Charles awoke refreshed. Sure he had his morning friend, but all he did was stretch it, scratch it and then set it straight up in his boxer briefs before he headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Feeling as good about his new life as he was, the lad peed, brushed his teeth and then got into the shower. As he showered, Charles continued to relish in how good he felt about the previous day's fun with all his new friends.
Charles thought about what they could do differently that day but he knew there wasn't anything new they could do unless … unless Mr. Dan got out the Jet Ski and he dragged the newbies back and forth on the lake. That thought brought a big smile to his face as he rinsed off and then dried himself before he got dressed for the day.
"Good morning, Mr. Dan, Mr. Chris," called out Charles cheerfully, as he entered the Kitchen Nook.
"Good Morning, Charles," called out Mr. Chris.
"Good Morning, Charles and what has you so upbeat this morning, if I may ask?" teased Mr. Dan.
"Oh, nothing really, Mr. Dan. I slept real good last night and I am looking forward to having my friends over again today. And speaking of my new friends, ahh, Mr. Dan … can I ask you to do something for me today?" finished Charles.
"Sure, Charles, unless it is something against the law," chuckled Mr. Dan.
"No, Mr. Dan, you won't have to break the law," smiled Charles.
"Okay, I'll bite. What is it you'd like for me to do today?" asked Officer Dan.
"Well, would you, well, would you take my new friends out on the tube and drive back-and-forth on the lake with them? None of them have ever had that experience and, well, I think they'd all love that," explained Charles.
"I see. I guess I can do that for you, but what about all the other guys who might show up?" honestly asked Dan.
Charles sat there for a few seconds before saying, "Well … they've all been out on the WaveRunners and they've all ridden on the tube a number of times. I thought … well, I thought that since my new friends haven't ever done that, that they would, you know, they'd get the first rides. The other guys can play on the water toys, or ride the ramps, and if you have time then they can ride the tube then. Would that be okay?"
"Yes, Charles, I guess that would work. When will you want to do that? After they all get here or after you're all sweaty from riding the skateboards?" asked Mr. Dan.
"Well … since you're the one doing the favor for me, ahhh … I'd say, ahh, you should decide when you have the time, Mr. Dan. We'll do it whenever you're ready for us," replied Charles.
"Will you ride as well?" asked Mr. Dan.
"Well, I thought I'd ride back and forth once or twice to show them what to do. And we'd go fairly slowly, That way they'd understand. Then, I'd get off and let the guys take their turns," answered Charles.
"That, I think, Charles, will work. And, what say we do the rides while the sun is out high and hot. That way the lads can totally enjoy what is in store for them. How about we do the rides right after they all get here, the new lads, that is," reasoned Mr. Dan.
"Yes, thank you Mr. Dan!" exclaimed Charles, as he went over to the man and hugged him.
Mr. Chris laughed at the antics of the lad and was happy to see the boy so eager and happy.
"Master Charles," began Momma Maria, "are you ready for your breakfast?"
Charles was startled by Momma's question and when he turned and looked at her he saw the smile on her face. "Yes, Momma Maria, I'm ready for breakfast. Sorry for making you wait but I had …"
"Yesis, I's knows and it ezzs goods you cares so mucho abouts yours amigos," replied Momma Maria.
Charles told Momma Maria he'd eat whatever she planned to cook. So, she served him Breakfast Enchiladas which were tortillas wrapped around scrambled eggs, bacon and beans cooked with a fragrant tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese. She also served baked Churro Doughnuts with a chocolate dipping sauce. The donuts smelled so good that Mr. Dan and Mr. Chris asked if they could partake.
Momma Maria smiled as she placed two donuts in front of each of the men and refilled their coffee cups. As the woman walked away she heard Mr. Chris tell Mr. Dan that he has gained four pounds since he started working there and that was only a month ago. The men laughed.
Charles hugged Momma Maria after he finished his wonderful breakfast and went outside and called his new friends and asked them all to come over. Then he waited for his friends.
