All of the Cover boys got off to school without a hitch, the following morning. They all had a great Momma Maria breakfast in them that would sustain them until lunch later in the day. The weather in central Texas was warming up, as it tended to do in the beginning of May, so none of the boys wore a jacket that day.
When Chris Dominions arrived at The Cove that morning, he got his first cup of coffee and headed directly to his office, so he could contact the sailing instructors. His task that morning was to contact the sailing professionals and find out what they would charge for group lessons for seven, eleven-year-olds.
The Estate Manager also called the suppliers of the benches and tables, the lockers, bike racks, games, and trash cans in order to get an estimated date of delivery. Once he had all the information for them and the sailing lessons he headed up to the Study.
When the Estate Manager arrived at the Study, Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne were talking about the skate park, so Mr. Chris just walked in and sat down. He knew they would eventually ask him about the items that were on order, and when they could expect delivery. Mr. Chris also knew his employer, Mr. Ken, would want to know about the cost of the sailing lessons, so he waited for his turn to talk.
Billy was happy the bully and his friends weren't there to meet him as he got off the bus. His friends were, though, and he was grateful for that. The six teens talked about the Texas Boater Safety Course and what Lonnie could expect during his sleepover.
Lonnie was stoked he was getting the chance to spend the night at The Cove. He told Billy he was looking forward to spending the night and it felt like he did when he was ten and got to do that for the very first time. All the teens laughed at Lonnie for what he said.
Jamie then spoke up and said his brothers wished they could get the chance to spend the night. He told his friends, they couldn't wait until the Memorial Day Picnic and they were able to try out the new Cove Skate Park, and maybe swim in the indoor pool.
Gabe told the teens; his brothers were almost the same way. He added his mom had to tell them to stop talking about it, or they wouldn't get to go. Gabe laughed at what he said and then told the group he was told to shut up about it, too. Everyone laughed. It was then the first bell rang.
"So, Chris, what do you have for me?" asked Mr. Ken, after he and Mr. Wayne finished their conversation.
"Well, first thing this morning, I did talk to all three sailing instructors. None of them really want to take on seven very ... inexperienced young boys at one time. But one ... he did say he would consider doing it seeing he would be coming here to do the training.
"He did stipulate that to do so he would need to bring three of his training sailboats here and dock them here for the duration of the course. He also told me he could accomplish the 6-part course in three weekends if he could use both Saturday and Sunday, or in one full week after school let out," advised Mr. Chris.
Mr. Ken sat back and thought about what his Estate Manager just told him. He then asked Mr. Chris what the cost would be for all seven students.
Mr. Chris looked through his notes and told his employer that the man usually charged $575.00 per person when done one-on-one. He then told me that he would take on all seven boys for $250.00 each with the proviso that they and their parents knew that the boys would get out of the training only as much as they put into it.
Mr. Chris also said that when the man started the training the boys would need to have wetsuits, life vests, gloves, boat/water shoes, safety headgear and sunscreen.
Mr. Ken then asked how soon the man could start.
"Mr. Ken," began Chris Dominions, "the instructor told me that he could begin the training this weekend. Then, when I told him all seven boys were taking the Texas Boater Safety Course this weekend he laughed.
"The man told me they would already have the first lesson under their belt. He added that the sixth day could be used to further their abilities. Now ... all we need to do is make sure all seven boys complete the course."
Mr. Ken looked over to Wayne Mitchell with a knowing smile after the accommodation the owner of The Cove made the previous evening for James to attend the boater course along with Charles.
"That is good information, Chris. Thank you for handling that. I'll get with the lads' parents and find a good starting date and let you know in a day or two. Now, what can you tell us about the lockers and other accessories for the Pavilion," asked Mr. Ken.
Mr. Chris explained that all of the lockers, bike racks, trash cans, tables and benches, as well as the games were all in route and should begin to arrive beginning Friday. The Estate Manager said he didn't know which items would arrive when, though. Mr. Chris said that all the items were being shipped via different trucking companies, but everything was supposed to arrive by Tuesday of next week.
