The Covers woke to a damp and dreary day. Mr. Ken felt the cool dampness when he went out for his Sunday morning newspaper. He wondered to himself whether or not he should let his 'boys' friends over, but he figured that this is Texas, and if you 'wait fifteen minutes' the weather will change. The man then laughed at himself for thinking that.
The owner of The Cove, dad and foster dad decided he'd set out breakfast tacos for everyone and by the time they all came down for breakfast they would be ready in the convection oven. He allowed three tacos for each boy, so they would have a full stomach when they decided what they were going to do today.
The boys made their way down to the Kitchen Nook in spits and spurts. Billy was the last one down and he really appreciated his foster dad had thought to set out and heat the breakfast tacos for him and his 'brothers'.
"Guys," began 'dad' Ken, "the air was damp and cool when I went out this morning to get my paper. So ... you need to step outside and decide if you want your friends to come over today."
The twins hurried outside, quickly followed by Matthew and then Charles. The four boys came inside and it was Kevin who said it didn't feel all that bad. Kyle added that it wasn't raining so he figured their friends could come over. The younger twin then added, that if it rained, while they were there, they'd get to swim longer. The other five boys laughed at Kyle's rationalization.
The Cover boys' friends arrived at twelve noon, as they usually did. They all wore light jackets because of the coolness of the day. Even the Covers wore a jacket as after just a few minutes outside, the dampness penetrated to their core. The Covers took their friends to the back Patio to show them the new water toy addition to the cove.
The boys asked what it was called and what it was supposed to do. Matthew told them it was called Rock-It, and when you rocked it back-and-forth hard enough you could get good air when you let go. Robert added that they used one like it while on their cruise and they loved it.
Even though it was May, Texas was known for its unusual weather during the spring as one day it could be very warm and the next, like today, cold and damp. The boys rode their skateboards and the boys who hadn't seen the new games, which would eventually be located up at the Pavilion, tried them out.
But it wasn't long before a light rain began to fall and before the boys knew it a heavier rain began to fall which chased them inside to swim. When the boys exploded into the pool area Russell and Jordan were ready for them.
Kaden still didn't like having to be around the much younger boys. He knew any comment from him, though, would cause an argument with Billy, and after the last few loud discussions, he was afraid he'd be told to leave and never return. So, he made nice and played the games with the boys.
Later that night at dinner, Matthew, Kevin and Kyle lamented they never got to see what was completed on the skate park and Pavilion. Mr. Ken told the boys they could see it during the week, if there was time after their dentist appointments. The man then chuckled at the thought and the boys moaned.
Monday saw the cold front sticking around, so all the boys had to wear a jacket to school. The trial for Julian Hankers and Danny Zackerson, two of the four men who tried to kidnap the twins and seven other boys, last October, also began.
The trial wasn't too far off in the minds of the Parchsons twins. They knew they would have to, eventually, testify someday, but they didn't have to like it. Their teachers saw the boys weren't focused in school and, during the morning break, they contacted Abigail Chadwick.
That morning, Mr. Ken met with the State Regulatory Board that oversaw the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). He'd been invited to testify at the hearing to review Deputy Director of CPS, Athena Washington's, actions at Charles' adoption hearing and ceremony. The meeting was open to the public and was widely attended by news media and interested citizens.
The State's Regulatory Board had read the transcript of the adoption proceedings beforehand and they wanted to hear from Judge Adam Richards, Presiding County Juvenile Court Judge; the counties Director of CPS, Judy Turner; and Mr. Ken Thomas, adoptive parent before making their recommendations.
The hearing lasted almost two and one-half hours as the Board asked the invited speakers pointed questions about the proceedings and the actions of Deputy Director of CPS, Athena Washington that day.
At the end of the meeting, the Board unanimously concluded that the actions of Deputy Director of CPS, Athena Washington were reprehensible. They stated they could not believe that Deputy Director Washington would use such unfounded, weak and uncorroborated allegations to not only cancel an adoption, that had been approved by the Director, but was going to move each foster boy out of the household. And, on top of that, she was going to advocate for the annulling of a previous adoption by using those same unfounded, weak and uncorroborated allegations.
The Board recommended that Athena Washington be removed from her position pending her appeal. They also advocated the woman be given additional training and moved to another agency where her education could be used in a different capacity. The Board took questions from the news media.
The three invited speakers left the meeting room as the Board members answered the media's questions. The three agreed the recommendations were fair as long as Athena Washington was never allowed to interact with or make decisions for children again. Mr. Ken then headed home.
