Charles slept well that night. The tiredness from all the moving around he did plus the pill for his hurting butt helped him fall fast asleep. He didn't wake up until well past 9 AM when Robert came into check on him. It was then that Robert asked if he could look at the stitches saying if he didn't 'dad' would be up to do it. Robert told Charles what their 'dad' told him about the one stitch and if he saw it was read or broken he'd get Mr. Ken. If it wasn't he'd help him take his shower and get dressed for the day.
Charles knew he had to have his butt looked at, but he didn't have to like it. He told Robert to see what it looked like and then turned over onto his stomach. Robert told his 'brother' the area around one stitch was slightly pink but was not broken. Charles thanked him for checking the stitches and then asked if his 'brother' was going to take a shower or just watch. For that Robert jumped on his disabled 'brother' and began to tickle him. Charles began to squirm and it was then his stitches began to hurt.
"Stop, STOP! My Stitches … they feel like they are going to rip my butt hole bigger," yelled Charles.
"Oh, oh, I'm so sorry Charles. I forgot about the stitches when you teased me about taking a shower with you. Turnover and let me look at your butt to see if I fucked up!" consoled Robert.
Charles was turned on his stomach and his older 'brother' was spreading the butt cheeks when Mr. Ken came running to the bedroom.
"What happened up here?" sternly asked Mr. Ken. "I heard this faint yell and then Chief came running and sliding into the kitchen. I thought something was terribly wrong and I came up here as fast as I could," further explained the owner of The Cove.
"I'm sorry 'dad'," said a now somber Robert, who began to have tears stream down his face. "I … I checked Charles' stitches as you asked and … and when he teased me about something I began to tickle him. It was all my fault that he screamed. I … I hope I didn't make him tear any of his stitches. I'm really sorry Charles I did that," now cried Robert through his tears and sniffling nose.
Mr. Ken looked at Charles' stitches and many looked red and sore but he didn't see any that were broken. He told the lad he needed to give him one of his pain pills and then have him wear some very loose briefs after he showered. Then, he looked at Robert and pulled the lad to him and then calmly explained that he had to think about Charles' injury and he couldn't fool around like he just did. He then told the older lad to help his 'brother' take his shower and to not mess around any. Mr. Ken left the bedroom but Chief stayed behind.
"I really am sorry Charles," again apologized Robert.
"Yeah, I heard you the first time, but it doesn't make my butt feel any better. It stings!" said Charles, as he gingerly crawled out of bed.
"Come on … I'll help you to the shower," lightly offered Robert.
"I need to pee first," said Charles. "I'm at least glad I didn't have a boner when 'dad' came in," now laughed Charles. "He knows we get them, but he doesn't like for us to be showing them to him. Let's get cleaned up and remember, 'dad' said no fooling OR messing around," teased the hurting boy.
Charles was careful not to let the water run over his stitches too long but when it did he felt some relief and almost stayed there longer than he should. He now knew what Collin meant when he so enjoyed his first shower in like three months.
Charles put on some of the loose boxers Robert had from when Mr. Ken let him try the different versions of boxers before he choose to wear the boxer briefs. Charles laughed how his 'boy parts' began to swing between his legs as he walked. The lad chuckled and then wondered what he had to wear over them. Robert came to the rescue again with some very loose shorts for his 'brother' to wear. Charles looked funny wearing the loose fitting clothes but the look of comfort was all over his face.
"Charleses … I hopes you ares doing okays. I sees your 'dad' runs out of here sos fast sos I thinks theres maybes is a problem wceech choo," offered a concerned Momma Maria, when she saw Charles walk into the Kitchen Nook.
"Thank you Momma Maria, I feel fine. This lug head began to tickle me and it hurt my stitches, but I am doing OK. Thank you for your concern," said Charles, as he went over to the woman and gave her a hug.
"Nows, what's cans I geeet choo for eats?" asked Momma.
"Momma Maria… remember… Charles has to eat soft foods for about a week, so let's not give him anything too difficult for his body to digest. He can have eggs but I am not too sure about tortillas. He can have spice less sausages, plain toast, puddings, Jell-O's, milk, applesauce," reminded Mr. Ken.
