The boys, all seven of them, were downstairs and in the Kitchen Nook by 9:30 that morning. They were boisterous beyond compare, as if they already had taken an energy pill before coming downstairs.
Because Ms. Judy was staying there that weekend, Momma Maria came in to fix breakfast. The boys were pleasantly surprised when they saw her and eagerly ate whatever she made for them. Ms. Judy appreciated Momma Maria coming in to fix breakfast that morning, as she was still feeling worn out from her surgery.
It had been a little more than two days since Judy's surgery, but the healing process takes a lot out of a person and she was feeling it. Ms. Judy knew when she woke up that morning that staying at The Cove was the right decision. At least there she wouldn't be looking at all the little projects she had laying around her home.
As the nine people ate, Mr. Ken told Eric as soon as they finished eating, they'd go over to their home and get some clean clothes for him and all their dirty clothes that he could start washing when they returned. Mr. Ken then told the boys that when he gets home, they'd walk up to the Pavilion to see what their table and chairs choices might look like there.
"But what about our friends? Can't they see what we are looking to do and give us their opinion, too?" asked Matthew.
"Well, this is a Cover project and only we should decide what the skate park and Pavilion should look like," announced 'dad' Ken.
"But, will you show our friends, later, the progress the builder made?" asked Matthew.
"Yes, we'll take you all up there later to see what had been done. I think you'll all be surprised how much is already finished. There are lots of small things yet to be done and the contractor has five weeks to complete the project, barring any bad rains. We've been lucky with the weather so far, boys," announced 'dad' Ken.
"I can't wait until it is finished," said Kevin, to no one in particular.
"Dad, you said we're having a Memorial Day Picnic. Who is coming? Will it be like the Labor Day Picnic last year?" asked Robert.
"Yes, son, we'll invite your friends and their families, as we did last September. But, we are only serving hamburgers and hot dogs, and all the fixings like potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw, along with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, you know, the works. That way they'll get a feel for what you all eat every afternoon after or before you swim," replied dad Ken.
"But we don't always have potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw, 'dad'," said Kyle.
Everyone laughed at what Kyle said. The younger twin was perplexed at what he said that made them all laugh at him. Charles told him the idea was that their friends' families would get to eat burned burgers and dogs like they do. But because it is a Picnic, 'dad' was also serving what you'd expect at one. All Kyle could say was, "Oh."
Of course, Robert had to go with his dad and Eric when they went over to the Turner's house to get his Best Friend some clean clothes and all the boy's and his mom's dirty clothes. It took the three Coves about 45 minutes to go over to the house and return.
When they came back, the other Covers were anxious and ready to head up to the Pavilion. But 'dad' Ken told them Eric needed to start washing their clothes and as soon as he had the washers loaded and started, they'd all head up to the Pavilion.
The Cover boys rode the ramps while they waited for Eric, Robert, and their 'dad' to come outside. It was already after 11 a.m. and they wanted to go up to the new Pavilion before their friends arrived. But they knew they had to wait for their 'dad'.
It was 11:30 when the three Covers came out of the garage side door. The boys cheered and they quickly gathered up their printouts and they all headed up to the Pavilion. As they walked, they talked about how their table and chairs would look and work best. Mr. Ken just inwardly smiled at his 'boys'' enthusiasm as he escorted them up to the new construction.
Mr. Ken had each boy show him their printout. The two talked about how it would integrate into the structure and how many they would need. Each boy took their turn. Then, when each boy had their chance to convince him theirs was the best choice, Mr. Ken had to pick which one to use.
"Boys, you all did a great job looking for the best picnic table and matching chairs to use under this structure. And, I can see how each and every one of your choices would work. But ... well, you all know we need ... we need tables and chairs that would be easy to clean under, which you will all, including your friends, have to take turns doing.
"That said ... I think the style that would work best is, drum roll please, is ... Eric's," announced 'dad' Ken.
The boys whose choice wasn't selected were disappointed. Some kiddingly yelled, "The fix was in," and "I was robbed." Everyone, included 'dad' Ken laughed. Then, the boys congratulated Eric for his foresight. Eric in turn said Kyle was also a winner as he had the right idea, but just chose the wrong table and bench combination. The boys then told Kyle he did well, too.
"Boys ... I like the tables and benches that Eric and Kyle chose. They are permanently mounted, so floor cleanup will be much faster and easier. It is just that Eric's choice gives easy access and exit when you are seated 3, 4, or 5 on the bench. I'll look at getting a couple of different sizes so you can have a large or as small a gathering as you want.