Brad and Gordon arrived at The Cove first accompanied by Trevor, Terran and Sam. Cooper arrived next and not too far behind him were Logan, Cody, Josh and Camm. Not long after them, Asher and Mason showed up. Charles was anxious that David, Jacob, Hunter, Dylan and Tyler had yet to show.
"Cooper, do you know where the other guys might be?" asked Charles.
"Well, Jacob and Hunter sometimes spend the night at each other's house so they might be there. Same as with Dylan and Tyler. Dave, he hangs with all of us, but I have no idea where he might be. Didn't you call them this morning to come over?" finished Cooper.
"Yes, I called everyone but you, since you and I talked late last night," replied Charles. "I hope they all show up because I have a special treat for all of you," added Charles.
"What do you have planned for us?" asked Sam, who hadn't been to The Cove since he just returned from a short trip he'd taken with his friend Terran, big brother Trevor and their parents.
"Well, I guess I should explain that I have something special for my new friends, Cooper, Jacob, Hunter, David Dylan, and Tyler. Sorry, Sam, and the rest of you guys but I asked Mr. Dan to use the Jet Ski and take the new guys back and forth on the tube today. He agreed that since they haven't done that yet, they'd get to go first. Then, if Mr. Dan has the time he agreed to let the rest of you ride. I hope I didn't make any of you mad at me," wondered Charles.
It was while the preteen explained what he had planned for the day that Jacob and Hunter were dropped off by Hunter's mom. Shortly after their arrival the last three newbies arrived. Then Asher and Mason rode up on their bikes.
Charles then had to introduce the newbie's to Trevor, Terran and Sam and he then explained what he and Mr. Dan had in store for the new guys. The new guys were all smiles at the prospects of getting to ride behind the Jet Ski but they were a bit apprehensive at the same time.
"So, what will we do while they're on the tube?" asked Terran.
"You guys can either swim or ride your skateboards. You've all been out on the WaveRunner's and on the tube and with school starting in less than two weeks I want my new friends to have some fun, too. And don't forget, Mr. Dan said he'd continue to ride the rest of you if he had enough time. Who knows … maybe he'll even take us out on the Commander like he did last week," offered an upbeat Charles.
Terran and Sam were okay with that explanation. They had to agree they'd been out on the tube and WaveRunner and they shouldn't complain since they were lucky enough to be able to come over there and have fun too.
Since all the new guys were now there, Charles asked them to get their suits on and he'd go tell Mr. Dan they were getting ready. As Charles headed into the main part of the house, the rest of the guys headed over to the back entrance to the pool and thus the locker room.
When the whole gang arrived in the locker room, they all split off into pairs, as they usually did, and began the ritual of changing. The six newbies were still uncomfortable in changing with so many other guys around so they hesitated to change.
Sam and Terran were the youngest ones there and they noticed the reluctance of the six new lads so they walked over to them and told them what Camm and Charles told them yesterday. The two eleven year olds then took off all their clothes and changed right there in front of them. They told the new lads that it was no big deal and that their big brothers were over there and yes they were bashful to get naked in front of them, at first, but after they did it a time or two it no longer mattered to them. The youngsters then left to place their clothes in a locker.
Cooper smiled at his friends as he opened his bag and took out his swimsuit and began to change. His friends were amazed he was so calm and wasn't afraid to get naked in front of them. Cooper told his buddies to 'get real' that they've seen each other's dicks and balls before and they were no different now than they were then. He then got totally naked and held out his arms for them all to see. It was then Charles came into the locker room and he heard and saw what Cooper told his friends.
Charles went over to Cooper and he then took off his clothes and told the newbies that they all had dicks and balls and that some were bigger and some were smaller but they all were designed to do the same thing. Charles then told the guys they shouldn't be embarrassed if they got a boner. The still naked preteen told them they all got boners virtually every morning and probably did a 'show and tell' with a friend or two. He then told them to stop stalling and get naked as he and Coop were.
