Charles raced into the house when he returned triumphant from the court hearing. Momma Maria had him explain to her what happened and all the pre-teen could tell her was, he was ready to be adopted. Momma Maria smiled at hearing the outcome of the court hearing.
Mr. Ken went directly to his Study. He called his two main employees to come and meet him there. When Mr. Chris arrived, he told the owner of The Cove that Wayne had gone to the school to take Kyle to see Doctor Doug. Mr. Ken thanked the man for reminding him. The Cove's owner then told his Estate Manager about the judge's ruling and that they now had to plan an adoption party for Charles.
The man's employer also told Mr. Chris that Bill Jackson was going to work with Judge Adam Richards to set a date for the adoption. Mr. Ken added they were looking at next Thursday or Friday for the adoption ceremony, so they didn't have much time. Mr. Ken told Chris to get with Ed Henry at the Four Corners Restaurant and give him a heads up about what would hopefully happen at the end of next week.
Mr. Chris asked Mr. Ken about the plaque. The Cove's owner told the man he'd have it for him later today, but it would probably be what he told him yesterday. Chris congratulated his boss on the great outcome from the courthouse. Then, the Estate Manager reminded his employer about the hearing later that night concerning Bill.
Charles came into the Study after eating a light lunch made by Momma Maria. The pre-teen told his 'dad' he should have stopped at the Kitchen Nook and joined him.
"'Son', you had a big lunch with Bill and me I, where did you put it?" laughed 'dad' Ken.
"Well, when she asked me if I was ready for a light lunch my stomach growled and I said, yes. And boy was it ever good. Momma sure knows how to cook, 'dad'. I just hope I have enough room for her spaghetti and meatballs later," now laughed Charles, and then he walked out of the Study. The soon-to-be-teen heard his 'dad' laughing as he walked over to the stairs to go up to his bedroom.
As Charles walked out of the Study, Mr. Ken immediately started his list of who to invite to the adoption ceremony and then, the reception. It was then he remembered how he made three lists for Robert's adoption without ever asking the boy who he wanted to be there.
Mr. Ken decided he wasn't going to do the same thing to Charles. So, he put his pen down and went looking for his soon-to-be-son to ask him what he saw for the ceremony and reception.
"Charles," said 'dad' Ken from outside the bedroom. He waited for the boy to recognize him and invite him into the room.
"Oh, hi 'dad' come in. What brings you up here? It isn't bedtime," laughed the boy.
"Yea, it isn't bedtime. And this is your private area, as I have mine, and I don't want you to think I am checking up on you. That is the main reason I do not come up very often," replied 'dad' Ken.
"So ... what brings you up here, now?" asked Charles.
"Well, 'son' ... I made a big mistake when I was getting ready to adopt Robert, and ... and I don't want to make that same mistake with you. ... What I want ... why I came up here was to ask you ... who do you want to come to your adoption ceremony and reception?" finished 'dad' Ken.
"Wow, I never even thought about it, 'dad'. I know you did ask Robert a few days before his adoption who he wanted there. But all I was ever concerned about was getting my mom's parental rights terminated, so I could be adopted.
"You are going to ... adopt me, aren't you?" asked a now uncertain Charles Lewis.
"Yes, Charles, I am going to adopt you. Bill Jackson ... he is working with Judge Richards and we are looking at next Thursday or Friday. It will depend on the judge's trial schedule. Once we know that we'll pick a day and time. Well, the time will be in the afternoon, we just don't which day yet. So ... is there anyone special you want at the adoption?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Thank you, 'dad' for telling me that you are going to adopt me. After you do that, I won't have to worry about where I am going to live, anymore. Can I have a few minutes to think about who I want there?" replied Charles.
Mr. Ken told the boy to let him know later today, and he walked out of the bedroom. The man then headed to his Study to get back to all the projects he had been working on. The one thing he was curious about was what was happening back east. He had hoped he would have heard something by now.
The owner of Crystal Lake amusement Park wanted to know what the three Commissioners were able to accomplish with the other four men and his offer to provide the County money, to rebuild the roadway that would pass by the Crystal Lake Amusement Park. So, he made a phone call.
