"Mom, dad," yelled Greg and Aaron to their parents, as they arrived to pick them up.
"How did your day go with the rain and everything?" asked Claire.
"Mom, when it started raining, we all went down to swim. The lifeguards created this new game for us to play and it was fun. We had ten guys on each team and the older boys had to walk backwards across the pool. It seemed lame at first until the older guys couldn't walk straight. Boy was that funny," answered Aaron, as his mom and dad and Greg's parents listened on.
"Yea," started Greg, "it was real funny as they had to push against the water as well as keep straight. Us smaller kids could walk forward, and it was hard walking against four feet deep of water. Neither of us were on the winning team, but it sure was fun.
"Thanks mom, dad for letting me come over here. We'd just be home being in the way or playing video games and being bored, especially when it rained today," said Greg.
Both parents of Greg and Aaron hugged their sons. As they did that other parents who hadn't met the Farrmers and Duggans came over and introduced themselves. And, as always, the top entrance to The Cove was full of adults and boys until they all had their say with one another and left for home.
"Boys, I take it you are all squeaky clean after swimming all afternoon, so my bet is you are ready to go out to dinner. Since we're going out to dinner, here are your choices Burger King, McDonalds, Arby's, KFC, Wendy's and Taco Bell.
"Also, Mr. Dan wants to experience Christmas shopping with some of you tonight. So, after we finish eating, Robert and Charles will go with Mr. Wayne and you three, Kevin, Kyle and Matthew, will go with Mr. Dan and me," announced 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad' ...what's Taco Bell?" asked Kyle. "I've seen the commercials and their stores but Kev and I have never eaten in them."
"Kyle, like the other restaurants I mentioned it is a fast food place. It has Tex-Mex type foods and they offer it fast, well, sort of," started 'dad' Ken.
"If you like Mexican foods you'll probably like this, but it is nothing even close to what Momma Maria fixes for us. She cooks real Mexican foods and you won't find anything much better, unless you go to an authentic Mexican restaurant.
"So, boys ...where do you want to go to dinner? I think Kyle wants to try Taco Bell. By the way, I picked these restaurants so we can get in, eat and get out more quickly than if we went to the Four Corners Diner. The stores close earlier on Sundays, so I think we need all the time we can get," finished Mr. Ken.
While the Covers, which now included Mr. Dan who was voted as one of them three weeks ago, ate, 'dad' Ken asked his 'boys' if they had their coins with them. The boys said they did and their 'dad' asked to see them.
This was the first that Mr. Dan had heard of the boy's coins, so he asked to see one. Matthew gave the man his coin. It was then Mr. Ken whispered to his friend what the coin was all about and told Mr. Dan he'd explain more in the van.
When the Covers finished eating, they broke up into the two groups 'dad' Ken told them they would. Mr. Ken, Mr. Dan, the twins and Matthew went shopping using the van. Mr. Wayne, Robert and Charles went shopping using Mr. Wayne's vehicle. They all agreed to meet at their favorite ice cream place by 9 PM.
"Where are we going 'dad'?" asked Matthew.
"Well, you guys don't want to go to the same place you went shopping last night do you? So, I figured ...I figured we'd go to a different place this time around. Let's see if you can find your presents there," replied Mr. Ken.
"Boys, who do you still need to buy presents for?" asked Mr. Dan.
"Well, we got gag gifts for our older 'brothers' and we got Mr. Chris and Mr. Wayne their Christmas presents already. So what we need to buy are gifts for each other," advised Matthew.
"Oh, that might be a bit difficult with you all here buying for each other. Maybe Mr. Ken can go with Matthew and I can take the twins for a while and then we can change up? What do you guys say to that?" offered Mr. Dan.
When they reached the strip shopping mall, they did just that. Mr. Ken took Matthew shopping for gag gifts for the twins. Mr. Dan took the twins looking for Matthew's gag gift.
The two groups headed off into different directions. That way they don't see what the other group is looking at to buy as a gift. They decided to meet up in an hour, or a call if they had their gifts bought. When they finally met the men exchanged boys and took off in the direction their boys hadn't gone yet.
When they all met at DQ, they talked about how many gifts they got, but not what they were. As they ate their sundaes or banana splits, Mr. Ken told the boys they now needed to learn how to wrap their gifts. 'Dad' Ken said they'd start right after dinner tomorrow night.
When the large group returned home, there were many bags to take inside. Mr. Ken was happy the boys got into the shopping spirit and didn't procrastinate as many people did.
