The Cover boys still felt tired when their alarm clocks went off that next morning. Robert was the first one up and after he peed he went to his 'brothers'' rooms to make sure they were all up. Charles was the easiest as his alarm was ringing when he knocked. Charles told him he was up, so Robert went to the twins' bedroom. He didn't hear the alarm but figured they could have already turned it off.
"Robert did the Three Knock Rule and on the third knock, he opened the door. He found the twins snuggled up together in one bed. He smiled at what he saw knowing that Kevin and Kyle had a special bond between them. However, he had to get them up so he started calling their names. Chief joined in and began licking one twin and then the next. It took Robert and Chief to get the twins wide-awake.
"Thanks, Robert, and you too Chief for getting us up. Boy were we ever tired," said Kevin.
Come on Kyle we need to hurry up and get cleaned up for school." Kyle smiled at his brother and followed him out into the hall towards the bathroom.
"Morning 'boys'," called out 'dad' Ken, as the four Cover lads walked into the Kitchen Nook.
"Morning 'dad." "Morning 'dad'." "Morning 'Dad Ken." "Morning 'Dad Ken." Was what Mr. Ken heard from all four lads.
"Whats youse weants for breskfasts?" asked Momma Maria.
"Whatever you want to make for me," answered Robert. The three other Cover lads told her the same thing.
"Well, boys, I bet the talk of the 6th graders at school today will be that seven, or was it eight, lads got to come over to The Cove this weekend and ride the ramps and not only swim in the lagoon, but in the indoor pool, too," teased 'Dad Ken'.
"Do you really think so?" asked Kyle.
Robert smiled and told the twins he had to agree with his 'dad'. He went on to say that every time someone new came over to The Cove, after he first got there, it was a big deal at the school. Robert told them that he probably made a few enemies back then since he didn't invite everyone over. The teen did tell his younger 'brothers' how the girls came over one day to watch them skate because the word was out that you had to be invited to skate.
The twins looked back and forth to one another and it looked like they were talking to each other but no one in the Kitchen Nook could hear them. The twins laughed once and then went back to eating.
"Hurry up guys," said Robert. "We need to get to the bus stop in less than ten minutes."
After the lads headed up to the bus stop, Mr. Ken went back to reading his morning newspaper. He knew Chris would be in soon and he wanted to ask him how his get together with Frank Longger went. Then, not long after his 'sons' had left for school and he had his nose back in his paper, Dan came into the Kitchen Nook and got his first cup of coffee.
Mr. Ken looked up and saw who just came in and smiled. "Morning, Dan."
"Morning Ken. How'd the twin's two get-togethers go," smiled Dan.
The two talked about the twins' friends and how they enjoyed being over at The Cove. Dan then told Ken he did get to talk to the boys for a few minutes before their bus came so he had some idea of how things went. Mr. Ken then mentioned how some of the new parents were a bit dismayed first by the guards and then that he allowed the kids to use the grill and cook the burgers and dogs. Dan had a good laugh overhearing that.
The next topic they got into dealt with Parker Parchsons. Ken wanted to know what, if anything, Dan was able to find out.
"Dan … you have any information for me on that man?" directly asked Ken.
"Well, funny you should ask. The answer is … actually, NO. My contacts told me that they won't touch that inquiry with a ten-foot pole because there is no legal or ethical reason for them to delve into a private citizen's life without just cause. That, my friend, is the official position of the department.
"Now, my friend … let me tell you what I did find out. Parker is a traveling salesman … but he isn't all that good according to the places he's worked. As for how he can afford all those special electronics he and his wife have, I can only speculate. Only you've seen them, without a search warrant I can't, actually, no police department can, go inside the house, and do any 'inspecting'. You catch my drift?" smiled Dan.
"Oh, I think I understand. I won't be down that way again until this Saturday. I'm taking the twins down to BAMC to see their parents. Oh, are you working next Saturday? Robert told me he doesn't want to have to go back to see Mr. Parchsons, if he can help it, so … well, I will need someone to stay here with him," subtly asked Ken.
"Well, let me see, I go back on days beginning Wednesday, so I don't believe I'll be available, Ken. Hey, what about if he spends the night with Eric? Those two are thick as thieves and I bet Judy wouldn't mind. The only things he'll have to coordinate is with his posse," laughed Dan.