It was right after lunch that Ken Thomas heard from Principal Chadwick at the twin's school.
"Mr. Ken ... I hate to have to call you about your boys," began Principal Abigail Chadwick, "but ... well, the twins ... their teachers Charlene Kirklunds, Kyle's teacher and Lillian James, Kevin's teacher have come to me and told me your boys just aren't focused for some reason.
"Charlene and Lillian both tell me the boys ... they seem to be distracted about something and just aren't paying attention in class. They tell me the boys are participating, somewhat, but it's mostly them going through the motions.
"Is there something going on at home that ... that I need to know about that might be the problem? You know the boys aren't getting along, or ...?" was saying the school's principal, when she was interrupted by Mr. Ken.
"Ms. Chadwick, Abigail, the twins ... and two of their brothers are ..." began the boy's foster dad before Ms. Chadwick interrupted.
"Are they being sent away? Is that why they aren't focused, Mr. Thomas?" asked the principal.
"No, no, it is nothing like that. It's just ... well, the trial for two of the four men who tried to kidnap them, two of their 'brothers' and five of their friends, began today. These past few weekends the DA ... he's been preparing them to testify and they are scared.
"They've never done anything like that and they are afraid that those two men will get off and try to take them again sometime in the future. Abigail ... please tell the boys' teachers what I just told you, but ask them ... please ask them not to mention it to the other students. The boys don't need that ... that additional distraction," explained Mr. Ken.
"Will all nine boys ... will they all have to ... testify?" asked Ms. Chadwick, tentatively.
"Yes, eventually, that is ... that is if the men don't take the plea bargain, they were offered by DA Morris not to go to trial. George Morris thinks the testimony won't begin until late Thursday or maybe Friday depending on how long it takes to pick the jury," clarified Ken Thomas.
At Billy's school, he and his friends were talking about the boater safety course they took that weekend and some of their classmates heard them. That made the teens tell their fellow students all about how they spent their Saturday, in class, and what they learned. Their classmates all laughed at them for wasting their Saturday.
That afternoon a tractor-trailer transport arrived at the Main Gate. It was carrying more of the Pavilion's accessories and Mr. Chris needed to go up there to sign for them. The guards helped offload the trash cans, bike-racks, tables and benches.
Mr. Chris again wished he had those golf carts he ordered, but they wouldn't be there for another two weeks. Mr. Ken used his truck to get the boxes, and he and Wayne and Chris loaded them up and took the boxes to the garage. The contractor used his forklift to place the tables and benches over and inside the Pavilion.
Kevin had his appointment with Doctor Doug that Monday afternoon and the older twin was glad he did. He talked to Doug Jennings about how he felt about the trial and his having to testify. The doctor had a difficult time getting Kevin to see the benefit of his testimony and that if he doesn't then those men could go free. But in the end, Kevin saw the wisdom and agreed he'd go through with it.
When Kyle returned from school, he and his twin, Kevin, went immediately to their room. Kevin told Kyle all about his talk with Doctor Doug and asked him to have an open and honest talk with him when he saw him tomorrow, Tuesday. Kyle said he would.
When Billy returned from school, he went upstairs to get his 'brothers', so they could all have their afterschool snack together. The six boys got used to having their Momma Maria treat together. They enjoyed the talking and joking around they all did together. And sometimes their laughter carried all the way to their 'dad's' Study.
Billy went to the dentist right after his snack. He had a 5 p.m. appointment to get a cavity or two fixed. When he returned, the twins asked him if it hurt. All Billy told them was that after he got his numbing shots, nothing hurt. The twins had a big smile after hearing that.
The weather moved out overnight and Tuesday turned out to be a warm and sunny day. None of the Covers needed a jacket that day as they headed up to the School Bus Stop.
The first thing at school that morning, Billy told his friends the tables, benches, trash cans and bike racks arrived the previous day and that the lockers were due sometime that day. Kaden asked if they were still planning on assembling them over the coming weekend.
Billy told Kaden, and thus his friends, that Mr. Ken was buying additional electric screwdrivers and wrenches so the boys could have an assembly line as they put the lockers together. Billy reminded them there were sixty half-height lockers on order, which actually meant there were only thirty lockers that needed to be put together.
The high school teens told one another that with 50 people working on the project it should only take two days and not three as Mr. Ken projected. Billy mentioned that many of the younger boys had never used tools before. He added the lockers would be heavy and they had to not only build them, but stand them up and then attach them to the back wall of the Pavilion.