Kyle and Mr. Wayne came home after their visit to see Doctor Doug. The Cover boy knew Momma Maria wouldn't let him have his snack early, so he headed to the Study with Mr. Wayne. When they arrived, they saw Mr. Ken was on the phone, so they just took a leather chair and waited until the man was off the phone.
"Thank you, Jules. Please FAX Stewart Russel, and me, that information. The hearing is tonight at 7 p.m. and it would be nice if you could be there as our star witness," chuckled Mr. Ken as he hung up the phone.
"Well, how'd your visit with Doctor Doug go today, Kyle?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"As usual, 'dad'. We talked about mom and dad and what might happen to us after it all winds down," replied the younger twin.
"Great. Now ... as for Charles ... the judge ... he took away his mom's parental rights and now I have started the process to adopt him. I hope it happens either Thursday or Friday of next week.
"Kyle, why don't you head upstairs and talk to your 'brother'? He can tell you everything that happened. I need to talk to Mr. Wayne, here, about Bill's School Board appeal tonight," suggested 'dad' Ken.
Kyle ran out of the Study and headed up the stairs to talk to Charles. Mr. Ken had Wayne close the Study door so they weren't disturbed while the owner of The Cove briefed Wayne on what Jules Diamond found about one of the School Board Members.
Robert, Eric, Kevin and Matthew came running into the Kitchen Nook hoping their two missing 'brothers' were there. Momma told them that Kyle went to talk to Mr. Ken and Charles was up in his bedroom. The four boys headed to the Study. When they arrived, the Study door was closed, so they knew not to enter.
Robert told his 'brothers' since they can't talk with their 'dad' right now, they should go up and talk to Charles and find out what happened at the court that morning. The three other Covers agreed with Robert, and the four boys headed up the stairs and to Charles' bedroom.
"Wayne, there is a School Board member who has been trying to rewrite the Teacher/Student Handbook ever since he was elected. Jules found out he is conspiring with the dads of the boys who attacked Collin.
"That means at tonight's hearing he could well be an irritant who will stop at nothing at bottling up the proceedings and hoping to get two other Board members to side with him. He may have already convinced one, if not two. When that FAX gets here, we both need to get familiar with what it says," finished Mr. Ken.
Upstairs, Charles told his 'brothers' what happened at the courthouse. He told them how he sassed his mom and then told the judge what she did when he lived with her. He also told the other Cover boys how 'Smokey' held him at knife point and that his mom said he should have used it on him.
Charles told the boys he mentioned being raped by 'Smokey' and that Doc Powers could verify it. Charles added that the judge called for a recess and then called Doctor Powers. The pre-teen Cover told his 'brothers' that when the judge came back, he said he verified what I said and that he believed what I had to say.
"He then took my mom's parental rights away. 'Dad' is going to try to adopt me towards the end of next week," happily finished Charles.
All the boys yelled after hearing that news. They all hugged Charles and told him they couldn't wait until he was now a 'true' Cover like Robert. The boys then headed down to the Kitchen Nook for their Momma afterschool snack.
As the Cover boys ate, Eric asked his Best Friend if he thought their 'dad' would take him over to see his mom. Robert said he might not, but Mr. Wayne might be able to. But they had to go ask his dad and be quick because they had an early dinner scheduled as his dad and Bill had to go to that School Board Meeting later.
The two Cover teens went back to the Study and finding the door still closed, so Robert knocked on the door. Mr. Wayne opened it and asked the boys what they needed. Robert spoke up and asked his dad if he could take Eric over to see his mom.
"Boys, I am a one-armed paper hanger right now. There is way too much going on. But ... grab your coats and meet me in the garage. We don't have much time and we cannot stay for a long visit. Go!" said a now stressed out 'dad' Ken.
The man's stress came from everything he was involved in right now and now the added responsibility to take care of Eric and make sure he and his mom stay connected only added to the pressure he was feeling.
The other Cover boys wanted to know why they couldn't go. Mr. Wayne told them they needed to get their homework done before they all went to the School Board Meeting later. Kevin tried to argue that Robert and Eric wouldn't get theirs done, so they should be allowed to go, too. Mr. Wayne said they would have to accept the consequences if their homework isn't done, or stay home from the meeting and do it then.