"Does anyone have any questions?" finished 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', what about the bike racks, lockers, trash cans, and Kyle's games?" asked Charles.
"Good question," replied 'dad' Ken. "Let's all walk around and see where would be the best place to put them. Go!"
The boys spread out. Some looked over the already poured concrete pad at the top of the skate park. Some looked at the side of the skate park close to the Pavilion, while others looked at the backside of the structure.
"Hey Dad," yelled Robert. "Look back here. There's some roof overhang and the lockers would be out of the sun beginning in the early afternoon, so I vote we place the lockers back here against this back wall."
Mr. Ken went to the backside of the building and saw what his son was talking about. The man saw, they'd need to pour some concrete to enlarge the area for the boys to keep from getting muddy.
Mr. Ken then saw there were forms in place for the driveway Wayne wanted, so the owner of The Cove decided to ask Wayne to talk to the contractor to just bring the concrete to the Pavilion pad and that would solve that problem.
Mr. Ken then figured with all that extra concrete pad being poured, he could put two or three bike racks there, as well. It was then one of the boys yelled that their friends were beginning to arrive.
"Mr. Ken ... I need to head over to the Main Gate," called out Billy. "I need to meet Gabe and Jamie and help them get into the database and then show them around."
Mr. Ken told Billy he'd be over there as soon as he could. He then called Charles over and told him what he was going to do for the lockers and bike racks. The man then told his soon-to-be-son that he'd probably install permanent trash cans on the corners of the skate park and Pavilion, and maybe a few more here and there.
"Robert," called out the boy's dad, "make sure all your 'brothers' get down to the Parking Corral, while I meet Bill's new friends. I don't want to see any of them or their friends up here until Mr. Wayne and I bring them up here to see the progress on the Cove Skate Park.
Mr. Ken hurried to catch up with Bill and his new friends. Robert rounded up his 'brothers' and they all headed back down to the ramps.
"Bill, introduce me to your new friends, again, please," asked Mr. Ken.
Bill reintroduced Gabe and Jamie to his foster dad as he continued to register his two new friends. When the new friends were in the database, Billy brought them back over to talk to Mr. Ken. Also, Jamie's mom and his brothers were there, too, so the man went over to talk to them.
Jamie's younger boys asked if they'd ever get an invite to The Cove and ride the ramps. All Mr. Ken would say was for them to keep their fingers crossed and maybe one day they would. The owner of The Cove told Mrs. Knowlers when she picks Jamie up later, she should wait around some and meet the other parents of all of his 'boys'.
Mrs. Knowlers told Mr. Ken her name was Ella and she thanked him for telling her about the other parents coming to pick up their sons. She said she noticed lots of cars driving up and boys getting out carrying their skateboard and a backpack or carry-all bag. Mr. Ken told her that the boys always brought their swimsuit and a towel.
Hearing that reminded Ella and she called Jamie over and gave him his backpack. She told him to behave himself and to have fun. His brothers told him to remember everything, so he could tell them about his visit later. Mr. Ken then took some time to tell Ella that Jamie can continue to return to The Cove when Bill was here, helped when asked, and didn't cause any trouble.
That surprised Ella Knowlers and she asked the man what he meant. The owner of The Cove said all of his 'boys' friends are told the same thing and none of them have ever been banned from returning to The Cove.
Mr. Ken told the woman that at times there are over 40 boys at the Cove riding the ramps, swimming in the indoor pool, and burning burgers and dogs. Then, he added that soon the lake water will be warm enough to play on the water toys and ride the personal watercraft.
The boys in the car listened to what the owner of The Cove had to say and they immediately regretted not making friends with the Cover boys. They just hoped that one day they could get an invite to the estate and see and enjoy what the place had to offer.
Billy took his new friends down to the ramps, to introduce his 'brothers' to Gabe and Jamie. The two high school freshmen were surprised at the number of boys that were standing around the ramps when Gabe asked, "Are all these boys your brothers?"
All the boys laughed at what Gabe just said.
"Hi, Logan," said Gabe. "I didn't know you'd be here."
"Yea, I'm good friends with Robert, Mr. Ken's son," replied Logan
Gabe looked at Billy to see what that was all about since Mr. Ken was in his early 20s and wondered how could he have a son?
"Guys, Mr. Ken ... he adopted Robert last October. And, hopefully, he's going to adopt Charles next week," said Logan, to the unanswered question.
