Charles woke up very refreshed. He was looking forward to having his own sleep-over that night and an upcoming trip to SeaWorld. Other than what happened to him the night of the 4th of July Picnic, Charles felt his life was getting better by the day. He felt like he was on top of the world right then.
Down in the Kitchen Nook Mr. Dan was contemplating how he was going to tell Charles the trip to SeaWorld would have to wait. The man had forgotten he had a mandatory police physical scheduled for that coming Friday and he would not be able to get out of it. The physical was required after being injured while on duty and it was to determine his suitability to return to duty. Mr. Dan was hoping that the lad would understand.
Mr. Chris joined Mr. Ken's guest for coffee. The Estate Manager had a big smile on his face and Dan could tell the man was happy about something. When the two talked, Dan learned how Chris saw what happened yesterday as a big breakthrough toward his recovery and the man also revealed his wife was happy with how the job was working out for him. Chris said he couldn't have ever found as good a position as he had. One that gave him the time he needed for his doctor appointments and would also allow him to be there for his kids if need be. Dan told the man he was happy for him and hoped he would be in the position for a long time.
"Good Morning, Mr. Dan and Mr. Chris," called out Charles, as he entered the Kitchen Nook.
Both men acknowledged the preteen and then Momma Maria asked the lad what he wanted for breakfast. As soon as the woman knew what to prepare she went over to her are and began to make the boy's meal.
"Mr. Dan … I told my new friends about the sleep-over for tonight. Dave is the only one who hasn't responded. I figure his mom might want to call to ask who would be supervising now that she knows Mr. Ken is gone. I mention it so if she calls you know what it is all about," explained Charles.
"Oh, Charles … I have some news for you," began Mr. Dan.
"Is it about the trip to SeaWorld?" anxiously asked Charles.
"Yes, Charles, it is … but I am afraid it isn't good news," replied Dan Fischer, as he looked for some reaction from the lad. When he didn't get any, Dan added, "I forgot I already had a police physical scheduled for tomorrow and it is something that I have to attend and I cannot get out of it. Because I was injured in the line of duty, the police contract requires that I get checked out at regular intervals. Tomorrow is one of those scheduled physicals. I am truly sorry Charles, but I will make it up to you."
Charles sat there not knowing what to say. He was looking forward to visiting Sea World but he knew that Mr. Dan hadn't told him when that would be. After hearing what Mr. Dan just said, the lad figure the man wanted to go tomorrow, Friday, but now that was not possible.
Charles thought about it all for a few moments and then said, "Mr. Dan, thank you for telling me that we can't go tomorrow, but you never told me when we'd go so I think you are more disappointed than I am right now." Charles then smiled at the man.
Mr. Dan thought about what Charles just said and then a smile came on his face when he realized he hadn't told the lad when they would go because he had to call Mrs. Foster to see if Todd could go and he hadn't done that yet, either.
"Charles, thank you for pointing out the obvious to someone who isn't very observant," laughed Mr. Dan. "You're right … I didn't tell you when we'd go but in the back of my mind I had always planned for us to go tomorrow. Now, I feel like a heel for not mentioning it to you but at the same time I am glad I hadn't. Does that make any sense? … Anyway, I am glad you understand and I will indeed take you and a friend and either Todd, or another friend if he cannot go. So … if we are to go it would have to be next week and probably the sooner the better because Mr. Ken will probably want to take you two lads out shopping for school clothes"
"Mr. Dan, thank you for explaining it to me, whatever 'it' was," teased Charles, with a smile on his face.
Mr. Dan saw the devilment in the boys smile after what he'd said so Mr. Dan attacked the lad with a tickle attack. Charles wasn't ready for that to happen as Mr. Dan wasn't known as someone who did that sort of thing. Mr. Dan tickled with no mercy and Charles squirmed away in his chair and laughed uncontrollably. Mr. Chris watched on at the antics of the man and Momma Maria loved hearing the laughter of kids in the house.
Unfortunately, Charles breakfast was getting cold as the man tickle attacked the preteen so Momma put an end to it but saying, "Boys … that will be enough. Breakfast is getting cold!"
Dan Fischer stopped tickling Charles while the lad caught his breath. As Mr. Dan walked back to his chair, Charles got out of his and hugged the man and thanked him for not being so stuffy. Charles then smiled up at the man and walked back to his chair so he could eat his breakfast. Mr. Dan just stood there trying to figure out what the lad meant by his being 'stuffy'.