David was the first one to start disrobing. He'd gotten a hard-on the previous day but he knew it was because he watched all the other guys getting naked and it had aroused him because he'd never seen older guys nude before or such big dicks and balls on other boys. But, today, he decided he wasn't going to freeze up which was why he decided to be first. As he got down to his briefs his boy stick had begun to rise to the occasion but he knew that four of his five friends had already seen it hard so he persevered on. When David took off his briefs his boy toy had risen to half-mast but he didn't flinch, he just took his swimsuit out of his bag and put it on.
As David walked out to put his clothes in a locker, Hunter said, 'fuck it' and took off his clothes and changed into his suit. Yes, his dick had gotten a little starch in it, too, but he wasn't going to let it rule his life. As soon as he changed, he joined David out on the pool deck.
Jacob was amazed his best friend Hunter had let the other guys see his semi-hard dick but then he noticed no one had made fun of him, or David, so he did what his two friends did. Soon, Dylan and Tyler joined him in getting naked and then putting on their swimsuits. All that time Cooper and Charles had stayed naked. Then the last three friends went out to put their clothes in a locker.
"So, do you think we should get out suits on," smiled Cooper.
"Yeah, maybe we should or the guys will think we are doing something in here," replied Charles.
"Would that be so bad," snickered Cooper, as he deliberately looked at Charles' equipment.
Charles looked down at his own boy toy and saw it had put on some weight. He smiled at what he knew Cooper was looking at so he looked over at Cooper's own preteen stuff and saw it had grown some, too.
"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, but the guys are waiting on me to get them started on the tubes. Ahh, maybe we can continue this at a later date?" now smiled Charles.
"Sure, I think I'd like that," replied Cooper, as he wiggled his equipment back and forth before getting his swimsuit and putting it on.
Charles let out an audible laugh at what Cooper had done and then he put his own suit on. They walked out of the locker room together and put their clothes in a locker. They then quickly joined up with the rest of the larger group.
Mr. Dan was already down at the beach and when the group arrived. He explained what he and Charles had planned. He explained he and Logan would pull Charles first so the rest could see what to expect and what to do. He explained that everyone out on the tube MUST wear a life vest or they will NOT ride. The lads all agreed. That said, Mr. Dan started up the Jet Ski and Logan got on. Charles had put on a vest and had gotten into the tube for the slow but short ride out to beyond the lagoon. There, he would show his new friends how much fun riding the tube could be.
Mr. Dan went slowly for the first back and forth with Charles riding. He then increased his speed so the newbies could see what the tube did and how Charles held on. It was on the last pass that Mr. Dan went real fast and then made a quick turn and Charles got flung off the tube. The newbies all got scared for their new friend but when Charles came up laughing they knew they just had to try that.
Mr. Dan and Logan came in for the next rider and dropped off Charles. The newbies went by age so Cooper went first. But before Mr. Dan took Cooper out for his ride, Brad asked the man if he could take a WaveRunner out as long as he stayed close to the Cove. Mr. Dan agreed and then he proceeded to go outside the lagoon with Cooper in tow. Charles then took that time to quickly explain to his new friends that Brad had passed the Coast Guard course and being thirteen he could legally ride the WaveRunner by himself but wasn't allowed to take a passenger until he was eighteen.
Mr. Dan took it easy with Cooper for the first two passes. He then increased his speed on subsequent passes and as the speed increased the lad's friends could hear him laughing and yelling how much fun it was. But every good ride has to come to an end so on his last pass, Mr. Dan swung the Jet Ski into a hard turn and Cooper went flying off the tube and bounced a time or two before settling into the water. "WhaHoo!" yelled Coop. "That was awesome!"
Since the new guys decided to go by age, Dylan was next. The preteen put on a life vest, got into the tube and waited for Mr. Dan to take him out on the lake. Mr. Dan did what he'd done for Cooper but he put on speed much sooner and gave Dylan a more bouncy ride over the ripples on the lake. Of course, Officer Dan made sure he dumped the rider into the lake waters before going in for the next victim.