Robert was chosen to take Chief's ice cream treat to her when they returned home. The teen thought he could stand up to Chief's size, but he was bowled over just as Matthew was the other night. The teen just sat there and laughed as the resident pet ate her treat. He got loads of doggie kisses for his trouble.
After watching Robert's and Chief's interaction, 'Dad' Ken sent the boys up to their rooms and told the boys to place the gifts they bought in their closets. He also warned them they better not go peeking to see what their 'brothers' bought.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne talked to Mr. Dan about his shopping experience. The Sheriff's Deputy Lieutenant smiled as he told how the boys would go in one direction and then another. He said they just didn't have a plan, nor any idea of what to buy.
The man told his friends he stopped the boys and asked them about the gifts they were looking for. Then, he said he gave them some ideas and they started searching for something similar. In the end he complained his feet hurt from walking so much, and so fast as the boys wanted to check everything out in case they missed something they'd like.
After seeing Mr. Dan to the Foyer Door, Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne went upstairs to say Good night to the boys. When they knocked on the doors they didn't get any response, so they did the Three-Knock Rule and then went inside. In each room they found the boys had all fallen asleep.
All the men did was make sure the boy didn't have his shoes still on and then placed the bed covers over them. That task done, Mr. Wayne soon left and went home.
Lucky for the boys, Robert had set his alarm clock to wake him. When he got out of bed and didn't see a light coming from under any of his 'brothers' bedroom doors, he went inside and woke them up.
"Here they come, Momma, and they look half dead," laughed Mr. Ken.
"Boys, what seems to be the problem this morning?" teased 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', I still feel tired. That sure was a busy weekend. When I put my packages away, I went to pee and when I laid down on my bed I must have gone right to sleep," answered Matthew.
The other four boys had similar stories. They told their 'dad' it was fun, but they were so busy they felt they didn't ever get caught up on their rest. Kevin even told Mr. Ken he couldn't wait until he got home from school as he was going to bed early tonight. The twins 'brothers' laughed at him for what he said.
"Boys, I didn't have the chance to tell you this since you all crashed and burned when you hit the sack last night. Kyle ...you'll see Doctor Doug today and next Monday. Matthew, you'll see Doctor Doug tomorrow and next Tuesday, and Kevin ...you'll see the doctor this Wednesday and next Wednesday, as well.
"These will be your last appointments until after the New Year. Then, that week when you go back to school, you will all have appointments with Doctor Doug. Oh, and Doctor Doug will be one of the chaperones when we go to Six Flags. Do you have any questions about anything for me?" asked 'dad' Ken.
The boys had a good Momma Maria breakfast that morning that got them all started for the day. They all hugged her with a big hug and then washed up before heading up to the Bus Stop.
The boys got off to school on time. It was still overcast from yesterday's rain, so their 'dad' made them take hats. After the boys went up the rise to the Main Gate, and their Bus Stop, Mr. Ken decided to get ready for the day.
Mr. Chris arrived early that day. He knew the other submissions for Mr. Ken's special project were due and he hoped they would be hand delivered instead of delivered in the afternoon mail. As the Estate Manager drank his first cup of coffee his boss, Mr. Ken Thomas, arrived back at the Kitchen Nook.
"You're here early," offered Mr. Ken, as he poured a cup of coffee.
"Yep, I'm hoping the final bids on your project will be hand delivered. That would give us a few more hours to review them before deciding on the winning contractor," answered the Estate Manager, Chris Dominions.
"By the way, Chris, you need to get with the high schools and remind them they need to get their projects installed before our first Holiday Party a week from Friday. If they can install them this coming weekend that would be fine with me.
"Oh, ask them to make a small ballot box, approximately 1 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot, for the people's ballots. By the way what are you going to use for the ballots?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Oh, I thought I told you. Well, what I did was buy 1,000 plastic poker chips from the local super stores. They're red, white and blue, but I figured that didn't matter. I just don't know how I will get them to your guests to use to vote," explained Chris.
"That sounds good, Chris. As for getting those to the guests, the Police Explorers help with parking and they can give one chip to every guest, no matter their age. I'll ask the Explorer's to impress on the guests to vote before going inside for the party. That's where the ballot boxes come into play," explained Mr. Ken.
"On another note, one thing you need to know is the boys and I, well Robert, Charles and I, will be gone most of the day Saturday. We're going to audition at least three bands, which you will also need to contact and set up their tryout. I'll give you their names later today," advised Mr. Ken.