Mr. Chris sat in his chair and smiled at the exchange he just witnessed. He knew from the first day that Dan was very set in his ways but he noticed over the short time he lived at The Cove how the Sheriff Deputy looked forward to being around the boys and interacting with them, like yesterday, out on the lake. It made the man smile as it further enforced in his mind that what Mr. Ken had established there at The Cove was something wonderful.
Just as Logan and Cody arrived at The Cove, Hunter and Jacob got out of Patsy Wilks' car, Hunter's mother's vehicle. The woman got out of the vehicle and opened the trunk and the two newbie's took their sleeping bags, pillows, satchel of clothes with swim suits, and skateboards out. It was awkward for them to carry everything so Logan and Cody offered to help.
"So, you guys are having a sleep-over?" asked Cody.
"Yeah, Charles called us last night and told us he was inviting all his new friends to sleep over tonight," replied Jacob.
"Hey, that's great," offered Logan. "I bet you'll all have a great time. I know I have every time I've stayed over."
Hearing what Logan said put a smile on both Jacob's and Hunter's faces.
Cooper was the next lad to arrive, quickly followed by Trevor and Chuck and their two younger brothers. Trevor, seeing Cooper carrying a bunch of stuff, offered to help. The younger guys asked about there being a sleep-over only to learn that Charles only invited his new friends. That disappointed Sam and Terran and they said so. Chuck then reminded the two younger lads that Robert had already invited them to stay overnight a few times and that Charles should be able to invite his own friends to stay overnight. Sam and Terran looked at one another and reluctantly agreed.
While the rest of the guys arrived at The Cove, Charles heard from David. The new lad told Charles his mom wanted to know who was spending the night and who was watching over them. Charles told him that it would only be the boys he met at the Go-Kart track and possibly Camm if they all could spend the night. The Cover then explained that Mr. Dan would be there all night to make sure they didn't get into any trouble. David then asked for a phone number his mom could call. After giving his new friend The Cove's main phone number, Charles went to Mr. Dan to warn him about a pending call.
Dylan and Tyler arrived and since all the other guys were already down at the ramps they had to carry all their stuff themselves. It wasn't until the newbie's were close to the garage that some of the guys went to help.
"Maybe I should have made two trips," offered Dylan.
"Naw, you did good," said Chuck, "shows us you're not a wimp." That got a laugh out of the rest of the lads.
Dylan and Tyler set their stuff aside and went looking for Charles only to learn David called and Charles went inside to talk to Mr. Dan.
"I hope Dave can spend the night," said Tyler. "He doesn't get to do many neat things because of his mom. Sure he goes places, but his mom is too protective of him most of the time. I was surprised he was here yesterday."
Camm heard what Tyler said and knew exactly what that was all about because his mom was the same way. He was also a bit disappointed he hadn't been invited to stay over but he knew he'd been there a number of times already and the newbie's hadn't so he knew he had nothing to complain about.
When Charles came back outside, he explained what David wanted and that his mom did call and talk to Mr. Dan, but said he didn't stay to listen to the conversation. He told the gang he figured David would either be there or not and that he couldn't make his mom let him spend the night.
The group of lads went back to riding the ramps and about a half hour later David showed up at the Main Gate. They knew he was there since he called Charles and asked him for some help carrying all his stuff down to the house. Charles and Cooper went up to help Dave carry it all down to the garage.
The whole gang patted David on his back for being able to spend the night. The twelve year old then explained how his mom was concerned about who would be there and who was watching over them. He told them of listening to his mom's conversation with Mr. Dan and how his mom wanted to talk to Mr. Ken. He told them that Mr. Dan must have told her Mr. Ken wasn't there because she then insisted she talk to him or she wasn't going to let me spend the nightly.
Dave continued to tell the assembled lads that he didn't know what Mr. Dan told her but when she got off the phone he told them he heard her say to herself something about there being a sheriff staying here watching over the place and the boys. Dave then told the lads he was surprised when his mom told him he could spend the night because Mr. Ken spared no expense to make sure the sleep over would be safe and well chaperoned.
