After he landed at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, which is located on the east side of Austin Texas, and was inside his hired vehicle, Mr. Ken called The Cove. It was well after 9 p.m., local time, when Mr. Wayne answered the phone.
As Mr. Ken rode in the limo, the two men talked about the boys, and then what happened at the School Board Meeting. Mr. Wayne told his employer how the younger boys, Kevin, Kyle and Matthew, were moping around and couldn't wait until he came home.
Mr. Ken chuckled at hearing that and knew he needed for all his 'boys' to understand he needed to go away, but that he would always come home. Mr. Ken told Wayne he should be there a little past 11:00, and he could go to bed if he wanted to. Mr. Wayne told his boss he'd wait up for him.
Chief met her first master when he opened the Foyer Door. Her tail was wagging a mile a minute as she jumped up and tried to kiss the man. Mr. Ken, for his part, scratched behind Chief's ears and on her rump to show the resident pet he 'loved' her, too.
The two Cover men talked some more, but eventually a yawning Mr. Ken told his Estate Master he was very tired from the day's meeting back east and the long flight. The man told Wayne he'd talk to him some more after the boys went off to school. The two said their goodnights and headed to their respective bedrooms. Chief headed up to Billy's bedroom to sleep.
The next morning, Kevin, Kyle and Matthew, but especially Matthew, hurried to get ready for school, so they could get down to the Kitchen Nook and see and talk to their 'dad'. Robert and Charles laughed at the three younger boy's antics, and took their normal amount of time getting ready for school.
"'Dad', 'dad', 'dad'," yelled Matthew, as he hurried down the stairs on his way to the Nook.
"I'm in here, Matthew. It's where I usually am in the mornings, reading my newspaper," called out 'dad' Ken.
Upon entering the Kitchen Nook, Matthew ran to 'dad' Ken and hugged him tight. Kevin and Kyle came up behind their 'brother' and waited their turn. Momma Maria watched and as the three young Covers finished their hugs she placed their breakfast in front of them. Robert and Charles entered soon thereafter.
"Charles," began the man who would soon adopt the teen, "Happy Birthday, son!"
Charles smiled and went to his soon to be dad and hugged him. The two hugged longer than they would normally have, but today was a double celebration day, as it was not only Charles' birthday, it was also the day Charles would be adopted by Ken Thomas.
The other Cover boys smiled at Charles and their 'dad' hugging. Then, they went back to eating their breakfast.
"Boys, I'll be by your school around lunchtime to take you over to the courthouse. So, eat if you get the chance, but be ready for me around 12:15," spoke up 'dad' Ken.
"Will we come home to change?" asked Kyle.
"No. So, please try to stay fairly clean," replied 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', do you ... do you have to go away again?" asked Matthew.
"Matthew, boys, there is nothing on my schedule right now, but that can change at any time. I explained to you before I left this time that I have businesses to run, and I will have to go to them to make sure they are being run properly. And, I need to show my face, every so often, so they don't forget who they are working for," explained 'dad' Ken.
"Now, you boys need to get a move on, finish your breakfast and get off to school," announced 'dad' Ken.
The boys initially said, "Ahhhhhhh," with a chuckle and a smile. Then, they all laughed and finished up their meal, went to thank Momma Maria with a hug, and then the five washed their hands before heading up the rise to catch their school bus.
As the younger Cover boys were heading off to school, Billy was getting up. The older teen Cover used the porcelain god, brushed his teeth and then got his shower. He loved the fact he was now living in a real 'home' where everyone treated him as a 'brother', and one of the 'family'.
Billy was very happy he was no longer at just another foster home where he was treated as a servant and a cash flow minion. At his previous foster homes, he didn't eat anything close to what Momma Maria made for them, and he rarely received new clothes, unlike the totally new wardrobe Mr. Ken bought him right after he arrived.
Billy arrived in the Kitchen Nook, said 'Good morning' to Mr. Ken and Momma Maria, then went directly to Chief and scratched behind her ears. The teenager then took care of fixing the resident pet her fresh kibble and water before sitting down to his own breakfast.
"So, Bill ... what do you think about the School Boards decisions last night?" asked Mr. Ken.