Momma Maria went about cooking something up Charles could eat and while she did that 'dad' Ken got Charles his pain med and had him take it. He also gave him a stool softener and he explained it would help keep his stools soft and the lad wouldn't have the urge to push too much when he used the porcelain throne. That last part got all three Coves laughing.
The lad's friends began arriving at The Cove about twelve thirty. They went directly to the ramps and figured Robert and Charles would be out soon enough. While the lads skated, two men approached the Main gate and asked to talk to Mr. Thomas.
When Ken Thomas learned who the men were, he told the guards to let them through and he met them at the Foyer Door.
"Well, to what do I owe the honor you of you two visiting my humble abode," teased Mr. Ken.
"Humble my foot," teased back Sheriff Detective Sergeant Brandt Matthias, as he walked into the home accompanied by Sheriff Detective William Roberts.
The three men went into Mr. Ken's Study and sat in the comfortable chairs. It was then that Sergeant Matthias told the owner of The Cove they were there to talk to Charles. That information sort of disturbed Mr. Ken and he probed for more information before calling Charles to his Study. He told the men that Dan Fischer assured him that they would keep Charles' name out of the case and would keep him from having to testify. They agreed with that information but they wanted Charles to try to identify some, if not all, of the people who were arrested the other day for them. Satisfied, Mr. Ken called Charles on his cell phone and asked the lad to join him in his Study.
When Charles entered the Study, he knew who the men were and he went over to them and shook their hands. The lad then sat down in an unoccupied leather chair.
"Charles … Sergeant Matthias and Detective Roberts have some questions they want to ask you. Please help them out as best you can 'son'," explained 'dad' Ken.
"Yes, 'dad',' replied Charles.
When the men heard the twelve year old call Ken Thomas, 'dad' they got a big smile on their faces. Mr. Ken saw that, so he explained to them that the term was being used to facilitate smooth communications. He also said that maybe one day it might happen. That lit up the boy's face and put a big smile there too.
"Charles," began Sergeant Matthias, "we brought some pictures of the people arrested the other day during that drug raid. We wanted to know if any of these people were associated with Smokey and anything else you could tell us."
"Does this mean I will have to testify against them?" asked a now scared pre-teen.
"Oh, no, Charles … on the contrary. You told us a few weeks back that Smokey made you go with a bunch of bikers and we just want to know if any of these people were involved with your ahh attack?" spoke up Detective Roberts.
"OK, as long as I don't have to testify," quickly agreed Charles. "It's hard enough talking about it with Mr. Ken and Doctor Doug, and I don't want to have to tell that story to anyone else!" emphatically finished Charles.
"I understand Charles," said Sergeant Matthias, "here … look at these pictures and tell us if you recognize any of them."
"I thought there were only eight people arrested. There are about twenty pictures here," said the pre-teen.
"Yes, Charles … we don't want to bias you so we added a few extra pictures so you can't just say all eight attacked you when Smokey gave you to them," illustrated Detective Roberts.
Charles looked through the twenty or so pictures and set aside the ones he felt he knew. There were about twelve pictures in that pile. He then went through that pile and picked out nine of the pictures. He went back to the ones he discarded the first time to make sure he hadn't made a mistake and picked out three of those pictures and added them to the nine he had just picked.
The detectives were impressed by the way the pre-teen went about his task. Even Mr. Ken was astonished at how Charles was looking at all the pictures and making sure he didn't miss someone.
Charles now had twelve pictures again but he was pretty sure of six of the people in the pictures and set them aside and announced, "Those six for sure." The twelve year old looked at the remaining six pictures and methodically he eliminated four and added the remaining two to the six he disclosed as being involved with Smokey.
"Are you sure there, Charles?" asked Detective Sergeant Mathias.
"Yep, I'm sure. Some of the people look alike so I wanted to take a closer look for any scars or tattoos," replied Charles. He then and went and named all the people in the pictures he selected. When asked how he could tell those were the correct people, the lad pointed out some of the identifying marks he could see on the person in the pictures that made him sure. The two detectives were now all smiles.
