"Good morning, boys" said 'dad' Ken as the five boys came walking into the Kitchen Nook.
"Good morning, 'dad'" called out the boys who then went over to the man and hugged him.
Matthew was the last of the foster boys to hug the man and as he did he held it longer than the others. When the boy let go of the hug, he whispered to his 'dad', "Thank you for everything you've done for me and talking to me last night."
Mr. Ken smiled at the boy and then pulled him into his own hug. He then pulled the boy into his lap and hugged him tight. The other boys saw what was happening and just let it pass. They all knew what their youngest 'brother' was going through. They'd all been there themselves and understood what their 'dad' was doing. Comforting Matthew.
"OK, what do you have planned for today?" asked 'dad' Ken to his brood.
"Well, we'll meet our friends, skate, swim, eat, and then our friends will go home," spoke up Kyle.
"OoooKkkkk, then what?" continued 'dad' Ken.
"You'll take us out to dinner at someplace other than Four Corners and we'll buy Momma Maria her Christmas presents," smiled Kyle.
"We need to buy you some pieces for your train, dad," said Robert. "It looks so boring with just the train running around under the tree."
"What do you suggest I need?" asked the teen's dad.
"Well ... first off you need some buildings and other stuff, like roads and cars and stuff," replied Robert, knowing he and his 'brothers' have each gotten him some additional rolling stock for the train to pull around the track.
"Boys, before I forget, I need you to remind your friends that next Saturday will be a NO skating or swimming day," announced 'dad' Ken.
"Ahhhhhhhh," could be herd common from the three youngest Cover boys.
"Boys ... beginning next weekend our busy Holiday season at The Cove starts. You all know we have the Holiday Parties set for next Friday and Saturday nights. I want you all refreshed for Saturday night. And your running around all day skating and swimming will tire you all out. I want you to be attentive and engaging with our guests and if you are tired they will see it as you being bored and non-caring.
"Your friends can come over on Sunday and then remember on Monday we're scheduled to go to Fiesta Texas. And, I still need a few more emails from your friends who are going. Mr. Chris needs to buy the tickets this week, so remind your friends. After that you have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, which is Christmas Eve, for your friends to come over.
"Then ... at o-dark-thirty Saturday morning ... you'll all be up and ready to go on our Christmas vacation to visit my amusement parks. That means Christmas night you will be packing your new suitcases. That also means there will be no friends over on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is for family and we'll do our own thing that day," finished 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad' ... what's o-dark-thirty?" asked Matthew.
"Well, o-dark-thirty means real early in the morning. Usually, before the sun comes up. You all wanted to visit my amusement parks and ... well, in order to see all three in this trip we have to leave very early. We lose 2 hours of time as we fly back east. Then, we have to get ourselves settled in our rooms before we go to the parks.
"We'll then go to the park, walk around, ride the rides, enjoy the food and then head back to our rooms to sleep. The next morning, we'll get up very early again, get ready for the day and head out to meet the plane and fly to the next park and start all over. By the time we get home," chuckled 'dad' Ken, "you may wish you hadn't wanted to visit the parks," now laughed 'dad' Ken.
"Daaaad," complained Robert, "you're making is sound like they won't have fun or maybe, or just maybe you want to cancel this awesome trip. We'll all have fun ... and if my 'brothers' don't ... Eric and I will make them," now laughed Robert.
"'Dad' ... will this count as our special trip with you?" asked Kyle.
"Hmmmmm, do you want it too?" asked 'dad' Ken, while turning the tables the youngest twin.
"Well, NO! It should be just you and US!" quipped back Kyle.
"OK, we won't then, but ... I don't know when I'll ever get to take you and your brother, and then Matthew, on your one-on-one trip," answered 'dad' Ken.
"Ahhhhh," replied Kyle.
Mr. Ken went over to the younger twin and hugged him. "Kyle ... it's the beginning of winter. None of us are going on a special trip other than the one we are taking back east to visit my amusement parks. Maybe when school is out I can plan something for us, but for now you will just have to wait."
