The Covers went to Four Corners for dinner that night. The boys wanted to eat on the Diner side, so they didn't have to get too dressed up to eat. The boys ordered something other than hamburgers though, as they'd had them just a few hours ago. Chicken fried steak, or meatloaf with mashed potatoes and corn seemed to be the food of choice that evening.
As they ate, 'dad' Ken got their attention and told them he wanted to talk to them about what Billy had asked him about earlier that day. That got the boys attention, so they focused their attention on him.
"Boys, as you know, when you invite a friend over to The Cove, they can continue to come back as long as they don't cause any problem. Right? Well, you all know I was the one who invited Jameson, Xavier, Jonathan and Damian, Jamie and Gabe's brothers, to The Cove, so I guess they are my 'friends' and I am responsible. Right?" explained 'dad' Ken, as he left the unasked question hanging in the air.
"So, dad ... what is it that you are ... that you are wanting us to say?" asked Charles.
"It's not what I am wanting you to say, it's ... it's that there are four young boys who after Saturday will be coming back to The Cove, but ... but I won't be out skating with them. So ... the unasked question is ..." began 'dad' Ken, but was interrupted by Robert before he finished.
"Is ... he wants us to take them on as our friends, so he doesn't have to be responsible for them if they cause trouble," finished Robert while laughing.
"Yea, what he said," offered a smiling 'dad' Ken.
The boys all laughed at what was just said as they wanted to know more.
Mr. Ken told them what that was all about and the boys agreed that Jameson, Xavier, Jonathan and Damian were all good kids and that Kevin, Kyle and Matthew were their ages and would be responsible for them. That brought about some good-natured discussions about the three youngest 'brothers' taking on that responsibility.
"And boys ... there is one other situation that has come up and we need to discuss that, as well. Do you want to do that here, or ... do you want to wait until we get back to the Study?" asked 'dad' Ken.
The boys actually wanted to drive the Go-Karts before they went home, so they voted to talk about that other situation back at The Cove. And that is what they did. After dinner, the Covers walked over to the Go-Kart Track and they raced one another for the bragging rights as the 'winner'. Mr. Ken, to the chagrin of the boys, was the one who won the race that night.
When the Covers returned to The Cove, they assembled in the Study to talk. They took their regular seats and they waited for their 'dad' to tell them about the other issue he mentioned at the Diner.
"Boys, besides Jamie and Gabe's brothers and their needing a sponsor, and thank you Kevin, Kyle and Matthew for volunteering to do that for me," chuckled 'dad' Ken, "there is also Luke and Toby I need to think about.
"Do I ask them to come back when they are allowed, and, if they do return, who will they gravitate to? I would think Kevin, Kyle and Matthew again, as they are only what 9 and 10?" asked 'dad' Ken.
The boys talked back and forth about that question for a bit, before Robert asked if their parents would even allow them to come to the picnic let alone come back after school is out. Mr. Ken agreed that was the better question, but he wanted to know what arrangements should they have in place if they do decide to come back.
Mr. Wayne wasn't with the Covers the day they met Mrs. Whittier and her grandsons, but from what he heard about them afterwards, he asked if the boys would ever come by themselves or would their grandmother bring them, or possibly their parents?
Mr. Ken said that they probably would come with their Gramm, and she would more than likely stay with them until it was time for them to go home. But Mr. Ken said the boys should still have someone they could go to if they had a question or a problem.
Matthew spoke up and said that Billy or Robert should be their contact, as they know more about stuff and could make decisions faster than he or the twins could. The twins spoke up and agreed with their younger 'brother' and said Billy or Robert, or even Charles should be the ones Luke and Toby should go to if they have a problem or a question.
Mr. Ken asked the three older Cover boys if they would take on that responsibility if the two younger boys decided to ever come back. Charles immediately spoke up and said he wouldn't have a problem with it. Billy looked at Robert and the two of them agreed it wouldn't be a problem for them either.
"OK, with that settled, the other issue, one that hasn't come up until now is this. If the younger brother is here can the older brother also be here if their sponsor isn't? For example, if Jameson, Xavier, Jonathan and Damian are here, can Jamie and Gabe also be here if Billy is not?" asked 'dad' Ken.
That question threw the boys for a loop. The only other older/younger brother combinations they knew of were Brad and Brant and Conner and Cooper. They knew that Conner was only here when Todd was there, and he was an employee and not a Cover, per se, and Brant was here with Matthew and Brad was here with Robert.
"Dad, why are you asking us this?" asked Robert.
"Well, it's because Billy's friends, Jamie and Gabe, asked. They reasoned if their brothers are here, they should be allowed, as well, even if Billy isn't. That is the question at hand. If we decide no, they can't be, then Brad can't be here when Robert isn't, but Brant can be if Matthew is and vice versa. Sort of a slippery slope, wouldn't you say?" questioned Mr. Ken.