The Cover men, Mr. Ken, Mr. Chris and Mr. Wayne talked about the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion. Mr. Wayne briefed the other two about the Pavilion floor and how it was now smooth, stained and sealed. He told them the restrooms, the final electrical installation, the new grill and serving counter would also be installed by Friday. Mr. Ken was happy to hear that.
Mr. Chris mentioned to the men that two of the three deliveries were complete and the last one, the lockers, were due sometime that afternoon. The Estate Manager mentioned there would be at least twenty boxes and they would need help offloading them. He asked Mr. Ken where he was going to store them.
Mr. Wayne mentioned the contractor would again use his forklift to move the lockers and their parts over to the Pavilion. The Estate Master told his employer that the contractor wanted to know if they wanted the benches and tables installed this week or next.
Mr. Ken thought about it for a few moments and asked where the tables and benches were now. Mr. Wayne said the contractor set them along the far side of the Pavilion so they would be out of the way of the electricians as they installed the lights and ceiling fans.
Mr. Ken said that was good as that would give them space to spread out under the Pavilion and get the boys out of the sun as they put the lockers together. Mr. Ken then asked what they had to mount the lockers to the back wall.
Mr. Chris looked at Mr. Wayne who looked to his boss, Mr. Ken, who he thought had looked into that. It was apparent the three men needed to find a solution and then buy the fasteners by Saturday. Mr. Wayne, as the Project Manager, was elected to do that.
Kyle visited Doctor Doug that afternoon. He talked to the child psychologist just as his older twin had. The two, doctor and patient, discussed the trial and the lad's involvement and how important it was for the boy to do his duty to put those men away for a very long time.
When Mr. Wayne and Kyle returned that afternoon, the transport truck was parked at the Main Gate. Kyle could see box after box being offloaded and the forklift taking them over to the Pavilion. He wanted to get out of the vehicle and watch, but Mr. Wayne told the twelve-year-old that he'd be in the way and he didn't need to get hurt, again.
Kyle pouted some, but he knew the Estate Master was right. He did ask if they could all go look at the skate park and Pavilion after dinner. Mr. Wayne didn't commit to that, but said he'd ask his 'dad' and let him decide. Kyle was OK with that.
Kyle stopped by the Study to talk to his 'dad', but the man wasn't there. Mr. Wayne told the younger twin his 'dad' was out visiting his new office building and apartments. Disappointed, Kyle went up to his room to get started on his homework.
After school that afternoon, Robert and Matthew went to the dentist. When they returned, they showed their 'brothers' their new fillings. All the boys knew how many cavities they had and thus they knew how many dentist appointments they'd have.
After dinner, Mr. Ken did walk the boys up to the construction site. The boys were amazed that the skate park looked completed. Mr. Wayne told them just the concrete work was done. But the contractor still had to install the lights, sun shade sails and the bannisters to keep anyone from falling off the front edge.
At the Pavilion, the boys saw all the benches and tables with their supports lying on the far side. They also saw the many boxes of lockers and their parts and fasteners spread around the rest of the perimeter of the structure.
'Dad' Ken told them they'd assemble the lockers under the Pavilion to stay out of the sun. He also mentioned that they all had to be fastened to the back wall of the Pavilion and that Mr. Wayne was talking to the contractor to decide which fasteners were the right ones to use. Mr. Wayne took that as a hint he'd better work on that tomorrow.
Billy was just as interested as his 'brothers' were about the lockers, the benches and tables. They were all concerned the tables and benches wouldn't be installed in time. Mr. Wayne told the boys, the contractor promised to install them next week after the Covers, and their friends, installed all of the lockers.
After dinner that evening, Charles asked his dad if he had to get braces. Dad Ken told the new teenager that the dentist recommended they talk to an orthodontist. Charles' dad didn't hold anything back and told the teen that he believed the boy needed them. The dad told his new son that it would be in his best interests to get them while he was young and have good-looking teeth for the rest of his life.
The other boys asked if they needed braces, too. 'Dad' Ken told them that Charles was identified by the dentist as the only one who needed them now. 'Dad' Ken told the twins and Matthew that they may need them as they get older, but for now they didn't need them.
Kyle asked about Robert and Billy. Mr. Ken told the younger twin that his older 'brothers' didn't need them either, but as they got older, they might need them after their wisdom teeth come in. The man also suggested that if their wisdom teeth came in wrong, they may need them surgically removed. Billy and Robert didn't like hearing that one bit.