Mr. Wayne spoke up and said that should work out for the contractor who agreed to install everything, but the lockers. Wayne Mitchell added the Pavilion floors should be buffed, stained and sealed by the weekend and hopefully the tables and benches could be installed by the following weekend.
Mr. Ken asked Wayne and Chris to get at least six battery powered screwdrivers and wrench sets for the boys to use to put the lockers together. He then added the boys would need some gloves as the metal edges could cut them as they put the lockers together.
The three Cover men then talked about the Cove Skate Park, the Memorial Day Grand Opening Picnic, the sailing lessons, the upcoming trial and the trip to all four amusement parks. That was so all three men were on the same page and they could all look for problems that could affect any of them along the way.
At the high school during lunch, Billy remembered to talk to his friends about what Mr. Ken wanted to do when all the lockers arrived. He told them his foster dad wants all the boys to help put the lockers together, stand them up and attach them to the Pavilion back wall.
Billy's friends asked him how many lockers there were and Billy said he wasn't sure. The Cover figured there would be at least forty because that is how many boys come over to The Cove. Billy then added that with his friends that makes almost fifty and he figured Mr. Ken would add additional lockers to allow his 'boys' to add more friends.
Kaden asked how long the Cover thought it would take. All Billy could tell the teenager was it probably would take at least both Saturday and Sunday, since the boys didn't arrive until twelve noon on those days. The Cover added that until the boys get a system in place it would be slow going, at first, but hoped they could be finished by the time they all left on Sunday.
Gabe asked if he could bring his brothers along to help. Jamie quickly said if Gabe's brothers were allowed to help, he would like his brothers to help, too. Billy laughed at his friends and said that with almost fifty boys and teens helping there will probably be more than enough boy-power to put the lockers together. The Cover then said he'd ask his foster dad that night and let them know in the morning.
During lunch, Mr. Ken also texted Matthew and told him the cost for the six sailing lessons would only cost his friends $100.00 each. He told his foster son that he should tell his friends to have their parents call him later that evening, or tomorrow morning for further details.
Matthew texted his 'dad' back and thanked him for the information and told him he'd tell him what his friends thought about the cost at dinner.
Later that afternoon, Mr. Ken received a phone call from George Morris, the District Attorney. The call was to tell Mr. Ken that the trial for the men who tried to kidnap the twins, and their friends, would begin next Monday. The DA added that the first of the week would be used to choose a jury, but there was a possibility that by Friday witnesses could begin to be called.
Mr. Ken asked DA Morris about the possibility of the men accepting a plea bargain, so the twins and the other seven boys wouldn't have to testify. George Morris said he has offered the men a lesser charge in exchange for their pleading guilty. The DA added he wasn't confident they would accept it, but when the trial gets underway, they very well may ask to do so.
Mr. Ken thanked DA Morris for the call and added he appreciated the heads-up for the boys' sake. The owner of The Cove, and foster dad to the Parkinson twins, said he'd talk to the boys after school and have them ready to testify when he needed them.
Mr. Ken then called his two trusted men into his Study to tell them the bad news.
When the boys came home from school, they immediately went to their rooms to start their homework. They all liked having their after-school snack with their older 'brother', Billy. They all came to enjoy the banter they now had with one another as they ate their Momma Snack.
At dinner, the boys could tell by their 'dad's' demeanor there was something wrong. The boys still talked as they normally did, but the conversation was somewhat subdued, compared to most other nights.
Then, all of a sudden, the peaceful quiet was broken by Billy's outburst.
"Owww, owww," complained the oldest Cover teen, as he held his hand to the side of his mouth and worked his mouth up and down as he rubbed his jaw.
"What's wrong?" quickly asked Kevin, while the other Covers looked on.
