"Morning boys," announced 'dad' Ken, as his 'boys' came walking into the Kitchen Nook.
"Morning, dad,' called back Robert.
"Morning, 'dad'," said the other four Cover boys.
"I hope you all had a good night's sleep. This is the week before the weeks of loads of fun. And, boys, please have your friends get their parents to send in their reply if their son is going with us, or if he is not going next Monday," asked 'dad' Ken.
"I haven't checked my emails yet, but just in case," chuckled Mr. Ken.
"And boys ... I'm going to stop by the school this week to add money to your lunch cards. Let me know what your balance is when you get home today, so I know how much to add. And, boys ... has anyone treated their friends to an extra lunch?
"Matthew, I don't remember if I told you ... but I did add extra money to your lunch card. That way you can help a classmate who doesn't have enough money for lunch, or maybe forgot their bag lunch. Charles can tell you how he treated Richard and Ryan to lunch, until their dad found a better job.
"Now, get off to school ... and have some fun and learn something! I pay enough taxes that you better learn something, anything" laughed 'dad' Ken.
At school, Max, the school bully, came over to Matthew and his friends. "Did you have a fun filled weekend, rich boy?" teased Max.
"I'm not rich!" loudly answered Matthew. "I'm a foster kid ... and I have no money. You know my mom's in jail, and I haven't seen my dad, my real dad, in years. If it weren't for Mr. Ken I ... I wouldn't have good clothes to wear or food to eat.
"So, what's your problem, Max? You jealous because I was lucky enough to get placed with Mr. Ken at Three Finger Cove? At least YOU have a real mom and a dad who you can be with," continued to counter Matthew, while his friends looked on.
"Yea, right, a mom and dad. Well, at least you got one right. My dad split out a long time ago. And, as for my, mom ... she practically ignores me. She doesn't even give me enough money to have a good lunch every day. She'd rather spend the money on her beer and cigarettes," came back Max.
"Max ... let's just us go over there and talk some. OK?" said Matthew.
The two boys, antagonist and adversary, walked to a quiet place in the schoolyard. Matthew's friends were concerned for their friend, but they could see them from where they were. They knew they could react if necessary.
"Max ... why did you act the way you did towards me? I've only been here, what, four weeks now and you seem to pick only on me. Is it ... is it because I live at The Cove?" directly asked Matthew.
"Well, that's probably some of it. Also, the twins ... Kevin and Kyle ... they seem to have lucked out just as you have. All I got is a mom ... a mom who really doesn't care about me, period. Yea, I have nice clothes to wear, but I don't get good meals like I bet you do. And, I never get to go anywhere. My mom ... I can't remember when the last time we did anything together," lamented Max.
"Max, you know ... you know my mom's boyfriend ... Lincoln ... he beat me, which is why I am living with Mr. Ken. I moved around all last summer and I didn't start school until the day you saw me here. I have to do extra schoolwork to get caught up. If I don't ... I'll have to be tutored until I do catch up. And, I sure don't want that to happen," offered Matthew.
"Yea, but look at where you live. From what I hear you have WaveRunners, huge water toys out on the lake to play on, an indoor swimming pool, but most of all you have those skateboard ramps that Mr. Ken built for Robert, and now all your friends get to use," said Max.
"Yea, there is all that. But right now, it's too cold to use the water toys out on the lake or the WaveRunners. As for the indoor pool, it is nice, but crowded, but we do have fun. The skateboard ramps are in good shape, but when you have forty boys trying to use them all at the same time, you don't get to try to perfect your moves," laughed Matthew. Max joined in with the laughter.
"Max ... can ... can I ask you ... how much money does your mom gives you, you know, for lunch?" asked Matthew out of the blue.
"Not enough, that's for sure," quickly replied Max.
"Max ... my 'dad', you know, Mr. Ken ... he's added extra money to my lunch card so ... so I can treat someone who doesn't have enough lunch money or forgets theirs. Will ... will you meet me in the lunch line and ... and I can add to what you have? That way, you can get a hot meal," honestly asked Matthew.
"But, what about all your friends you hang out with? What will they say?" asked Max.
"I don't care what they say. If I ask you to have a good lunch they'll either sit with us or they won't. If they don't then I know what kind of friends they really are," answered back Matthew.