"Mom," yelled Eric, when he saw her there in her hospital bed. "I miss you so much!"
"I missed you, too, my son. And, as you can see I am much better than the other morning. The surgery went well, as you know, and the doctor told me he would release me tomorrow morning. What have you been up to?" replied Ms. Judy.
"Mom, school was a drag not knowing how you were. If it weren't for Robert, I'd have been a mess at school today. He kept me grounded. Oh, and Charles ... he had a hearing today and the court took away his mom's parental rights," replied Eric Turner.
"Ken, do tell," said a smiling Judy Turner.
Mr. Ken gave Ms. Judy the Reader's Digest version of what transpired at the courthouse that morning. The owner of The Cove told her how his lawyer, Bill Jackson, was going to work with Judge Richards to set up a date and time for next week to have the adoption ceremony.
Ms. Judy told her friend, Ken Thomas, that with her on convalescent leave her assistant would have to handle the paperwork. The Director of Children's Protective Services told the man she had already done it, and all it needed was some signatures and the adoption should be a done deal.
Mr. Ken thanked her for that piece of information and told her he hoped she could be there. Ms. Judy said she should be well into her recovery and wouldn't miss it for the world. The two adults talked more about Charles' adoption, totally forgetting Eric was there to see his mom.
"Hey, what am I, 'Dust in The Wind'?" sarcastically asked Eric. "I came over here to see my mom and all she does is talk to Mr. Ken. Sheesh."
Mom Judy called her son over to her and gave the teen a kiss and a big hug. She held onto him and thanked him for calling 911, and having the ambulance come to take her to the hospital, and then Mr. Ken. She told her son to listen to Mr. Ken and not to cause any trouble.
Eric laughed and told her he knew not to because he didn't want to be the first person banned from The Cove. Ms. Judy raised her eyebrows and Mr. Ken explained what her son meant. The man then told the woman that they were pressed for time as Bill had his School Board hearing to appeal his suspension that night and dinner was early that evening so all of the Covers could go.
Eric and his mom hugged and kissed once more before the Covers left the woman. The man and teen arrived back at The Cove in plenty of time to eat dinner. The boys all enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs, along with the salad and garlic bread Momma served. Talk at the table was lively that evening. Charles was the center of attention and he was enjoying it.
Bill was relatively quiet throughout the entire meal. Mr. Ken took notice and decided to talk to the teenager before they left for the meeting. When everyone had finished their Momma Maria dinner, the boys hugged the woman before going to wash up before heading to the meeting.
"Bill," called Mr. Ken, "What say we talk some before we head to the School Board Meeting."
Bill was reluctant to do so, but he knew he needed to talk to his foster dad because the man was going out of his way to support him on his appeal. The thing was he was now considering dropping his appeal. He and the man went to the Study to talk. Mr. Ken closed the door.
"Bill ... I see some reluctance in your face that says ... that says you don't want to fight this suspension. I can understand two reasons why. First, you think you're wasting too much of my time, and I could use those few hours back.
"And, two, you just want this to be over with. I can feel your reluctance to have to confront Principal Stanley and the School Board. I can understand that. You're a young teen, going up against the establishment, and don't feel you have a chance in hell you'll win.
"Bill, remember that video you had Brett send you. You said it sounded like the three boys had an 'ace' in the School Board. Well ... my investigator found some damning evidence that says you were right!
"Jules sent your lawyer and me the information he gathered, and I invited him to attend the meeting as a star witness for the defense. I believe we have a great chance to win this and, in the process, expose something that needs to be brought into the open.
"Bill, you are not just doing this for yourself. You are doing this for your fellow students, as well. ... Listen ... you've taken the issue this far and you deserve to follow through. Even if you lose, you won't be any worse off than if you threw in the towel.
"Bill, it is time ... it is time you started to fight for yourself. You've been given a bad hand to play, and now it is time to decide what cards to throw away and to take a chance on new ones. That is what you are doing with this hearing. We'll all be there to support you whether you win or lose. Will you take the easy way out, or fight for what is right?" finished Mr. Ken.
