Billy got up almost an hour later than his 'brothers' did. His school bus didn't stop in front of The Cove until a little after 8, so he could sleep in and not have to vie for a showerhead in the bathroom.
When Billy got out of bed, he adjusted his morning friend and headed to the bathroom to use one of the porcelain gods. After he brushed his teeth, he took his shower and got dressed in his new clothes for his day at Alvin York High School.
"Good morning, Mr. Ken," called out a smiling Billy, as he entered the Kitchen Nook.
"Good morning, Bill. I trust you slept well. You also look good in those clothes. When the weather gets a bit warmer, you'll be able to wear some of those shorts you got, as well," advised Mr. Ken.
"Iss fixes you somes breakfasts Bills. Iss hopes yous likes pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacons. Iss hopes yous likes Mommas cookings," said Momma Maria, as Bill sat down to breakfast.
But, it was then that Billy remembered he needed to feed Chief, so he told Momma that he should take care of Chief before he ate. So, Billy rinsed the resident pet's bowls and then filled them up with either fresh water or kibble.
Billy quickly sat down at the breakfast table and said, "Yes, Momma, I love pancakes, eggs and bacon. It was rare that I ever got a hot breakfast at my other foster homes. I am looking forward to it. Thank you," replied Billy.
Billy devoured his breakfast. He almost inhaled it the flavor was so beyond his recollection of any breakfast he'd eaten before.
Mr. Ken smiled at the way Bill attacked his breakfast. He also saw how Momma smiled at the teenager so heartily eating her prepared breakfast for the newest Cover.
When Billy was finished eating, he sat back in his chair and smiled. Then he burped. He apologized for doing so, but smiled, too. He thoroughly enjoyed that wonderful breakfast.
When Billy got up from the table, the teen walked directly over to Momma Maria and, instead of giving her a shoulder hug as he had previously, he hugged her tight. Momma giggled like a little girl as the teen gave her his first hug.
Billy looked at the time and decided he'd better get a move and wash his face and hands, up to his elbows, and get his coat, and the few books that he had, and hurry up to the top of the rise and through the Main gate.
But before the teen left the house, he stopped and called out to Mr. Ken he was leaving for school. The newest teen Cover then left through the Foyer Door.
The guards opened the gate for Billy and they said Hi to him as well. One guard even told him they have him in the database now, and he shouldn't have a problem getting in when he gets home from school. The teen laughed at the humor the guard was trying to make.
As Billy waited for the bus, he thought about what the guard had said. It wasn't so much what the guard said about him getting back inside, but it was what the guard said afterwards. That he shouldn't have a problem getting into his 'home'. That put a big smile on his face as the school bus arrived and stopped for him to board.
Todd and Conner were on the bus, too, so he sat down with them. The other older teens began to balk that a freshman was there at the back of the bus. Todd told them 'can it' as Bill was Mr. Ken's newest foster son. The boys and girls went back to talking amongst themselves.
"So, Bill how was your first weekend at The Cove?" asked Conner.
"Unbelievable, is all I can say. I've never been to a foster home that treats the foster kids as if they are their own kids. I mean, Mr. Ken ... he took me out shopping for all new clothes and ... and he bought me everything I could ever want. I hadn't had many new clothes, since I was put into the system almost a year ago, and now I have a ton of them," replied a smiling Billy.
"I know what you're going through," said Todd. "I ... Mr. Ken, he ... he offered me the job to take care of the beach and all his boats and ...and I didn't even know he was looking for someone. He's treated me like ... as if I mattered. I don't know where I'd be if he hadn't helped me and ... and my mom." Todd then looked away as some tears fell out of his eyes.
Billy's head nodded to Conner for the 411. Conner whispered to Billy what he knew of Todd's story. Billy nodded a few times as he heard how Mr. Ken turned a timid and somewhat scared young teen into a self-assured and confident young man.
When the school bus arrived at the high school, the freshmen saw Bill get off being accompanied by two sophomores. There were some rumblings that the new kid was not only protected by the seniors, but by the other classes now, too.