"I also had the boys start their Christmas Shopping this weekend, and later today I'm going to try to teach them how to wrap their gifts. That may be more difficult than letting them shop," laughed Mr. Ken.
"Chris, there are only two weeks before the Holiday parties. The decorations are coming along wonderfully. And, today I think they will start putting up the tree on a platform that will make it look bigger than it already is.
"Chris, when they have the tree up and fully decorated, I have a train I want installed under the tree. For my first Christmas, Collin ...he gave me an S gauge American Flyer train. I've bought more track since then and the last two years I had it running under the tree.
"It's an easy install and I think I'll let the boys try that, under my supervision of course. If that doesn't work out, we can always get an electrician, or maybe a few high school students to help me out," laughed Mr. Ken.
"Also, Chris ...Russell and Jordan are awesome with the boys. They created a game for them yesterday and they were so into it their noise reached me up in my Study. I thought there was a fight going on, only to find them so engrossed in the game they didn't even hear me ask what was going on," explained Mr. Ken.
"Wow, I guess those two walk on water. No pun intended. I guess ...well, I guess you want me to make sure they are available to be here for the boys when they are going to swim. Do you think ...do you want me to offer them a contract to be here every weekend?" seriously asked Mr. Chris.
"Chris ...hmmm ...maybe I need to talk to them next Saturday when they are here. Russell is a senior and he may have plans over the Holidays. As you know, your senior high year is the most important and busiest time in your young life.
"Maybe I'll just offer both teenagers a continuous position. But, I'll ask them that if there is something they want to do, some weekend, for them to find a replacement as Audrey did with Jordan," replied the owner of The Cove.
Over at the school, the big discussion was what Greg and Aaron did at The Cove over the weekend. They arrived on different school buses and they were telling their friends what they did and that spilled over into the schoolyard.
Matthew heard a few of the other boys lament that they wished they'd get an invitation to The Cove. The young Cover felt bad for not inviting them, but Mr. Ken told him not to invite the entire school, and he had already decided he wouldn't have more friends over than his 'brothers' already do.
Greg called Matthew over to talk with his and Aaron's close friends. The Cover's new friends wanted him to share what they did over the weekend, but especially the walking backwards game. Matthew felt a little embarrassed because he hadn't invited any more of his classmates over. Matthew, though, faced the situation and joined in on the conversation.
When the other classmates learned there were 40 boys there they were amazed. Some of them asked how crowded it actually was with that many boys there. Greg told them the ramps were extremely crowded and they wished there were more.
Aaron took over and told them of some of the places they saw inside The Cove while Matthew gave them a private tour. While he was telling their classmates about the backstairs and the urinal inside the bathroom, the first bell rang. That stopped the discussion making all the children proceed into the school.
Dan Fischer stopped by The Cove around noontime. He and Mr. Wayne walked into the house at the same time. They greeted Mr. Ken in his Study and the three went to the Kitchen Nook for lunch. There, they were met by Mr. Chris.
The four men talked about the upcoming Holidays and how busy Ken is going to be. Dan was aware of the after Christmas trip, but didn't know the particulars. It was then he learned that Collin would be joining the group. Chris explained the arrangements he'd made for the nine travelers and Dan wished he had the time off so he could go. They all laughed at that.
While the men were eating lunch, the guards at the Main Gate called to tell them someone was there with a Special delivery. Chris jumped right up telling everyone he hoped it was what he was waiting on. The Estate Manager got his coat and walked up to the Main Gate to sign for the delivery.
While Chris was gone, Mr. Ken told his friend Dan what that was all about. Dan was pleasantly surprised what Ken was going to do for his 'boys'. The LT asked about the particulars and Wayne who took those questions.
"Mr. Ken," called out Mr. Chris, as he walked into the Kitchen Nook, "it is a formal proposal for bid on your project. It is also broken out as you asked them to do. We now have at least two very good bids."
The men retired to the Study to discuss the bids and anything else that they may have missed like the things Wayne had brought up last week during the walk through. Dan, looking at the project from a fresh perspective, listened to what the others had to say and, as they talked, he envisioned the project in his mind.
"Are you going to light the area? It would allow for extended use during the summer," asked Mr. Dan.