Billy took a bite of his waffles as he was asked the question, so that gave him a few moments to consider what he was to say in reply.
"Mr. Ken ... I thought ... I thought what they did was right. I ... well, you know, I don't know Principal Stanley or the IT lady personally, but ... but they both conspired to send me to the alternative high school. So, I think ... I think they got what they deserved," answered Billy.
"What about the three boys? Did their being sent to the alternative high school bring you any satisfaction?" asked the foster dad.
"Well ... I think they got what they deserved, as well. They ... they caused all this to happen, and for what? Did they attack me because of what I did to that bully in the lunchroom? Or, did ... or did they conspire with the principal to get back at you?" replied Billy.
"Get back at me?" asked Mr. Ken with his eyebrows raised.
"Yea, the man, you know, the leader of the meeting, he said that Principal Stanley ... that he had previous run-ins with you and that his altering the video was his way to get back at you. I didn't understand that. I was going to ask you about that, so ... so, I could understand what he meant," replied Billy.
Mr. Ken laughed and told the teen that he would tell him, but for now he needed to finish his breakfast and get on to school. Billy smiled and then went back to eating his morning meal.
It was then Mr. Wayne and Ms. Judy came into the Kitchen Nook. Good mornings were said all around causing Billy to inwardly laugh. The teenager said good morning to everyone and that he had to leave for school. So, after a hug for Momma Maria, the teenager excused himself and departed the Nook to get ready to catch the school bus.
Momma Maria served the adults the same as she served the Cover boys. The woman had scrambled eggs, waffles, crisp bacon and hot coffee or orange juice to drink. The adults thanked her for fixing them their breakfast, and they, the two men and one woman, talked.
They talked about the adoption ceremony later that afternoon, the Grand Opening of the hotel next weekend and how Mr. Ken's meeting with the commissioners back east went. When they were finished talking about those issues, Ms. Judy told the men she had a doctor's appointment later that morning and would catch up with them at the courthouse.
"Ken, I want to thank you for your hospitality for Eric and me. It was ... it was overly gracious of you to open you home to us, while I recovered from my surgery. My appointment this morning is to hopefully return me back to work. And, even if that is not the case, Eric and I will be returning to our home after the ceremony.
"Ken, Wayne, and you too Momma, you all have been wonderful hosts for Eric and me and we both truly appreciate what you've done for us. But ... well, it is time for us to get back to our own mundane lives and leave this house of luxury," chuckled Ms. Judy.
"We'll surely miss you both," offered Ken Thomas. "You know ... the more the merrier. But, you are always welcome here, and if you have problems from your surgery, and need to rest up some more, feel free to come back.
"Oh, and Judy, next Saturday is the Grand Opening of my Lakeside hotel. The boys and I will be spending Friday night there and if you want to spend the night, as well, I know the owner and I can get you a nice room," laughed Mr. Ken.
Ms. Judy thanked the man for the invitation, but said she would have to talk to Eric to see if he wanted to. She added that after things settle down for them next week, she would let him know. Mr. Ken asked her to let him know by Wednesday.
The three adults finished their breakfast and then headed to their own rooms to get ready for the day. By the time the grownups were finished getting cleaned up and dressed, Chris Dominions had come to work. The Estate Manager got his first cup of coffee, as well as a sweet cake, and then transferred The Coves phones to his office, while he awaited his boss.
When he was ready for the day, Mr. Ken went directly to his Study to make some needed phone calls. But, before he could dial the first phone number, a call came that was immediately transferred to Mr. Chris' office. Ten seconds later, Mr. Chris used the intercom to tell the owner of The Cove he had a call from a lawyer.
The call was from Amelia 'Amy' Ozarker, the lawyer Mr. Ken hired to advise him when he met with the county commissioners, back east, about his highway proposal.
Amy Ozarker called to tell her client how the Commissioners Board's President reacted when they learned he had departed the Meeting. She told Mr. Ken the Board's President was pissed he wasn't there to answer some more of their questions and wanted him back there that day.
Ms. Ozarker said she told the Board that he was attending an adoption ceremony and had to be there. Amy then told Mr. Ken that if he were serious about his proposal he'd have waited to talk with them and not run away 'like a thief in the night'.