Brett saw his new friend, Bill, get off the bus and he heard what his fellow freshmen said. That didn't deter him as he went up to Bill and told him to ignore them. Bill's new friend told him they were jealous that he knew older classmen that took the rest of them all of that school year before even being noticed by them.
Billy again asked Brett to call him Billy, but again Brett reminded him he was introduced, as 'Bill', and he would be known as that from now on. Brett then asked Bill to show him his schedule, so he could direct which way he needed to head that morning. As the first bell rang, Brett asked Bill to meet him for lunch.
Back at The Cove, Mr. Ken made two phone calls. The first was to Doctor Powers' office to schedule a full physical for Bill. It would be that Thursday. His second phone call was to Doctor Doug to invite him over for dinner Wednesday night, and to meet his new foster son. Doctor Jennings gladly accepted the invitation. They also set up an appointment for Bill for the following week.
After the owner of The Cove made his calls, he headed over to the new hotel and office buildings to check on their progress. He learned they both were on schedule and the hotel would be ready for its 'soft' opening towards the end of April.
Mr. Ken made sure to check on his private retreat he was building on top of the office building. Even though it was being built as part of the office building, it would be a private retreat with private access through one of the elevators. Mr. Ken and the construction supervisor tried out the elevator and used the Owner's Key to gain access.
Mr. Ken was surprised that more of the apartment wasn't completed when he saw it. The supervisor assured the owner of the apartment and the building that it would be finished at the same time the building was turned over to him. Mr. Ken told the man he was holding him to that promise and he would be greatly disappointed if it weren't completed to the specifications.
On his way back home, Mr. Ken decided to stop by the apartment complex he was also building. Mr. Ken immediately noticed they were still moving dirt around as they leveled the building sites and roughed in the roadways. The owner also observed the contractor had already begun placing water and sewer lines, but knew it was a long process and he shouldn't expect major progress just yet.
A man saw Mr. Ken looking over the property and taking pictures. The man wondered who the interloper was, so he called in the security. Security took the man's call and decided to go over to trespasser and question him.
"Sir," began the security guard, "Can I ask you what you're doing here on private property and a construction site?"
"I'm checking on the progress and taking pictures for future reference," replied Mr. Ken.
"Sir, I must ask you to exit the property. If you have a need to be here you must stop at the construction office you saw as you entered. You need to be escorted for our safety and yours. Please leave the area and don't return without permission," directed the security guard.
Mr. Ken was pleasantly surprised the guard was polite, but also direct in his dealings with him. It was one hundred and eighty degrees different from the way he was approached by the security guard on his own property as he built Three Finger Cove. Mr. Ken thanked the guard for his diligence and approach and told him he'd abide by his directions.
Billy met Brett at the lunchroom. The two smiled at each other as they saw one another. They got in line with the rest of the students and proceeded through the lunch line to choose what they wanted to eat.
Brett advised Billy what was all right as far as lunch food was concerned and what wasn't worth getting. After filling their trays, they both picked up two milks and went to the cashier before looking for a place to sit and eat.
"Bill, how was your morning?" asked Brett.
"It was alright, Brett. At my other school the classes were a bit more relaxed. Here they are serious about paying attention. And, I have homework to do tonight. That's new," laughed Billy.
As the two friends ate, a few of the other freshmen stopped by to introduce themselves to the new student. Some commented about Bill being friends with the upper-class students already and he just got there.
Billy asked them to call him Billy, but a few freshmen, mostly the girls, said he didn't look like a 'Billy' to them and would call him Bill. The girls laughed at what they said, then they asked Bill where he lived and upon learning he lived at Three Finger Cove they asked him when they could be invited over there.
Billy was at a loss. He told them he just got there last Thursday and he was still learning the rules and who and how many he could invite. He told them there would be a big Easter Egg Roll that Saturday and he would be involved with that and that Sunday would be a Family Day, so he knew no one could be invited over.
The freshmen were disappointed at hearing that, but asked Bill to tell them when he could invite people over. Billy told them he would ask, but for them not to make plans to visit anytime soon as he was the newest Cover and needed to learn his way around the huge house and be a part of the 'family' first.
"Bill, you've got to be kidding about you inviting people over to The Cove," said Brett. "I see loads of kids over there from time to time. So, why can't you invite anyone over?"