David's turn came up next. He was a bit hesitant and wanted to let Jacob go before him but the others told him they all agreed to go by age and he was next. Reluctantly, Dave got a vest on, sat in the tube and let Mr. Dan take him out on the lake. Dan Fischer had heard the exchange between the lads, so he decided to take it easy on Dave at first. The Deputy did three passes at a moderate speed but he then increased his throttle and David got a longer straight run than anyone else had. But in the end Mr. Dan did some quick turns and before David knew it he was unceremoniously tossed into the lake waters. The lad came up laughing.
Jacob was next and he asked Mr. Dan to go as fast as he could, that he wanted to experience a totally different ride. Mr. Dan did not disappoint the lad. The boy's first ride was as slow as everyone else's was, but that was all. Mr. Dan put the petal to the metal as he sped back and forth by The Cove. He did take wider turns so the lad would not fall off but in the end the man did go faster and the lad fell off just as his friends had before him.
Tyler's name came up next and he was looking forward to the experience. He told Mr. Dan to do his best so the man did just that. A slow first ride to get the lad some experience with the tube and then some quick early turns to dump the boy but the lad held on. Tyler had watched and learned how to position himself against the tight turns which allowed him to stay on the longest. It was because the lad was so good at maintaining his balance and hold on the tube that Mr. Dan gave him the longest ride of the day. Mr. Dan did win in the end when he cheated by making the tube turn over and thus dumping the lad.
The last rider was Hunter. He, too, watched the previous riders and he and Tyler talked about the trick to staying on the tube but Hunter knew he was not as strong as his friend so he doubted his ability to stay on as long as the previous lad did.
"Hunter, you are the next and last of the new lads to ride the tube. Are you ready young man?" asked Mr. Dan.
Hunter swallowed hard because he thought he heard some malice in the man's words but with a wavering voice he agreed he was ready. Mr. Dan took Hunter out slowly as he had the others. When he got out passed the lagoon, he did a back and forth as he had with the others. But this ride was going to be much different than any of the others. This time Dan Fischer decided that since he heard some fear in the lad's voice and saw some reservation in the boy's demeanor, he decided to treat the lad and to maybe help him face some of his fears.
On the following pass next to The Cove, Dan Fischer didn't turn around. He kept going straight. Even though Logan was the observer on the Jet Ski and would have told Mr. Dan if Tyler had fallen off, Brad followed along on the WaveRunner just in case. Mr. Dan decided to treat the lad to a very fast but stable ride. They returned to The Cove ten minutes after they had gone. It was then Mr. Dan dumped the boy into the lake waters. The twelve year old came up laughing and he yelled a 'Thank You' to the man for this ride.
When Hunter got back to the beach, his friends joined around him to ask him how far they'd gone and how he'd enjoy the longer ride. Hunter said he was surprised he got the longest ride but he also said that everyone had a different ride from the others and his was what it was, different. The guys all laughed at what he said.
Dan told the lads he was tired from all the hard driving he'd just done so he was finished for the day. He apologized if the others thought they could also get a ride, but he said it was tiring to ride continuously for over an hour and a half without a break. As he left to go change, Mr. Dan told Charles he'd like two burgers when they cooked later. That made the rest of the lad's laugh. They then all headed out to the water toys to play.
It was going on 3 PM when Charles asked if anyone was hungry. Hearing that food was being discussed the large group of lads headed in towards the beach. When they got there, Brad called out to Christy and Megan to come in for a burger or hot dog. The girls quickly followed.
The lads changed up teams so the newbies could get a feel of where all the parts to the barbeque could be found. Charles and Camm, along with Cooper, got the grill ready. When the burgers and hot dogs were brought out, Camm asked what everyone wanted and then he asked Trevor to go inside and check with Mr. Chris since they already knew that Mr. Dan wanted two burgers.
Mr. Dan and Mr. Chris came outside a few minutes after Trevor went in to let them know the burgers and dogs were going on the grill. The men sat amongst the newbies to hear what they had to say about their experience on the tube. The new lad's asked Mr. Chris if he'd ever been on the tube. The man laughed at the lads and then stood up and pulled up his pant leg and showed them his artificial leg. That was the first time any of the newbies had ever seen a prosthetic leg so they asked him about it.