Just then the first bell rang to call the students into the school and their homeroom.
George Warren stopped by The Cove later that morning. Mr. Wayne had also just arrived, so the three men met in the Study. George Warren wanted to tell Mr. Ken about a vehicle that pulled in behind them as they went to Four Corners. He had the make, model and license plate number, which he gave to his employer.
The three men talked about the three men supposedly after Matthew. They reviewed their pictures and now the three vehicles that they may be used to watch where Matthew goes and with whom.
It was then Mr. Ken asked where Gene was. George laughed and said that his brother has friends in high educational places, and is now substituting as a teacher at Matthew's school. The three men laughed.
George continued to tell Mr. Ken, and Mr. Wayne, and Mr. Chris, when he stopped by to talk to his boss, that Gene wanted to be in-place if anything happened. George did say they both had bachelor's degrees, so we're qualified to substitute teach.
Mr. Chris asked George if his brother had his gun with him. All George Warren would do is laugh. That subject was dropped like a hot potato. The men continued and talked about the boy's appointments with Doctor Doug that week, and the following week's Holiday schedule.
The question came up if the Warren's would be accompanying the Covers on their trip back east. Mr. Ken said they'd cross that bridge when they came to it, but Chris should check out adding them to the trip. George just laughed at the possibility of a paid vacation. Mr. Ken then told him about the travel arrangements. George said they probably had some friends that could help him out back east. That made everyone laugh some more.
At lunch, Max met Matthew at the lunch line, and as they walked through the line, Matthew told Max to take whatever he wanted and he'd pay the difference, whatever it was. Brant, Ryan, Noah, Greg and Aaron stood back and watched the two as they walked through the line.
At the end of the lunch line sat the lunch lady. She was the one who took the children's money or charged their lunch card. Max presented his meal and the lunch lady rang it up. Max then passed her his money.
"This isn't enough, young man!" announced the woman, in a voice that could be heard much further than just the three of them could hear.
"I'll be paying the extra," spoke up Matthew.
"And does your parents know you're spending their hard-earned money on a friend," announced the very condescending lunch lady, with a smirk.
"My 'dad', Mr. Ken ... he said he added extra money on my lunch card. He told me that I can treat any of my friends I want. When you ring up my lunch you can add what Max didn't have to my lunch charge," calmly, but directly said Matthew Turnsten.
"Ahh, Mr. Ken ... he's your ... your foster dad?" stuttered the lunch lady.
"Yes, he is. I've been living with him for only four weeks now. You know him?" asked Matthew.
"Yes, young man, I know him. ... And, I will be happy to add your friend's shortage to your bill," replied the lunch lady. Max just stood there with a smile on his face.
When Matthew and Max sat down at a lunch table, Matthew's friends sat with them, but they didn't say a word as they ate.
"Boy, if I hadn't been there I wouldn't have believed it," chuckled Max. "That lady is so mean to most of the kids that don't have enough money, or can't buy a hot lunch."
"Max," started Greg, "Is that how she treats you every time you get your lunch? I can understand why you and lots of other kids don't like her!
"Yea, that's what she does every time I go through, and I bet others get that same 'I love you, too' treatment," replied a laughing Max. The other boys laughed along.
Gene Warren was at the school all morning. Sure, he was being a substitute teacher that day, but he was primarily there to protect Matthew and his 'brothers'. When it was lunchtime, the security man walked all around the school to see where the boys ate and whom they hung around with.
What Gene Warren noticed was that the Cover boys had a particular set of friends that didn't change. What was new, he noticed, there was a new boy sitting with Matthew. A boy who wasn't there that past weekend. He knew he needed to ask Principal Chadwick about him.
When it was time, Mr. Wayne stopped by the school to take Matthew to see Doctor Doug. Kyle was originally supposed to go, but Mr. Ken changed up the order. Mr. Wayne was also supposed to see if there was an opening on Thursday for Matthew.
George Warren was out in his special armored vehicle and watched the two Covers get in Wayne Mitchell's car and head over to Doctor Doug's. He wanted to lag behind them to see if anyone would follow. Two blocks later a vehicle pulled out and followed four car lengths behind Wayne's car. It belonged to one of the three men who Grace Turnsten knew.