"His posse?" asked Ken. "I don't get it."
"Yeah, his posse, his crowd, his hanger-on's, you know, his buds," now laughed Dan.
Ken got Dan's meaning and laughed right along with his friend.
As the two men were talking, Chris came into the Kitchen Nook.
"Morning, Ken, oh, morning, Dan," offered Chris Dominions, as he walked passed them to get a cup of coffee.
At school that morning, just as Mr. Ken predicted and Robert had agreed with, the big talk was the seven 6th graders that got to go over to Three Finger Cove to ride the ramps and play on the water toys out in the lagoon. But what most of the kids who hadn't been invited wanted to know was how it was to swim in the indoor pool.
Nathan was the first, of the seven, to arrive early at school that Monday morning. That allowed his classmates to ask him first about how he enjoyed his invitation to Kevin and Kyle's. The girls wanted to know everything that happened from the time he got there to the time he left. The boys just wanted to know how good the ramps were and what it was like to swim in the indoor pool.
Nathan told his friends how much he loved the skateboard ramps but that he totally enjoyed the water rafts and how much fun they were. He also told them about the game they played with the 7th and 8th graders who were there. Hearing that, some of the kids wanted know why all those older kids were there. Kevin quickly spoke up and told his classmates that Robert and Charles also had some friends over that day. That satisfied the kids who asked the question.
When the other lads, who were invited to The Cove, arrived at the school, they were asked many of the same questions and then some. Kevin and Kyle just stood back and listened to how their new friends answered theater classmate questions.
Some classmates, who knew Andrew was one of the lucky boys to get an invite to go back to Three Finger Cove again, asked him how he enjoyed being invited there. All the eleven-year-old would tell them was that they a good time and couldn't wait until he got the chance to go back next weekend.
"What do you mean you can't wait until you go back next weekend?" asked one of the girls.
"Yeah, Mr. Ken told all of us that we can come back as long as we behave ourselves and coordinate with Kevin or Kyle," replied Andrew.
Blake heard what Andrew said, so he spoke up and told the gathering that Mr. Ken did indeed tell them they all could come back. He told the group he was surprised when he heard the man tell them that and was happy he did. Blake then told everyone how he liked the skateboard ramps, but that he really loved the water rafts. He told them how they could climb to the top and either jump off or use the slides.
Blake then added he wished he could have played the game Nathan just told them about. He then told the group how the older boys got out the grill and cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone. That caused some more questions about the kids cooking and not the adults.
Kyle then clarified what Andrew and Blake said. He told the group, "Mr. Ken did tell all of our friends they could come back as long as they don't act up or cause any problems. Oh, they also have to let Kevin or I know they are coming over so we can watch out for them. As for who cooks the burgers' and hot dogs, Mr. Ken lets the older boys cook them, but we have to help get everything out, set it up while the cooks for the day prepare the grill, and get it hot. Of course, we also have to put everything away and clean up."
By then Mr. Chassen had walked over after he'd been watching and listening to what the large group of 6th graders were talking about. He was happy to know the twins were making friends. He just hoped that they weren't making any enemies because they hadn't invited some of the other kids.
Eli was the next 6th grader who was inundated with questions about his visit to the most sought out invitation his classmates wanted to get. When he was asked about what he liked about the day, he told his classmates how smooth and sturdy the skateboard ramps were. He also told them that with so many kids there he didn't get to skate all that much until the older lads went swimming.
The kids who had yet to be asked to visit Three Finger Cove wanted Eli to tell them how he liked the water rafts and being thrown off. Eli told them he was there on Saturday and they never asked him or the others who were with him if they wanted to play that game Nathan just told everyone about. He added that it sounded like fun and hoped he'd get to play next weekend.
Hearing what Eli said, Kyle spoke up and told the gathered group that it was his older 'brother' who decided not to ask them to play 'King of the Raft' saying they needed to get used to rafts first. That brought up the question as to why the boys on Sunday were asked to play. Just then, the first bell rang shutting off all questions and answers. The students wanted to hear more about the weekend fun but they knew they had to head into the school and their homeroom.
"Good Morning Chris how was your get together with Frank?" asked Ken.
Chris, who had first gone for his first cup of coffee, came over to the table and sat down with it. He took a sip of the hot coffee and smacked his lips. "Boy Momma Maria sure can make a great cup of coffee.