"Charles … you have indeed selected the eight people who were arrested the other night," announced Sergeant Matthias. "Were all eight involved with the attacks on you when Smokey gave you to them?"
"No, sir … only five did some things to me," replied Charles, who then pulled out the five pictures of the men who had molested him.
"Charles, we want to thank you for talking with us today and identifying the people who ah, who …," stumbled Detective Sergeant Matthias.
Charles finished the sentence by adding, "You mean 'raped' me, don't you?"
"Yes, young man I do. I didn't want to be insensitive to what happened to you," humbly said Sergeant Matthias, while looking down at the floor.
"Thank you for doing that for me, sir," replied Charles. "Do you need me for anything else? The medication my 'dad' gave me at breakfast is making me sleepy."
The detectives told Charles they didn't need him anymore right then, but might want to come back and discuss each of the five men he identified as being involved with him so they can use that information against them to get them to reveal more information about the drug trade in the county.
Charles became alarmed again at having to possibly testify and the men explained they wouldn't use his name or anything to identify him. They explained they would tell the five that if they didn't cooperate they would be charged with having sex with a minor as there were lots of under aged female teens who hung around the biker group. That satisfied Charles who went over to his 'dad' and gave him a hug and went upstairs to his bed.
The Sheriff's men talked to Ken Thomas for another few minutes before they left. 'Dad' Ken went into 'dad' mode and went up to check on Charles. He did the three-knock rule and not getting a response on any of the knocks he slowly opened the door to find the pre-teen had fallen asleep on top of the covers. The man took the blanket off the other bed and lightly covered the lad with it knowing with the lad still wearing his clothes he could get hot and uncomfortable. Chief was at the foot of the bed and went to her first master for a few ear scratches before going back to lay down at the foot of Charles's bed.
It was almost 2 PM when Robert came inside looking for Charles. He asked his 'dad' where his 'brother' was and upon learning he went up to lay down Robert told the man he and the guys were going to go swimming and asked his 'dad' if he would tell Charles the guys were asking about him since he hadn't come back outside yet.
Camm was missing his friend Charles. Even though he and James were becoming friends he really liked Charles and the things they had done together. He also liked the fact that Charles was genuine and not being his friend because of his mom or anything. He hoped he'd get to talk to him today because he didn't make the time yesterday and knew he should have. Camm really felt bad for staying with James and not going over to his first real friend.
It was a little after three when Charles came downstairs still sleepy eyed. He searched out his 'dad' and talked to him for a bit. He then asked the owner of The Cove to help him get the grill and the fixings ready for Robert to feed them all. Mr. Ken thought that was a great idea so he helped Charles get the burgers and hot dogs out of the freezer. It was then the man realized they needed to use one or two of those industrial roll around carts he had out in the garage. He never seemed to use them so he and Charles went out to the garage to fill one of the ice chests with just ice and the other with soda and ice. They placed the ice chests on two carts and took them into the kitchen. There they loaded the meats and other items they needed onto the remaining space on the second shelf on the carts and wheeled the loaded industrial sized wagons to the elevator and then out onto the patio.
Robert saw some action over on the patio, so he told Eric where he was going. The teen swam to the beach and hurried up to the patio to help his 'dad' and 'brother' set up the grill. The three Covers quickly got the grill going and the fixings for the burgers and set up. They also set out some chips and pickles. By that time the other lads saw what Mr. Ken and Charles had started and rushed in to help, since they knew Charles had to be careful after his surgery.
"Why didn't you call us to help Mr. Ken?" spoke up Brad. "We all know how to set things up, well most of us do, that is."
"Thanks, Brad, but Charles wanted to do this for you all, but knew he needed me to help him. See, we used those industrial carts and from now on guys you should use them, too. Boy did it make lugging all this down here, easy" replied Mr. Ken.
"So, who doesn't know how we get this barbeque going to feed you hungry kids?" teased Mr. Ken.
Wyatt and Dominic immediately both put their hands up and then James raised his hand since he'd only helped that one time. They thought they were going to be made fun of or worse made to do something they had no clue how to do. All Mr. Ken told the lads was that they should volunteer helping the next time they are there and help his 'boys' get ready to feed everyone. He said there isn't all that much to do so it shouldn't be a problem.