Mr. Wayne watched his rearview mirror as he drove along. He immediately spotted the vehicle as it pulled out from the curb. Matthew saw Mr. Wayne constantly looking in his side and rearview mirrors, so he asked him why.
Mr. Wayne told the youngster that one of the three cars they knew had belonged to the men his mom knew was behind them. The Estate Master also told the young Cover that Mr. George was behind them, as well. Matthew turned in his seat to see if he could spot the car, but he couldn't as it was quite far back.
When Mr. Wayne pulled into the parking lot, that serviced Doctor Doug's office, the car following them kept going straight ahead. Mr. Gene pulled into the parking lot and pulled alongside Mr. Wayne's car and the two men talked. Mr. Wayne then took Matthew up to Doug Jennings floor.
While Matthew talked with Doctor Jennings, Wayne Mitchell talked with the receptionist. He asked about a Thursday appointment. He told the women Mr. Ken wanted Matthew to see the doctor twice that week as he, nor his 'brothers' would see the man until after the Holidays. The woman found an opening at 5 o'clock.
After his appointment was over, Matthew and Doctor Doug came out of the room laughing. Mr. Wayne took that as a good sign. The men greeted one another, and then Matthew asked to visit the restroom. Mr. Wayne smiled and accompanied him that time.
Mr. George was waiting in the lobby of the office building for his assignment to arrive. When all three were together, Mr. George walked out first as if he was there for an appointment and thirty seconds later Mr. Wayne and Matthew walked out and went to their vehicle.
When George Warren walked out of the office building, he immediately recognized one of the three vehicles that they had an interest in. Then, he watched Mr. Wayne and Matthew walk out and get into their vehicle. When the Covers drove out of the parking lot, the tailing vehicle pulled out right behind them. George Warren followed a few car lengths behind it.
The Covers made it back to The Cove unimpeded. When Matthew entered the home, he headed directly to the Study. When 'dad' Ken wasn't there, he went to the Kitchen Nook. That's where he found the man he was looking for.
"'Dad' ... I may have met another friend today. Well, I met him last week, but today ... but today we talked. Some of my other friends, like Brant, thinks he's a bully. And, yea, he did try to bully me last week, but today ... today I learned he doesn't, well from what he told me, he doesn't have a good home life.
"'Dad', I think ... I think he goes out of his way to bully people because ... well, I think he's mad that other kids have more than he does, and they get to do things he hasn't done for a long time, and he wants them to know it," explained Matthew.
The two Covers went to the Study to talk.
"So ... what's this all about Matthew?" asked 'dad' Ken. "Why do you think he may be a new friend?"
"Well, he told me a lot about himself, today. I think he's just lonely like I was all summer with no friends at all. Oh, and I did help pay for a hot meal for him today. You did tell us we can do that didn't you?" now wondered Matthew if he'd messed up.
"Yes, 'son', I added extra monies to your lunch card, so you can treat your friends to something extra or, if you learn of a classmate who is having a difficult time, getting a good meal at lunchtime. Is that why you did it for your friend, whose name is?" smiled 'dad' Ken.
Matthew saw the smile and knew he wasn't in trouble for helping out someone other people think is a bully. The young Cover told Mr. Ken the boy's name was Max, and that all he had was enough money for lunch was the cold sandwich and a milk. Matthew further explained that was all his mom ever gave him money for every day.
Mr. Ken sat there and thought about what Matthew had just told him. He wondered how many other kids in that school had difficult times at home, and didn't get a well-balanced meal for lunch.
"'Dad?" said Matthew.
"Oh, sorry, I was thinking about something. So, tell me more about your new friend, Max. What's his last name? What do his parents do?" asked 'dad' Ken in quick succession.
"Well, I don't really know his last name. I didn't think it was important. As for his parents, he told me his dad split long ago, and it's just him and his mom. He also told me his mom thinks spending money on beer and cigarettes is more important than giving him enough money for a hot lunch. He also told me that he rarely gets a hot meal at night," replied Matthew.
"So, Matthew ... what ... what is it you want to do?" simply asked 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', I don't know. I'm trying to decide if I want him for a good friend, you know, or just a friend. I guess ... I think I need to know more about him and why other people think he's a bully.