"Oh, as for the weekend get together with Frank … it went great. Both our families met at the picnic grounds, over by the lake, and we each brought some picnic foods and enjoyed one another's company.
"Well, I think that is what happened," chuckled Chris. "I say that because Frank and I got so wrapped into our talking, like we did at the Labor Day Picnic, we must have zoned out while we talked about how we were injured and were treated. I say that because we were so engaged in our conversation that Sandra, ahhh … she had to yell at us to get our attention when it was time to eat.
"Then, when we sat down to eat, Chris junior, he complained that we hadn't even thrown the football around yet. Then Frank's two boys chimed in and agreed with Chris junior. It was funny but they were right, Frank and I had ignored our kids. As we ate, Frank and I explained to our kids that we both had gotten the same injury and our talks were helping us deal with the aftermath from our injuries. We both apologized to the kids and after we finished eating, we went and played with them for quite some time.
"Then Frank and I sat down again and talked more about how we got injured and what happened as we went through triage and finally brought home. Ken, Dan … I want you to know that those two talks I've had with Frank have done wonders for me. Even Sandra noticed it. She had told me that after that first time, I was more animated and relaxed and later Saturday night, after we got home, she told me I had a different aura about me. She told me that I look relieved and happy for the first time in a long time.
"Guys … I don't know how to explain it, but … I feel Frank's talks with me have helped give me a new lease on life. I now feel so much more relaxed and less stressed than I can ever remember. I can't thank you enough Ken for hiring me and allowing me to attend your Labor Day Picnic. Meeting Frank has been what I needed. I know my doctors are going to be very happy that I have moved on with my mental healing." Chris then took a big sip of coffee and smiled.
Ken and Dan sat there stunned at what Chris just revealed to him about his mental state. They both understood what Chris was confiding to them, so they both offered him congratulations for working through his troubles
"Oh, Frank and I did talk about his job interview and that he thinks he'll get the job. We also talked about his wife and what she did to the boys. Ken, Dan … Frank's wife is sure some piece of work. Frank told me he set it up that money would be sent home every month for her to take care of the boys. He told me friends of his told him she spent the majority of the money on going out to nightclubs and clothes for her. He told me more but I think you can get the drift. I sure hope he can get her off his back and soon."
"Chris, Frank and I had a good talk at the Picnic, so I sort of know what had happened to his boys," said Ken. "Did you notice how small Ryan is? He thinks it's because his wife didn't feed the boy's right and it stunted the lad's growth. I've set up a physical with Doc Powers for both lads so Frank can have a current idea of their medical health. I sure hope he takes them there. If he does he'll be able to compare the lads' medical health from before he left to what it is now. It will be a good exhibit when he sues for divorce."
The three men talked for about a half hour when Mr. Ken told the other two he needed to get his shower and off to the school to talk to the principal about Robert and how the trial, that would start Wednesday, would affect him.
That said, Chris went and filled his cup of coffee and headed back to work. Dan told the men he just wanted to stop by and see how the weekend went with the twin's new friends. Hearing what Dan said, Chris now wanted to know how the weekend went. Ken told Chris he'd talk to him later that afternoon, but that he needed to get a move on and get to the school before lunch.
Ken took his shower, got dressed and headed over to the school. He'd already made an appointment to talk with Principle Chadwick, so when he arrived the secretary, Ms. Andrews, let the principal knew he was there.
"Thank you for meeting with me at such a short notice, Abigail," offered Ken Thomas.
"Well, it sounded like you had a problem and since it concerned your foster son, Robert, I felt it was a good reason to discuss this here rather than on the phone," replied Abigail Chadwick. "So … tell me … what is it that has you in such a state that you need to talk to the principal?" lightly laughed Abigail Chadwick.
"Nothing like getting straight to the point is there Ms. Chadwick," chuckled Ken. Then getting to the point, Ken continued. "Principal Chadwick … here's the situation. Not long after Robert came to live with me, you know, back in January, he and my household manager, Ms. Mildred Johnston, had some interactions that were not … good. The bottom line is … one day Mildred attacked him with a very large cooking spoon. She was arrested for the attack and when she went to trial she only received a slap on the wrist. She is now on probation and if she doesn't get into any trouble for a year her record will be erased."