It was then Mr. Ken saw Sam laughing, so he went over to him and joked, "So, you think setting up all this is funny do you, Sammy, boy?"
"Oh no, Mr. Ken… I was laughing at what you said. You said there wasn't much to do and we all know there is a lot to do. You got to get the ice and sodas from the garage and then the burgers and dogs from that huge kitchen freezers and then find the cups, napkins, knives and forks, and a bunch of stuff for the burgers and then the ketchup and mustard and don't forget the mayo and lettuce and tomatoes for the burgers. And not everything is in one place so you have to search around for stuff. Then you have to get someone who knows how to light the grill to get it going. Geez, Mr. Ken there is a lot to do to get the barbeque going," he honestly answered the man.
"You know, Sam … you are right. There is a lot to do and I am extremely happy when you all pitch in to help get things set up and ready and when it is all over, you also help to clean up the area. It wouldn't be fair for either Charles or Robert to have to do all that by themselves. So … who is doing what? Since Robert usually cooks and I want Charles to wait for a few weeks before he does that again due to his surgery, who needs to learn?" joked Mr. Ken.
No one put their hand up right away. The lads looked around at everyone and it was Logan and Eric who put their hands up at the same time. They also stepped forward to Mr. Ken and told the man they were ready to learn how to burn the burgers like Robert usually does. That made all the lads laugh and Robert to look offended, but with a smile.
"OK, you two, thank you for volunteering to cook. Let me show you how to start the grill and get it warmed up. Then we'll cook some burgers and dogs. Terran and Sam, would you two take Wyatt and Dominic inside and find Mr. Chris and ask him if he would like something to eat. Tell him what there is and tell him it should be done in about 15-20 minutes, directed Mr. Ken.
Logan and Eric were showed they needed to scrape the grill grates down first before lighting the burners. After that they were instructed how to handle the meats by the tongs and not by their hands. That last part got them to laughing and Mr. Ken figured Robert just used his hands. Sure the burgers get quite hot, so the food was probably safe, but still the boys needed to try to be safe when they were cooking anything.
While the burgers and dogs were on the grill, the rest of the guys got the serving table set up. Then they sat around and talked to Charles about his operation. The lad wasn't too open on answering their questions, but he answered enough to satisfy them.
It was then that Camm and James came over to talk to their friend. They told Charles about the day they spent together and explained that he wasn't in the hospital long enough for their parents to drive them over. They then apologized for not spending much time with him yesterday.
Charles thanked them for that and then told them that he wouldn't be able to ride his skateboard for at least two weeks, so he didn't mind sitting on the side by himself. That last part sort of dug into the boys psyche and they knew they were wrong and should have spent more time talking with him. They vowed not to let something like that happen again to either Charles or any of their other friends.
Mr. Chris indeed did come out to the patio for a burger. He commented that since he had arrived he noticed how well the lads had always worked together setting up the cookout and then cleaned up after themselves after they were finished. He thanked them for inviting him to eat with them and then went back to his work.
After everything was cleaned up and put away, the lads then went to change out of their swim suits and into their shorts and t-shirts and before long they were out on the ramps doing their tricks and developing new ones. Charles went out to watch his friends and was a little bit dismayed he couldn't ride his board. Robert came over to him a few times to remind him not to sit like he had yesterday and put strain on his stitches. Charles got tired of not being able to do anything but watch so he headed back inside.
"What's the problem, Charles?" asked Mr. Ken, when he saw the lad moping around outside his Study.
"Ah, nothing really … it's just … it's just that I can't do anything," lamented Charles. "I can't swim and I can't ride my skateboard. I should have waited until just before school started." It was then 'dad' Ken saw some tears in the boy's eyes.
"Charles, let's go into my Study and talk. Okay?" spoke up Mr. Ken. The two then walked into the Study and sat down in the leather chairs.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes. Mr. Ken let the boy think through what was bothering him. Then, Charles said, "It isn't fair. It just isn't fair, 'dad'."
