"Mom," called out the twins as they entered their mom's hospital room.
"Oh, my sons," called out Vivian Parchsons, with her arms spread out wide upon seeing her twins.
The lads ran to their mom with tears running down their faces. They each went to a side of the bed and upon reaching their mother they each hugged her with all their might.
Ken Thomas, accompanied by his other two foster sons, entered Parker Parchsons hospital room. As The Cove's owner entered, he introduced himself as his sons' foster dad and then introduced Robert and Charles. Parker invited the three Covers into his room and readily shook the three offered hands.
As the man shook Robert's offered hand, he took a second look at the lad. There was something about the lad that peaked his interest. He didn't know what it was at the time, but he figured it would come to him eventually.
Also, as Robert shook the man's hand he thought about the man's voice. He believed he'd heard that voice before, but because the man had a mask covering his face the teen couldn't say for sure he knew the man. He decided not to say anything until him and his 'dad could have a few minutes alone.
"My boys, oh my boys let me take a good look at you," said Vivian Parchsons.
"But, mom, how can you look at us with us wearing these masks?" complained Kyle.
"Oh, I just want to look at you … knowing you are here with me right now. I sure have missed you two. Are they taking good care of you? Are you getting enough to eat? Who brought you here?" were some of the many of the questions Vivian had for her twin sons.
Kevin took the questions and one by one explained that a lady from Children's Protective Services stopped by the hospital early last week to talk to them about going into a foster home. Kevin explained they met a man and his two foster sons, and how he gave them the option of going and staying with him, or letting the lady find them someplace else to live. It was Kyle who then spoke up and told their mom that if they didn't go with Mr. Ken they probably would have been split up. Upon hearing that, mom Vivian closed her arms around her boys even tighter.
Kevin then told their mom about them not having any clothes to wear when they got to their new home and that Mr. Ken bought them new clothes to wear for the picnic he had yesterday. Kyle then told their mom about the picnic and all the awards people got including Mr. Ken for helping save a boy's life. Mom was surprised at hearing her boy's enthusiasm. She never remembered them being so outspoken and enthusiastic about meeting new people before.
Over in Mr. Parchsons' hospital room, Mr. Ken explained a bit more about who he was, and how the twins came to be living with him. He told the man about how he helped Collin, who was now away at college, and now Robert, who was 13, and Charles who is 12, and that adding Kevin and Kyle was no problem. Mr. Ken told the man about the previous day's picnic and how his sons met many of the boys they'd be going to school with starting Tuesday.
Robert and Charles told the man how his boys are now a part of The Cove and that it was nice having two more 'brothers' around. The two lads explained all about the skateboard ramps, the water rafts and how they cook burgers and hot dogs for their friend's, after a hard day of play. Charles also told Parker Parchsons about the indoor pool and that his lads would not ever go hungry with Momma Maria's cooking.
In Vivian's hospital room, the twins asked their mom to help them with a problem they had. Kevin explained that Robert and Charles called Mr. Ken 'dad' and when they asked if they had to call the man 'dad' too, they said the man told them they already had a dad. They wanted their mom to help them figure out a name they could call Mr. Ken.
"Boys, don't you like calling the man Mr. Ken?" asked mom, Vivian.
"It's not that, mom, its … well, it seems so unnatural to call him that. You know it's so formal. We want to call him something that isn't so stuffy, mom," replied Kevin.
"Yeah, mom, it's also because Robert and Charles call him 'dad' and we want to call him something simple like that," offered Kyle
"OK, let's figure out something you can call him. Do you have any ideas?" finished Vivian.
"Well … we could call him 'Pop'," replied Kyle.
"No, we can't call him that, Kyle," answered Kevin.
"I have to agree with Kevin, Kyle. Pop is a name for a much older man like your grandpop or maybe when your dad is much, much older," added mom.
"But what can we call him, mom?" whined Kyle.