Another spring cold front arrived during the night. The wind blew hard and the rain pelted the windows on all sides of the house. Everyone in The Cove heard the storm as it came through the area. Matthew ran to Robert's room to spend the rest of the night there. Kyle jumped into his brother's bed and the two of them hugged onto one another.
Charles heard the storm arrive and after a while he got out of his bed and looked out the window. He watched as the wind rippled the water on the lake's surface and he could see the rain coming down almost sideways. He marveled at Mother Nature's way of washing the earth. Since he was up, he peed, and then got back into bed and slept soundly.
Billy, slept through it all. Yes, he heard something going on outside and figured it was a storm. He didn't bother looking out his window. All he did was turn over in his bed and go right back to sleep.
Chief even looked up from her bed, as she heard the sounds outside. But since Billy didn't get up to look, the resident pet decided to go right back to sleep, as well. Billy and Chief would hear the other 'brother's' stories the next day after school.
"Dad, did you hear that storm last night?" asked Robert. "It must have been really bad as Matthew came into my room and slept in the other bed. He said he didn't want to be alone with all that was going on outside."
"Yea, even Kyle jumped into bed with me," chuckled Kevin.
"Yes, son, I heard it howling outside. And boys, you've all heard storms like that before. I don't know why it upset you all so? Well, let's get on with our day, and 'Let that be a lesson to you,'" laughed 'dad' Ken.
The boys knew their 'dad' was trying to get them settled down and that there was nothing they, or even he, could do about the storm and they just had to live with it. They finished eating their Momma Maria breakfast then hugged the woman for fixing them such a great meal. They all said goodbye to their 'dad', washed their hands and face, got a jacket and headed up the rise to the School Bus Stop.
When Billy came down for breakfast, he never said anything to Mr. Ken about the storm. The teen took care of Chief's needs first and then sat down to an awesome Momma breakfast. The teen and his foster dad talked some about the storm and then they discussed Saturday's locker build.
Mr. Ken wanted to see what Billy thought about creating teams and who he'd place on them. Billy said that was putting the horse before the cart. The teen said they needed to see what the instructions said then figure out the best way to stage the build to do it simply, without causing additional bottlenecks and most of all safely.
Mr. Ken was impressed with the teen's thought process. The foster dad told Billy that when he arrived home from his appointment with Doctor Doug, he'd like to sit down with him and go over the plans with him. The man asked his foster son to help figure out a way to make the build a success. Billy was ecstatic after hearing Mr. Ken ask him to help and not his two sons.
When Billy arrived at school, he told his friends what happened at the breakfast table that morning. The Cover teen was still stoked that Mr. Ken asked him to help him look over the locker plans and decide on a course of action.
Kaden asked him to save some prime building spots for them, so they could quickly get it done and over with. The other four friends said Billy needed to make sure everyone was safe and that they didn't rush so much they put the wrong parts together and would have to undo their mistakes and start all over again.
The other Cover boys talked to their friends about last night's storm. Matthew's friends laughed at him when he told them he ran to Robert's room, so as not to be alone. Max spoke up and said he wished he had an older brother he could have run to last night. He said it was scary the way the storm came up.
A few of Matthew's other friends said they heard the storm. Then they asked Brant if he ran to Brad's bedroom. Brant said he didn't run; he jumped into his brother's bed. All the boys had a good laugh before the first bell rang.
When Billy returned from Doctor Doug's, he searched out to Mr. Ken. He found him where the man usually was, in his Study. Mr. Ken was glad the teen stopped by, so he and the teen walked up to the Pavilion to look over the locker building plans.
Billy was amazed at what they would have to do to build the lockers. He saw there were at least twenty nuts and bolts for each locker and that they would actually build three lockers on one locker back. After a few minutes of looking the plans over, he told Mr. Ken he thought they would have way too many people working on the project.
Mr. Ken told Billy it was too late to disinvite the boys, so they needed to figure out how they could spread out the work so everyone felt they were contributing to the build. Billy understood what Mr. Ken was saying. He then reminded the man they had to make sure they did everything safely. Mr. Ken appreciated the teen's observations. He told Billy they'd talk with his 'brothers' about the build after dinner.
After dinner, the Covers sat in the Study where Mr. Ken discussed what was happening around The Cove and what was scheduled for him and his boys. The twins asked about the trial and if they still had to testify. Mr. Ken told them that for now they had to plan to be there.
