
“No, it’ll be good for them, and maybe if they all pitch in, I’ll think of something for everyone with a special gift for those in the winning group. Just remind me to tell Abe that I put him in the pot.”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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