"OK, lads let's think this through. So … his other two foster sons' call him dad. What if you called him … 'Dad Ken'? Or maybe "Mr. Dad'?" suggested mom Vivian.
Kevin and Kyle looked back and forth to one another and they indicated they each like both names. Now they needed to choose one they both liked and then they had to hope Mr. Ken would be OK with their choice. The boys practiced saying both names and after trying them both out each lad decided they liked 'Dad Ken'.
After about a half hour, the three Covers decided to finish up their conversation with Mr. Parchsons explaining they needed to let the twins come in and visit. The Cove's owner also told the twins' dad after they left they would stop by their house to gather up any clothes and toys the twins may want to take back to The Cove with them. They all shook hands and the Covers walked out into the hallway.
"'Dad' I need to talk to you," Robert anxiously said to 'dad' Ken, while the three walked out into the hall.
"Can't it wait?" asked Mr. Ken.
It was about then the twins came out into the hall and were about to enter their dad's room when the nurse stopped them. She explained they had to change their gowns, gloves and masks so they didn't take any germs from one room into the other. The five Covers shrugged their shoulders and began taking off their infection control clothes and then changed into new ones. With that done, they changed rooms.
"Dad, dad," called out Kevin and Kyle, as they entered their dad's hospital room.
"Boys, it is so great to see you!" called back their dad, who then opened his arms to greet his boys.
"Boys … I met your Mr. Ken and his other foster boys. It sounds like you are going to live in a nice house and have two older brothers to play with," announced dad parker.
"Dad you wouldn't believe where we are living. You remember a few years back when there was that shoot out at a house on a lake? Well … Mr. Ken is the man who took a bullet for his foster son Collin," smiled Kevin, as he told his dad where they were living.
"And dad, the house is so much bigger than they showed on TV," added Kyle.
"I'll need to talk to that man," nervously said Mr. Parchsons.
"Dad, we're going to be OK there," exclaimed Kevin. "Mr. Ken has guards all over the grounds and we've already been added to the database."
"Yeah, dad, and we love it there. 'Dad Ken' has skateboard ramps, water rafts, and an indoor pool. We lucked out being sent to Three Finger Cove to live while you and mom get better," offered Kyle.
"But, boys, what about those men coming back? Are you going to be safe there? I don't want to lose you!" lamented Parker.
"Dad, we're going to be OK. Every day there are more than fourteen boys 10 to 13 years old there and their parents aren't afraid that something will happen. Come on, dad, Mr. Ken is very rich and he has guards there 24/7. We're going to be OK and as Kyle said we already love it there.
"There is so much for us to do and he had this huge picnic yesterday. Even the Lake's Commodore showed up and gave out awards to some of the kids who helped save a teenager earlier in the summer. Dad, this place is so awesome! We don't want to go somewhere else and possibly be separated. We can even share a bedroom like we do at home, and we each have our own beds" enthusiastically pleaded Kevin.
As the Parchsons' men talked, Mr. Ken, Robert, and Charles entered Vivian Parchsons hospital room. The Cove's owner introduced himself and the two lads who were with him. He explained who he was and how he came to be the twin's foster dad. Robert and Charles then told Vivian about their arrival at The Cove, but Charles didn't mention anything about Smokey, or his almost being kidnapped.
"Thank you for taking care of my boys, "began Vivian Parchsons. "The boys couldn't say enough about you and your two foster boys, and from what I gathered they love it there and they'd only been there two days. I can't ever remember them being so enthusiastic about something."
"Thank you, Vivian, and even though the boys have only been with us since Friday night they have begun to fit in with us. We had a big Labor Day Picnic yesterday and the lads met a bunch of kids they'll be going to school with. Vivian, I think the twins will even thrive and possibly bloom at The Cove. They'll have these two older brothers they can go to with questions and problems if they are afraid to bring them to me," laughed Mr. Ken.