After the regular discussion of what was planned for the future, Mr. Ken told the boys they needed to talk about the locker build that would happen that Saturday. He told them he and Billy looked over the instructions earlier and decided there were a lot of nuts and bolts that would be used to attach the lockers to the back panel.
Billy took the lead and explained that the lockers were actually built in sets of three and that each locker set would use about sixty nuts and bolts, if not more, because there was a top, a middle and bottom shelf along with bottom legs and a slanted rain hood that all had to be attached before the set of three lockers would be complete.
Mr. Ken added the lockers would be extremely heavy to stand up, when completed, and then they had to be carried to the back of the Pavilion where he and Mr. Wayne would fasten them to the wall. The boys asked if they could see the plans. Billy went out to the garage to retrieve them.
"Dad ... why did you talk to Billy about the plans and not the rest of us?' asked Robert.
"Well, Billy showed me something earlier and I wanted to see if he was just lucky, or ... if he did actually have something inside of him that gave him some foresight. What I mean is ... he seems to look at things with an open mind and figures a 'best' way to do something," explained the teen's dad.
Billy heard the end of his foster dad's explanation. He felt honored, but confused. He didn't know what to think. On one hand Mr. Ken asked him to help and then on the other hand the man was testing him. He knew he needed to talk to Mr. Ken later about what he heard.
"OK, here's the plans," announced Billy, when he entered the Study. He purposely didn't say anything about what he heard. He figured he'd wait until the man came to his room before bed to talk to him about what he heard.
The five other Cover boys looked over the locker build plans and saw what their dad had said was true. There were loads of nuts and bolts that needed to be attached and that three lockers made one large unit.
Robert did the math and told everyone there were only ten total units they had to build so that shouldn't be too bad. Charles laughed and told his brother that until they actually get the parts and pieces out of their boxes and form some sort of assembly line half the day would be over.
Billy looked at Mr. Ken with a knowing smile. The teenager knew what Charles said was probably true. And since none of the boys had ever done anything like what they will attempt that coming Saturday, Billy figured it could take all of Saturday and Sunday and then some. Only time will tell.
When Mr. Ken stopped at Billy's room, the teen asked the man to close the door.
"Ahh, Mr. Ken ... ahh ... I, ahh ... I heard what you told Robert ... ahh, when I went to get the plans. I was outside the Study when you told him why ... ahh, you chose me to help you look though the plans. I heard your comment about me probably being lucky," stammered out Billy.
"Ohh, Bill ... do you remember hearing me say about your ability to look forward at things? I think I said something like, 'it seemed to me that you can look at things and figure a 'best' way to do something'. Earlier you said something that caused me to take notice. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it showed me you had a knack to look forward at things.
"That my young man is why I wanted you to help me. I wanted to see if you ... if you looked 'outside the box', as it is sometimes called. I wanted to see how you'd look through the challenge of the locker build. You showed me that you do look at things and see the full picture, you know, what's beyond," explained Mr. Ken.
Billy thanked the man for explaining it to him. He told him he didn't know why he had asked him to help, but was surprised and elated that he did get to do something with him without the other boys being involved.
Billy added that it made him feel more a part of the 'family' as he never was asked by Jody to do anything other than stay out of the way and not bring attention to them because of what they were involved in. Billy thanked his foster dad with a big hug.
Billy and his 'brothers', as well as Mr. Ken and Chief, slept very well that night.
When Billy arrived at his school that morning, he immediately told his friends about what he and his foster dad talked about concerning the locker build. He explained how there were loads and loads of nuts and bolts that had to be attached and they would build three lockers at the same time.
"Three lockers at the same time? How'd that happen?" asked Jamie.
"Well, the backing for the lockers allows you to attach two end panels and two inside panels then the front panel that complete a three-locker group. There are also a top, a middle and bottom shelf along with bottom legs and a slanted rain hood that all had to be attached before the set of three lockers is completed.
"As I said there are a lot of nuts and bolts. Mr. Ken and I figured out each locker will take about twenty, or more, of them to put the three-locker set together. Multiply that by three and you can see it will take some time to do them all. It will be a challenge since most, if not all the boys, never used screwdrivers and wrenches. How many of you have?" laughed Billy.
"Then we have to stand them up and they will be heavy. We then get to carry them to the back wall of the Pavilion where Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne will fasten them to the wall. I do hope he'll let us do that after they do the first set of lockers," wished Billy.
The first bell rang before the boys could discuss the locker build any more.