"Oh, so she got Deferred Adjudication, you know, probation before judgment?" asked the Principal.
"Yes, the DA's office, I feel, were remiss in this matter. They gave the case to a junior ADA, who didn't do a thorough review of the case and he then went to trial and didn't even notify us. On top of all that, my lawyer, Bill Jackson, had additional material to present, so when they did go to trial, she wouldn't get off as easy as she has. Anyway, she is suing me for her job back.
"She thinks that since she will have no record after her probation she is entitled to her job back. She also is saying that because of her advanced age, that I fired her due to her age and she is claiming age discrimination. The trial starts this Wednesday."
"But how does that affect Robert?" Principal Chadwick wanted to know.
"Well, because Mildred attacked him, Robert is now suing her for pain and suffering, mental anguish and for terrorizing him over the time she was there until she was arrested," explained 'dad' Ken.
"Can I ask how … how did she terrorize him, and how can you prove something like that?" asked Abigail Chadwick.
"Well, from the first day Robert arrived, Mildred had, on occasion, hit him or had verbally assaulted the boy. I was even there when she did slap him," replied Mr. Ken.
"Besides you being a witness for him, how else can Robert prove she hit him and verbally assaulted him?" asked the skeptical Principal.
"What Mildred forgot was that I have security cameras throughout The Cove. After she was arrested, Judy Turner and I went through all the inside cameras and found where Robert and Mildred interacted. We found fifteen of their interactions where they had verbal arguments and where she actually hit him," offered Mr. Ken.
"You have actual videos of her hitting him. Do you have the one where she hit him with that spoon which got her arrested?" asked Abigail Chadwick.
"Yes, and that was going to be one of our exhibits for when she went to trial, but as I told you, that inexperienced ADA didn't even see it before he took her in front of the judge. Well, anyway, Robert is a witness for the defense in our countersuit and the plaintiff in his own lawsuit against her. So, either way, he has to be there," explained Mr. Ken.
"What is it you want me to do for you, then?" asked the Principal.
"Well, we have no idea how long this trial will go on for. It could be over in one day or … it could take the rest of the week. It could even go into the next week if her lawyer has an 'ace' up his sleeve, which we figure he can't have as he has talked to my lawyer a number of times trying to get us to settle. So, what I would like for you to do is to ask Robert's teachers to give him all his school assignments for the rest of the week, so he won't fall behind," clarified the owner of The Cove.
"OK, I'll speak with his teachers and ask them to get his work assignments for the rest of the week ready for him. If the trial goes longer, Charles can get the rest for him. Now … let me ask … can I explain to his teachers why he will miss Wednesday and possibly the rest of the week?" queried the Principal.
"Hmmm … I guess they do need an explanation. How about just telling them, he is a witness in a civil trial and has a subpoena to be there. Will that work?' finished Mr. Ken.
Mr. Ken then asked Ms. Chadwick where he could go to add money to Charles' lunch card. The woman was surprised the lad needed more money after only being in school for two weeks. Mr. Ken then explained how Charles was also buying Richard and Ryan Longger's lunches. Then it all came back to the Principal, which made her ask if Mr. Longger was going to apply for any assistance. Mr. Ken told her the man had a job interview last week and if he got it he shouldn't need to.
With their talk finished, Principal Chadwick then escorted Ken Thomas to the Dietitian's Office where they took care of the lunch meals cards. When they arrived and told the lady why they were there, the woman started to give Mr. Ken a hard time about his 'son' spending his money on other students. Mr. Ken looked to the Principal for help but Abigail Chadwick just nodded to him to say what he wanted.
"Lady, you DO NOT tell me how my 'son', my FOSTER SON, spends his lunch money. As far as I know, it is NOT against the law that a child may buy some other child's lunch for them. If there is such a law, I want you to show it to me NOW! … My 'son' … he's bought a number of lunches for someone who … it doesn't matter why he has done it and he can continue to do it with my blessing. NOW … are you going to add money I brought to my foster son's lunch card?" asked the very stern looking man.
The woman had never had a parent confront her like that and she was going to give him a piece of her mind. But she was stopped in mid-thought when Principal Chadwick used Mr. Ken's name when she asked him a question. The 'lunch lady' had never met the man but immediately recognized the name Principal Chadwick used.