"I also want you to know they will be seen by my personal physician for a full physical. This will give me a baseline from which further decisions can be made if they have any medical problems while living with me. Both Robert and Charles have had those same physicals for the same reasons. Also, because of the trauma you and your husband have received from the accident, which is going to require your long-term hospitalization, I'll also have Doctor Doug Jennings work with them to help them deal with any latent problems that might arise from the accident," finished Ken Thomas.
"Latent problems? What does that mean? What are you not telling me?" demanded Vivian Parchsons.
"Mrs. Parchsons … both boys were in the same accident you were in and … well, they both saw you both being … burned and heard your cries. Doctor Doug Jennings is a highly recommended Child Psychologist whom I've used with my three foster lads. I can't tell you what they and he discussed; all I can tell you is they all seem to be much better off after the experience. When the twins and you are reunited, they should be well adjusted to your situation and ready to join back into the family unit," clarified Ken Thomas' for his use of Doctor Doug.
"Thank you for telling me that, Mr. Thomas. Now I won't be so scared for my boys. I didn't realize they saw us being burned in the car and we never got the chance to talk to them before being transferred down here to BAMC. I am so glad they have you for their foster support base. Even though you look so young yourself, it is apparent you have your ducks in a row," admitted Vivian Parchsons.
The twins and their dad discussed the living arrangements the boys had. The twins told dad Parchsons about the layout of the estate and how much they have enjoyed the house even though they've only been there for two days. Kevin and Kyle explained they were sharing a bedroom, but could each have their own room if they wanted.
Dad Parchsons could tell his sons were super enthusiastic about their living conditions and their desire to remain with the man and his other foster sons. But, he also knew there was no way he could match that sort of environment when the family got back together. On top of that, he knew he had bigger problems than matching the rich man's surroundings. He eventually did remember Bobby's voice and partial face, even if he was a bit older now. He just hoped the boy didn't recognize him. He also knew he had stay away from Robert, and to keep that from happening he needed to get his boys away from that environments in order they wouldn't cross paths again.
Parker Parchsons didn't know what to do other than to call his family to try to convince them to take the boys in. Unfortunately, he didn't have access to a cell phone or the phone numbers he needed to call them. He figured he would get a hold of the nurse when everyone left and get her to contact the legal department for him. But today was Sunday and the next day was Labor Day, so it would be at least Tuesday before he could talk to anyone about his sons.
The afternoon seemed to zoom along for the visitors and before long it was time to say goodbye and head over to the twins home. There they would gather up anything the twins wanted to take back to The Cove with them. The twins did ask the nurse if there was a phone number they could call in order to talk to their parents and the nurse gave them the number that rang into their parents' individual rooms. The twins thanked the woman for that and before long the five Covers were headed to the elevator.
"Boys … before we leave the hospital, what say we all visit the men's restroom and relieve any pressure we may have in our bladders before we head over to the twin's house," suggested 'dad' Ken.
"Whatever happened to emptying our dragons?" smiled Charles.
"Charles, boys, there were too many people around for me to say that. Mixed company is not the time you use that sort of talk. You all understand?" asked a serious Mr. Ken.
All four lads looked back and forth to one another and then nodded their heads they understood. They all then headed to the closest men's restroom to relieve themselves of any excess fluids that had built up as they talked to mom and dad Parchsons.
Then, as Mr. Ken started up the F-150 truck, he called the phone number Dan had given him. He explained they were leaving the hospital and the man on the other end of the call indicated they would need, given it was a Sunday, almost an hour to arrive at the twin's home. Mr. Ken thanked the man and said he'd call when they arrive at the house.
As Mr. Ken drove along towards the twins' home, he asked the lads if they wanted something to eat. The lads indicated they were a bit hungry but they wanted to get to Kevin and Kyle's house while it was still light out. With that decision made, the owner of The Cove proceeded to the twins' home.