The boys talked amongst themselves and they didn't have an answer for that question. They never had that situation before and they couldn't fathom it ever coming up. But Billy told them that when he and Mr. Ken go on their 3-day trip Jamie and Gabe would still like to come over when their brothers do.
"Dad ... why are these questions coming up now?" asked Robert. "I mean ... I've been here about eighteen months and we never had something like this come up before, so why now?"
"Well, son, boys ... now that we've added Bill to the 'family' we've invited more and more boys to The Cove. In doing so, we have found ourselves with these new questions. They would have come up eventually, I am sure.
"So, now that these questions have come up, I want us to discuss them and decide as a 'family' ... how we want to proceed, so when they come up again, and I am sure they will, we know what to do. So ... let's talk," encouraged 'dad' Ken.
The Covers talked again about what was said at the Diner about Jameson, Xavier, Jonathan and Damian continuing to come over to The Cove and that Kevin, Kyle and Matthew were their ages and would be responsible for them. They also talked about Luke and Toby and that Billy, Robert and even Charles could be who they go to if they have a question or a problem.
That brought the Covers to the final question as to whether the brothers of brothers can continue to come when their Cover friend wasn't going to be there, as when Billy was on his 3-day trip later in June.
The only question the younger boys had was what if they began to bully them when Billy wasn't there. Billy turned it around and asked when they were gone would their friends bully him. That started a loud discussion between the boys that 'dad' Ken had to put a stop to.
'Boys, boys ... Listen up! Has ANY ... have any of your friends ever been a bully? Ever?" demanded 'dad' Ken.
"Well, Max was said to be a bully, but ... well, I just think he was lonely and was acting out," offered Matthew. "But ever since he's been coming over here all the guys like him, now."
"Anyone else?" asked Mr. Ken.
"OK, so ... if that is the only concern and we've never had any problems from any of your friends, which I've been made aware of ... is there a need to keep any of the boys away when one of you is going to be away. Now, when we are all away that is totally different.
"So, boys ... are you going to be OK with all of your friends being allowed to stop by when one or even two of you are gone for some reason? That is the question you need to vote on boys," presented 'dad' Ken.
The boys talked about it some more. But in the end, they all agreed to give it a chance and let all the boys continue to come over since none of them ever caused any problems. They agreed that if only one or two of them were gone all their friends could continue to come over. But the boys decided that if three or more were gone only the friends of the Covers who were there could stop by. Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne said that sounded like a reasonable compromise and that the new Rule was adopted.
The Covers then talked about the coming week, as they usually did. 'Dad' Ken told the boys the contractor would finish up the skate park that week and the restaurant supply company would install the freezer, refrigerator, icemaker and the shelving and bring the cooking utensils and everything else they needed for a successful barbeque.
'Dad' Ken told the boys that Mr. Wayne would take a posed Grand Opening picture of them on Saturday morning about 11 a.m. before their guests would arrive, so he had a good picture for his Study wall. He added they would do that all over again when the majority of their guests were there and then they and their friends could start using the skate park.
He reminded the boys that the sailing lessons would begin the Thursday after school was over and they would be for two hours a day, from 9 to 11, for six straight days not including Sunday. He also told the boys there would be no sleepovers during that time. 'Dad' Ken also reminded the boys they would leave that Thursday morning after the sailing lessons were over for their ten-day trip to visit the amusement parks. That put a smile on the boy's faces.
Mr. Ken then covered who had doctor's appointments that week. Mr. Ken said he'd like Kevin to talk to Doctor Doug a couple of times that week and asked if anyone would mind having their appointment moved to the following week.
When their meeting was over Mr. Ken sent the boys up to their rooms to settle down before going to bed.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne talked about the questions Billy asked and how the boys accepted their resolution. Mr. Ken then mentioned he needed to learn Vivian Parchsons and Grace Turnsten's fate, so he could better plan the summer for the boys. The foster dad said there could be a couple of trials that summer that could interfere with the summer for the twins and Matthew.
The men went upstairs to say goodnight to the boys. Kevin thanked his 'dad' for making it so he could talk to Doctor Doug a few times that week, as he wanted to get the trial and Julian behind him. Robert was still curious about Billy's questions, but his dad told him there wasn't anything behind them other than what he asked. Robert accepted it.
In Billy's room, the teenager thanked Mr. Ken for asking the questions and getting them out front with his 'brothers'. He told him he was afraid that they wouldn't agree and his friends would be disappointed. Mr. Ken told him not to fret over it and to move on.