Putting two-and-two together, she quickly figured that it was the infamous man who was standing there in front of her and by his demeanor, she figured she'd better not do or say anything that would upset him. She knew what he did to the School Board and Hospital Board a few years ago, so she quickly took his money and put it into Charles' lunch card account. She then told the man that the card would be updated when the boy used his card for lunch that day.
As the Principal and the owner of The Cove walked away from the 'lunch lady', Mr. Ken told Ms. Chadwick, he was happy she had used his name. He said he could tell the 'lunch lady' was ready to confront him about the way Charles was using his lunch money and she didn't like anyone telling her how to do her job. Mr. Ken told Abigail that he was ready to go to the School Board if the woman had gotten in his face over his adding money to the lad's card.
Principal Chadwick told Mr. Ken that she felt the tension building between him and the 'lunch lady' that she could almost cut it with a knife. She then told him she figured the woman had no idea who he was so she wanted to use his name to see if she understood whom she was dealing with. Ms. Chadwick laughed when she told him she never saw that lady move as fast as she did when she realized who was standing right there in front of her. That made Mr. Ken laugh right along.
At lunchtime, Charles, Richard and Richard's younger brother, Ryan, all got in line. They chose which items they wanted to eat and waited to go through the cashier line. While waiting, Richard told his friend Charles that his dad went to a job interview last week and was confident that he would get it. Richard also told his friend that if his dad did get the job he wouldn't have to buy his or his brother's lunch anymore. Charles was happy to hear that Richard's life could change very soon and inwardly hoped that his dad would get the new job.
When the trio got to the cashier, the 'lunch lady' immediately recognized Charles. She made sure she was extremely courteous to the lad and she also told the twelve-year-old his foster dad was there that morning and had loaded more money into his lunch card. When the pre-teen looked at the receipt, Charles noticed he had more than the amount of money he started school with. He smiled and when Rich asked him about the smile Charles told him. The three had a good lunch that day.
After the twins had their lunch, they and their friends headed outside to talk about the weekend. They didn't get to say much to one another as more of their classmates gathered around them wanting to know more about what happened to their friends at Three Finger Cove.
"Hey, Grant, were you at Three Finger Cove on Saturday or Sunday and what did you enjoy about being at Three Finger Cove?" asked a 6th-grade girl.
Grant smiled at the girl and told her that he was at The Cove on Saturday. He told her the same thing as Nathan and Eli had told everyone about the ramps that they were smooth and sturdy and quick. He then told everyone that they all went into the Men's Locker Room adjacent to the indoor pool and changed into their swimsuits before heading out to the water toys, or rafts, as that was the other name the kids called them.
It was then one of the boys asked, "You all changed with everyone else? At the same time?"
"Sure, why not? We're all boys and we have the same equipment," replied Grant with a smile.
Kevin and Kyle heard what Grant said and so did the rest of the lads who visited The Cove over the weekend. They all knew what Grant was saying without actually saying it. That they got to see the older boys 'boy toys' or 'dangly stuff' while not really showing their own to anyone but their friends. The ten lads all chuckled at the same time and some even held their hands to their mouths to keep from giggling too loud.
The girls knew what Grant meant and they didn't want to hear about the boys changing in front of one another, so they all began to walk away. That left the boys, or the majority of the 6th-grade class, to hear about the lads changing with everyone.
"Weren't you, you know, kinda embarrassed to change with everyone and them seeing your, you know, your junk?" asked a 6th-grade boy.
"Yeah, I was a bit embarrassed at first, but Sam and Terran explained how they were able to do it with their brothers there the first time, so I figured if they could do it why not me. Anyway, they told us to face the wall and change. That way the only people who saw us were our friends on either side of us,' explained Grant.
Isaac spoke up and told the group that the water toys were loads of fun. He told them about the slides and how the one raft had a center section that was like a wading pool but that you could then climb up the side pillars to get to the top and then you could either slider down or jump off.
Landon took over and explained the other water raft looked like an iceberg that had what looked like foot and handholds all over the sides that you could use to climb to the top. The lad then explained that you could use the steep slide to get back down or jump off.
Nicholas then added that the Iceberg was the one they played "King of the Raft' on and how the older boys gave Landon, Nathan and Eli two lives since they'd never played before. He told the assembled boys that when Landon, Eli, and Nathan got to the top the first time they were thrown off real quick. The gathered lads all laughed.