Being it was a Sunday it only took about 45 minutes to get to the twin's house. As soon as Mr. Ken drove up to the driveway, Mr. Ken again called the cell number Mr. Dan had given him. The phone was answered on the first ring and as the two men talked a car drove up along the front curb. It was Dan's Bandera County Sheriff friend who anticipated their arrival.
All the Covers got out of the F-150 and gathered on the sidewalk. The County Sheriff got out of his vehicle and greeted the newcomers.
"Hi, I'm Jerry Arnold," announced the Sheriff's Deputy. "You must be Ken Thomas and your foster boys."
"Hello there Jerry. I am Ken Thomas and these are my foster sons, Robert, Charles, Kevin, and Kyle," was how Mr. Ken introduced himself and the lads, placing his hand on each as he presented them.
"I want to thank you for meeting us here, so we can retrieve some of the twin's belongings. I have no idea whatever happened to the car and its contents after the accident. That is why we are here today to collect any of the boys' clothes and any toys they want to take along with them," explained Mr. Ken.
"Thank you for explaining why you are here. Dan did tell me about the accident and that you were the twins' foster dad, but he didn't tell me much more. He did tell me who you are Mr. Thomas and what you did for your first foster lad, and … and, well, I want to shake your hand for what you did for that young man. You obviously did something right for CPS to allow you to have four more lads," offered up the very impressed Sheriff's Deputy.
It was then that neighbors began to come out of their houses to check on why there was a police cruiser and a strange truck parked in front of the house where the people had gone missing for more than a week.
"Officer, are you here to investigate why the Parchsons are missing?' asked a very serious woman. It was then she saw Kevin and Kyle and she immediately went to them and grabbed them up into a huge hug.
"Kevin, Kyle are you two OK? Where are your parents and who is this man?" quickly asked the woman.
"Mrs. Bookman, this is Mr. Ken Thomas. He is our foster dad while mom and dad recover from a car crash we were in last Monday," replied Kevin. "Mr. Ken is here with us to get some of our clothes and any toys we want while we live with him. Both our mom and dad have broken bones, but they were also both burned and are at a hospital called BAMC. They are in in the Burn Unit there. We just came from visiting them."
"Oh, you poor boys. Why didn't they call me? I'd have taken you in while your parents recovered," announced Mrs. Bookman.
It was the Deputy who replied to the woman and explained that Mr. Thomas was an approved foster parent from the area where the accident occurred. He further explained that if the woman was an approved foster parent she could coordinate with her local CPS if she really wanted to care for the twin boys until the end of the school year.
When Mrs. Bookman heard she could wind up taking care of the twin boys for a much-extended length of time her mouth opened wide. Knowing she was catching flies she placed her hand in front of it.
It was while Mrs. Bookman was talking to the Deputy and the twins, other neighbors had come out of their houses and came over to the Deputy. Most of them heard the exchange between the twins and the woman and the Deputy and the woman.
It was then Ken Thomas spoke up. "Deputy, it is getting late and we need to get inside to gather up the boys' things before it gets much later."
"Where are you taking them?" someone yelled out.
The Deputy replied by telling the crowd that Mr. Thomas was the boy's approved CPS foster dad and would be taking them back to his home where the lads would live until their parents were released from the hospital and could again take care of their boys. That sort of mollified the gathering crowd, but they also wanted to follow along when Mr. Ken and his boys entered the house.
"People," called out the Deputy, "you are not authorized to enter the house. Please wait out here while we gather up the boys' things."
Some of the men had been watching football that afternoon and had drunk a few alcoholic drinks and were not liking what the officer told them. They tried to follow into the house right after the Deputy did. The Deputy blocked their entrance and told them to disperse, or be arrested for trespassing and interfering with an officer of the law.
The group of men voiced their displeasure and said they were still going to go inside the house. Hearing what the drunk men said, the officer used his shoulder mic to call for additional officers. Deputy Arnold remained at the main entrance to the house, while the boys went to their bedroom to gather up what they wanted to take back to The Cove with them.