"Brett, please don't let this get around; at least not yet," implored Billy. "I can invite people over but ... but I have to give Mr. Ken their names and phone numbers first. He also warned me about being too friendly with ... with drug users, as they would not be allowed to visit. He told me, and my 'brothers', that if they did get an invite and they were found to have drugs on them the Sheriff's Deputies would be called and they would be arrested."
Brett was taken aback by that revelation of who can be invited over to where his friend Bill lived. He was even more surprised that Bill had 'brothers'. So, he asked Bill about them.
Billy told him there were six boys in the house and that he was the fifth foster boy in the house and that Mr. Ken had already adopted one of the foster kids. The Cover told his friend that the boys there call one another 'brother' as it felt right.
Brett asked Bill who was the sixth 'brother'. Billy explained how Mr. Ken had adopted Robert back before the Holidays and that at least one other boy was hopeful that Mr. Ken would adopt him, as well.
But before Brett could ask any more questions, the after-lunch bell rang and the teens had to head off to their afternoon classes. Brett tried to yell his phone number to Bill, but he knew his new friend didn't hear him. He decided he'd write it down and give it to him the first chance he got. He wanted to be invited over to The Cove knowing he never used drugs, not even to experiment. The hopeful new friend felt he would pass Mr. Ken's restriction.
Billy was still trying to acclimate himself to the new high school and the way these teachers taught and assigned homework. Since some of the freshmen met Billy at lunch, some of them tried to get him to invite them over to his home. Billy told them this weekend was out, but maybe the following one would work. The new Cover just said anything to get them to leave him alone for now.
Late that afternoon, Ken Thomas took a call from his lawyer, Bill Jackson. Mr. Jackson called to let his client how the proceedings were going in regards to Charles and his mother giving up custody of her son. Bill told Mr. Ken, that that Gina Lewis was going to be a problem.
The lawyer then told Mr. Ken he was going to file a petition with the courts to have her parental rights terminated, as she would be in prison for a minimum of ten years, well after her son would be close to graduating from college.
Mr. Ken directed Bill Jackson to do whatever was necessary to get the boy available for adoption. The owner of The Cove also made it clear he wanted to adopt the pre-teen and hopefully would be able to do so before the school year was over. Bill Jackson said he'd handle it and the two hung up.
Billy was glad when the school day was over. He eagerly got on the bus and couldn't wait until it would take him home. Todd and Conner talked to him as they traveled the bus route in reverse from that morning's path. Billy told his high school sophomore friends that he had a difficult time fending off his classmates who all insisted being invited over to The Cove. Todd told the newest Cover how his 'brothers' incrementally invited their friends over and that he probably would have to go slow in asking his classmates over.
Billy asked his upper classmen friends, if they ever knew about Mr. Ken's rule about inviting anyone over who used drugs or was thought to use them. The question surprised both Todd and Conner. They told the Cover they never heard Mr. Ken say it outright, but they could understand why he has the rule.
Billy further told them he had to find out if the person he wants to invite over uses drugs or is suspected of using them. He told the two sophomores that Mr. Ken had told all the boys about this rule saying he should have mentioned it long before then.
Todd asked Billy if he thought it was because he was in high school and the other boys weren't. Billy said he thought that was part of it as when kids start high school, they tend to be thrown in with kids who are possibly involved with illegal drugs. The conversation continued on those same lines as the bus continued to The Cove.
As Billy got off the school bus, he thanked Todd and Conner for talking with him. He told them that was the first real talk he had with anyone over the age of thirteen. Todd laughed slightly and said he understood and would see him tomorrow morning.
The rest of the Cover boys were waiting for Billy in the Kitchen Nook. The teenager tried to enter the house through the Foyer Door, but he found it locked. He tried the doorbell and waited. Chief heard the sounds of the bell and ran barking through the house.
"Why didn't you use your key?" asked Robert, as he opened the door.
"I wasn't given a key," was Billy's reply.
"Oh, I guess it slipped dad's mind. He is so used to us always arriving home together that only I have a key. Oh, and we usually use the garage door entrance and come in through the Kitchen Nook," advised Robert.