That particular added item hadn't been discussed there in the Study, so Mr. Chris pulled out their initial specifications to check that it was. He saw that is was already included and told everyone. Their discussion went on for about another half hour when Mr. Wayne said he had to pick up Kyle at school and take him to Doctor Doug's.
As Mr. Wayne and Kyle drove to the doctor's office, Kyle tried to engage Mr. Wayne in conversation, but the man just wasn't into talking. Kyle didn't understand what was wrong, so he just sat there until they arrived at Doug Jennings's office.
After Mr. Wayne watched Kyle go into Doctor Doug's interview room, he went outside to see if the car he felt was following him was in the parking lot. He searched all over, but the vehicle he thought he saw was not there. The car also didn't match the one he noticed the other day when he'd taken Matthew to Doctor Doug's. And today, he didn't even get the license plate number.
Mr. Wayne thought to himself that he was getting the idea that somehow Matthew's mom was involved. He didn't know anything, other than the boy's mom was trying to talk to him and had been warned not to present herself to The Cove, unless she had court papers allowing for supervised visits.
Mr. Wayne knew Grace had started the process to get supervised visits with Matthew, but he hadn't heard anything more. He knew the court system took its time deciding things like that, so he chastised himself for letting Grace's previous actions, determine what he thought of her now. He shook it off and went back inside to wait for Kyle.
Kyle headed directly to the Study to talk to 'Dad Ken' when he arrived back from his doctor's appointment. He hugged the man and then thanked him for letting Mr. Dan go Christmas Shopping with them last night. The young twin said he liked Mr. Dan and how he paid attention to him. Mr. Ken asked the boy if he felt he didn't pay enough attention to him. That surprised the young Cover.
"No, 'dad', it's nothing like that, like it is with Charles," said Kyle. Then, the boy thought about what he just said.
"'Dad', 'dad', I didn't mean anything by that," sniffed Kyle.
"Come here Kyle. ...I know you didn't mean anything by that. The thing with Charles is that you and Kevin and now Matthew have taken up a lot of my time. Charles understands because when he first began living here he took up most of my time and Robert was left on the sidelines.
"If I get another foster child, you, Kevin and Matthew might feel like you're being ignored, as well. That's because I will have to spend much of my time getting them settled and into a routine here at The Cove. You and Kevin haven't experienced it very much, yet, because Matthew has only been here three weeks.
"Let's not dwell on it, or keep score, on who might get more attention than any other. Living in a big family causes problems and sometimes some stress. Look at what you went through when you first arrived here. Then, look at what your twin brother went through.
"And, well, until your dad's situation is resolved you and your brother ...you could require more of my time than any of your 'brothers'. We're all going to take this one day at a time. And, until everyone's status is firmly confirmed, we're going to have some bumps in the road. OK?" finished 'dad' Ken.
"Yea, you're right. I ...I just feel bad that Charles feels left out at times," replied Kyle.
"Tell me Kyle ...what if all of a sudden ...I started giving Charles more and more attention. How do you think you'll feel, then?" asked Mr. Ken.
Kyle sat there thinking. Then he told his 'dad' that if it went on for a long time and he didn't pay any attention to him, or his brother, he'd probably feel like Charles feels now. Mr. Ken told the twin there were no winners or losers in a big family. That they all had to try to be themselves and do what they needed to do to be happy and not let petty things influence their thinking.
Kyle thought about that for a moment and said he was going to see Mr. Chris. Mr. Ken had no idea what the youngster would want to talk to his Estate Manager about, but figured he'd ask Chris later.
When the boys returned from school they went immediately to Momma Maria for their after school snack. The woman had another different holiday treat ready for them and the five boys loved having something new and exciting almost every day they came home from school.
After finishing their snack, the boys went to the Study to talk to their 'dad'. There, Robert asked his dad about what he and Kyle talked about earlier. So, Mr. Ken had to explain what he meant. He wanted all the boys to know he was going to do whatever was necessary to protect every one of them and do whatever was necessary to make sure they get a fair chance in life.
Mr. Ken used some examples of when Charles arrived and had some initial problems and then his surgery. Then, he used Kevin's nightmares and Kyle's broken arm as other examples where one boy needed his attention more than the others have. 'Dad' Ken asked the boys to try to be more understanding of why one boy might get more attention than the other.
The boys asked some questions and Mr. Ken answered them honestly and fully. When the boys went up to their rooms to start their homework, they all hugged their 'dad' and thanked him for talking to them about that and not being afraid to answer their questions. As the boys walked out of the Study, Mr. Ken yelled to them he was going to show them how to wrap their presents after dinner.