The guys all laughed at Dave's tale but overall they were happy for the lad that his mom finally allowed him to have some fun. Now, that David was spending the night, Charles needed to take Camm aside and ask him if he could spend the night.
Charles pulled Camm aside and explained he hadn't asked him if he could spend the night sooner because he wasn't sure if David could spend the night or not. Charles further explained he didn't want an odd number and until he knew about David, he didn't want to invite Camm and then have to uninvite him. Camm thanked Charles for explaining it to him and he said he understood why he did what he did. Camm immediately called his mom and got her permission.
Camm was very happy that he got to not only spend the night but he'd get the chance to be around six of his old classmates and hopefully he'd get to know them better and eventually not be such a loner at school. He promised himself that he'd participate with the group and be more outgoing so the guys could get to know him better. He just hoped his plan would work.
The day went like most days do at Three Finger Cove. The lads rode the ramps until they got all sweaty and then they changed into their swim suits and played out on the water toys. Then, when they got hungry, they helped Charles get the burgers and dogs out to cook.
Sam and Terran both went in to ask Mr. Dan and Mr. Chris if they wanted something to eat with the guys. Learning the two men did indeed want a burger and a hot dog the two younger lads went to Charles with their order.
Mr. Dan and Mr. Chris came out just in time to eat with the boys and Christie and Megan. They all sat together and it was then Mr. Chris continued to tell the lads about his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. The boys all listened with rapt attention and this time the man allowed the boys to ask him some questions.
"Mr. Chris, were you in the first vehicle when the, ahh, IED, is that right, went off?" asked Ash.
"Actually, I was in the third vehicle. The other two were each riding in the outside road ruts and we were riding the middle lane, if you can understand what I mean. When it happened it was so fast you didn't have time to react. You just went with the flow as the vehicle bounced into the air and then landed wherever."
"When did you know your leg was injured? Did you know right away or when did you learn the leg was gone?" asked Dylan.
"To be honest, I was knocked unconscious by the blast and when I woke up I was in the first aid station with six or seven doctors and nurses and technicians hovering all over me. They told me my leg was badly hurt but that I was being evacuated to the next level of help where they would repair the damage," replied Mr. Chris.
"Can I ask, ahh, when, you know, when did you lose your leg?" asked Sam.
"Well, they did repair my leg and I was evacuated to Germany. There they had better facilities to take care of my wounds and to make sure I didn't have any complications set into my leg. Unfortunately, I did get an infection in my leg and even though they tried their best to keep the infection under control, after two weeks of trying everything in their bag of tricks the infection won out and they decided it was best to take the leg rather than risk the infection causing more damage throughout my body," fully explained Mr. Chris.
The lads sat there mesmerized by the man's open discussion about his injury and how he got it and what happened to him that made him lose his leg. The boys asked him all sorts of questions and Mr. Chris answered them but it was Mr. Dan who suggested that it was time for the man to get home to his family.
The lads were a bit disappointed, but they appreciated Mr. Chris talking to them and they all went to the man and shook his hand afterwards and thanked him for being so open and honest with them.
Mr. Chris was happy the lads enjoyed his talk and thanked them for being such a good audience. That night, at home, he told his wife about his talk with the lads and how easy it was becoming to talk about his loss and about the action that took it. He told his wife he knew his doctors would be pleased he was finally breaking out and dealing with the loss. His wife was happy for her husband and how much the job was helping him to be a better man. They made love that night and Chris Dominions new-found self-esteem made his wife very, very happy.
Like clockwork, at six o'clock, the lads headed up to the Main Gate to wait on their parents. But because Charles remembered his talk with his 'dad' about Momma Maria's fixing dinner for them by six every evening he told his friends he and the newbie's wouldn't accompany them. The boys all understood and the two groups went their separate ways.
Inside The Cove, Momma Maria had her special spaghetti and meatballs ready for the hungry boys and Mr. Dan. The eight lads and one man dug into their salad first but the awesome smell from the spaghetti sauce and garlic bread had them wolfing down their rabbit food as fast as they could.
Then Momma Maria began serving her crew their spaghetti and meatballs. With their mouths watering from the smells, the lads and the Sheriff Deputy dug straight into their food. Momma never heard such quiet while her people were eating. The only sounds the eaters made were the slurps of them sucking the spaghetti noodles into their mouths and their asking for more.