Bill sat there thinking about what Mr. Ken just told him. Internally, he wanted it all to go away. But he knew what Mr. Ken told him was true. The man has always made him feel like he cared about him. He knew if threw in the towel he would be telling the man he didn't care. So, Bill made up his mind.
"Mr. Ken ... it is true that I want all this to go away and ... and I would rather give up than fight. But, Mr. Ken, what you said makes sense and if I lose, at the School Board, it shouldn't be any worse than what Principal Stanley had decreed. So, yes ... I want to fight this. I owe it not only to you, but to myself to carry this through to the end," revealed Bill Dirketson.
Mr. Ken hugged the teen and then told him to go drain his dragon and get ready to head over to the School Board's Meeting. Bill smiled at the man and hurried off to do what the man told him to do.
The eight Covers arrived at the School Board Meeting with minutes to spare. As Billy walked into the building, he noticed his five friends. So, he walked over to them to talk. Mr. Ken walked over after him and it was there Billy introduced his two newest friends.
"Mr. Ken, I want you to meet Gabe and Jamie. They are my new friends, and they would like to come over this weekend. Have you decided if they could?" asked Billy.
"Oh, Bill, I'm sorry I didn't say something sooner to you about them coming over. This week was a crazy one, for sure. It is nice to meet you boys. Anyway, yes, they may come over this weekend. Boys, Bill will tell you the rules at school tomorrow concerning when you can come over and when you have to leave," said Mr. Ken, who then told Billy he needed to get with his lawyer.
Billy went over to Stewart Russell and asked the man what he should do. Stewart told the teenager to just sit and watch, and don't speak until he is spoken to. The lawyer also told Billy that when he did answer, not to say any more than what they asked for. Billy knew what Mr. Russell said was good information, as that was what his lawyer told him when he was at his mom's trial.
The five School Board members all arrived at the same time. They took their seats at the front of the room. Board President John Henry Ostrowski gaveled the Meeting into session and the appeal hearing was underway.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to hear one William Brooks Dirketson's suspension appeal in accordance with the Teacher/Student Handbook that was adopted by this Board three years ago.
"We will first hear from the three students who were supposedly attacked," began the School Board President.
"Supposedly?" loudly spoke up Board Member Patrick Browner. "There is no supposedly about it. I saw the videos and I make a motion we dispense with this hearing."
No Board member seconded his motion.
The teen with the broken arm in a sling went first. His name was Timothy 'Tim' Simmons. The Board President asked the teen to come forward and tell them what transpired last Thursday morning before the first bell rang.
Timothy Simmons stated how Billy Dirketson came over to him and punched him in the stomach and when he tried to defend himself the teenager used two of his friends as an advantage to use his legs to violently push him away. The junior classman added that it was when he fell and tried to break his fall that he broke his arm.
When the teen was finished, Stewart Russell stood up and quickly asked the Board's President if he could ask Mister Simmons a few questions. Board President John Henry Ostrowski said he could, but not to take too long as they had three other witnesses they needed to hear from.
"Mister Simmons ... Are you sure William Dirketson hit you in the stomach first ... or was it the other way around?" was Stewart Russell's first question.
"No, he hit me first," replied Tim Simmons.
"Do you know why your two friends held my client's hands and arms behind his back?" next asked the lawyer.
"I think they got to him to keep him from hitting me again," replied Tim.
"Is what you just told me visible on the videos?" asked Stewart.
"Yes, the YouTube videos show everything as it happened," answered Mr. Simmons.
Board President Ostrowski then called Chance Jamesly to tell his story to the Board.
Chance, who was wearing a device to protect his nose from further injury, since Billy had broken it as he defended himself, came forward. He told the Board he and Lou grabbed Bill to keep him from hitting Tim any more. He told the Board that they didn't do such a great job since Bill was able use his feet to push Tim away so violently that his friend broke his arm.
School Board Member Browner asked him how he had his nose broken. Chance told the Board that after Bill struck Tim with his feet, he wrestled away from Lou's hold and swung at him and broke his nose.