The five Covers entered the twins' bedroom and Mr. Ken and his two older 'son's' were shocked by what they saw. There was only one bed and it was a full sized one that Kevin and Kyle were forced to share. The boys may have been eleven, but they were going through a growth spurt and the bed was totally inadequate for them to share. The boys also had to share one triple dresser and a small closet.
"Boys, let's get out the clothes you want to take and place them on the bed. And, while you do that, I'll go look for a suitcase or some bags, or something, to put them in. Robert and Charles help them gather up the best of the clothes and I'll be right back," announced 'dad' Ken.
As Mr. Ken walked around the home, he was surprised at what he saw in the parents' bedroom. What he saw was a misappropriate balance of material things they had as compared to their flesh and blood. He saw a very nice, high end, bedroom suit, a full walk-in closet loaded with very nice clothes, a 65 inch digital TV, a digital DVD player and a cable box that looked like it could record. All of that was missing from the twins' bedroom. The man just shook his head as he searched for a suitcase or bags to put what the twins wanted to take with them.
Not finding any available suitcases, the owner of The Cove then walked to the kitchen to look for paper or plastic bags. He looked into the refrigerator to see what may have spoiled and found that there was practically nothing inside. He then checked the pantry and found it practically bare, as well.
"'Dad' … did you find anything we can use to hold our 'brothers' clothes?" called out Robert, as he entered the kitchen.
Dad Ken just looked at his 'son' and motioned for him to look in the refrigerator and pantry.
"'Dad' … they don't have anything in the closet or any food to eat," exclaimed Robert. "They were on a trip to find a new job but … would they empty them both if they were coming back?"
"That I don't know, 'son'. There is something definitely going on here that needs further investigating. I'm going to talk to the Deputy and tell him what I've found," replied 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', wait. … Remember … when I wanted to talk to you at the hospital? Well … when I heard Mr. Parchsons voice … I thought I recognized it as being one of the men who … who took me places. I'm going to look for a picture of him, so I can know, for sure, if he was one of the men who … well, did things to me," said a now tearful Robert.
'Dad' Ken immediately grabbed his 'son' and hugged him tightly. He let the distraught lad cry himself out. As they stood there, Charles came into the kitchen looking for Robert and any bags they could use. He saw Robert was crying and he went over to his 'brother' and hugged him, too.
"Robert, do what you need to do, but don't let the twins know what you are doing. Charles, take those empty bags from the pantry and help the twins collect the things they want to take back. I'm going to talk to the Deputy about what I found," announced 'dad' Ken, who then went to the front door.
Charles wanted to ask Robert what their 'dad' meant 'about what he'd found'. He also wanted to know why Robert was crying, but figured now wasn't the time or the place. Charles then gathered up the spare plastic and paper bags and headed back to the twin's bedroom.
"Jerry, I see you had to call in reinforcements. The neighbors wanting to do more than help?" teased Mr. Ken.
"Yes, a few of the men had been drinking while watching football games earlier this afternoon and were adamant about coming into the house. So, what can I do for you Mr. Ken?" replied Jerry Arnold.
"Deputy .., there is something going on here and … well, I think we may need to ask some detectives to stop by," replied Mr. Ken.
"Mr. Ken … please tell me what you found. Did you find drugs or porn?" quickly asked Deputy Jerry.
"Jerry, there is NO food in the house. And the parents … they have all this real nice bedroom furniture and top of the line electronics and a full closet of top-notch clothes, while the twins … they have to share a full sized bed and have practically no space to store whatever clothes, of which they are not in such good shape, they owned. Also, there is barely any food in the refrigerator or the pantry. Something doesn't feel right here, Deputy Arnold.
