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- 01/22/2021
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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 - 75. Chapter 75
Arriving back at Sanctuary, Aaron asked, “How’s the cruise?” Tony laughed and told him not to go there. We did tell him we hired a captain and possibly a crew. I was glad to see the kids; I must have been asked a thousand times what it was like to ride the boat. I pulled Adel aside and told him I saw and smelt the terrible circumstances they had. I assured him that would never happen again.
That evening we had to bring Abe up to date on our trip and the boat’s condition. I told him we hired a captain and possibly a crew. “After giving it some thought, I’ve changed my mind about putting cocoons on the ship. I’m going to install small rooms with portholes. I think a 4-6 person room with bunk beds. What do you think?”
“What about showers and bathroom facilities?”
“I could use one end of the room and install a bathroom as I have in the quads.”
“With the length of the ship, you probably could sleep 8 to a room, four sets of bunk beds.”
“I like that idea better than cocoons. It’d be something different. If you want, I could sketch out something for you.”
“That’d be great, and then I’ll have something to discuss with the Ocean boys.”
“I like that idea also, Brad. The cocoons might remind the kids of the barrels. They have cocoons here, so it’ll be different.”
“What about rooms for guests?”
“I was thinking of building staterooms on the upper deck. Those will be for any adults who accompany us. The crew will utilize the existing rooms by the bridge. Ocean said they’d have preliminary sketches in two weeks. I’d like you to go with us when we see them; if you have the kid’s quarters sketched out, we could see if they can be incorporated in their plans.”
“I have a draft of a contract for the Captain. I need to confirm numbers with a few agencies, and then I’ll run it across the Board for approval.”
“It’d be nice to have a sketch of the ship to show as well.”
Walking back to Sanctuary, “It’s hard to believe where we are today and where we were just a couple of years ago. Next week our proud Governor is bringing some visitors. I don’t want anyone to know, so keep it under your hat. It’s more impressive when the kids behave as they normally do.”
“So you are to become a model for other States?”
“There’ll never be another Sanctuary unless the person is committed as much as Brad. The insertion of the government will reduce it to an orphanage run by people who are paid to perform.”
“Unfortunately that’s a fear I have. We have to keep the bureaucracy out of it. If anyone asks me what’s the secret, I’ll tell them, undying commitment, personal sacrifice, and no bureaucracy.”
“But the rewards you couldn’t buy.”
I looked at Tony, “I thought I’d say that before you.”
Entering Sanctuary, Murray and O’Shea were sitting at a table with a few of the older boys. Getting a coffee, we sat down with them. One of the boys leaned into me; I put an arm around him and pulled him closer. “What are you all discussing?”
“I was telling the boys about the island.”
“Good cause that’s where we’re going this summer, for the whole three months.”
“Really!”
“Yep, nothing but fishing, swimming, playing games, and just loafing around.”
“Will we have cookouts?”
“Of course, some of the kids from the last time will teach you how to make smores and toasted marshmallows.”
“Can we go now?”
“I’d love to go now, but it’ll take the time to arrange everything. Uncle Tony needs to lease a big plane, lease boats to take us to the island, arrange for lifeguards and security. That takes time, but you’ll see time will fly and soon will be on our way.”
“Tony, did you ask Peter how big of a runway he’d need for the plane?”
“Not yet, I’ll call in the morning. I need to check the size of the island to be sure we have enough land.”
“You guys are getting tired, I’ll walk with you to your cocoons. Good night guys, I’m going to bed as well. I’ll see you in the morning, Abe thanks for sharing my dinner tonight.”
I put my arms around the boys and walked with them to their cocoons, hugging each one and a kiss. I said goodnight.
“Tony, how does he do it? I think if possible, he’d adopt every one of these kids.”
“In a way, he has. There’s nothing he won’t do for them. When we toured the ship and saw the place where the barrels were kept, he had tears in his eyes. I’ll tell you this; those kids deserve everything he gives them.”
“I wonder what his next idea will be.”
“I already know he plans on offering, at no charge, to the poor kids of the city a sea cruise. You remember one of your fellow officers who help his neighbor with their kids; those are the type of kids he’s looking to give a free cruise. I’ll bet it’ll happen too.”
“Where does he get these ideas? There has to be a connection with the man upstairs.”
“I think some of it is his mom and dad. They give him 100 percent support. When you think of his background and his wealth, you’d never expect this. The initial cost of Sanctuary came from him. When he thought Sanctuary was in financial trouble, he panicked. His dad helped him solve the problem by taking those pedos to court.”
“Well, gentlemen, I’m going home. Good night.”
“Murray did you guys hang around tonight for a reason?”
“Yes, we’ve another kid coming in tomorrow. He’s from England. I think we’re now getting kids from the streets in Europe as well from the pedos.”
“Won’t make any difference to him, he’ll take them all.”
“Good night Tony, we’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Tony locked up and went to bed himself, thinking it had been an exciting day. “I wonder what tomorrow will bring.”
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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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