"But what about Easter, or Spring Break, even? You can take us then can't you?" asked a hopeful Kyle
"Kyle, how would you feel if I took one of your 'brothers' on a special trip during Spring Break and left everyone else home? I don't think you'd like that, especially if I took them on a very special trip like a Disney Cruise or a trip to Walt Disney World?
"I understand you would like to have that special trip with me like your older 'brothers' had, but I did those over a long weekend or during the summer. After the Holidays, we can look at long weekends in your school calendar.
"Until we get passed the Holidays, you all know I will have a lot of things on my mind and on my plate. So ... and I know you do not want to hear this ... but ... I am not going to take time to talk about this right now. It can wait until after the New Year. Let's get through the next three weeks, first, shall we?" finished Mr. Ken, in a tone of voice that indicated to all of the boys to drop it.
When the boys had finished eating breakfast, they all went back up to their rooms to read or look over their homework. As Robert relaxed in his room, he heard a knock at his door. It was the twins wanting to talk to him.
"Robert ... why was dad so mean?" asked Kyle, right off the bat.
"He wasn't mean, Kyle. He told you he has way too much going on right now and he doesn't want to be bothered about your special trip," honestly responded the teenager.
"But, he promised! He promised he'd take us on a trip with just us and him. Why can't he do it over the Christmas Holidays? And why did he tell us he won't talk about it until after the New Year?" persisted Kyle.
As Kyle was talking, Matthew had come over to Robert's bedroom to talk to him as well. But, he stayed in the doorway when he saw Kyle asking the teen about their special trip.
"Kyle ... dad has a lot of responsibility for all of us. He can't just drop everything and take you and Kevin on a trip, right now. And, besides, look at all the things that are planned for the Holidays. He also has to be worried about Matthew and all of us, so we all will stay safe.
"I'm sorry to say this ... but you will just have to wait until school starts again after our Christmas vacation before dad has time to focus on your trip. What I would do, if I were you, is ... I'd look at the school calendar and see when we have a 3-day weekend. Then ... I'd start looking at places dad can take you.
"Remember, the farther you go the less time you'll have to spend there. Dad took me to Houston and we went to a number of places there, so I don't think he'd want to go back there unless there was an awesome reason.
"Even Charles didn't get to go there, as he'd already taken Collin and Eric there, before me, to Houston which was why he told Charles to find someplace different," replied Robert.
"But why did he say it the way he did? That he didn't want to talk about it?" continued Kyle.
"Kyle, to me it sounds like you're whining about something that you've pestered dad about over and over again. He told you a couple of times why he wasn't taking you on your trip right now, but you continue to nag him about it. Just drop it and do what I said. If you continue to harass dad about the trip he might take Matthew on his trip first, so you learn the lesson," replied Robert.
"What lesson is that?" asked Kyle.
"To not pester him when he has way too much on his mind. Ever since we all came here, his life has changed dramatically. Even I, just one kid, changed his routine up. And now that there are five of us, he doesn't have as much time to devote to his building projects and other things.
"You have got to give him some time for himself. I know the Holiday Parties are his pride and joy and he doesn't want to be distracted, any more than he already is. Now, drop it Kyle ... and wait until dad has the time to plan it," stated Robert, in a matter-of-fact voice.
Kyle wasn't prepared to hear what his older 'brother just told him. He ran out of the teen's bedroom and bumped into Matthew. "Get out of my way!" yelled the young twin, who then ran to his own bedroom.
"Matthew ... did you want to talk to me ... about something?" asked Robert, of his youngest 'brother'.
"I thought I did, but ... well ... I heard what you said to Kyle and well, I guess you're right. 'Dad' has so much to think about and now that my mom and her friends are after me and ... well, maybe you and my other 'brothers'. I wonder ... I wonder if it would be best if I went to a different foster home," replied Matthew, with a few tears falling from his eyes.