Mr. Ken laughed at hearing the analogy and told Ms. Ozarker he figured they were against his proposal from the get go and this would give them ammunition to further oppose him and the new divided highway. Mr. Ken asked Amy to follow what the Commissioners say and do, then tell him what she learns.
Mr. Ken told the lawyer about some of the information he had on the four who were against him and building the five-lane divided highway. The owner of Crystal Lake Amusement Park told the woman he would work with the commissioners as best he could and he wanted her to talk to all seven men.
The owner of The Cove told the woman to work her magic, as best she could, and try to convince at least one more commissioner to join the three he talked with when he learned of the potential for the highway to be cancelled. Before hanging up the call, he asked her, again, to keep him informed.
When Billy got on his school bus, some of the freshman applauded. Todd and Conner told him they were proud of the way he didn't give in to the bullies, and fought them, and the principal at the School Board. The two older classmen told Billy they hoped the Vice-Principal wouldn't follow in Stanley's footsteps.
Upon arrival at the high school, when Billy walked off the school bus there was loud applause from the students. Billy was embarrassed at what they'd done and all he did was walk over to his friends. Even there, many students came over to congratulate him for not letting the bullies get the better of him.
The students also told the Cover he'd done them all a huge favor by exposing Principal Stanley as the vindictive SOB he was. They told Billy that Principal Stanley used coercion in getting students to accept his decisions on what punishment he decided for them. They said it would come down to it either being a suspension, not having their cell phone or tablet or barring them from their after school activities.
All Billy could do was to take what they said with a grain of salt. He hadn't been there long enough to know what other students did to earn a talk with the principal or how the man treated them and dealt out punishments.
Billy's friends did talk to him about last night's ruling by the School Board. None of them were there, but they heard on the radio what the School Board decided on for Principal Stanley, IT Administrator Paulley, and the 3 students who were sent to the alternative high school.
The five friends were proud of their Cover friend and they told him so. Then, they asked what was in store for the weekend at The Cove. Billy told them Mr. Ken was going to adopt Charles later that day and today was the day the newly adopted Cover turned thirteen. So, he told them there might be cake and ice cream. Then, the first bell rang.
Mr. Ken called Bill Jackson, his lawyer, and filled him in on what transpired at the previous day's Commissioner's Board Meeting. Mr. Ken told his friend that it may have been a waste of time as the four against the new highway project were not interested in hearing what he had to say. He then told his lawyer what Amy Ozarker told him when the Board members returned to the meeting room. Bill chuckled at hearing that.
Mr. Ken's next call went to Jules Diamond. He thanked Jules for the quick work he did on the four commissioners and asked him to continue to find out what he could. The owner of The Cove asked the owner of Diamond Security to try to find out what was so important that those men would oppose the highway project when they had already set aside the money.
The morning was moving along faster than Ken Thomas wanted. He asked Mr. Chris if his special gift was ready to present at the party. He then had Chris call Ed Henry to make sure the after adoption party would be ready.
Mr. Ken also called his new Lakeside Hotel to ask how everything was shaping up and if his two, four bed Presidential suites would be ready for his family Friday night. He then asked them to set aside another room with two queen beds.
When that phone call was finished, the owner of the new office building going up next to the hotel, called the construction supervisor to get an update. He learned the inside was moving along smoothly and the outside sidewalks and parking lot were set to be finished next week.
The supervisor added that the office building was slated to be completed on time and the man should begin advertising to fill up the building. Mr. Ken laughed and told the man that he would probably take up at least 25 to 30% if not more with his business consolidations.
Mr. Wayne came into the Study to ask Mr. Ken when he planned to leave to pick up the boys. The boy's foster dad looked at the time and said he'd be leaving in a few minutes and he asked Wayne to go to the high school to collect Bill. They agreed to meet outside the courthouse and walk in together.
It was 12:45, when the Covers entered the courthouse. They each went through the metal detectors and once they were all inside, they went to Judge Adam Richards' courtroom. Many of the people invited to attend the adoption ceremony were already in the courtroom. The man and teen waved to them and even stopped to talk with a few of them.