"Yes, Robert is Mr. Ken's son, only six of the boys here are my 'brothers', Robert, of course, Eric, Charles, Kevin, Kyle, and Matthew. Would you please come over here to meet Gabe and Jamie? ... Gabe, Jamie these are my 'brothers'. Let's see if I get this right. Eighth, eighth, seventh, sixth, sixth, and fifth. Did I get that right?" laughed Billy.
"Yea, you got it right, Billy," spoke up a laughing Robert. "But I'll be a freshman next year."
"And, so will I," added Eric.
"Six brothers, geez. I have two and that's two too many," laughed Gabe.
"Who are your brothers?" asked Matthew. "Do we know them?"
"I'm not sure if you do. Xavier is twelve, almost thirteen, and Damian will be twelve this summer," replied Gabe.
"And, I have two brothers," added Jamie. "Jonathan just turned eleven and Jameson is twelve."
"I know Xavier and Jameson," said Charles. "We talk sometimes, but they hang with a different crowd. They already had a big group of friends when I arrived last fall."
"And, I, we know Damian," said Kevin. "We began school a few weeks after it started, and being the new kids, it took us time to meet and make friends."
"I know Jonathan," said Matthew. "He's a nice kid. He's in fourth grade. We talk sometimes, but he is kinda quiet."
"Damian and Jon came over to meet us, but they knew kids since the first grade and they went back to be with them," said Kyle. "We understood and didn't make anything of it."
"I see you have your skateboards. As the new kids," laughed Robert, "you get to try the ramps out for a few minutes, then you have to wait your turn. But you can see, over there, we'll soon have our own skate park and hopefully ... there will be no waiting."
Gabriel 'Gabe' and Jamie set the bags down and put their skateboards on the half-pipe and began to skate. They loved their smoothness and that there was some height at both ends. They tried a few tricks and when they failed the other boys laughed at them.
When the 'new kids' time was up, Robert told them in about five weeks, they wouldn't have to wait, but until then, they had to wait in line. All of the boys laughed. Billy then told his two new friends he'd give them the nickel tour.
The five teens walked into the house through the garage side door and into the prep-kitchen.
"Wow, will you look at all the large-sized pots and pans and heavy-duty forks and spoons and other utensils," uttered Jamie.
"Yea, Mr. Ken told me that when he was outfitting the house, he went a bit overboard," laughed Billy. "He told me he thought he'd have big parties all the time here, but all he said he ever had, had been picnics, birthday parties, and Holiday get-togethers.
"You see that huge spoon ... hanging over there on the rack? He told me that ... that is the spoon ... that his first household manager, Mildred somebody, used to attack my 'brother', Robert. Robert told me that Chief, our dog, heard the commotion from the Study and came running and held her at bay," finished Billy.
"You never told us that story," complained Kaden.
"You never commented about the huge pots, pans, forks and spoons, either," laughed Billy, as he continued to walk into the kitchen area of the Kitchen Nook.
"Would you look at the size of this kitchen," loudly said Gabe, as he looked up and around the impressive facility.
"I'ms glads youse likes itss," replied Momma Maria.
"Momma Maria ... this big mouth is Gabe. He goes to school with me. And this is Jamie, Kaden, Brett, and Lonnie. I invited them over to The Cove today, and I'm giving them the nickel tour, as Mr. Ken calls it," explained Billy.
"Iss welcomes youse," said Momma Maria, who then went back to making lunch for her boss, Mr. Wayne, and Ms. Judy.
"Boy, would you look at the view out that window," offered Jamie.
"Is she your only servant?" asked Gabe.
"Don't let my 'brothers' hear you call her that. They'll give you a 'new one'. She treats us as if we are her grandchildren. At least that's the way they look at her. ... Look ... we're all in foster care because ... because of what our parents did.
"None of us ... I repeat ... none of us ... are here because of what we did. Keep that in mind. We'd all rather be back with our moms and dads, well ... maybe ... maybe they would," finished a subdued speaking Billy.
"Hey, Bill," called out Mr. Wayne, "giving your new friends the nickel tour?"
"Oh, hi, Mr. Wayne. This here is Gabe, short for Gabriel, and this is Jamie. And, yes, I'm giving them the nickel tour. What are you doing?" asked Billy.
"Just filling up my coffee cup before going back to talk with Mr. Ken. Mr. Ken said we'd show your friends the Cove Skate Park before they leave for the day. So, plan your day," laughed Mr. Wayne, as he walked over to the coffee pot to fill his cup.
"Does everybody call him, Mister Ken?" asked Jamie.