The other Cover boys talked to their friends about what they saw in the plans. Robert and Charles' friends wondered how heavy the locker set would be and if they'd actually be able to carry them. It was Robert who reminded his friends that Billy and his friends would be there to give them the 'heavy lifting' power. They all laughed.
Matthew and the twins talked to their friends and explained how many nuts and bolts there were to construct the lockers. They explained there was a top, a middle and bottom shelf along with legs and a rain hood that had to be attached to the lockers and back. Some of their friends wondered if they'd be able to do all of that.
The kicker for the younger boys was the fact that they had to not only stand the lockers up but they had to carry them to the back of the Pavilion, where Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne would be, to fasten them to the wall. Some boys were skeptical they would be able to do that.
After dinner that night, the boys each had to tell 'dad' Ken how their friends reacted to hearing about the locker build, and what it will take to assemble them and get them attached to the Pavilion wall.
The Covers talked some more about the lockers and how they intended to set up an assembly line. Billy suggested that they pair different aged boys together in groups and assign them to doing different sections of the lockers.
Charles spoke up and asked why the different groups, that Billy suggested, couldn't work on their own locker as a team. Robert seconded that idea and the other three younger boys joined in with their agreement.
'Dad' Ken said he liked the initial idea, but until they put it in practice they won't know if it will work. The man did say he'd go with Bill's initial suggestion to mix the age groups and Charles' idea to let everyone work on their own locker set. Mr. Ken did qualify that by saying if the groups don't work together, or the task proves too difficult he'd devise a new plan.
At dinner the following day, the boys couldn't contain their talking about what their friends thought about tomorrow's locker builds. The younger boys were the most vocal about it. They couldn't stop talking about getting the chance to use electric screwdrivers and wrenches. The three said they never had the chance to use them before and now they'd get to use them.
Robert said his friends were equally pumped up about helping to assemble the lockers. The teen mentioned his friends thought that working in teams was a great idea and couldn't wait until Saturday.
Charles said almost the same thing, but added that his friends might appear at the Main Gate a few minutes before twelve noon as they usually do. The teen said they might even be there a few minutes before that. Everyone laughed especially when the boy's dad told his son to text all of his friends and tell them, "Your dad said to not come any sooner than twelve noon."
Mr. Wayne told the boys how they intended to attach the lockers to the wall. He even brought a sample of the fastener to show them. He did mention that the lockers might be heavier than they anticipated and that they may have to build the lockers closer to the wall.
After everyone had their say about what would happen tomorrow, Billy asked if he'd be allowed to help attach the lockers to the wall. The teen then asked if after the first lockers were installed if he and his friends could take over that part of the build.
Mr. Wayne looked to his employer to say something. Mr. Ken sat there for a few moments before he replied.
"Bill ... I'm not saying you and your friends will get to do that, and I am not saying you won't. But what I will say is Mr. Wayne and I will watch and decide during the day if we can turn that part of the project over to you.
"Robert, Charles ... Bill and his friends are bigger and stronger and should be able to handle the heavy lifting, such as bringing the locker sets over to the wall. I'm not saying you won't get the chance to try it, but Mr. Wayne and I have to see for ourselves how difficult drilling the holes in the wall and then attaching the lockers will be.
"Boys, we are all venturing into uncharted territory with this undertaking, tomorrow. I should have planned this part better but, it is what it is. But we all have to be safe tomorrow ... when we all assemble and attach those lockers.
"Boys ... tomorrow ... as I said, we have to be safe when we put those lockers together. The edges might be sharp and might cut you and your friends' hands. We bought gloves for you guys to use, but ... we won't know if they will help or hinder our work.
"Besides that, I want to thank all of you for the way you are taking this dentist appointment thing to heart. You all may have a few more appointments to get all of your teeth fixed, but you'll see, we'll get through this. Even I have to go back to the dentist and have a few of my own cavities repaired," chuckled 'dad' Ken
"After your teeth are in good shape, I will schedule all of us for a check-up, every six months. Mr. Wayne will have to take care of his own teeth," laughed Mr. Ken.
The boys laughed right along with their 'dad', and even Mr. Wayne joined in. After a few more comments about tomorrow from the boys, Mr. Ken sent the boys to their rooms to settle down before bed. He told them he'd be up in a few minutes to say goodnight.
It had been a long week of appointments for the Covers. There were also many discussions about what will finally happen tomorrow. On top of all that, the boys were in full anticipation mode of the locker build and it had worn all the boys out. Even though they fought going to sleep, the Sandman won the night and the Covers slept very well that night.
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