Ken Thomas did notice that Ms. Judy, or Eric, weren't there yet. He hoped they would arrive before the proceedings got into high gear. He didn't have time to call the Director of Children's Protective Services (CPS), but he felt she and her son would show up, soon.
They met up with Bill Jackson and Stewart Russell, Mr. Ken's and Charles' lawyers, and then the 4 went and sat down at their assigned table. They talked about the procedure and that Charles would be called back to the Judge's chambers to talk about the adoption and if the new teenager wanted to change his name.
The Deputy Director of CPS and her lawyers came in right after Mr. Ken and his entourage. They took up the table across from the petitioners and began placing a large number of folders on it. At 1 p.m. the bailiff called out to the court, "All rise!", and then Judge Richards came in and sat behind his bench.
"I see everyone who is supposed to be here is, so that means we can move along with the adoption of one Charles James Lewis by Mr. Kenneth Richard Thomas.
"I want you all to know that, once again, I am honored to preside at this wonderful occasion. I know Mr. Thomas, as most people do, and what he did for his first foster son, Collin. And, many of you know that Mr. Thomas adopted Robert in this same courtroom last fall.
"Now, today, Mr. Thomas is here again ... to adopt another of his foster sons, Charles James Lewis. What an adoption means to many a child is they will now have a forever home. When this adoption is completed, Charles will be able grow up and mature and not have to worry about ever being moved to another foster home.
"Today is a happy event that I am sure will remain in his young mind forever. Now ... before I can continue ... I will ask Charles to go with me, so we can talk about his adoption before I approve it and sign the final adoption papers. Bailiff ... please show Charles where my chambers are.
"Your Honor," spoke up the Deputy Director of CPS, Athena Washington, as she stood.
"Yes, what is it?" asked the Judge.
"Your Honor ... Children's Protective Services ... we ... we do not concur in this adoption by Mr. Ken Thomas of Charles James Lewis," said the Deputy Director of CPS.
"And why is it that you are bringing this to the court at this last minute? This adoption ... it has been approved by the Director, herself, and NOW it is YOU who are telling me that this adoption can't be completed? You better have a damn good explanation and reason for this last minute delay," said a very irritated Judge Richards.
"Your Honor ... it has come to our attention that Mr. Thomas ... that he doesn't meet our requirements for this adoption, nor did he meet them for his adoption of Robert Arthur Harrison. It is the opinion of Children's Protective Services that this adoption not go through.
"It is also the opinion of CPS that Mr. Thomas' adoption of Robert Harrison ... that it be reversed and that all of his foster sons' be reassigned to other foster homes until a complete investigation can be conducted over how Mr. Thomas was even allowed to be a foster parent," explained the Deputy Director of CPS.
It was then Matthew yelled out, "No, No, I don't want to go anywhere else. I like living with Mr. Ken!"
The twins joined their youngest 'brother' and they too, yelled out that they didn't want to be moved. They said there was nothing wrong with living with Mr. Ken until their parents were ready to take care of them, again.
By now the people in the spectator seats began to murmur amongst themselves over this change of events. The Judge had to gavel them to be quiet as he investigated the allegations by the woman who represented CPS.
"What do you have as proof that Mr. Thomas doesn't meet the requirements of CPS to be a foster parent, or be able to adopt any of the children in his charge," demanded Judge Adam Richards, the District's County Juvenile Court Judge.
"You Honor, Mr. Thomas has shown no proof of income. He files his taxes, but he pays practically nothing. Even though he lives in a huge house, he doesn't show where his money comes from. He could very well be dealing in drugs, your Honor," replied Athena Washington, Deputy Director of CPS.
Bill Jackson stood up and objected to the Deputy Directors characterization of his client. He particularly took exception to her categorization of his client as being a drug dealer. The lawyer went further on to say she owed his client an apology, if she can't prove her accusation.
Athena Washington stood there with her mouth wide open. She had to think fast as to what she was going to say and the lawyer sounded pissed enough to drag her and CPS into court on slander charges.
"Your Honor, I apologize for my poor choice of words. It was the first thing that entered my mind at the time," replied Athena.