Stewart Russel was again allowed to question the witness. His first question centered on why Tim told him and Louis Woodster to hold Bill's arms and hands behind his back. Chance said they did that to keep Bill from hitting their friend, Tim, again.
The lawyers' next questions were, "Mister Jamesly ... if we look at the videos ... will we see exactly that? I mean ... will we see you and Mr. Woodster do exactly that? You know, you two friends trying to protect Timothy?"
"Yes, sir," immediately responded Chance. "What else would you expect to see?"
Louis 'Lou' Woodster was the next witness John Henry Ostrowski called to testify. The sophomore came forward and waited to be asked some questions.
When the witness didn't offer any narrative, Board President Ostrowski said, "Mr. Woodster, please tell the Board, and the public, what happened last Thursday before the first bell rang."
"Oh, I didn't know I was supposed to tell my story when I came up here. I thought I had to wait to be asked some questions," answered the sophomore.
"Proceed telling the Board what happened to you and your two friends last Thursday before the first bell," directed the School Board President.
"Well, me and my friends were talking before the first bell and Bill came over to us and without warning hit Tim in the stomach. We were all surprised, at first, then Chance and I decided to grab Bill and hold his hands behind his back, so he couldn't hit Tim again.
"But, Bill ... he used us to raise up his feet to hit Tim in the chest and break his arm. Then, he wrestled free from me and was able to hit Chance and break his nose. So, since I was free, I tried to defend myself and my friends, so I hit Bill. We exchanged a few blows and then the Resource Officer came and stopped us. The man then took Bill into the principal, we figured," stated Louis 'Lou' Woodster.
None of the School Board Members had any questions for the witness, so Stewart Russell was given the opportunity to ask his question.
"Mister Woodster ... so you and your friend Chance ... together, you decided to hold Bill back? Or, was it Tim who told you to hold Bill Dirketson's hands behind his back before Tim hit Bill first in his stomach?" asked the lawyer.
"No, no, you got it all wrong. Bill hit Tim first," quickly argued back Louis Woodster.
"So, if we watch the videos ... they will show the fight as you and Chance and Tim have explained it to the School Board and all the people sitting in this room?" asked Stewart Russell.
"Hell, err, heck yes," responded Louis. "What we all told you is what happened! Principal Stanley has a copy of the video. Ask him to play it."
"Our last witness is Principal Mark Stanley. Come and sit in front of the Board," announced Board President Ostrowski.
The first thing John Henry Ostrowski asked Principal Stanley to do was to show the Board the video Louis Woodster claimed he had. Principal Stanley took out a disk, purportedly of the fight that happened at the high school one week ago and gave it to Mr. Russell to place into the portable projection unit.
When the video played it showed what the three students had just told the Board. The public was in awe at seeing the video, without sound, that showed almost exactly what the three high school students claimed.
When the video was over, The Board's President asked Principal Stanley, "Please explain to us why he was issuing an alternative school suspension to William Brooks Dirketson and not an in-school suspension. Mark Stanley told the School Board about the fight the previous week and how William Dirketson attacked three upperclassmen.
The principal added that one teen received a broken arm and another had his nose busted. The principal made it clear to the Board that because William Dirketson had attacked three people and then the seriousness of injuries that caused him to issue the suspension to the alternative high school.
The Principal reminded the Board, and the people attending the meeting, they just watched the CCTV video that showed William Dirketson attack the three teens and cause the injuries he and the attacked teens, just described. The Principal said it with such strength of conviction the people in audience outright believed him.
The School Board members asked the Principal some questions. Once they were satisfied, School Board Member Patrick Browner made a motion. His motion was to vote now and let everyone go home. Julianna Lambert seconded the motion and now the Board's President had to ask for comments from the Board before they took a vote.
Kevin Yeager and Gianna Rodriguez said they wanted to hear from the student who was appealing the suspension and weren't ready to vote. Mr. Browner was surprised that Mrs. Rodriguez didn't support him as he had talked to her at length and showed her the videos and was sure she would vote along with him. After a few more Board comments the vote was taken and the motion was defeated 3 to 2. Mr. Browner was inwardly pissed.