Robert got up off his bed and grabbed Matthew as he cried. The youngest Cover had become so emotional over everything that happened, since his mom accosted him at Doctor Doug's office, that he was having a difficult time dealing with everything.
"Come with me," said Robert to the young Cover.
The two Covers headed to the Study where Robert knew his dad could be found ninety percent of the time. He was there when they entered.
"Dad, it's Matthew ... I think he is having a difficult time dealing with everything," announced Robert, as they walked into the Study.
'Dad' Ken could see that Matthew had been crying, so he called the boy over to him behind the desk and brought the boy into his lap. The man hugged the youngster tight and the boy melted into his strong arms. After a few moments, the two got up and went over to one of the leather chairs.
"Matthew ... as I told you before ... you are letting this thing about your mom and her friends define your life. We have everything under control and you are safe and will remain safe here for the longest time," encouraged 'dad' Ken.
"But, but you are so busy and ... and we've all taken up all your time away from you. You ... you don't have enough time to do the things you did before we all came along. Maybe ... maybe I should go to another foster home, 'dad'," offered Matthew, with a sigh on his voice.
"Now what would that accomplish, Matthew, you moving to another home? If you did that your mom's friends could more easily get to you, than if you remained here. Do you know much about the twin's situation? Well, the twins thought the same thing as you.
"But, if they had gone to another home then that man, Julian ... he would have gotten to them and we might never have known what would have happened to them. Moving away will only let those men get you and no one will ever know.
"Matthew, running away only emboldens the ones who are after you. You have to fight back. You did it once ... when you squeezed your coin. Don't let them win. Fight with me and WE will WIN, together. You with me?" said Mr. Ken, who tried to inspire Matthew to stay the course, and not let his mom and her friends win.
Matthew looked into Mr. Ken's eyes. He wanted to make sure the man was serious about what he just said. It took Matthew a few seconds to make up his mind and when he did he said, "Yes, yes, I want to fight, 'dad'. I want them to all go away, 'dad'. I want to be able to relax and have my life back, and ... and I never ever want to go back with my mom, ever!"
The man and boy hugged to seal the deal.
During all that time, Robert was still in the Study. He watched how his dad did what he does to get his 'sons' to see the right way to go. He almost teared up as he listened to his dad talk to Matthew, and told him how he needed to fight. Then, seeing his dad and youngest 'brother' hugging, he went up to them and joined in.
By that time, the other three Cover boys were looking for their 'brothers'. They figured they were with their 'dad', so they headed down to the Study where they knew their 'dad' most always was. They were just outside the doorway when they heard Mr. Ken and Matthew talking.
When they saw Robert join in the hug, the three Cover boys looked back and forth to one another and, with an unspoken agreement, they ran into the Study and joined in, too.
"What's all this?" teased 'dad' Ken. "I'm swamped by all these rug rats," laughed Mr. Ken.
"You know you love it 'dad', when we all do a group hug," countered Charles. Who then got a thump on the back of his head for saying what he said.
"OK, guys ... I think your friends will be here soon. And Kevin, Kyle and Matthew, talk to your friends about what they got or are getting their moms for Christmas. Maybe that will give you a few ideas of what you can get Momma. Now, go wait for your friends while I get caught up on my sleep," teased 'dad' Ken.
After a few more individual hugs, all five boys left the Study and headed outside to wait for their friends.
The Cover's friends arrived at twelve noon as they usually did. Since there were no new faces to introduce to the parents, they left as soon as their sons got out of the vehicles.
The boys got down to skating. With forty boys to share only four ramps, it was definitely crowded. Matthew figured that was as good a time as any for him and the twins to talk to their friends. So, he asked the older boys if they let them skate for a while would they let them skate after he and the twins talked to their friends.
Matthew and the twins took their friends over to the side of the house where it was still shaded and the group talked.
"Why do you want to talk to us?" asked Aaron.
"Well, we need to figure out what to buy Momma Maria for Christmas. We thought we'd talk to you and ask you what you're going to buy for your moms' or are planning to buy them for Christmas," replied Matthew.