Momma Maria smiled big that evening as the boys and man enjoyed what she had prepared for them. When they were finished, Momma had strawberry shortcake for dessert but the diners were too full to eat anything else.
"Momma Maria that was the best spaghetti and meatballs I can ever remember eating. Thank you so much for making that for us," announced Dan Fischer, as he pushed his chair back from the table.
"Yes, thank you so much for making that for us," added Cooper. "That was even much better than my mom makes and she's a personal chef." Then a chorus of other 'Thank You's came from the remaining boys.
"Momma, can you put the shortcake in the refrigerator and we can eat it later for our snack?" asked Charles.
"Si, mijo, I's puts its in the refrigerators fos yous fos laters," answered Momma Maria.
The lads all got smiles on their faces after hearing they could have the strawberry shortcake later on. They then began pushing away from the table. It was then Charles and Camm got up and took their dirty dishes to the sink and rinsed them off. The six guests, after seeing what their host did, quickly returned to their place and grabbed their dirty dishes and took them to Charles who rinsed them off and stacked them for Momma Maria.
When Charles finished rinsing the dishes, he went over to Momma Maria and gave her a hug and thanked her for cooking such a great meal for him and his friends that night. Camm then followed his friend and hugged Momma, too, before thanking her for making such a good meal.
That expression by Charles took the six newbie's by surprise and they didn't know what to do. Mr. Dan saw the question on their faces so he went over to them and explained what Charles was doing and why. When they heard why Charles did what he did they continued their smile and waited for their new friend to join them.
When the eight lads went outside to ride their skateboards, Jacob asked Charles, "Do you do that every time your cook makes a meal for you?"
The question took Charles by surprised. He'd never heard his 'dad' ever call Momma Maria a cook and he never thought of her by anything other than a good friend of the family, or a grandmother type.
Charles then decided to defend his 'cook' and replied, "Momma Maria is NOT a 'cook! She is treated like she is part of the family, just like I am. She could open her own restaurants, her cooking is so good, but she loves working for my 'dad' and making our meals. … She's worked here, at The Cove, ever since my 'dad' moved in and she has cooked for the governor and many other important politicians." Charles then quickly walked away to get away from Jacob.
After Charles walked away, Hunter looked at his friend Jacob and said to him, "Geezz Jake, why'd you ask that of Charles about Momma Maria? I know you've never been here and didn't know who she was but to call the lady a 'cook' … what got into you?"
Jacob just stared at his friend Hunter not knowing what to say. The other lads stood by and watched as they waited to see what would happen. Some of them wondered if the sleepover would be cancelled.
"Jake," began Hunter, "you need to find Charles and you need to apologize to him. I don't know what you can say to him but it was obvious the way Charles reacted that Momma Maria is more than just the woman who makes their meals. You need to fix this, Jacob, or you may never be invited back here."
Then, Hunter looked over to Camm and asked, "Camden, I mean Camm … you've been over here more than any of us have and you also know Charles better than any of us. Would you know where we can find Charles so Jacob can apologize to him?"
Camm thought about what he was being asked. He knew he needed to be a team-player and if he wanted to be considered a friend and no longer be relegated to the back of the group he had to find Charles for Jacob and Hunter.
"Guys, let me go find him. He may just be inside the garage, or the Foyer, or he could be in the Study with Mr. Dan. I'll go get him and ask him to come back out here," said Camm, as he walked away to find his friend Charles.
Charles went just inside the Foyer when he walked away. He was pissed because of what Jacob called Momma Maria and he thought about cancelling the sleepover but he realized that it wouldn't be fair to the rest of his new friends. He thought about talking to Mr. Dan about what happened but he knew the man didn't fully understand what Momma Maria meant to The Cove, so he just stood there trying to cool down some.
Camm walked to the Foyer door and rang the doorbell. Charles opened the door to see who was there. Seeing Camm was there he asked his first friend inside.
"Charles … the guys … they … well, Hunter would like you to come back to the ramps," said Camm.
"But why would Hunter want me to come back?" asked Charles.