"Yeah, laugh … but I bet we had more fun than you did," called out Nathan. "That game they played was awesome. We all got thrown off the first time we got to the top. After we got back on with our 'second life' Sam told us to hang back and let the older kids throw each other off. When the time was right, we all started up to the top but a bit more carefully.
"Most of you know Logan. He's a pretty big kid and he was standing at the top. The older boys were trying to get his feet out from under him and eventually they got him to fall off. You should have heard the splash and the yell from the guys who succeeded taking him down.
"Sam's strategy was good to hold back, but there weren't many of us eleven-year-olds left to go up against the older, bigger kids. When we did go the second time there were, I think, only 3 teens left and we tried to gang up on them. Unfortunately, because they are so much stronger and bigger than we are they easily threw us off again.
"Sure it would have been good to have won. But, you know … just getting to play with the older kids and then being thrown off the top of the Iceberg, which they told me is over 14 feet high, was a blast. I think it would be great if it were only us 6th graders who played so we could see which one of us could be the 'King'," finished Nathan.
Kevin and Kyle agreed with what Nathan just said and they told their friends that. They then mentioned that the weather would change and Robert told them the lake water will soon get too cold to even swim. The twins told the 6th-grade boys they wished it was the beginning of the summer instead of the fall because they probably could plan that. The twins then told their friends that their parents should be better by the end of the school year and that they would go back to living with them.
The 6th graders did a lot of talking during their lunch break and they were all surprised when the after lunch bell rang for them to go into the school.
When the Cover boys got home after school that Monday the first thing they did was find Momma Maria. They love the snacks she makes for them and they always looked forward to them. After they were finished with their after-school snack, the four lads all headed to the Study to talk to Mr. Ken.
"Hi, 'dad'," called out Robert.
Then, quickly after that, Charles said 'Hi' and so did the twins.
"Hello, boys, how was school today? Did the kids ask your friends to tell them about their weekend here?" asked 'Dad Ken'.
"Yes, they did. I think that's all everyone talked about," said Kevin.
"Yeah, they did, but I think there were a lot of kids who were mad they didn't get to come over," offered Kyle.
"What makes you say that Kyle?" asked 'Dad Ken'.
"I don't know. Maybe it was the way some of the kids acted or even asked their questions of our friends who were invited over here that I feel that way. I know we are the new kids and we're staying at one of the most interesting places on the lake that I know many of our classmates would love to be able to come over," reasoned Kyle.
"Well, I guess time will tell, boys. Do you have anything else to tell me?" Mr. Ken wanted to know.
"I do," spoke up Charles. "Rich told me today, at lunch, that his dad had a job interview last week. He said his dad was hopeful about getting the job and that if he did I could stop buying his and Ryan's lunches for them. Rich was really happy about that. Oh, and thanks 'dad' for putting more money on my lunch card. The 'lunch lady' was very nice about it, too. She usually said something to me about not having enough money for myself if I continued to buy Rich's and Ryan's meals for them."
Mr. Ken just smiled at hearing what Charles had to say about the 'lunch lady'.
"Oh, and boys, before I forget," began Mr. Ken. "Kevin, Kyle, Doctor Doug will be here tomorrow evening to talk to you. He'll get here about five and he'll talk to one of you then. He'll be here for dinner and then after we finish eating he will talk to the other one. I'm telling you this, now, so tomorrow, after school and your snack, I want you to go up to your room and start your homework. That way you won't have much, if any, to do after Doctor Doug leaves."
"Do we have to talk to him by ourselves?" quickly asked Kevin.
"I do believe that is what he wants to do," replied 'Dad Ken'.
"Kevin," spoke up Charles, "I tried to have Collin sit in with me when I talked to Doctor Doug, after I had a bad time about something, but he wouldn't let him. He was in the room for the first five minutes, or so, but in the end, Collin and Robert went out to DQ." Charles then made a face at his older 'brother'.
Kevin wasn't happy after hearing what Charles had to say, so he walked out of the Study with his head down. The older twin then headed up to his room supposedly to do his homework. What no one still in the Study knew was that he had tears falling down his face.
All comments are encouraged. You may email Chowhound at: Chowhound