"Or, what you'd like to buy your mom, but it is too expensive," added Kevin
"Oh," said Aaron. "Well, I usually get her some perfume she likes. My dad helps me pick it out. But, I think my mom tells him what I'm to get her."
Some of the boys laughed at hearing that.
The twenty boys talked about what they got their mom's, or what they' planned on getting them. Some lamented that they didn't get enough money to really buy a good present. But that put aside, the boys openly talked about the things they were getting their mom's for Christmas.
Some of the things the boys mentioned were scarfs, perfume, wallets, jewelry, updated photo albums, bath salts, a new coffee cup, spa certificates, a 'Mom's the Best' apron for when she cooks, wine, birthstone ring, personalized M&M's, and a bunch more ideas were voiced.
The boys had talked for about fifteen minutes. Matthew thanked them for their help in giving them ideas for Momma Maria. The group then went over to the ramps to claim their time from the older boys.
Being that it was a Sunday; the boys knew they had one less hour at The Cove that day. It was going on 2 p.m. when they decided to go swimming. But, before they did, the ones who volunteered to cook that day went and prepared the grill, so they wouldn't have to spend that time later.
Some of the other boys also took the sodas and ice, on the wheeled carts, down to the Patio, while others got the dry goods they needed to have a cookout. They knew they had to leave the burgers and hot dogs in the freezer, but that wouldn't take all that much time.
Robert suggested that since they had everything down there, except the burgers and dogs, they go ahead and eat first. That's what they did.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne, who arrived at The Cove a little later that afternoon, joined the boys in their barbeque. The sun was shining that day, so the adults and boys decided to eat there on the Patio. If the boys had decided to swim first they would have eaten on the pool deck because it would have been a bit too cool to eat there on the Patio while the boy's heads were still wet from swimming.
The boys asked about the Six Flags trip and Mr. Ken reminded the boys they needed to have their parents reply to his email if they already hadn't. He explained he needed a firm number in order for Mr. Chris to buy the tickets.
Some of the boys asked about their Cover friends going to visit Mr. Ken's amusement parks. They wanted to know what the parks looked like and what there was to do there. That opened a full discussion on roller coasters.
When it was time to swim, Matthew and his friends changed in the Women's Locker Room. This time Kyle and a few of his friends joined them. Greg and Aaron were a bit embarrassed, at first, but when the other eleven-year-olds began to change, not caring if anyone saw their dangly parts, they joined in.
The younger kids wanted to play the walking game. Some of the older boys balked, but Russell said he had a new twist to the game. The boys listened to his idea. After a few minutes to choose teams and get set, the new Walking Backwards Game was started.
This time, it was the youngest member of the team who had to walk backwards. To say that wasn't funny would be an understatement. The smaller kids walking backwards against the higher waters was truly a sight to see. The lads had laughed at the older boys and now they were the brunt of the laughs. They laughed right along.
At five o'clock, as usual, the Covers friends left. They all either shook hands or patted one another on their backs before getting on their bikes or entering a family car. To the last, they all said they'd see them tomorrow.
Gene and George Warren arrived at The Cove about 5:30 p.m. They were going to accompany the Covers as they went out to eat. The Covers loaded into the Sprinter Van, but Mr. Wayne decided to follow along and then leave from dinner to go home.
As the Covers drove over to Four Corners, Gene took the lead and George took up the rear. Mr. Wayne followed further behind. As the Covers made the turn at the traffic light to go to the restaurant a car pulled in behind the van. George wrote down the license plate number and waited to see where the vehicle went.
When the car continued past the entrance to the Four Corner's Restaurant, George let out a sigh of relief, but he was still on alert. When the Covers went into the restaurant, George and Gene talked about what George saw. Gene said they'd have to watch for that car and license plate. They agreed they'd add it to the other vehicles they were watching out for.
At dinner, the Covers talked about the coming week. The conversation then moved on to talking about what the twins and Matthew can get Momma Maria for Christmas. The three young Covers told their 'family' what their friends said they would, or wished they could, get their moms as a present.