At first, Mr. Dan was going to tell the lads not to bother the man about it, but when Mr. Chris began to talk about how he got it Dan Fischer knew everything would be okay. The lads listened raptly at the man's story and were reluctant to leave when Cooper yelled, "Come and get it."
Mr. Chris told the boys to get their food and he'd finish his story after they all had eaten. Even Christy and Megan were impressed by the man's story and that he wasn't afraid to talk about how he lost his leg. The young women began to admire the man for his strength in being able to work through his loss.
Mr. Chris did indeed finish his story. His doctors had been telling him he needed to get passed the loss and as he did he'd be better for it overall. What the man didn't tell those present when he told his story was that it was the first time he ever talked to anyone, other than his doctors, how he had lost the leg.
As Mr. Chris told his story, he closed his eyes and as he talked he was watching it in his mind. Charles saw what the man was doing and remembered that was what his 'dad' had him do almost a month ago when he told the DA and Sheriff Barnes about his involvement with Smokey Masson. Charles made a note in his mind to talk to the man when he could.
When Mr. Chris finished his story some of the lads asked some questions, but the man said he wasn't ready to answer them. He did thank everyone for politely listening, though. The man then got up and went inside. Mr. Dan reminded the lads they needed to clean up before they change back into their street clothes. He then went inside to ask Mr. Chris how he was doing after his talk to the lads.
After they got the patio straightened up, the lads went into the locker room to change. This time the newbies weren't as bashful to change as they had previously been. Although they stayed in their own groups, the newbies did move about some as they changed and the other lads did get a glimpse or two of their equipment but nobody said anything about it. Before long, the large group of teens and preteens were ready to use the skateboard ramps and that was where they headed next.
Inside, Dan talked to Chris about his revelation out on the patio. Chris said it was something he had needed to do for the longest time and when the opportunity presented itself he decided to tell it. He felt the lads would be an easier group to talk to than a group of adults which was another reason he decide to give his talk. He apologized to Dan for not answering their questions but Dan told him there will always be another day and knowing the lads, they will be ready to ask him when they get the chance. Chris smiled at the obvious, knowing kids were the most curious of all mankind.
Out on the ramps, the boys did talk about Mr. Chris' real-life story. They talked about the questions they had but it was Logan who reminded them all that the man had revealed something that was very personal and they needed to respect him and not badger him about something he might not be ready to talk about further.
Logan told them he was surprised at the detail the man gave and he felt he was right there with him when that IED went off and he was injured. The boys thought about what the teenager said and they inwardly agreed they were privileged to hear something most people would never experience.
The lads rode on the ramps until it was time for them to meet their parent or parents up at the Main Gate. The lads knew when it was time to head up to the entrance when a few got phone calls reminding them that someone would soon be there for them.
Dan Fischer watched the lads walk up to the Main Gate as a group and he decided to go out and join them there. That night it was unusual that Chris Dominions was leaving so late and when Dan saw the man walking to his car he asked him to join him at the gate to meet some of the new lads parents. Chris smiled at the invitation and he put his things inside the vehicle and walked over to catch up with Dan.
The two men reached the Main Gate as most of the parents arrived to collect their sons. The man waved at the parents as they were leaving but then most of the cars stopped and the parents got out. They came over to Mr. Chris and thanked him for being so courageous in telling their son about how he lost his leg. The accolade made Chris blush but inwardly he felt pride that he'd done something he had been so afraid to do. The parents talked to the man, and not about his injury, but how he was recovering and enjoying his new job at The Cove.
Not all of the parents of the newbies were there that night, but the ones who were got to meet the Estate Manager, as the other adult who supervises the lads when Mr. Ken isn't there. They shook the man's hand as they introduced themselves to him. More and more, Mr. Chris felt he was becoming more accepted at The Cove and it made him feel good to be a part of something he never thought could ever be. A twenty-something owner making a haven for foster boys and allowing them to invite their friends, no matter how many, to enjoy the amenities of The Cove and have fun along the way.