"Ms. Washington, you don't owe me the apology. You owe Mr. Thomas the apology and you also need to be careful of what words you do use," chastised the presiding District County Juvenile Court Judge, Adam Richards.
Athena Washington looked directly at Mr. Thomas and apologized for her poor choice of words, but she continued and told the man he had no visible means of support, and thus did not qualify as a Foster Parent, or even as an adopting parent.
"Ms. Washington," began Ken Thomas, as he stood up to face the woman, "I didn't know I needed to show means of income. All I was required to provide were my tax returns to show I have income. And, as for me not paying my taxes, who are you to say what I pay ... is NOT enough?
"And, as for your apology, I do NOT accept it. You deliberately used that implication to describe me, to further your asinine assertion that I do not qualify to adopt or foster. You personally will be hearing from my lawyer sometime next week," stated a very pissed off Ken Thomas, who then sat down.
Some applauding was heard coming from the people attending the adoption ceremony that had now turned into somewhat of a trial of Mr. Thomas. The Judge had to gavel the spectators, to be quiet, so he could continue finding out CPS' reason for the delay.
"Ms. Washington, what else do you claim that Mr. Thomas, a well-known resident of this community, does not qualify him as a prospective adoptive parent," sarcastically asked Judge Adam Richards.
"Your Honor, Mr. Thomas ... he placed not only Charles Lewis in harm's way, but he also placed the rest of the boys, living in his care, into a situation they had no say in. Your Honor, Mr. Thomas ... he knowingly flew them in an aircraft that ultimately had an inflight incident that very well could have caused severe harm to them if not cause their deaths," offered a slightly smiling Athena Washington.
"I object your Honor!" said Bill Jackson, as he stood up to challenge the woman's assertion that the inflight emergency was all his clients doing. "Mr. Thomas contracted with a reputable aircraft charter service who maintains their own fleet. He had no control of said aircraft and had no advanced knowledge that the engine would have an inflight catastrophic failure.
"As for his placing his own son and four foster sons, as well as two other adults, in harm's way is an outright and deliberate fabrication of the facts. That is the second assertion from CPS that is total hogwash and a fabrication from out of thin air!" exclaimed the lawyer.
"Your Honor, what I told the court was what was told to Children's Protective Services. I had known of the inflight incident and emergency landing. My source told me that if Mr. Thomas had used a major airline that this incident would not have happened," explained the Deputy Director of CPS.
"What else do you have to tell this Court that disqualifies Mr. Thomas from adopting Charles Lewis," sort of demanded Judge Richards.
"Your Honor ... CPS also claims that Mr. Thomas never gives his charges freedom to leave his estate and when they do he is always with them, or has someone to watch over them," claimed the Deputy Director of CPS.
"Your Honor, Ms. Washington ... she is totally misinformed. My client has allowed his 'boys' to spend the night at their friends' homes as well as taking them to major amusement parks where they had free reign of what they did and where they went," argued Bill Jackson.
"Yes, FREE reign, my foot. The boys were in the confines of the amusement park and they couldn't go anywhere without someone taking them. They went on a bus and they were expected to return to the estate on that same bus. That, to me Judge, is NOT free reign, but some sort of imprisonment," argued back Athena Washington.
"Your Honor, these three issues sound to me more like a vendetta against my client. These matters sound a lot like what Mr. Thomas was charged with a few years back when CPS challenged Mr. Thomas' status as a foster parent for one Collin Wilkinson. To me it sounds like she is resurrecting the past to fit the present," argued Bill Jackson, Mr. Ken's lawyer.
"What else do you have for this Court, Ms. Washington?" asked Judge Adam Richards.
"Your Honor, Mr. Thomas ... he allowed his foster boys, and his adopted son, to go out and Trick-or-Treat with the full knowledge there was a man out there intent on kidnapping at least two of the boys. That, your Honor, Children's Protective Services cannot excuse with just an, 'Oh, well, things happen', remark.
"The man, Mr. Thomas ... he knowingly put those boys, and let's not forget their friends, as well, out into the community unaccompanied and without adult supervision. If it weren't for some fast-acting Sheriff Deputies and armed citizens, who knows what might have befallen all of those boys," said Ms. Washington.
