“I’ll take the summer off and get it done,” Meyer stated.
“It will take more than a summer,” Bette pointed out. She loved his enthusiasm. She liked half-done projects less. And this one mattered. Immensely.
Meyer’s intended retort fizzled at the look in his wife’s eyes. Love lived there. Love will have to live here, too.
“It has good bones,” he said instead.
“All it is, is bones,” she chuckled. “More likely we’re looking at two years.”
Meyer nodded. “We’ll liquidate other holdings.”
He wrapped an arm around his wife. “It is the right thing, Bette, to build this orphanage.”
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Photo prompt: © J Hardy Carroll
Na'ama Yehuda 
I hope it works out
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Yes! I hope so, too!
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A lovely story with a heartwarming ending.
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Thank you, Keith! I thought that shell of a building with an stone wall could make a good place to shelter in needy children. Once all finished and adorned and made whole, of course.
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I have always found it very sad that many buildings are so neglected.
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Yes! Same! There are so many who lack housing, and so many houses that lack residents … it just seems such a waste!
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Awesome story line Na’ama
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Thank you, Sadje! I’m glad you liked! 🙂
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You’re most welcome
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😀
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👍🏼
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The last line made my feelings change about Meyer and his project. Excellent.
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Ah, glad Bette could show you the good in Meyer! 😉 And his project. Hers too, really!
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What a wonderful concept. Well done.
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Thank you, Mason! 🙂 That photo was so evocative!
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My story was about an orphan too.
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Oh, wow! How fun! I will be reading others’ stories today and tomorrow! Looking forward to reading yours!
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How can she refuse when what he is dreaming of building is such a beautiful thing? Wonderful story-telling, Na’ama.
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Thanks, Dale! Actually, I’m wondering if it may be HER dream, too, and it is his perception of the ‘how’ to do it that she reigns in. OR, indeed, that it is his dream, and she loves him and wants it to succeed, OR that it is BOTH their dream, and they’ll make it work. I think they’ll do fine! 🙂
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I like to think that they are a dynamic duo…
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YEAH! totally. A house of love is a very good start and middle and continuation ….
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Absolutely
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🙂
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🙂
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Wonderful story with a pleasant ending, Na’ama, but there is work to be done.
In so many cases the building must be torn down and replaced. I’m hopeful that they have the assets (or the financial sources) and influence to get it done, either way. 🙂
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Yes, lots of work to be done. A couple of years, probably. Not a summer, for sure, as Bette knows. And, I think they have the assets, by divesting of other holdings and pulling their money to make this happen. Hopefully without having to tear the whole building down. 🙂
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Oh my…that last line got me right in the heart.
Bullseye!
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Yay! (I hope!) 😉
Thank you!
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That’s an ambitious project. It’s going to take a lot more than a building though. The right caretakers make all the difference.
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Very true! I have a feeling they’ll succeed, though!
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What a sweet closing line. Hopefully, they’ll get some support from the community.
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Glad you liked! And, yes, I hope so, for it takes a village, as we know.
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it was such a noble cause. hope he gets all the support he needs.
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Yes, me too! I think they’ll do fine, though! 🙂
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Lovely story 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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That’s a lot of work. Dreams are worth it. The building has potential.
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Yes! Yes! And, YES! 🙂
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More yes? 😀
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Yes! 😉
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I loke the hope here. Well done.
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Thank you! So glad you liked it. Without hope, there’s little, sometimes too little.
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I was surprised and loved the last line. An orphanage where love lives. A beautiful story, Na’ama!
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Thank you, Brenda! I am glad it tied it all together! 🙂 And, yes, here’s to living with love. Especially for those who’d had less of it than deserved.
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Oh what a great last line. I thought it was going to be self interest and flipping a house for profit… but an orphanage? Nicely done.
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🙂 Thanks, Laurie! I think they are a decent pair, these two! 🙂 Glad you liked! And, yes, I often see derelict shells of houses and think to myself, “why don’t people turn them into places where others can live, and where the less fortunate have a chance?” So … Yeah.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Here I am trailing behind the 8 Ball once more. Annie is taking a lot of time…good time though. I have to say I’m impressed with my editor. Enougjh about me. You story is a sweet one. I love the interaction between them and the slow reveal of their purpose. As always, nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle! I’m glad that you liked, and I’m glad that Annie is taking center stage, as she ought, for now. xx
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Most of us went dark on this prompt, it is so refreshing to read something so full of love.
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🙂 Isn’t it fun to see how many ways people can take the prompt? Part of what makes FF so fun! 🙂
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