"Well, you know I've only been here since Thursday and I sure have lots to learn about this place. Now, did you guys save me any of Momma Maria's special after school treats?" asked Billy with a big smile on his face.
The boys led Billy to the Kitchen Nook were Momma waited. When the new teen entered, the woman got a big smile on her face and she told Bill to be seated. Momma then asked him if he wanted chocolate or vanilla milk. Billy opted for vanilla. Then Momma Maria brought out the special treat she made for the boys and had made sure there were a few left over, so Bill could also savor them.
When Billy finished eating his treats, he immediately hugged Momma and thanked her for being so kind to him. The woman blushed at hearing that. She then told the boys to leave, so she could set up for dinner.
"Hello, boys. Shouldn't you be up in your rooms doing your homework?" said 'dad' Ken, when the boys made their entrance.
"We wanted to meet our new 'brother' when he got home from school, 'dad'," offered Kyle.
"At the expense of your schoolwork?" chuckled 'dad' Ken.
"'Daaaad", voiced all the boys, well, except for Billy.
"OK, what's new? Make it quick, so you can at least get a few pages done before we eat dinner," announced Mr. Ken.
"Dad, Billy doesn't have a key?" offered Robert.
"Oh?" said a surprised 'dad' Ken. "Is that why I heard the doorbell ring a few times and then Chief go barking up a storm earlier? I guess I forgot to give him one. I am so used to all of you boys coming home at the same time, I just haven't gotten used to our newest Cover. Bill, I'll have Mr. Chris get one made for you tomorrow. So, you'll have to ring the doorbell again tomorrow. Sorry for that."
"'Dad', what about a coin for Billy?" asked Matthew.
"A coin? What's that?" asked Billy.
"Ah, Bill ... let's talk about that after dinner. Now, why don't all you boys get up to your rooms and get started on your homework. We can talk about your day after we have dinner, as we usually do. Now scoot," said 'dad' Ken, as he smiled and raised is hands in an ominous manner.
"Mr. Ken, I can give him my key and Mr. Chris can get one made for me. That way he won't have to ring the doorbell," offered Mr. Wayne.
"Well, Robert now has a key to the garage side door, so I would rather Bill had one for there, as well. I don't want to be seen having a favorite," replied Mr. Ken.
"We all know you have a favorite. It's Robert," laughed Wayne.
"Well, don't let that get out, OK?" laughed Mr. Ken.
Billy was again amazed at what Momma Maria made for their dinner that night. He'd never experienced Mexican food so rich and tasty before. He ate all he could and when dessert was served, the teen had to beg off saying his stomach was so full. All the boys laughed at him.
When dinner was over, the boys thanked Momma in their usual way. Billy waited until the end and not only gave Momma Maria a big hug, but a peck on her cheek, as well. Mr. Ken was proud the new Cover was doing his best to be a part of The Cove.
The Covers settled in their chairs in Mr. Ken's Study. Billy took the chair he used the other day. The boys started telling their 'dad' about their school day. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary, which Mr. Ken was thankful for. Then it was Billy's turn.
"I got to talk to Todd and Conner some more as the bus took us to school. It was nice knowing at least two other persons on the cheese wagon," laughed Billy.
"When I arrived at the high school, other freshmen saw I was talking to two sophomores and they complained that I was the new kid and knew more upperclassmen than they did. Brett pulled me away from them. He and I then met for lunch and talked some more. Even their other classmates came over to me and asked when I could invite them over to The Cove.
"I told them we had an Easter Egg Roll this Saturday and that Sunday was going to be a Family Day. That shut them up, but they persisted for me to let them know when I could invite them over here. I just said anything that came to my mind to get them to leave me alone.
"Oh, and I do have Brett's name and phone number. He seems to be a good guy and he's been very helpful to me. Maybe I can invite him over to watch the Easter Egg Roll and you can meet him. Will that be OK, Mr. Ken?" finished Bill.
"Let's give it until Wednesday to invite him, OK? By then you can ask him about who he knows that uses illegal drugs. If he hesitates, he very well may be a user, too. Did you mention to him that illegal drug users or legal drug abusers would not be allowed on the grounds?