"Well, my brothers all call him 'dad', but I call him Mr. Ken. He told me that I could call him any name that wasn't disrespectful, and he, of course, agreed to it," laughed Billy. "But, from what I hear ... many people, young and old, call him Mister because ... because of what he did after that big storm a few years back."
"Yea, the governor called him and ... and he personally ... personally, mind you, asked him to be on one of his recovery teams after that Hundred Year Storm. Wow, he was just out of college and he gets ... and he gets handpicked to lead a storm recovery team. Then, from what I heard, and read in the newspapers, he got things done for people in the poorer areas before he did the 'rich' people's areas," told Jamie.
"I knew Mr. Ken had been involved with things, but not that much," said Billy. "I knew he got an American Red Cross Award last year for helping save someone. And, he was involved with a few other rescues."
"It wasn't him per se," spoke up Lonnie, "It was his boat, the Commander that was there. His friend, Lieutenant Fischer, was captaining the yacht when two of, I guess your brother's friends, found a guy who fell overboard. They found him while out on the personal watercraft and tried to help him.
"The Commander came along and two lifeguards, who worked for Mr. Ken, were along and the lieutenant told them to jump in and relieve the boys. The boys got some awards last year at the Labor Day Picnic held here," said Lonnie.
"You sure know enough about The Cove, Lonnie," said Billy.
"Well, we're both Boy Scouts and Logan Anderson was awarded the Boy Scout Lifesaving Medal right after Christmas. They wanted to give it to him last year around Thanksgiving, but he wanted to invite Mr. Ken as his guest, but the man was too busy with trips and his Holiday parties," added Gabe.
Billy showed his friends the Butler Pantry, the Dining Room, and, as they walked through the MRS Room, Gabe and Jamie saw the view over the glass banisters into the Great Room and out to the lake.
"Wow, I never realized this place was this big inside," said Jamie.
"Haven't you ever been to the 4th of July Picnics, or any of the Christmas Parties?" asked Billy.
"I ... well, we've come to the 4th of July Picnics, but we never came to any of the Christmas Parties. We thought those were by Invitation Only," replied Jamie. "And, Mr. Ken ... he doesn't open his house up for the Picnics."
"Have you ever been to them, Billy?" asked Gabe.
"No. We didn't travel in the same social circles, Gabe," laughed Billy.
"When I lived with my mom, we lived miles from here. I never knew Mr. Ken had all these special picnics and parties until I began living here. They sound awesome and I am looking forward to the ones he has scheduled for Memorial Day and the 4th of July."
"Hello, boys, I heard you out here talking, so I thought I'd come out and answer any questions you have that Billy can't answer yet," offered Mr. Ken.
"Yea, I have one. How big is this place?" asked Jamie.
"I'd actually have to look it up, but I think it is around 18,000 square feet. But I'm not sure if that includes the pool area," replied Mr. Ken.
"Wow," said Gabe. "And, you live here. You lucky dog, you!" teased Billy's new friend, who laughed and was joined by the other teens.
"Boys, I see Bill is being a good host and is showing you around The Cove. Let's walk over to my Study. This way you can see where the boys and I have our daily meeting to talk about what's going to happen here at The Cove.
"If you look over in the corner, you'll see the surprise I dropped on my 'sons' Christmas Day. It is an artist's rendition of the Cove Skate Park that is being built on the rise. We'll take you up there later, so you can see the progress. We all hope it will be finished for the Memorial Day Picnic, to which all of you, and your families, will be invited, so keep the date open," laughed Mr. Ken.
"So, my brothers will get a chance to see what's behind the magic curtain," laughed Jamie.
"Yes, they will. That is ... IF ... you stay out of trouble like I told your mom," laughed Mr. Ken.
All the boys laughed as they walked out into the short hall leading to the Foyer. Kaden then asked what was down the other hallway. Billy told his friends that it was Mr. Ken's private retreat, and they do not go there without his invitation, or it was an emergency. Kaden started to go down that way anyway and Billy reached out and grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Kaden looked at Billy and then at his arm.
"Kaden ... I told you that is Mr. Ken's private retreat. We do NOT go there! You have no right to go anywhere in this house you are not taken to, or told you can go there. Do you hear me, Kaden?" demanded Billy.
The other teenagers saw what happened, but weren't sure what to make of Kaden's action or of Billy's stopping and grabbing Kaden's arm. They totally understood what Billy was saying to Kaden, and Kaden was being a jerk by wanting to go back to their host's private area.
Kaden and Billy stared at one another. Billy then told Kaden he had two choices. He could either go with him and the rest of his friends to continue the nickel tour, or he could go home. The two teenagers continued to gaze at one another.