"I think I have a bad tooth," explained Billy. "When I bit down on a piece of ice it was ... it was like a charge of electricity was shot through my tooth and my jaw. Boy did it ever get my attention and hurt."
"Bill," began Mr. Ken, "have you ever had this happen before? You know ... the tooth giving you problems when you ate something cold or hot?"
"Yea, a few times before it would bother me, but not really for long. But this time ... this time when I bit down to break the ice from my drink it really hurt," replied Billy, as he rubbed his jaw once again.
"Will he have to go to the dentist?" asked Matthew.
"Yes, I am afraid he will, boys. And that reminds me," started the foster dad when Robert spoke up.
"Uh, oh ... I think dad is going to take us all to the dentist," chuckled the almost fourteen-year-old.
"He IS; you ARE?" exclaimed Kyle.
"Yes, boys, I've been remiss in not having your teeth checked out long before now. Bill ... tomorrow ... no, tonight, I'll call Doc Powers for a recommendation for a good, no ... a great dentist and make an appointment for you. Then, if you like him, I'll schedule the rest of you boys to have your teeth checked, too," said a smiling 'dad' Ken.
"Awwww," was heard from the twins. "We don't like NO dentists!"
"Yes, you do," smiled Robert. "You just told us you did."
"No, we didn't! We hate going to the dentist. He always seems to find something to do to our teeth," yelled back Kyle.
Robert was going to argue back, but Mr. Ken cut him off.
"Boys ... I should have taken you to see a dentist when you first arrived. Just as I did with your visit to Doctor Rick. Now, well I feel bad that I haven't done that. None of you have complained, until now, about your teeth, so I took the easy way out.
"Bill's tooth problem is a wake-up call for me," announced Mr. Ken. "We'll all be scheduled to visit the dentist and whatever he finds will be fixed. But for now, Bill is my main concern. Now, let's all finish our dinner and then I'll call Doctor Rick."
After dinner the Covers met in the Study from where Mr. Ken called Doctor Powers. The good doctor gave his friend a phone number to call and told Mr. Ken to use his name in order to get a quick appointment. The two men talked for a few minutes more before ending the phone call.
"Bill, I'll make the appointment and then come to get you out of class," said Mr. Ken.
Bill tried to fend off his going to the dentist, but his foster dad told the teenager he was going and that was the end of the conversation. The other boys heard the tone of voice their 'dad' just used and they knew not to argue about their going to the dentist, as well.
As things settled down in the Study, Mr. Wayne asked his employer if he was going to tell the twins their news.
"Tell us what, 'dad'?" asked Kyle.
With some trepidation, Mr. Ken asked the boys to settle down and listen up.
"Kevin, Kyle, and you too, Robert and Charles ... DA Morris called me late this afternoon and ... well, he called to tell me that ... that the trial is on for next week. He told me they will begin picking a jury on Monday and they hope to start hearing testimony by Friday.
"Boys ... we all knew this day might come, and ... well, they've been preparing you for this trial and now you'll have to go through with it. I wish ... I wish there was something I could do ...," continued Mr. Ken, when he was interrupted by Kevin.
"I thought ... I thought you said that DA guy was going to try to get the men to accept a plea of some sort. So, so, why didn't they?" cried Kevin.
Mr. Ken went to the older twin, pulled him into a big hug and tried to console the crying boy. The other boys looked on as Mr. Ken tried to explain that all the DA could do, was offer the men a reduced charge in exchange for not having the boys testify.
Kyle got up and went to his twin and foster dad and joined in the hug. He too then began to cry.
Robert watched what was happening and then told his 'brothers' that he knew what Kevin and Kyle were going through. He explained how he had to get ready to testify at his parents' trial and then how, after the second day, it all worked out anyway.
Charles admitted he was a bit apprehensive about having to testify, but thanked Robert for telling him that. He said he hoped it would be the same for them and that after the men see them all there ready to tell their story they will agree to take the plea bargain.