"I know you can't vet all the freshmen, but the ones who you like as friends and would like to invite over here can be vetted. Just get me their names and phone numbers before you want to ask them over. And keep in mind that you can only invite the maximum of two people at first," explained Mr. Ken.
"That way we'll give them a few weeks to see how they interact with your 'brothers' and their friends before you can ask a few more over. Oh, and one last thing, Bill ... once one of your friends becomes a jerk or causes problems they will not be allowed to ever come back!
"I know I hit you with a lot just then. But please, think it over. Talk to your 'brothers' or me or Mr. Wayne if you have questions. I want you to have friends over, but these rules have been in place ever since Robert started living here fifteen months ago. I wanted you to know that just so you know I'm not making up rules because you're new here," finished Mr. Ken.
"'Dad' what about his coin?" spoke up Matthew.
"Yes, the coin. Boys, one of you show Bill your coin while I get one out for him," suggested 'dad' Ken.
While Billy looked over the over-sized commemorative coin, Mr. Ken took one coin out of the spares he had in his desk drawer. Charles explained to Billy what the coin was all about and that he shouldn't show or talk to anyone about it. Matthew then jumped in and told him how he used his to get away from a kidnapper. That revelation caught Bill's attention.
"Bill ... you can see the coin has the outline of the State of Texas on one side and the Texas flag on the other. I will activate it as soon as we explain it to you. If anyone sees you with it please tell them that your foster dad gave one to you and each of your 'brothers' as personal gift of welcome to The Cove.
"The way it works is all you need to do is squeeze both sides using your thumb and forefinger. It will eventually get warm as the chemical reaction begins. The satellite is attuned to these coins and it will pinpoint your position as soon as it senses your signal. Any questions?" asked Mr. Ken.
"What if someone takes me and they take the coin away from me?" asked Bill.
"The hope is you can convince them to let you keep the coin as a keepsake and that it means a lot to you. We're pretty sure they'll take your cell phone, which I will get you in about two weeks, but hopefully they will allow you to keep the coin just to keep you quiet.
"Bill, if you are ever in a dangerous situation, that you can see no way out of, you need to squeeze the coin and keep squeezing it until it is too hot to handle. We can talk about it later.
"Boys, it is getting late and you need to make sure your homework is done. Bill, if you have any homework, you need to attack it as best you can. If you need any school supplies let me know in the morning and I'll make sure you have some by the time you return from school tomorrow. Boys that is enough for this evening," announced 'dad' Ken.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne talked about what just transpired in the Study over the past few minutes. Mr. Ken told his Estate Mater he didn't want the coin issue to arise so soon after Bill's arrival. He said he actually wanted to wait until that coming Saturday or Sunday when they wouldn't be rushed.
Mr. Ken also told Mr. Wayne that he'd made an appointment for Bill for that Thursday to get him his full physical. The Owner of The Cove told his employee that he would take him to see Doctor Powers.
Mr. Ken also mentioned to Mr. Wayne that Doctor Doug would be over for dinner Wednesday evening. The man explained he wanted Bill to meet Doug Jennings, so they could start a rapport before they meet for the first time the following week. Then, Mr. Ken reminded the Estate Master that he would be gone from the Monday after Easter until late Friday night and Wayne would have to take the boys to their appointments all week long.
Mr. Wayne smiled at the thought that he'd be fully in charge while his boss was out-of-town. He told Mr. Ken he would start bringing his clothes over on Friday and they could then coordinate all The Cove's happenings for the following week.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne then took the time to review all of the boys' appointments for that week and how they would conduct the Easter Egg Roll that Saturday. They also discussed how they would handle the security guards for that Saturday after letting hundreds of people inside the Estate grounds and how it could cause a nightmare for security after all the people left.
Mr. Ken made a note to call Jules Diamond to apprise the man of what would happen that Saturday and for him to prepare his guards and possibly hold over the morning shift until the Easter Egg Roll is over and the people had left.
It was only Monday night and things at The Cove were buzzing along faster than Mr. Ken had anticipated. He knew he needed to have a meeting with Mr. Chris and Mr. Wayne tomorrow, so they could all be on the same page for the rest of the week.