'Dad' Ken called for the lad to come over to him and he sat him on his lap. "Charles, there are lots of things in life that won't be fair. It wasn't fair you had to grow up without a father. It wasn't fair to you that your mom got hooked on drugs and then sold them and got caught. It also wasn't fair Smokey did what he did to you and then compounded it by sharing you with those other men. And finally, Charles … your having to have surgery is also not fair to you. I truly understand what you are thinking my 'son', I really do … but it is what it is and we can't go back and change any of it. For now, the only thing we can do is play the hand we are dealt.
"Charles … I know not being able to swim or ride your skateboard right now sucks for you, but you would have had to have the surgery eventually and no matter when you had it you still would not be able to swim or ride your board. And who knows, maybe before school starts we'll be able to go to a few places and have some fun together," offered Mr. Ken, as he tried to console the distraught lad.
"I know 'dad', it's … it's just that … it ain't fair, that's all. I didn't ask to have this surgery and I sure didn't want Smokey and his friends to do what they did to me that caused this to happen to me," lightly cried Charles.
"Charles, I wish there was something I could do for you right now. You know Doctor Rick wants you to let those stitches do their job of helping your incisions to heal. It's only been two days and you have to let things take their time to repair your incisions. You do understand don't you, 'son'?" said Mr. Ken, in trying to sooth the boy in his missing out on things.
"Yeah, 'dad', I do but … but I don't have to like it do I?" now smiled the pre-teen.
"Come on… let's see if Momma Maria has any ice cream we can dig into. If I recall correctly ice cream is on your soft foods list," leased Mr. Ken.
"Yes, it is. What are we waiting for?" came out of the twelve year old, who was now sporting a big smile.
As 'dad' and 'son' ate their ice cream, Charles looked up to his 'dad' and said to Mr. Ken, "Thanks 'dad' for talking to me. I guess I am feeling a bit sorry for myself, since I can't do anything but watch."
"I hear you Charles, and in time it will all be water under the bridge and you'll be so glad you got this surgery done. Right now there is nothing on the agenda that you are going to miss out on. And because you are recovering, I am not going to schedule something for all of us to do while that is happening. By next weekend, you should be able to start swimming again and riding your skateboard and that time is going to go by fast. You'll see," counseled 'dad' Ken.
"I sure hope so," smiled Charles, with a big spoonful of ice cream headed to his mouth.
Out at the skateboard ramps, the lads were talking about Charles and how it will affect his having fun for the next two weeks. They talked about what they all could do that would allow Charles to participate with them. They bounced around a few ideas but they all required Charles to either get wet or do lots of twisting and turning or running. They were still stumped but at least they were trying to figure out if there was anything Charles could do, with them, and feel a part of the group.
It was getting on towards dinner time so the lads began to head up to the top of the estate grounds and wait for a parent to arrive to take them home. The parents asked about Charles and how he was doing and Robert told them his 'brother' was doing well and was up and about but couldn't do anything with the rest of them for at least two weeks. The parents told Robert to wish him well for them and the adults and their kid were soon off for dinner.
"Hey 'dad'," called out Robert, as he entered the home and went to his 'dad's' Study."
"Hey, 'son', everybody head off home?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Yeah, they are all sorry Charles can't do anything with them for at least two weeks. We were trying to come up with a few things we all could do together but we can't figure out anything," replied Robert.
"Well, at least you're thinking of how to involve your 'brother'. Maybe tonight when you are more relaxed something will come to mind," reasoned 'dad' Ken.
Momma Maria made a side salad, spaghetti with marinara sauce and garlic toast for the Covers that evening. It was something Charles could eat and was also good for everyone, too. They talked as they ate but still couldn't come up with an idea for something they all could do together.
"'Dad' … what about us going over to the golf place? You know, to see who can get the lowest score this time. We all can do that one, can't we?" asked Robert.
"What do you say Charles? You think you can walk and then stand for all eighteen holes? It could mean a lot of standing and walking especially if there is a crowd tonight," teased 'dad' Ken.
Charles made it look like he was thinking about his 'dad's question and then with a big smile he replied, "Sure 'dad' … as long as you carry me between holes."
'Dad' Ken reached out for his 'son' but he was too slow and the lad immediately ducked and got out of his chair and ran away. Robert laughed at the way his 'dad' and 'brother' were playing. He liked seeing Charles having fun, since he can't do all that much until his incision heals.