After the parents left, Mr. Chris said his goodnights and left, as well. Mr. Dan and Charles went inside where a waiting Momma Maria had their dinner ready. It was meatloaf night with mashed potatoes, creamed corn and a side salad. The man and boy ate well that night and it was then Momma told them that tomorrow night would be spaghetti and meatballs, garlic toast and a side salad.
When Charles heard Momma Maria mention spaghetti and meatballs, he just had to tell Mr. Dan about when they had almost 20 lads there and Mr. Ken cooked spaghetti for them all. Charles told the man how everyone pitched in to help make it a success and then help clean up so Momma didn't have a huge mess waiting for her the next morning. The story got the man laughing at how the kids weren't afraid to get their hands dirty no matter what the occasion was.
It was while they were talking that Charles asked Mr. Dan if he could have a small sleep-over. Charles explained he'd like to ask a few of his new friends to sleep over because they hadn't and that with school beginning soon they won't get a chance to do that until the weekends. Dan didn't have a problem with him asking the new lads to spend the night so he told Momma Maria that there would extra guests the next night so she knew to make extra spaghetti. The woman smiled at her being told well in advance. She just wished they would do that more often.
Mr. Dan and Charles talked after dinner using Mr. Ken's Study. Mr. Dan wanted to know if the lad was ready to go on another adventure before his 'dad' and 'brothers' got back. Charles was all ears and he asked if he could bring a friend as he did the last time and if Mr. Dan was going to invite Todd along, too. Dan did say he thought about doing just that, but he needed to talk to Mrs. Foster before he made any commitments.
Mr. Dan asked Charles not to say anything to anyone, especially Todd, until he got the lad's mom's permission. Charles said he understood and further asked that if Todd didn't go, could he invite a second friend. Mr. Dan was amazed that the lad wasn't afraid to ask the obvious questions and be up front about them. Dan Fischer told the lad he would be able to but they wouldn't know until tomorrow. It was then Charles asked where they would go. Mr. Dan told the preteen they'd go to SeaWorld outside of San Antonio. Charles got a big smile on his face.
Later that night, Mr. Ken called to talk to Charles. The preteen took over the conversation by telling his 'dad' how the day went and about how Mr. Chris told them about how he lost his leg. Ken Thomas was surprised at that revelation and he wanted to ask about it but figured Charles wouldn't understand the man's interest or his questions. Mr. Ken decided he'd call Dan after his call to Charles ended. The two talked for about 30 minutes before Robert and then Eric got on the line to tell Charles all about the amusement park they'd seen that day.
Later, after Charles was off the phone, Mr. Ken called to talk to Dan Fischer about what Mr. Chris did and if he knew what prompted it and why. Dan told his host that he had talked to Chris about it and learned that the man's doctors had been after him to talk about his injury to let out the hurt and embarrassment he was feeling inside of him. Dan told Ken that Chris offered that talking to a bunch of lads would be much easier than talking to group of adults, so he took the chance and was glad he had.
Dan told Ken how he saw the story as a real life history lesson to the kids and that when the parents learned of the revelation they thanked Chris for telling their sons about it. Dan further told his host that Chris seemed to be a bit happier as he left for the day. Ken Thomas learned some more about his employee that evening and it was all good. When the call ended, Ken Thomas was now very happy he had employed the veteran even if the man and his boys had some differences.
Having Mr. Dan's permission to have a small sleep-over, Charles called his six new friends and told them about the sleep-over now scheduled for the following night. He explained he didn't know about it until after dinner that night so they couldn't talk to their parents to get permission to stay over while they were out at the Main Gate.
Fifteen minutes after receiving the invitation, Cooper was the first to call Charles back and accept. The two talked some about what happened down in the locker room and they both had a good laugh over it. Before he hung up, Coop told Charles that he was now looking forward to the sleep-over and his getting to know his new friend better. Charles laughed at his new friend's comment and then hung up with a smile on his face.
Before the night was over, Charles heard from four more of his new friends. David was the lone holdout but it was getting late and Charles figured he'd either spend the night or he wouldn't. The Cover went to bed that night very happy about his 'new' life. He was beginning to believe Mr. Ken could get his life back on track and he just hoped this wasn't a dream.