"It's just, well, I think he doesn't have many friends, to begin with, and ... and it may be because of him being so angry with what he sees others have and he doesn't. Does that make any sense, 'dad'?" finished Matthew.
"Yes, Matthew, that makes perfect sense. What also makes sense is that you perceived that all by yourself. I bet you see some of yourself in him, don't you?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"Yea, I guess I do. I ... I was all by myself all summer. I didn't have any friends and ... and we didn't do anything but change places to live every few weeks. We also didn't do anything. I mean we didn't go anywhere for fun. All I got was beat when I even asked about doing that," lamented Matthew.
"Matthew, how about we learn more about your new friend Max. And, maybe what his mom does. She might not have a good enough paying job that she is also upset. And maybe that is why she spends her hard-earned money on beer and cigarettes as an escape from life," suggested 'dad' Ken.
"Will you get her a better job?" innocently asked Matthew.
"No, I don't hire people to work in any of my business dealings. I have people that run those businesses that do that. But, maybe they have a need. Now, don't tell your friend Max. I don't want anyone, including you, to get their hopes up. You understand what I mean, Matthew?" finished 'dad' Ken.
"Yes, sir, I know what you're saying," replied the youngest Cover.
"'Dad' ... when can we go and get Momma's Christmas presents? And where do we go to get aprons with those words on them?" asked Matthew.
The two Covers talked until they were interrupted by Robert who came looking for Matthew. The teen wanted to know why his 'brother' was getting friendly with and hanging out with a school bully. Matthew argued back that Max wasn't a bully, but a new friend who had nothing and was probably acting out his anger.
Matthew then wanted to know who told him he was hanging out with a bully. Robert told his younger 'brother' he heard it from Brad. That made Matthew mad. He knew the only way he would know that was because Brant told him.
"He doesn't know anything ... except what Brant told him. Brant hates Max and he never wanted to get to know him. Yes, Max did try to bully me, but it didn't work. Brant chased him off the first time, but I handled him today.
"That's when I wanted to know why he was being a bully. So, we talked. And ... and I learned some stuff about him, that I bet no one else in my class knows, or even cares," shot back an irritated Matthew.
Robert immediately went into big brother mode and told Matthew to stop being the bully's friend. That's when 'dad' Ken got involved. Mr. Ken told Robert that as long as Max didn't act out against his 'brother' and Matthew wanted to learn more about why Max acted the way he did, and then he should let things be.
'Dad' Ken said it was up to Matthew to decide as to who his friends will be. It was then Robert countered by asking if Matthew was going to continue to be Max's friend at the expense of losing his other friends. Matthew responded by telling Robert that if they were truly his friends then they would be happy he had made another one. Matthew then stomped out of the Study.
Dad and son talked about what just happened. Robert said he couldn't understand why his 'brother' would want to be friends with a bully. Dad Ken asked him why he wanted to be a 'brother' to Charles, after he brought a man to The Cove who could have injured or even killed someone right under his nose.
Dad Ken continued and asked his son why he protects the twins and still wants to be their big 'brother' after finding out it was their dad who did those unspeakable things to him back when he was still ten years of age.
Robert had a big question on his face just then, and was presently lost for words. The teen's dad then hugged his son and asked him to watch out for his little 'brother'. The man also asked him to tell his friend to tell his little brother that Matthew would make the friends he wants and that his 'dad' will support him until he makes a bad choice.
Robert asked if that meant that's Brad's little brother might not be allowed to come over. All, dad told him was if the young Sullivan cared, he'd watch out for Matthew, too. But, in the meantime, he shouldn't burn his bridges. Robert got the idea.
While the Cover boys ate their after school snack, big and little 'brothers' ignored one another. Charles picked up on it and asked Matthew what was going on. Matthew told his pre-teen 'brother', "Ask him!" as he pointed to Robert and then ran out of the Kitchen Nook.
Charles did ask his older 'brother' what that was all about. But, the teenager said he had messed up and needed to fix it. The teenager then walked out of the Kitchen Nook looking for his youngest 'brother'.
Before Mr. Chris left for the day, Mr. Ken asked him to search for places that sold aprons in blue and green and who did monogramming. The owner of The Cove explained what Matthew's Christmas present to Momma was going to be.