Kaden then laughed out loud and said that he was only kidding. The teen then walked back towards the Foyer and smiled as he waited for the rest of the group to catch up. Billy wasn't too happy about Kaden's actions, but he wasn't going to cause a scene, so he continued the nickel tour.
"So, where to next? Upstairs or down?" Billy asked Gabe and Jamie.
Gabe wanted to go upstairs and Jamie wanted to see the Great Room and the pool. Brett asked Billy if he ever got his new computer and learning he did, he voted to go up to their friend's bedroom and see what his foster dad got him.
Jamie said that would be good to see, so all six high school teens headed up to Billy's bedroom. When the group walked into the room, they saw the Dell Intel® Core™ i7 9700 machine sitting on the floor next to the desk.
The boys asked what the PC had inside and Billy said it was a Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, 8-Core, 12MB Cache, 8GB DDR4 with a 1TB 7200 RPM HDD.
The boys all whistled at hearing what their friends had as a home desktop computer and inwardly wished they had a computer that was half of that. Brett asked Billy to turn it on so they could see how fast it was. Billy told his friends he and Mr. Ken just began installing it last night and he still hadn't fully set it up yet. They were disappointed, but understood.
As the teens walked down the hallway, Lonnie told Gabe and Jamie they had to see something. The teen took the new friends into the boy's bathroom for them to see the urinals. Jamie was blown away when he saw the 'Porcelain Gods'. He said something to the extent that he wished him and his brothers had one of those.
Billy pointed out to his two new friends they also had back stairs to get to the Kitchen Nook, but that he and his 'brothers' always took the main stairs at the front of the house. The six teens headed in that direction and when they got to the stairs, Billy stopped them and told them that there were two guest bedrooms above Mr. Ken's retreat, but they had a guest staying there and that was why he couldn't take them over there to see them.
The group headed down to the Great Room. Billy showed the new friends the Theater, half-bath, Bar, Party Restrooms, and then he took them to the indoor pool.
"Jumpin' jeepers, would you look at the size of that indoor pool!" exclaimed Gabe, as he walked around the perimeter.
"Dang, look at that waterfall coming off that ledge overhanging the pool," offered Jamie.
"Yea, when we turn the water off it becomes a jumping rock," laughed Billy.
"Will we get to swim in it?" asked Gabe.
"Sure. That's why I had you bring your suits and a towel. My 'brothers' and their friends will ride their boards until they get tired. Then, they either swim or 'burn the burgers and dogs' and then swim. Let's go outside and get in line to ride the ramps,' said Billy.
As the six older teens headed outside, Jamie asked about the beach and if they could go out and see that and then skate. Billy said they could and led them out the Great Room Patio door.
The new friends were surprised at the size of the Patio. Billy immediately pointed out the Men's and Women's restrooms located under what was the garage. He told the teens they are used when Mr. Ken has a large outdoor party or picnic.
The boys then looked over the ornate banister and saw the beach, dock and artificial cove Mr. Ken had built. Gabe then asked why his foster dad calls the estate Three Finger Cove. Billy had them hold up their left hand and showed them, using their hand, how the three fingers formed the two coves. They all laughed.
The six teenagers walked down the stairs to the dock to look at the Commander, the Sunfish, a 14-foot sailboat, and the three-personal watercraft. There they also met Todd.
"Guys, this is Todd. He takes care of the dock, boats, water toys, beach and everything that goes with this side of the estate. I'll bet Mr. Ken adds the skate park to his duties ... with a few more dollars to his pay," teased Billy, which elicited laughs from his friends.
"Go ahead and laugh. At least I am earning good pay. And, I have been since last summer as Ryan taught me the job, that will definitely help pay for my college. What are you 'little' boys going to do to fund your college?" now laughed Todd.
The six freshmen hemmed and hawed and then laughed. Billy asked Todd to tell his friend about The Cove and the water toys out in the middle of it and the games his 'brothers' played out on them. Todd then told them about the Commander and PWCs.
After the teens heard about the beach and shoreline, and what Todd did there, they all walked around the side of the house to the Parking Corral to ride the ramps. Lonnie said to no one in particular that he can't wait until the skate park is finished and there would be little to no waiting.
Billy told everyone to get in line so they could use the ramps. He did point out that him and his 'brothers' won't ride the ramps when their friends are over. He explained they get to ride them when no one else was there. Then he laughed out loud.