Mr. Ken waited until Momma Maria had the Kitchen Nook all cleaned up after dinner. He wanted to use the large tables and counters there, so they could spread out as they wrapped presents.
"Boys, how many of you have gifts that are in square boxes that you can wrap without putting it into another box?" was 'dad' Ken's first question for the boys, before they began wrapping.
All the boys put their hands up. Mr. Ken then told them to pick an empty box from the table that they thought a gift, which was not already in a box, would fit in. After the boys chose a box, he told them to go up to their rooms and put one gift in it and bring it down. He explained none of their other 'brothers' would see it that way.
When the Cover boys returned, they each had a closed box. Mr. Ken told them to take a Gift Tag and write the recipient's name on it and then their name. Once that was finished, 'dad' Ken took Matthew's box and proceeded to show them how to wrap the box.
With the first box wrapped, 'dad' Ken let each boy try their hand at wrapping the box they brought down from their rooms. He then sent Matthew up to get another gift in a nondescript box.
Robert and Charles had a better understanding of how to wrap their gifts, so Mr. Ken spent quite a bit of time showing the twins what to do. 'Dad Ken' wrapped Kevin and Kyle's gift with their hands following along on each step. Eventually the gift was wrapped, but it definitely looked like an amateur did it. The older boys snickered when the saw them.
Matthew arrived back with another gift and Mr. Ken had him write out then Gift Tag and then try his hand at wrapping it. The youngest Cover had done a lot better than the twins had, but it still looked like an amateur wrapped it.
When the boys had finished wrapping all their gifts they could put into a blank box, Mr. Ken had one boy at a time bring the rest of their gifts down to have them wrapped. He sent the other boys up to their rooms to relax and wait their turn.
Mr. Ken assisted each of the boys in wrapping their remaining gifts, so it wouldn't take all night. Their foster dad stressed to each of them that waiting until the last minute to buy and wrap their gifts would only stress them out the closer they got to Christmas day.
When all the gifts were wrapped, Mr. Ken treated them all to a dish of ice cream. While they ate the cold treat, Matthew nonchalantly asked his 'dad' if he'd started buying his gifts and wrapping them.
Mr. Ken felt like he was caught red-handed without the goods. He told them he hadn't bought them nor wrapped them, as he was making sure his 'sons' shopping was done first. What 'dad' Ken told them after that was he had a list to work from, so it was just a matter of going out and buying them. Then, he added he could have his employees do it for him.
Initially it didn't register on the boys what their 'dad' was talking about. The three younger boys didn't understand which employees he was talking about. Robert quickly spoke up and told his 'brothers' he'd just have Mr. Wayne, Mr. Chris and Momma Maria do his dirty work for him.
"What 'dirty work' is that?" asked Matthew.
Robert and Charles laughed at Matthew's question. Charles said the 'dirty work' was 'dad' making Mr. Chris, Mr. Wayne and Momma Maria go out and do all his shopping for him. That had all the boys laughing.
"That's what's so good at being the boss, boys," laughed 'dad' Ken. "But don't you fret. Santa will visit The Cove Christmas Eve and I guarantee you that what you receive from him will be beyond your imagination."
Mr. Ken talked to the boys to find out whom they still needed to buy gifts for. The three younger ones said Robert and Charles had bought Yankee Candles for Momma Maria, so they needed to figure out something different to get her.
They kicked that question all around and in the end 'dad' Ken said he'd try to figure something out. Mr. Ken then sent the boys up to bed and told them he'd catch up with them in a few minutes.
Mr. Ken stopped at Matthew's room last. The two talked for a little bit, but then Matthew asked why Mr. Wayne didn't eat with them that night. 'Dad' Ken explained that Mr. Wayne was finishing his foster parent training and he has to have a few nights off to go to class. The foster dad also told the youngest Cover that his Mr. Wayne would be there tomorrow afternoon to take him to Doctor Doug's.
In the morning, the Cover boys felt good they had some of their Christmas presents bought and wrapped and tagged. They openly talked about that as they ate their breakfast. Momma Maria heard what they were talking about and wondered what she could get all of them for Christmas. She decide she'd talk to her boss, Mr. Ken, when the boys left for school.
When the boys left for school, Mr. Ken went back to his en suite to get ready for the day. Momma knew he'd be back for a fresh cup of coffee, so she cleaned up the Kitchen Noon and waited for him to return.