Mr. Chris smiled at the uniqueness of the gift. He told his boss that he'd bet his wife would know exactly what and where to get it done. The two said their Goodnights and Chris Dominions was on his way home
Robert found his younger 'brother' Matthew in his bedroom and tried to talk to him. No matter how hard Robert tried to apologize to Matthew, the youngster wouldn't listen to him. Matthew also told him to leave him alone, or he'd tell 'dad'. Robert left the room dejected.
Dinner had a cold air to it. 'Dad' Ken recognized it immediately when the boys were all quiet while they ate. Even Momma Maria picked up on the silence, but didn't know what to say or do. Mr. Ken waited until the meal was over when he asked all the boys to join him in his Study.
"Boys, what's going on? None of you said a word at dinner. That's not like you, so there has to be something going on. ... You all know I can't fix it if you keep it to yourself. Now ... who is going to speak for the group?" asked 'dad' Ken.
The boys, well four of them anyway, looked back and forth to one another. Robert was the one who spoke up. He explained how he tried to apologize to Matthew, but he wouldn't even listen. Matthew asked why he should. The young Cover said he didn't need anyone, especially an older 'brother', to tell him who his friends would be.
Mr. Ken shooed the other three boys out of the Study and told Charles to close the door as he left. The pre-teen wanted to stay and listen to what that was all about. He figured, how else could he learn stuff if he isn't exposed to it. The pre-teen decided to stay by the door and try to listen in.
'Dad' Ken had both boys take a seat across from one another. He then took a chair and placed it between the boys, so he could referee. He had Robert go first and tell Matthew what he wanted to tell him.
"Matthew ... I messed up. I'm sorry for trying to decide for you ... who your friends can be. I ... I was wrong. I listened to what Brad had to say, and since he is one of my best friends I ... I didn't question what he told me. I should have listened to what you had to say first before I made ... before I said what I did about you not being the bully's friend," offered Robert.
"So ... that's supposed to make things better?" angrily asked Matthew. "Yea, right! You didn't even ask me what his name was and how did I meet him. All you cared about was ... was listening to what YOUR friend had to say and ... and accepting it as the truth before you even asked your FOSTER Brother to tell you what he had to say!"
"And what right did Brant have to tell his brother that I made a new friend. Brant hates Max! And I'll bet he's jealous that I tried to make friends with someone he calls a bully. I know more about Max than Brant ever tried to know. Yea, Max came on strong, but all he ever did was have a big mouth. He never hit anyone that I know of because he told me he never did.
"Max and I talked ... like we were already friends. I learned about his home life and what his mom does with their money. I even treated him to a hot lunch today because his mom won't give him enough money for that. All he ever gets is a cold sandwich and a milk. He told me he doesn't even get many hot meals at home.
"Max needs a friend. He needs someone he can count on and talk with and not be so lonely. Lonely, like I was all summer. No one ever tried to get to know him and now Brant puts his nose where it doesn't belong! If I WANT MAX AS A FRIEND, HE'LL BE MY FRIEND!" now yelled Matthew.
At hearing what his younger 'brother' had to say, Robert get hot under his collar and yelled back, "At the expense of all your other friends?"
"No ... just one!" quickly came back Matthew.
"Boys ... you are now making this disagreement too personal. Now calm down ... and let me say something," interrupted 'dad' Ken.
"I'm sorry, son, I must agree with Matthew on this," announced 'dad' Ken. "If he wants to make a new friend that is his choice. No one else's. And unless this new friend turns out to be a bad actor or a fraud I am going to support his choice.
"Matthew's taken some steps to get to know Max, and now he has to follow through to see if this boy is worthy of his friendship. If Matthew's present set of friends don't like Max, they don't have to. But ... they have to accept Matthew's choice of friends. If they dislike this boy Max, that much, then they have a choice to make don't they?"
"But, dad," started Robert, but was stopped when his dad held up his hands.
"You already said you should have listened to your 'brother', before coming down hard on his choice of friends. Now, let this play out. And, son, if you dislike Max, because of what others say about him, then we will have a difficult time ahead of us.
"Robert, I never questioned your choice of friends or those of your 'brothers'. I've only ever told you and your 'brothers' that if your friends ever act up or cause trouble they will not be invited back to The Cove. I think you have to give your youngest 'brother' that opportunity, too. What do you say, young man?" finished the teen's dad.