The three Covers got into Mr. Ken's BMW, for a change, and headed over to Four Corners to play some miniature golf. And just as Mr. Ken figured might happen, the course was packed with summer entertainment seekers. They thought about driving the go-karts but then Charles would have to bend quite a bit for him to get into the cars, and stress his stitches, so they nixed that idea.
The lad's saw a few of their friends over at the miniature golf place so they headed over to talk to them. While they were talking they asked their 'dad' if they could go ahead and play anyway and that they didn't mind if they had to wait.
"I thought Mr. Ken owned this place as well as the Go-Karts. Why don't you guys use his position as owner and bump the line and play?" asked Claire.
"Oh, no," began Charles, "we don't ever want to do that. Just because our 'dad' owns these places doesn't mean we can go ahead of other people. It wouldn't be right!"
Just then Mr. Ken motioned to the lads over to the ticket window and he bought them their admittance to play miniature golf. The man told the lads it would be 30-35 minute wait but they said it was still early and they didn't have anything else to do.
It actually took 45 minutes for the trio to get out on the course. The people seemed to be enjoying the evening and weren't in any hurry to get through the 18-hole course. This time they decided to let the oldest go first so that made 'dad' Ken putt first. This time they decided not to keep score but to try different methods to get the ball to the hole easier. They bounced the balls off the sides creating the course borders. They also tried to use the obstructions on the course to see how the ball reacted.
"'Dad', did you see the way the ball sort of ricocheted and then hit that boulder and bounced back to us? Sheesh, that was way crazy," blurted out Charles.
The residents of The Cove were having a good time. Charles could feel the stitches in his butt crack begin to bother him but he wanted to play and have some fun. 'Dad' Ken could see the way his third foster son was walking and knew the lad was playing through the discomfort. He decided not to say anything but would watch to see if the lad's walking got any worse. It would be then he'd say something.
The trio got to the windmill and they decided to each try to time the blades of the windmill a bit differently. They waited for the blade to pass the opening before putting. Then they waited until the blade was just before the opening before putting. They also putted when the blade was half way to covering the opening. They laughed when the blade hit the golf ball and bounced it off the course or send it right back the way it came. They were having such a good time trying different ways to outwit the windmill they began to back up the other players. Mr. Ken apologized to the people behind them and they skipped that hole and moved on.
"That was fun, 'dad'" offered Robert.
"Yeah, 'dad', that was fun. Not caring what you scored and just putting the ball was more fun than what we did the last time we were here.
"Charles … I heard what you told that girl earlier when we were waiting to play. I am proud of you 'son' for taking to heart the idea that we as owners shouldn't go before other paying customers. You keep telling the people we don't take advantage of our position and we'll wait our turn," spoke up Mr. Ken.
"Thanks, 'dad'," was all Charles said.
'Dad' and his two sons left Four Corners and as they drove away, Mr. Ken asked Charles about his pain level. The pre-teen said he was beginning to hurt some but he was okay. Hearing that 'dad' Ken asked if he could stand the pain enough to go to DQ. Charles screamed, 'Yeah I can wait until we get home. Let's go!"
When the small group got to Dairy Queen, they all ordered banana splits. Charles' though did not have any nuts, or bananas, or strawberries or even pineapple since his diet didn't allow any of that stuff. Hearing that the lad couldn't eat any of those things, she put lots of ice cream on his boat like ice cream cup. They sat there eating their concoctions and enjoyed every bite.
The residents of The Cove got back home about 10 PM. The two boys thanked their 'dad' and gave him big hugs for taking them out and having a good time playing miniature golf and especially going for ice cream. Charles gave his 'dad' a second big hug for making the night an even special one for him because of his operation.
As the lad's headed up to bed, Mr. Ken called to Charles for him to take a pain pill so he could sleep better. Charles smiled at that idea and got a pill and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water in order to take the medication. He then quickly caught up to his 'brother' who was coming out of the bathroom. Charles then visited the porcelain god and then headed to his own bedroom. Charles immediately got undressed to his briefs and crawled into bed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.