"Maybe we can ask your detectives to do some looking into this over time. The parents are going to be staying in the hospital, over at BAMC, for an extended amount of time, so there is really no big hurry. I'll tell you this, though, I am so happy that those boys will be staying with me and my other foster sons. I'll probably start an inquiry through my CPS, but it would be good if they can coordinate with your department," explained Mr. Ken.
By then the additional officers had cleared the street of the nosey neighbors, and the four lads had set the things the twins wanted to take back with them by the front door. Mr. Ken looked down at the meager belongings the twins had collected and just shook his head. He knew he would need to take the twins out clothes shopping tomorrow. He knew they'd need a complete outfitting of clothes to use for school and play.
"Mister, ahh … 'Dad Ken' … can we take our bikes with us?" asked Kyle.
"I don't see why not. Where are they? Out in the garage?" 'Dad Ken' wanted to know.
"That's where they were when we left here last Monday," replied Kyle. "Let's go look."
The bikes were where they left them last Monday, but they were not what Mr. Ken would consider being in good shape. The man had Kyle take his bike to the front while he wheeled Kevin's there, too.
Soon, the twins' had collected everything they wanted to take with them. Mr. Ken went to the truck and turned it around so they could load everything into the truck's bed. Then, while the lads were loading the truck, Deputy Arnold and another man came over to Mr. Ken and asked him to walk with them.
"Mr. Thomas, this is Detective Joel Carrier. I thought about what you said, so I called him and told him what you told me. He wants to talk with you about what you think you see here. Do you have the time?" asked Deputy Jerry Arnold.
Mr. Ken and Detective Carrier walked back into the house. Ken explained to the Detective what he saw and what he felt was so odd about the living conditions the twins were living in. The detective asked a good number of questions and in the end he agreed something felt off about the whole situation. He told Mr. Ken he'd take a cursory first look and if he found something more he'd get with Lieutenant Fischer and CPS Director Judy Turner. The two men shook hands and walked out to the front of the house.
Mr. Ken locked the front door and then walked around to the back to make sure neither of the kids had opened the back door during their walk through. Making sure everything was locked up, Ken Thomas thanked Jerry Arnold for all his time and then Detective Carrier for stopping by.
The lads also shook Deputy Arnold's hand and then got into the truck for their long journey back to The Cove. Ken checked the straps and buckles holding the bikes and clothes bags down and then got into the truck himself and started it up. The Covers were now on their way back home.
The Covers drove for about 30 minutes when Charles asked if they could stop for a burger and a coke. Hearing the twelve-year-old asking about food, the other three spoke up and said they were hungry and wanted to stop to get something to eat, too. That brought up the question as to where they would stop.
They all could see a number of fast food restaurants up ahead, but it was the twins who asked if they could stop at Burger King, as they didn't ever remember eating at one. After asking if that was where Robert and Charles wanted to try, the boys all voted to stop there. Ten minutes later the five Covers entered the fast food restaurant.
"I don't ever remember eating here," spoke up Kyle.
"Yeah, I don't ever remember eating at a Burger King, either," added Kevin. "What do they have here?"
"Boys, this is just like McDonald's. They have burgers, fries, sodas, milkshakes, salads and a few other items. What say we look at the menu and decide what we want? They do what they call 'Flame Broiled' burgers here. The taste is much different than McDonald's and you might think they taste like the burgers you cook out back on a grill," laughed Mr. Ken.
All the boys ordered Whopper Juniors, without onions, along with a medium fry and a coke. 'Dad' Ken got a Whopper and onion rings and coffee. Once they got their orders they all sat down at a large table and began to eat.
"'Dad Ken', started Kyle, but never finished when Charles asked, "What's with you calling Mr. Ken, 'Dad Ken'?"
"We talked to our mom about what would be a good name we can call Mr. Ken instead of Mr. Ken all the time," began to explain Kyle. "We kicked around a few names but Kevin and I … we liked 'Dad Ken', so we decide to call our foster dad 'Dad Ken'".