After a few moments to reflect, Robert answered, "Yes, you're right, dad. I ... I didn't think this through enough and I ... and I just reacted to what Brad told me. I should have ... Matthew ... I'm ... I'm sorry for overreacting and trying to overprotect you. You are my youngest 'brother' and ... well, I took my being your older 'brother' too seriously.
"Matthew ... dad always says ... you can learn more from your mistakes than you can from doing something right each and every single time. When you don't make mistakes you can never learn from them not to do it that way again," spoke Robert.
The teenager got up from his chair and approached Matthew. He held out his hands and arms and said, "Will you accept my sincerest apology?"
Matthew looked up at his older 'brother'. He was still mad, but knew he needed to make peace. And besides, Robert had apologized two times already. So, Matthew stood up and instead of taking the outstretched hands and arms, the youngest Cover jumped into the teen and hugged him tight. Mr. Ken smiled real big right then.
"You can come in Charles ... and bring your 'brothers' with you," called out 'dad' Ken.
"How did you know I was out there?" asked a surprised Charles.
"Just accept that I did," replied 'dad' Ken.
When the other three Cover boys were present, 'dad' Ken explained to them what was happening between Robert and Matthew. The man tried to impress on them all that, yes, they have to protect one another, but at the same time they need to let their 'brothers' make some mistakes so they can learn from them.
"Well, what mistakes did they learn from this?" asked an innocent Kyle.
Robert answered by saying, "I learned not to accept what someone tells me and take it as fact. I caused a lot of trouble for dad by overstepping my big brother role."
"What did Matthew learn?" asked Kyle.
"I learned that big 'brothers' can be just as big a pain in the butt as little 'brothers' can," replied Matthew.
That made the entire room burst into laughter. Even Chief joined in with a few "Woofs".
"Boys ... Matthew may have a new friend. His name is Max. They just met and your younger 'brother' is trying to get to know him. Robert heard something unsettling about the boy and ... well, he challenged Matthew about him," Mr. Ken tried to explain.
"Oh, you mean Robert heard that Max is a bully," announced Kevin.
"What ... everyone hates Max, now?" loudly asked Matthew.
"Boys, there are going to be times in a big family that things like this will happen. Sometimes it is overprotective big brothers; sometimes it is misunderstandings between the kids; sometimes it is little brothers touching their older sibling's things, and much, much more.
"Today, it happens to be what Robert heard about Max. And, Matthew is defending his right to choose his friends, and not have anybody tell him whom his friends can be. And that includes you three.
"Matthew WAS told that Max ... was a bully. And, he even had a run-in with the boy. But today, he confronted him and they talked. Seems that Max might be a lonely young man just as Matthew was all summer. Kevin, did you ever try to find out why Max was considered a bully?" directly asked 'dad' Ken of the older twin.
"Well, no. Why should I?" answered Kevin.
"I rest my case. At least Matthew is trying to know why Max acts the way he did," answered 'dad' Ken.
"Boys ... what say we leave this falling-out between the oldest and youngest 'brothers' for now? You all can discuss it between yourselves when you have the chance, and either of them wants to talk about it. OK?
"Now, I want you all to know that I have everyone's email acceptance to go to Fiesta Texas next Monday. As for Friday's Holiday Party, I suspect all your friends will be here, but still you may have a few acquaintances at school who lives away from our neighborhood. If you want to invite them let me know. I can get you an invitation you can hand deliver it to them.
"I know it's been a long day for all of you, and with all the stress and upheaval going on tonight it might be time for you guys to get up to your rooms and relax some before getting into bed. But, before you go, do any of you have any questions for me?" asked Mr. Ken.
The boys didn't have any questions. Before leaving to go up to their rooms, they each hugged their 'dad'. The man hugged them back and ruffled their hair some before sending them off to their rooms. Chief didn't leave with the boys. She sat there waiting her turn for some ear scratches, which Mr. Ken gladly gave.
About ten minutes later, 'dad' Ken went upstairs to say Goodnight to his boys. There was no drama that night. No late-night talks. Just a bunch of 'Thank you 'dad'' from the boys.
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