The twins heard what Charles had said and pulled out of the hug with their 'dad'. They asked him if he really thought that. Charles told his two 'brothers' that was what he hoped, but he was all prepped and ready to testify, if he had to. The new teenager told the twins that there was nothing their dad could do for them, and they had to go through with it and make sure those men got what they deserved.
The twins went to Charles and hugged him. The other three boys seeing a chance for a 'group hug' joined with their three 'brothers'. Before long, Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne were motioned over by Robert and they joined in with the boys.
As the Covers hugged one another, the phone on Mr. Ken's desk rang.
Upon answering it, Mr. Ken learned it was Barbara Sullivan, Brant's mom. She wanted to clarify the cost of the sailing lessons and what else her son needed in order to take the classes and where would they have to take Brant to learn how to sail.
Mr. Ken explained to the woman that the instructor agreed to hold the classes at The Cove and would provide the sailboats for the boys to use to learn how to sail. Mr. Ken also explained that he already had wetsuits for the boys and all they would need was a good pair of boat shoes, gloves, safety headgear and sunscreen.
Mr. Ken also explained that the sailing instructor could hold the classes on Saturday and Sunday for three weekends, or for a solid week after school let out. The man told Mrs. Sullivan he needed to talk to the other parents to see which schedule they would prefer. Barbara Sullivan told Mr. Ken her son, Brant, would take the training and she would prefer it to happen after school was over for the year.
Matthew heard his 'dad's' side of the conversation and in doing so he also heard some of what the sailing lessons would entail. The youngster began to ask questions when the phone rang again. It was another parent of Matthew's friends.
Before long, all six of Matthew's friends, who wanted to learn how to sail, had their parents call Mr. Ken to learn more about the lessons. Mr. Ken assured the parents about the total cost of the training and they all needed to agree on a timeframe for the lessons to begin. All of the parents agreed that it would be best if the lessons happened after school let out for the year.
By the time all of the phone calls were over, it was time for the boys to head up to their rooms to get ready for bed. Robert and Billy had already gone up to their room, so only Charles, Kevin, Kyle and Matthew who were left in the Study.
Matthew wanted to ask more questions about the sailing lessons, but Mr. Ken sent all the boys up to their rooms. He told Matthew he'd answer his questions up there. Charles waited until his three 'brothers' were walking up the stairs that he stopped his dad and asked him if he could also take the sailing lessons. All the boy's dad could tell him was he'd have to ask the instructor if he could add one more to the class. Charles thanked his dad and then hugged him before heading up to his room.
Matthew couldn't wait until his 'dad' came to his room to say goodnight. As soon as the man entered the bedroom, Matthew began with all his questions. All 'dad' Ken could do was assure Matthew that he and his friends would be better off having six lessons in a row than having them spread out over a period of time.
Matthew then asked his 'dad' the big question.
"'Dad' ... will these sailing lessons ... will they ... will they keep me from going with you to ... to visit all of your amusement parks?" asked a very serious Matthew.
Mr. Ken grabbed the youngster into a big hug and assured him he would wait until the sailing lessons were over before he leaves to visit and inspect his four amusement parks. Matthew yelled a "Yahoo" and got a big smile on his face, hugged his 'dad' very hard and thanked him for telling him he wouldn't be left behind.
When Mr. Ken went to Charles' room, the teen asked him what Matthew was so happy about. When the teen heard why Matthew was so happy, he smiled, knowing his dad would wait for all of them if need be. The other boys wanted to know why Matthew was so happy and they too understood when they heard the reason.
In the twins' bedroom they asked their 'dad' if he really was going to make them go to the dentist. Each twin cringed when they heard they would have to visit the dentist before they went on their big trip after school was out for the summer.
"Bill, I'll text you when I have your dentist appointment. That way you'll be ready for when I come to the high school to get you," counseled Mr. Ken, when he stopped at Billy's room.