When it was nine o'clock, the two Cover men walked up the stairs to say goodnight to the boys. They stopped in Robert's room first. They talked with the teen for a few minutes before heading over to Charles' bedroom.
The conversation was similar to what the men talked to Robert about. Charles enjoyed the men stopping and talking to him. Mr. Ken didn't mention the phone conversation he had with Bill Jackson that afternoon.
The men's next stop was with the twins. Kyle jumped into Mr. Wayne's arms when the men entered the room. Mr. Wayne thanked the younger twin for the welcome hug and then let him go to his bed. The men talked with the two boys as they had their older 'brothers'. Mr. Ken suggested to the boys, before they left, for them to visit the bathroom and drain their dragons before climbing into their beds.
Matthew was next on the men's list. Matthew was waiting for them as he could hear them as they talked to his 'brothers'. The youngest Cover apologized to his 'dad' for pushing the coin issue earlier. But in his defense, he told the men he thought Billy should be as equal as they were. Mr. Ken ruffled the boy's hair and then told the boy to go drain his dragon and get to bed.
Mr. Ken did the Three-Knock Rule on Bill's doorframe before entering the room. He reminded Bill about the reason for the Rule, and he wanted to reinforce that.
"Good evening, Bill," said Mr. Ken.
"Good evening, Mr. Ken," replied Bill.
"I see you do have homework. Is this something for you to get caught up with your classmates, or will this be a regular occurrence?" asked the teenager's foster dad.
"Well, sir, I expect it will be a regular occurrence from now on. This school is a lot more focused on teaching and doing work to reinforce the learning. So, I expect to have homework to do almost every night. I am lucky that even though I don't have great grades from my old school, I do remember what I was taught," replied Bill.
"Bill, I realize that it will take you some time to get into a routine with school and here at The Cove. Anyway, I want you to know that if you get overwhelmed with any of your classes I want you to tell me. I will make sure you have someone to help you so you can be caught up. But I think you are a better student than you portray yourself to be. You have any comment on that?" asked Mr. Ken.
Bill sat there at his desk thinking about what he was just asked. Then the teen decided to respond to his foster dad.
"Mr. Ken ... I ... I can be a better student on paper than I am. My dad, well my step-dad that is, was always on me for getting good grades. He told me I was laughing in his face when I brought back a good report card. So ... I started getting B- and C+ grades so he wouldn't take it out on me.
"Mr. Ken, Mr. Wayne ... now, that my step-dad is ... gone, I ... I can go back to getting the grades I know I can get. I just need to get familiar with the way the teachers teach and what they are looking for in handed in reports and classroom participation. The only roadblock I can see in front of me are ... my classmates. I think they won't be satisfied until I start inviting them here. What do I do, Mr. Ken?" asked Bill.
"Bill, I know you have a good head on your shoulders and you'll figure it out. But if some classmates become verbally abusive or aggressive about being invited over you get with Mr. Wayne or me. We can then decide, together, on a plan of action you can take. But let's wait until that ever comes up.
"Bill, I also want you to know that you'll have a physical on Thursday. I'll come to the high school that morning and take you there and I'll be around if you or the doctor has any questions.
"Also, Doctor Doug Jennings will be here Wednesday night for dinner. I want you to meet him before you start seeing him on a regular basis beginning the following week. Mr. Wayne will come to your school and sign you out and drive you to his office.
"Bill, you definitely have been inundated with lots of rules and you've been exposed to five new 'brothers' and the hectic nature of The Cove. And you've had to try to make sense out of it all since your arrival last Thursday.
"Bill, there will be a time that things will settle down for you, just give it some time for you to meld into us and The Cove. But, please, don't let this overwhelm you. If you are having problems, no matter how mundane, get with Mr. Wayne or me. You're becoming more like a Cover every day and we want you to stay.
"I see you have some homework yet to finish. We'll leave you alone, then. Lucky for you, you have an extra hour that your 'brothers' don't have," laughed Mr. Ken.
As the men began to leave, the owner of The Cove went back and ruffled Bill's hair. Bill smiled at the simple gesture and felt he was becoming a Cover as the man said. It was that simple action that he'd seen Mr. Ken do to the other boys that made him feel more at home.
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