"I like the idea of a Spa certificate for Momma Maria," said Kevin.
"Why?" asked Robert.
"Well, Grant said his mom liked being pampered and that the spa gave her something called a facial and then a manicure. Anyway, it sounded like fun and maybe that is something we can get her to let her be pampered," explained Kevin.
Mr. Ken said that it sounded like something very nice and announced that Kevin had found Momma his Christmas present for her. The conversation then turned towards Kyle. He told them he thought a nice piece of jewelry that Momma could wear at work would be nice. Maybe something similar to Robert's keychain.
"Robert, do you have your keychain with you, son? If you do please let me see it," said Mr. Ken.
Robert passed his key chain to his dad who looked at it and then held it up for all to see. The group then talked about how they could make it into a necklace. Mr. Wayne said they could just take it off the chain and add a pin and make it a broach. Charles said he agreed, but that they could do that or get a chain and run it through the opening and let her wear it as a necklace.
Mr. Ken said that sounded like a good idea, and that he'd had a few more made, so he'd do that and that Kyle now had his Christmas present for Momma Maria.
The group now focused on Matthew. The youngest Cover could feel everyone's eyes on him and he felt embarrassed. The older boys teased Matthew to tell everyone what he thought of the idea he'd gotten from their talk with the ten and eleven year olds.
Matthew listed some of the ideas he'd heard, like, scarfs and perfume, but the one he really liked was an apron. That caused some of the boys to snicker at that thought, and Mr. Ken thumped the boy closest to him. The others knew to let it drop.
"Why, an apron, Matthew?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"Well ... I forget who said this, but he said he was going to get his mom an apron that said, 'My Mom's the Best!'. I think that is something we can get Momma Maria," replied Matthew.
"But she isn't our mom she's our Momma," piped up Kyle with a smile.
"But ... she is a Cover. I thought we could get her an apron that said, 'I'm a Cover!'" said Matthew with a smile.
Hearing what Matthew had just said, made everyone at the table stop talking. Some of them even had opened mouths from what Matthew had suggested. Matthew added it would probably stay well within his budget and that maybe he could get two for when one gets dirty.
"What color would you get?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"Well ... I like a blue apron with big while letters and ... and maybe a green one, too, with white or maybe even red letters. And, it should read, 'I'm a Cover ... too!' She is one of us, isn't she? We all voted and said she was a Cover more than the rest of us, since she's been with you 'dad' almost from the beginning," enthusiastically answered Matthew.
"You know what, Matthew? I think Momma would love something like that. Sure it is not as personal as a candle, or a necklace, or even a spa treatment, but ... I think it announces to everyone who she is. That she is not just the person who makes all our meals. It says she IS one of US! I think Matthew has found what to get Momma Maria for Christmas, and I like it," announced 'dad' Ken.
With that said everyone at the table applauded causing everybody in the restaurant to look at them. Matthew stood up and bowed to everyone, while wearing a great big smile. When he sat down, his 'brothers' next to him patted him on his back.
As the Cover's left the eatery, the decision had already been made to go to Dairy Queen for an ice cream sundae. When they arrived at their favorite store, they saw that Banana Splits were on Special at only $1.99 versus the cost of a medium sundae being $2.89. Needless to say, everyone got Banana Splits that evening.
Upon their return to The Cove, Matthew took Chief's cup of ice cream to her. He asked her to sit and she did. He told her he had her cup of ice cream and as long as she didn't jump up on him now or later she could have it. He asked her to bark once if she agreed.
Chief looked around Matthew and looked at the rest of the boys. She wondered what Matthew would do if she jumped up on him. She loved the boys and wanted to show them how much. She thought the boys loved it when she did that. But, Matthew, he was different.
Chief knew the boy loved her from the way he scratched her and hugged her. What she also knew was that he didn't want to be jumped on, or bowled over onto the floor. She was yelled at by him the last time and he threatened to never get her the ice cream if she did it again.