"Mr. Ken ... if you text me while I am in class, I won't see it until the class is over. If you could get an afternoon appointment, I think it would be better. That way I can be waiting for you when the lunch bell rings," offered Billy.
"OK, Bill, that sounds like a good suggestion. But either way, I'll text you. That way you'll know if there is an opening for the afternoon. We may have to wait until the following day to get you in. Hang tight and watch for my text. OK?" replied the foster dad.
Mr. Wayne went behind his employer visiting the Cover boys. He told them he'd see them tomorrow, and when the boys were all in bed the Estate Master headed for his own apartment and bed.
The next morning at breakfast, the boys were talking about Matthew taking sailing lessons and them having to go to the dentist. Momma Maria was happy to hear the boys would be seeing the dentist, as she could not remember hearing they had ever gone. She just loved it when the boys talked at any of the meals. That kept her in the loop of what was happening at The Cove.
When Billy came into the Kitchen Nook, he took care of Chief's needs and then sat down to a hot Momma Maria breakfast. With the teens first bite he winched from the hot pancakes touching his one tooth.
"That tooth, Bill ... it reacts to the hot, as it did to the cold, huh?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Yea, I must have bit down really hard last night and now the heat affects it too. It never did that before," answered Billy.
"OK, watch for my text to tell you when your dentist appointment is," said Mr. Ken to remind the teenager.
After Billy left to catch the 'cheese wagon', otherwise known as the school bus, Mr. Ken finished his breakfast, thanked Momma Maria for making another fine meal, and then headed to his private retreat to get ready for the day.
As soon as Mr. Ken sat down at his desk in the Study, he took out the phone number Doctor Rick gave him and he called the dentist's number. When the receptionist answered, Mr. Ken explained why he was calling. The owner of The Cove then told them how he got their number and asked if there were any openings for that day.
The receptionist placed the call on HOLD and Mr. Ken waited to hear if there were any openings for the day. While he was on the phone, Mr. Chris stopped by the Study.
"Chris, I'm glad you stopped by. Last night Charles came to me and asked if he could also take sailing lessons. Could you call the instructor and ask if we can add one more student?" said Mr. Ken.
Just then the receptionist came back on the line and told him they could fit his 'son' into an 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or a 1 p.m. appointment. Mr. Ken took the 1 p.m. opening as that way Bill would only miss his afternoon classes.
"Ahh, Mr. Ken ... are you sure Charles ... that he wants to take sailing lessons. I mean it sounds ... it sounds to me as if it was a spontaneous decision on his part. I'll call the man this morning, but after talking to him a few times I don't think he will want to add another student," remarked Chris Dominions, the Estate Manager.
"Yes, Chris, I hear what you are saying. Call the man anyway. And if he says he can't or doesn't want to take on another student, then Charles will have to wait until there is an opening in the man's schedule, and we aren't involved with other Cove endeavors. Let me know," finished the owner of The Cove.
At the high school, Billy told his friends about his toothache, and that Mr. Ken would be texting him later that morning about his appointment. Gabe and Jamie asked him if he talked to Mr. Ken about their brothers helping to put the lockers together.
"Guys, while we were eating dinner that is when my tooth began to hurt. From that point on all we talked about were dentist appointments. Mr. Ken also told us that my 'brothers' ... that they will have to testify at the trial for those men who tried to kidnap them.
"Mr. Ken told Robert, Charles, Kevin and Kyle that DA Morris called him personally that the trial will start on Monday and they could be called to testify, probably by Friday. I'm sorry, guys. I didn't get the chance to ask him about your brothers.
"Hey, when he texts me, I'll ask him then," finished Billy.
While Billy was in his second class of the morning, he felt the vibration of his cell phone announcing he had a message. Billy wanted to pull the phone out and look, but knew if he were caught, they'd take the phone away from him as cell phones were not to be seen during class.