"Well, it really isn't Hunter who … well … Hunter … he gave Jacob a new one. Those two are best friends, but I can tell Hunter is really pissed at Jacob for saying what he did. Hunter asked me to find you and … well, to ask you to come back out to the ramps so Jacob could apologize to you for what he said. My bet is that Hunter and the other guys are giving Jacob a verbal beat-down right now. … Charles … I don't know these guys very well, as you know, but Jacob … he comes from a very well to do family and my bet is he'd never knew anyone like Momma Maria and would never hug any of the people who work for them," finished Camm.
Charles stood there thinking about what Camm just told him. He had no idea what 'a very well to do family' meant but he figured it meant Jacob had everything done for him. As he thought about it, he began to feel that the boy, Jacob, didn't know what those workers actually did and what they contributed to the home. Charles knew he never had anyone cook for him before coming to The Cove and if Jacob always did, the Cover began to think that Jacob didn't know any better and almost certainly looked at the people who worked at his home as just that, a worker,
"Camm, yeah, let's go back outside. I owe everybody an apology for walking away from my guests the way I did," announced Charles.
"I don't understand, Charles. Why would you owe them any apology?" a now confused Camm asked.
"Camm, they are my guests and I walked away from them … without explaining myself. I owe them an apology for doing that and leaving them all alone, or at least an explanation for doing that," replied Charles.
Charles and Camm walked back over to his new friends who were sort of milling around, not know what to do. As soon as Charles arrived within the group, Jacob came up to him and apologized to him for his insensitive remark about Momma Maria. Jacob said he never saw any of the people who work around his home treated the way Charles had treated Momma Maria and that was why he asked his question. The lad said he wasn't thinking when he asked if Charles always hugged his cook.
Charles told Jacob he thought about it and figured as much. The Cover told Jacob, and the rest of the guys, that he never had anyone, including his own mom, as he got older, ever make his meals for him. He told the group that coming to Three Finger Cove made him appreciate all the work Momma Maria puts into cooking his meals. He told all the newbie's that Momma Maria was treated as part of the family and she loved it that everyone there appreciated everything she did for them.
Charles then apologized to all his new friends for walking as way as he did. He said as the host he was responsible for them and his leaving them left them with not knowing what to do or where to go. That even with Camm there, who knew his way around, they were his guests and he shouldn't have left them alone. He again apologized to his friends.
It was Cooper who spoke up and told Charles he understood why he walked away. The lad then added that they all talked about it, after Camm went to find him, and they all agreed with what Charles had to say about Momma Maria.
It was Hunter who then spoke up and explained that he knew Jacob, and he knew his friend didn't mean anything by what he said. Hunter went on to say his friend was truthful about saying he never saw any of his family treat any of the people who worked for them like family, and he didn't know any better by asking what he did. Hunter said he hoped Charles would forgive his friend and give him a second chance.
Charles smiled at Hunter and said, "There is nothing to forgive. I never had everything given to me, but I suppose that if I had I wouldn't know what it was like otherwise, just as it is for Jacob."
Then looking at Jacob, Charles said, "Jacob, I still want to be your friend. We definitely come from different backgrounds and what we need to do is try to understand what we each have, and don't have, and what that means to the other. Sure, I live here in this awesome place, but I'm also a foster kid who has lived in a lot of foster homes. I could even be taken away, at any time, and sent back to one of them for any number of things. I really do want to stay here and enjoy the things Mr. Ken can give me which I bet are similar to what your parents have given you.
"I want you to know that I really do appreciate what Momma Maria does for me, for us. Living here, I never have to worry about having something to eat. I know that she loves making our meals by what she makes for us, and that she makes her special sweet cakes and breakfast tacos for us to eat when we are hungry, when she isn't here. You may never know what that is like, but those people who work for your parents, I bet, are a lot like Momma Maria. … Does that make any sense?"
Jacob listened intently to Charles as he talked. He put himself into thinking what his new friend was saying and he did have to agree they both were of different backgrounds. Jacob also began to understand where Charles was coming from because of what his friend had to endure as he grew up. The new friend thought about what Charles had to say about the workers and how he never considered that what they did for him and his mom and dad as being important in any way shape or form.
Jacob wanted to be Charles's friend, so he went over to him and offered him his hand. Charles took the extended hand and shook it.
"I really am sorry about what I said, Charles. I really do want to be your friend," offered Jacob.
"Yes, I said I want to be your friend, so let's get this behind us," replied Charles.
The two lads hugged after they shook hands. The rest of the guys applauded them for moving beyond their disagreement.