Stewart Russell wanted to question Principal Stanley and he asked The Board's President if he could ask a few questions as he had the three supposedly attacked teens. School Member Browner started to object, but the Board's President gaveled the member as being out of order and the student's counsel had the right to question all the witnesses. He told lawyer Stewart Russell to proceed.
"Principal Stanley ... have you ever seen all of the videos that show the fight that my client was accused of starting and injuring two students?" asked Mr. Russell.
"Yes, I've watched all the videos from the CCTV cameras that caught the fight started by William Dirketson," replied the principal.
"Did you ever watch the videos that I mentioned to you that could be found on YouTube?" asked the lawyer.
"No, I haven't. As I told you once before, I don't have the time for all that internet stuff. And besides, all I needed to see was what the school's cameras caught, the official records of the event, to make my decision," replied Principal Mark Stanley.
"Principal Stanley ... how many school cameras did you view?" was the next question the lawyer asked.
"I only watched two camera videos. That was enough for me to make an informed decision," answered Mark Stanley.
"Why didn't you ever watch the other two CCTV cameras footage?" asked Mr. Russell.
"I personally wasn't aware of two other CCTV camera angles that may have caught the altercation," answered the Principal.
"So ... if I understand you correctly ... you knew there were four CCTV cameras that focused on the front of the high school, but ... you decided to only watch two of the cameras footages?" was what the high school principal was asked by Bill's lawyer.
"Once I saw what two camera angles showed me, I'd seen enough. It was then I decided that William Dirketson was the attacker. It was then that I made the decision to suspend him and send him to the alternative high school," replied Principal Stanley.
"Principal Stanley ... why did you outright deny Mr. Mitchell, who is a licensed foster parent and is identified in William Dirketson's student folder, as such, access to the four videos? He was acting in Mr. Thomas' stead, while the man was out of town, and had the same authority to ask for them as William's foster dad did?
"And why did you deny me, who had a court order for you to turn over all four CCTV video footages to me? And ... why did you deny School Board President Ostrowski's request when he asked you to call the IT Administrator and provide the same footage, I had a court order for?
"Tell us Principal Stanley. Tell the public how you stone walled Mr. Mitchell and then President Ostrowski and me. Tell us Principal Stanley! Tell us!" finished a loudly talking Stewart Russell.
"I don't remember ever refusing you copies of the footage, as I didn't believe the other two CCTVs footage would show any good angles of the front of the school. As for denying Mr. Mitchell access, Mr. Thomas is the primary foster parent and I decided he was the one who needed to ask for the videos, not Mr. Mitchell. And, I never stone walled anyone!" strongly defended Mark Stanley.
School Board Member Gianna Rodriguez asked the questioning of Principal Stanley be set aside for now. She told her fellow board members that she wanted to hear from the student who was appealing his suspension. She said it was time to hear the other side.
John Henry Ostrowski agreed and asked for a vote. The vote was 4 to 1 with only Patrick Browner voting against the proposal. He also showed how disgusted he was by turning his back towards the group.
Now it was William Dirketson's time to tell his story. The freshman student came forward and sat where Principal Stanley was seated just a few moments ago.
Miss Rodriquez addressed William and asked him to tell them how he saw what happened last Thursday before the first bell rang.
Billy looked to his lawyer to see if he wanted him to answer. Stewart Russell nodded towards his client and Billy turned back towards the School Board and began to tell his story.
"What Tim, Chance and Louis told you is a true fabrication. They got together and practiced what they'd say. They also had someone in a high position who helped them with what to say.
"I gathered that from when the three of them came to me earlier in the week, and told me to drop my appeal. It was then I got suspicious they had someone who would run interference tonight and get this meeting stopped before the truth really came out," said Billy.
"Are we going to sit here and be forced to listen to these lies?" demanded School Board member Patrick Browner. "I make a motion to stop this madness and vote!"
Julianna Lambert again seconded the motion from Patrick Browner.
School Board President John Henry Ostrowski asked for comments from the Board before holding a vote. Again, School Board members Kevin Yeager and Gianna Rodriguez said they wanted to hear the student's full story, since they had heard from the other three. When the vote was taken on the motion to stop the hearing it was again defeated 3 to 2.
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