"And Judge, two of those boys, twins, by the way, who were under the care of Mr. Ken Thomas, were actually grabbed by two of the men who were intent on kidnaping, who knows, how many more of those boys. There is NO excuse for allowing that to happen, your Honor," finished Athena Washington, Deputy Director of CPS.
"Your Honor, Ms. Washington is picking at straws. We all know that my client hired two, well trained, ex-Sheriff's Deputies to accompany all of the boys and give them adult supervision. Plus, there was no indication that one man would contact additional men to try to kidnap anyone that night.
"It was after the fact that the authorities learned there might be an attempt to try to kidnap any of the boys, and thus they formulated a plan and implemented it. The Sheriff's office also told Mr. Thomas to stay away and let them catch the men in the act.
"My client took the precautions many parents wouldn't have thought of. Many parents send their children out Trick-or-Treating with other boys and girls hoping there is safety in numbers. My client, Mr. Thomas, hired two experienced security men to watch over his foster boys to keep them safe. There was no way he could have known those men would attempt to do what they did that night," argued Mr. Jackson.
"Your Honor ... Mr. Thomas chose to spend that evening handing out candy to the boys and girls who came to his estate instead of going with the boys and protecting them from harm," argued back the Deputy Director of CPS.
"So, let me get this straight, before we move on. First, you say that Mr. Thomas doesn't qualify to be an adoptive parent because he has no visible source of income. Then, on top of that, you denigrated him by calling him something you can NOT prove," began Judge Richards, before being interrupted by Ms. Washington.
"Your Honor, I apologized to Mr. Thomas, but he doesn't have a source of income," argued the Deputy Director.
"Sit down, Ms. Washington, so I may continue. And, by the way, you already said what you wanted to, so let me finish without any more interruptions. You do understand what I am saying, don't you?" asked Judge Richards.
Athena Washington stood and said she understood what the Judge just said and then she sat down. But, she wasn't happy and sat there pouting.
"Next, Ms. Washington, you stated Mr. Thomas placed his charges in harm's away by flying them in a charter aircraft, and that he should have used a major airline. I didn't know you were clairvoyant that you could know what would happen to an aircraft, any aircraft. And, the way you stated it yourself ... it is as if you know of a major airline that services this area that never had an inflight incident or emergency," opined the Judge.
Ms. Washington began to stand up to say something, but the Judge said to her, "Sit down, young lady!"
"Then, Ms. Washington, you complained that Mr. Thomas never let his charges off of his estate. Yet, his lawyer told us of multiple times the boys had done so. I take it you want something to happen to these boys while they are away from their foster dad.
"Then you would have this court believe that Mr. Thomas was remiss, or even negligent, by allowing his foster boys to go out Trick-or-Treating without him. Even though he hired two highly trained, now retired, Sheriff Deputies to accompany the boys.
"I wonder if Mr. Thomas could have handled all those men if he was there that night all by himself. What else do you have to complain about next?" said an irritated Judge Adam Richards, the presiding District's County Juvenile Court Judge
"Your Honor ... Mr. Thomas ... he has NOT kept his field representative aware of things going on with one Charles James Lewis. The boy had to have surgery right after he arrived at Mr. Thomas' estate. And, after that, we know nothing more.
"Judge, the boy has lived with the man since the beginning of last July and surely something must have happened since then," argued an irritated Ms. Washington, who thought there would be no problem with keeping the man from adopting the boy.
Bill Jackson stood up and said, "This is ridiculous, Judge. Ms. Washington is saying that something, anything, should have happened to the boy since his surgery and my client has knowingly withheld that information. That is pure speculation and unless CPS can prove something did happen to the boy and Mr. Thomas failed to report it; this is a non-issue!"
"Ms. Washington ... do you have any other issue that you want this Court to hear?" asked Judge Adam Richards.
"Yes, Judge, I do. I have two women who once worked for CPS, and who were railroaded out of their jobs. They were held responsible for something that they had no part in, but were the sacrificial lambs, so the current Director could take over. I would like for them to be heard," said a smiling Athena Washington.
"I object!" was then heard from the back of the courtroom.
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