At school, Matthew asked his friends if they had started their Christmas shopping. Learning they hadn't, the Cover proudly announced he had most of his done and wrapped! His friends asked him where he got the money. Matthew told them his 'dad', Mr. Ken', gave each of them a certain amount of money to spend on their 'brothers' for gag gifts, and for Mr. Chris, Mr. Wayne, Mr. Dan and Momma Maria.
"What are gag gifts?" asked one of Matthew's classmates.
Matthew explained what he was told they were and that he'd bought all of his 'brothers' theirs already. He told them he still needed to buy one or two more gifts and that there was only about two weeks left before Christmas.
"My parents told me and my brother that we don't have to worry about buying gifts for anyone, until we start working. But, they do ask us what we'd get each other if we could," added Brant.
Ryan wanted to tell his friends what his mom had done to them and that she hardly bought them any Christmas gifts, while his dad was fighting the Taliban. But, he decided not to say anything, and was glad when the first bell rang.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Chris never received the third bid on the project on The Cove. Mr. Chris asked his boss if he should call them and ask, but Mr. Ken told him they were all told their bids were due on Monday. He added that if they fail to bid they couldn't be considered. The two men took some time to go over both bids.
Mr. Wayne stopped by at noontime. He ate lunch with Mr. Ken and Mr. Chris and the three talked about the upcoming events at The Cove. Mr. Chris did mention that the engraved invitations for three Holiday Parties would be sent out tomorrow. The Estate Manager also told the two men the engraver would send him fifty additional invitations for last minute add-ons.
It was then Mr. Ken asked Mr. Chris about the invitations to the New Year's Eve Garage Party for the high school students, and their teacher, participating in the Toy Soldier/Nutcracker project. Mr. Chris said he had an additional fifty invitations made up with that as the place.
Mr. Ken suggested they have them ready and given out to each and every student and teacher the day they are there to install their Toy Soldier/Nutcracker. Mr. Ken said he wanted to make sure they got them and understood the voting will continue up until about 10 PM the night of the New Year's Eve Parties.
Mr. Ken explained he wanted the students and their chaperones there at the New Year's Eve Garage Party in order to hear the announcement of the winner. The owner of The Cove also wanted them to impress on the students they can bring one guest or significant other to the Party and have a great time with a good band.
Mr. Chris and Mr. Wayne knew exactly what their employer was saying to them. They just needed to decide which of them would be the one to talk to them and explain what the invitation meant.
When it was time for Mr. Wayne to pick up Matthew at school, he excused himself and headed over to the school. Ms. Andrews, the school's secretary, and resident busybody, was very pleasant for the second time that week as Wayne Mitchell asked to have Matthew come to the office.
As the two Covers drove over to Doctor Doug's, they talked about how the Christmas present wrapping went last night. Matthew told the man he enjoyed doing it as he'd never gotten to do anything like that before. He told Mr. Wayne that his 'dad' wanted them to know about these things, so they aren't left behind, as they got older and went out into the world on their own.
Mr. Wayne walked Matthew to Doctor Doug's office. He waited for the boy to be called into the doctor's interview room, before he walked outside to check the parking lot. He knew it was foolish to think Grace Turnsten was up to something. He hadn't seen any other vehicle follow him since that first day, and it wasn't Grace's vehicle.
The appointments usually lasted 45 minutes with the last 15 minutes of the hour used to talk with the parent or guardian. When Mr. Wayne went in to talk to Doug Jennings, Matthew asked if he could use the restroom, and he'd meet the man back in the reception office.
The other boys had done the same thing, so Mr. Wayne didn't think anything of it to let the boy go use the restroom, and eventually meet up in a few minutes.
When Mr. Wayne came out from talking with Doctor Doug, Matthew wasn't in the outer office. Wayne Mitchell quickly asked the receptionist if she'd see Matthew come back into the office. When she told him she hadn't noticed him, Mr. Wayne went out into the corridor loudly calling out the boy's name.
Doug Jennings was made aware that Matthew went missing, so he joined the search. The two men searched the men's restroom on that floor, and the ones one up and one down from the office floor. The boy wasn't anywhere to be found.
Wayne Mitchell quickly ran down the stairs and went outside looking for the boy in case he decided to wait at the car. Matthew wasn't there either. Mr. Wayne pulled out his cell phone and made an emergency call.
Comments are encouraged and appreciated. Just use the email address listed at the top of the page.