When the class was over, Billy quickly checked the message and learned he'd see the dentist right after lunch. The teen then texted Mr. Ken and asked him about Jamie and Gabe's brothers helping with the locker build. Mr. Ken replied that they'd talk about it on their way to the dentist, and for him to be waiting for him in the admin office around noon.
Gabe and Jamie were disappointed that Mr. Ken put off making a decision. But in his defense, Billy told them his foster dad was too focused on more important things going on for him to decide right then. The teen added that at least his foster dad knew what the question was when they talked about it in the car. Jamie asked his friend to text him when Mr. Ken decided if their brothers could help.
At twelve noon, Billy was waiting in the Administration Office for Mr. Ken to sign him out for the rest of the day. When Billy saw his foster dad arrive, a big smile came to his face. He never thought he'd ever feel about someone, as he did for Mr. Ken.
Billy knew the man took a chance on him knowing who his step dad was, and ever since, the man did his best to make sure he had a good home life, good clothes and food, but most of all, the man treated him no differently than he did his adoptive sons and the other foster boys.
Mr. Ken returned the smile as he walked into the Administration Office to sign Bill out for the day. It took a few minutes for the secretary to process the paperwork, and before long the two Covers were headed to Glenn Joneser, DDS.
Along the way, Mr. Ken asked Billy about what he asked in his earlier text about Jamie and Gabe's brothers. Billy told his foster dad how Gabe and Jamie would like for their younger brothers to come along and help build the lockers when they came over. Billy qualified it, by telling the man he explained to them, that with almost 50 boys there to help already, that adding four more might be overkill.
Mr. Ken smiled at what Billy just told him. It also told him that Bill was a forward thinker and would think things through before making a decision, given the time. As they drove to the dentist's office, Mr. Ken told Bill they would talk about it later that night in the Study with his other 'brothers', as it would affect them as well.
When they arrived at the dentist's office, Mr. Ken had a number of forms to fill out. He was happy he and Chris talked about what their medical insurance covered and was relieved that dental coverage was included. The foster dad handed in his insurance card along with the filled-out forms. The card was returned after the receptionist made a copy for their records.
The appointment was for 1 p.m., and at five minutes to that time the dental technician came out and took Billy back to a dental examination room. There, Billy had a full bitewing x-ray done of his teeth so the dentist could see if there were any underlying problems he would be dealing with, other than the one tooth that was sensitive to both hot and cold.
A few minutes after the x-ray and the dental technician getting the room and Billy ready for the doctor, Doctor Joneser came into the room. He introduced himself to both Mr. Ken and Billy, and then he and Billy discussed what brought on the tooth problem, and if the teen had any other teeth that were bothering him.
The doctor also talked with Mr. Ken about old Doctor Rick and how they knew one another. That brought on a Reader's Digest version of the two's first meeting and Collin.
When the talking was over, the doctor leaned the dentist's chair back and had Billy open his mouth wide. The dentist took a good look inside the teen's mouth and hemmed and hawed about what he saw. The man then did a test on a couple of teeth near where Bill had indicated. He wanted to definitively identify which tooth was affected by both heat and cold.
When Billy made a guttural sound as the affected tooth was touched, the dentist asked Mr. Ken if they had time for him to do a procedure. Mr. Ken told the dentist he needed to have Bill's tooth fixed and they had all day if needed. Billy didn't like hearing that.
"Well, son," started the doctor, "you have a few cavities that need to be taken care of, as well. But for now, the only thing I can do to fix that sensitive tooth, is to perform a root canal. It will take about an hour to an hour and a half. Are you ready to make that tooth pain go away?"
Billy looked at Mr. Ken for some help in making the decision. The foster dad told the teen he needed to have it fixed, and since he was already there, he should go ahead and get it over with.
That said, the doctor explained what he would be doing and when Billy's questions were all answered the doctor told Billy to, "Open wide!"
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