"Is that going to be OK with you Mr. Ken?" asked Kevin.
"Boys, I think that is a good name. I told you earlier that you already have a dad, so calling me 'dad' like Robert and Charles do might not be really appropriate for me. So, yes, if you want to call me 'Dad Ken' then I will be honored that you call me that," replied Mr. Ken.
Kevin and Kyle got great big smiles on their faces when they heard what Mr. Ken had to say about their name for him. Robert and Charles both bumped fists with their new 'brothers' and the five all talked about Mr. Ken's name by the twins as they continued to eat their late dinner.
"'Dad Ken', these burgers are kinda good," offered Kevin. "I'm glad we stopped here."
"Yeah, 'dad'," began Charles, "this makes another new fast food restaurant I've been to and I like having different foods to try. Just like what Mr. Dan and I did while Robert and Eric were with you on your trip."
Kevin and Kyle looked at one another when they heard Charles say what he did about the trip Robert, Eric and 'Dad Ken' took without him. They wanted to ask the question, as to why Charles didn't go along, but being too new to The Cove they didn't know if they should. Robert saw the confusion on the twins' faces, so he decided to explain to them what happened that he and 'dad' Ken went on a trip, without Charles, just before school started.
Robert explained that Charles hadn't been at The Cove long enough to be able to go on a trip out of the state yet, but he had gone on a trip with 'dad' to the Dallas-Fort Worth area the week before. Charles then told the twins that they will have to meet the same resident conditions before their 'Dad Ken' can take them on a special trip like he had for him and Robert.
The twins tried to comprehend what their two older 'brothers' were trying to tell them, but they figured they'd find out more when the four of them can sit down and talk alone.
The Covers finally got home about 8 PM that night. Mr. Ken had all four boys take all of the twin's clothes down to the laundry room, so he could sort through it all and wash what he felt was worth keeping. He hadn't meant to say what he did in front of the twins and when he saw the faces on Kevin and Kyle he knew he needed to sit down with them and explain.
"Boys, let us all sit down and talk about what I just said. I shouldn't have said what I did, especially in front of you. I know your parents worked hard to provide you with what they could afford, and I shouldn't have made any disparaging remarks about your clothes," started off Mr. Ken.
Kyle looked at his brother Kevin and nodded to him to say something.
"'Dad Ken', we know our parents never bought us very good clothes. As a matter of fact, the clothes you bought us the other night were the first new clothes we've had in a long time. We see our parents have lots of new things and clothes and … and we know they don't give us very much but … well, we still love them. 'Dad Ken' … if you need to throw some of those clothes out, we understand and we also know you'll buy us newer ones to replace them. You've already told us that much the other night. We don't need lots of new clothes but they sure are nice," finished Kevin.
"Boys, I plan to do just that. Tomorrow, we'll go to where we bought your last clothes and get you a complete set of new clothes for both school and play. Then, we'll go get you each a new skateboard and a new bike if you want. Robert and Charles already have new skateboards but they never said anything about a bike. I'll get them bikes, too, if that is what they want. I want my boys to be happy and enjoy living here and no matter what it costs me I'm going to do what I need to do to make things right for all of you," happily revealed 'Dad Ken'.
Mr. Ken did indeed go through the twins' clothes. There were some things the man felt could be used for play after school and he washed them. He then caught up with the four lads and told them they'd go out shopping about 10 AM tomorrow. He then asked Robert to make a few calls to let the gang know they would not be back until later on Monday and for them to call before they came over.
The Covers then raided the freezer looking for ice cream. Ken Thomas knew there was some there, but he made it a game for Kevin and Kyle. Momma Maria always kept toppings in the pantry and after he dished out five heaping bowls of Neapolitan ice cream he got the different toppings for the lads to use. The man then dished out a bowl of ice cream for Chief, but he didn't add any extra sugary toppings for the resident dog. The five residents of The Cove went to bed that evening with very full stomachs.
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