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“I know this place looks like a mess, but with a little cleanup, a ton of twinkly white lights, and a good airing out, it’ll be nice enough to host the gala. The real gem is the land behind it.” Hannah spoke with enthusiasm, as if she needed to convince him her plan would work.
She opened another set of doors, and they stepped out the back of the warehouse where a large plot of land sat untouched with a view of the Potomac River. They could see Alexandria across the water. Long, green grass grew, and there was an old plank dock jutting out where boats used to bring in shipments of seafood. The vendors would sell to local restaurants back when the wharf was operating, but it’d been a decade or more since the owner shut down.
“How does the city still own this land? They don’t even make good use of it,” he said.
“Political wasteland. Obviously, plenty of people want to buy it and develop it, but the city planners have been firm on not selling. It was endowed to the city when the owner died, and they can’t sell it or develop it for private use for one hundred years.”
“How’d you figure that out?”
“Because it would make a great location for a new community youth center.”
“Ah, I see, so we clean it up for the fundraisers and gala so you can showcase how great this location would be for a new community center.”
He watched a sly smile spread across her lips. “Something like that.”
“You know, this lawn would be great for a cookout. We could even do a movie night out here,” he said, looking at the back of the warehouse.
“That’s actually a great idea. We could charge a small fee for a movie under the stars.”
“Sounds like we need to get volunteers to clean out the warehouse either way and then pick some dates for each event.”
“I was thinking every Friday or Saturday night. Any ideas on how to rally people this weekend for cleanup?” she asked.
“Your wish is my command. Who do you need to convince to turn this property into a community center?”
She sighed. “Everyone from the city council, the mayor’s office, to city parks and recreation. Community centers are largely run by charities, but the city has to provide the building and maintenance. A new center needs grant money and at least one charity to take the lead. I’m hoping with our cleanup efforts and events highlighting the location, that I can convince a few heavy hitters to support my plan. This location is easy to get to, close to working class and low-income housing, and three schools. The kids in the community need it, so we need to figure out how to make it happen.”
“So we’ll raise money to throw a spectacular gala and invite people wealthy enough to donate large sums of money to fund the new community center. You have a lot of vision.”
“That’s the plan,” she admitted as they walked back into the warehouse.
“I think you may have missed your calling.”
Her dazzling eyes landed on him in the dim warehouse, and he knew he’d do anything she asked.
“I’ll get at least a dozen volunteers this weekend. Promise.” he said.
“I never realized you were so agreeable,” she said, trying to be playful, but her voice sounded nervous.
“I’d be willing to bet there’s a lot more we don’t know about each other. Good thing we’ll be working closely together for the next six weeks.”
Chapter Five
The next morning,Parker met Hannah at the community center to help her unload new art supplies from her truck. He always spent one day a week volunteering at the center, and most weeks he’d join her for an extra afternoon to help the kids with art class.
“You used your own money for all of this, didn’t you?” Parker asked as she added another box to his load then held the doors for him on the way into the center.
“Yes, but if I work one extra shift once a month, it’s more than enough to keep the center well stocked with art supplies.”
Parker set all the boxes on the floor in the art room, careful not to drop them on his own feet before his hand dug into his pocket. He handed her several crisp fifty-dollar bills.
“Here. You shouldn’t have to pay for this by yourself. Besides, you know I used up all the red when I helped the kids with that American flag mural.” He pointed to the farthest wall covered in hand painted American flags crafted to create one larger one. “The coolest art in here, by the way.” He smiled with a cocky grin.
“Are you sure?” She hesitated because she knew that even with his side job in construction, Parker wasn’t rolling in extra cash. Being a fireman was honorable work that still didn’t pay quite as much as it should for someone expected to run into a burning building to save people’s lives.
“Yes, I’m sure. I took up a collection at the firehouse. You’re going to need every penny if you open up that second center.” He moved closer and gripped her shoulder tenderly. “Mom would be super proud.”
Hannah coughed in an attempt to clear the sudden emotion in her throat. Even though she’d only been seven when their mom died, she always got choked up when someone brought her up. Their mom was frozen in her mind as the perfect mother, paramedic, volunteer, wife, and person. Volunteering at the community center had been their mom’s passion and a huge part of both her and Parker’s lives after she died. Their dad was the fire chief and became a widow with four kids when their mom suffered a sudden blood clot that ended her life. Their younger twin brothers had daycare until six, but Hannah and Parker were done at school at three each day, so the community center was like a second home for them.