As the teens stood waiting their turn on the ramps, Jamie asked Billy what the building next to the construction was going to be. Billy told him, and thus his friends around him, that the Pavilion would have boy's and girl's restrooms, a storage closet for a freezer and refrigerator and shelves to store the burger and dog buns, utensils and cutlery and whatever else was needed.
Billy further explained that only that morning they selected the tables and chairs they would use under the Pavilion. The Cover added there would be bike racks for the younger kids to use when they bring their bikes and lockable lockers big enough to store their skateboards between their sessions there.
"What's that long formed area going to be," asked Gabe.
"Well, it is something Mr. Wayne wanted. It will be a driveway that will meander from the main driveway all the way to behind the Pavilion. That's where the bike racks and lockers will be located," explained Billy. "When Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne shows us the construction later, you can ask them questions."
The older teens took their turns on the ramps and in between, Gabe and Jamie talked to Logan, Robert and Eric. The older boys tried to talk Robert and Eric into joining the scouts, but the Covers told Billy's new friends their 'dad' had way too many things they were already involved in and they didn't think they would have much time.
When they were waiting their turns, Gabe and Jamie talked to the other boys who weren't in Cub or Boy Scouts already. They hoped, with 40 boys there, they could recruit some into their Scout troop. After a while Logan came over to them and said he'd already tried to convince the boys to join, but it was a lost cause.
"Hey, look!" called out Cooper. As he pointed up to the sky. "It looks like we're going to have a bad storm before too long. Robert, should we try to cook before the storm gets here?"
Robert, Eric and Charles rushed into the house to talk to their 'dad'. They all came out a few minutes later and told them if they wanted to eat burned burgers and dogs they had to hurry. Charles told them their 'dad' checked the weather radar and it looked like they had about an hour before the storm got there,
Robert quickly formed three teams. One to prepare the grill, one to get the dry goods and the other to get the cold items. Billy explained to Gabe and Jamie what that was all about and told those two to go with him. He then sent his other friends to join a group to watch and learn.
Lonnie quickly caught up with the grilling team. He saw how they cleaned and prepared the grill before starting it. He also learned someone had to go up to the Kitchen Nook pots and pans storage room to get the cooking spatula, fork and serving tongs as well as an aluminum pan to hold the cooked burgers and dogs.
Gabe and Jamie walked with Billy and saw where all three teams headed for the sodas, burgers, dogs, buns, accoutrements and whatever else was needed to have a good burger and hot dog. Billy also stopped by the Study to tell Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne lunch would soon be ready.
As the teens walked down to the Patio, Jamie asked what Mr. Wayne did at The Cove. Billy explained he was Mr. Ken's right-hand man and filled in for him when he was out of town. Billy used his being attacked by the three bullies as an example.
The Cover went on to say Mr. Wayne stood by him, worked with the lawyer on his defense and they all saw he was at the table with him and not his foster dad. The two new friends said they understood.
By the time the burgers, dogs and cold sodas were brought to the Patio the grilling team was ready. The fire was hot and the cook placed a number of burgers on the grates. Lonnie asked why he didn't put the hot dogs on the grill. One of the cooks told him they didn't take long to cook and would be cooked last.
As the storm thundered in the distance, and the burgers were done, the boys lined up to get theirs. Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne got in line lest they didn't get a burger because the hungry horde would eat them all. The adults called out they also wanted a hot dog as well and when they offered their plate with their burger and hot dog bun on it the cook placed one each onto the appropriate bun.
When everyone had at least one burger and dog, it was then the cooks got to eat. Lonnie saw that as being a disadvantage of being a cook, but then he saw they could cook themselves a double burger. He also noticed everyone had to take what they were given while the cooks could burn theirs to their taste.
Anyone who wanted seconds had to cook their own, so the grillers could also eat. Those early eaters were asked to throw on an extra burger or dog and wound up becoming the cooks.
"I'll know not to do that the next time," said Chuck, who is usually the one who finishes first and always wants seconds. All the boys, who knew his eating habits, laughed at what he said.
Suddenly, a tremendous flash of lightning, lit up the Patio and was quickly followed by a very loud crack of super loud thunder. Mr. Ken yelled for everyone to stop eating and hurry into the house. It was only a few seconds later that the rain began to pummel the Patio with huge droplets of water, which was followed soon thereafter by torrential rainfall and quarter-inch hail.
The lightning and thunder continued to clash all around The Cove. Some of the boys wanted to go swimming, but Mr. Ken told them that with the storm on top of them it would be foolish to do so. Then, someone asked had anyone seen Kyle and Dominic.
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