The Covers saw that Chief was thinking over what Matthew said to her. Everyone, including Matthew, wondered what she would do. Chief continued to sit there and look to Matthew and then to the rest of the Covers. Then, Chief sat up straight and barked once.
Matthew smiled at Chief when she barked. He petted her on her head and then he placed the ice cream down in front of her. Chief barked once to thank the boy and then lapped up her cold concoction.
When she was finished, Chief went over to Matthew and gave him a few doggie kisses for getting her the cold treat. Matthew got down on the floor with her and hugged her tight. Then the youngest Cover gave her some behind the ear scratches.
It had been a very tumultuous weekend for Matthew. He cried about almost everything. He kept thinking about his mom and that her friends wanted to get ahold of him. He knew his mom thought he knew something, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember what it could be.
Sure he discretely listened to his mom's and those men's conversations, but he didn't know what all that talk was about and what it meant. And even though he told her that he didn't know anything, or what she was referring to, and thus couldn't tell the police anything, the men she knew were still after him, especially Lincoln.
The young Cover even thought it would be best if he went to live in another foster home. But after talking to 'dad' Ken he knew it was best if he stayed there at Three Finger Cove. He just hoped that his 'dad' could make those men leave him alone. It was until the boy heard Mr. Ken's voice that he came out of his thoughts.
"Boy's ... you've all had a long weekend. Especially you Matthew. I want you all to go up to your rooms and try to settle down some, before you get into bed. Try to let your mind go blank, so it can also relax. Doing that should help you go to sleep faster and get a longer, fuller sleep.
"I'll be up to tuck you in a little while. Now git!" laughed 'dad' Ken.
The boys scrambled up to their rooms. They each took off their shoes and some even got down to their briefs and t-shirts. Robert took out the Harry Potter book he was reading. Charles took out a deck of cards and began playing Solitaire. The twins talked about the presents they were now going to get Momma Maria and were happy that chore was over.
Matthew got comfortable and just lay there on his bed trying to relax his mind, but he just couldn't. No matter how hard he tried to clear his mind, he continued to play the conversations he heard while he sat in the living room, while his mom and one or two of those men talked.
Matthew felt frustrated over his predicament, but he also promised himself that he wasn't going to run. He told himself he was going to fight his mom, and those men, no matter what. It was then 'dad' Ken came into his room.
"Matthew ... are you able to clear your mind?" gently asked 'dad' Ken.
Matthew sat up in his bed and looked at 'dad' Ken. "No ... not really. I ... I still think about what my mom said ... that I knew something. But ... I can't remember what they were talking about. It's all a jumbled mess inside my head, 'dad'.
"I feel so bad that I can't remember. It has to be important otherwise my mom wouldn't have tried so hard to talk to me. I want to remember 'dad', I want to remember," finished Matthew before he began to cry.
'Dad' Ken sat on the boy's bed and hugged him tight.
"Matthew ... you're trying way too hard to remember what your mom thinks you know. And because you are trying so hard, my belief is that is why you can't remember anything. If you would, if you could just let this all go.
"Matthew ... please try and relax your mind. Give your brain ... give it some time to reset itself. I'll bet, as soon as you can relax your mind and let this all go ... you'll remember whatever it is that your mom thinks you know. Can you please try to do that?" sincerely asked 'dad' Ken.
Matthew jumped into his 'dad's' arms and cried. All the man could do was let the boy cry his heart out before letting him get into bed. The owner of The Cove, and foster dad, hoped that this bout of crying would tire his 'son' out enough that he'd sleep sound that night through.
Eventually, Matthew did calm down enough to go to the bathroom to relieve the pressure on his bladder. When he returned to his room, the boy apologized to his 'dad' for all the crying he was doing. 'Dad' Ken told him not to worry about it as his 'brothers' had done their own share of crying as they worked through their problems, too.
The two hugged one last time. Chief went to her bed in Matthew's room, while 'dad' Ken closed the door, as he went down to his own bedroom to relax and sleep, too.
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