At breakfast, the boys couldn't stop talking about the upcoming Grand Opening of the Cove Skate Park that coming Saturday. They talked about the tricks they were going to do using the skate bowls and ramps. They were talking so much they weren't eating the breakfast foods Momma Maria had made for them that she told them to "Eats!" They all laughed and began eating.
Mr. Ken heard that one-word order and hid behind his morning newspaper.
When Billy came down for breakfast, he took care of Chief's needs and then sat down to a Momma Maria breakfast. He loved living there at The Cove, and knew he had to keep his head on straight and stay out of trouble at school. He then realized that his last day of School was the following Wednesday, or in about ten days.
At school, Kevin and Robert had to fend off their classmates who had to ask them about what was revealed on Sunday about Julian Hankers and what was said at his trial. Robert had the easier time answering their questions because even though he met the twin's dad he never met the twins, and he had no clue as to why the man would want him kidnapped.
Kevin, on the other hand, had a much harder time answering his classmate's questions. They all wanted to know why the man wanted to have sex with him, and why his dad sold him for only $5000.00. Kevin was having a difficult time and began to cry.
Kyle saw and heard what was happening and he went and found Robert who came to Kevin's aide. When the teenager saw what was happening to his 'brother' he took him to Mr. Chassen and told him what was going on and that he might need to call their 'dad' to come and get Kevin.
Dan Chassen took the two boys to Principal Abigail Chadwick and told her what happened, out in the schoolyard. She called for the school nurse and then called Mr. Ken. The foster dad came as fast as he could and when Kevin saw him, he jumped into his arms and cried his eyes out.
"Why, why did this have to happen to me, 'dad'?" cried Kevin. "Why ... why did my dad do this to us? The boys and girls they ... they wouldn't let me answer their questions. They ... they kept asking me about all that money Julian paid my dad and me having to have ... to have ... sex with him. Will I ever get over this, 'dad'?" said Kevin, as he continued to cry.
"Kevin ... I wish I had answers to all of your questions, 'son'. Your classmates ... they weren't at The Cove yesterday when you answered your friends' questions and ... well, they are just as curious as they were," counseled 'dad' Ken.
"But, what do I tell them, 'dad'?" Kevin wanted to know through his tears.
"What did you tell your friends yesterday?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Well ... I told them that what I heard in court was all new to me. That I didn't know Julian worked with my dad to get control of my brother and me by using some fake powers of attorney papers, and then conspired to kidnap us later.
"I told them I had no idea that Julian paid my dad all that money, so he could have ... have, you know, have ... have ... sex with me. How could I, as I hadn't seen my parents much after the accident," explained Kevin, who was beginning to hold back his tears.
"Then that's what you tell them! Tell them exactly that, and nothing more. If they persist, just walk away. If they continue to hound you then you come to the Principal and tell her and let her fix it," counseled 'dad' Ken, in front of Abigail Chadwick and the school nurse.
"Yes, Kevin, do what Mr. Ken says. I'll watch out for you and I'll ask Mr. Chassen to do that as well. The sooner you face your classmates the faster you can get this behind you. You did nothing wrong. It was all your dad's doing," spoke up the Principal.
When Billy arrived at his school, he met up with his friends. They all rehashed what the newspapers had said on Sunday about Julian Hankers and the money and Robert. They had hoped Billy would add something they hadn't heard, but Billy told them there was nothing new to add.
Billy did have good news for Jamie and Gabe, though. And when he told his friends they could come to The Cove when he wasn't there when their brothers were, they were very happy. Kaden asked why they got to go over to The Cove but he, Lonnie and Brett couldn't.
Billy explained that they, the Covers, discussed the situation about Jamie and Gabe and their brothers being at The Cove when Billy wasn't there. Billy described the situations when that could occur, but that it only applied to when there were older/younger brother combinations.
Kaden said he still didn't understand and began to argue that if Jamie and Gabe were there then he, Lonnie and Bret should also be allowed to be there as well, when Billy wasn't there. He said he felt there wasn't any difference if there were two teens there or five.
Billy told Kaden, and thus all his friends, that after a long discussion last night the younger boys didn't want too many older boys there without someone to be responsible for them. Kaden asked who was going to be responsible for Jamie and Gabe. Billy told him that Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne would take on that responsibility. Kaden asked Billy if he could ask them to reconsider that decision. Billy said he'd ask, but for him not to expect them to change their mind.
Mr. Ken, after he got cleaned up for the day, made some phone calls that morning. His first was to Bill Jackson. He asked his lawyer to find out what he could about Grace Turnsten and her possible trial dates. The owner of The Cove explained he needed to plan for Matthew's and his summer, and knowing what the DA had planned would be helpful.
The second phone call Mr. Ken made was to Joel Carrier. Again, Mr. Ken asked the detective what he knew about the DA's plans for Vivian Parchsons and what charges he was going to bring against her.
The detective told Mr. Ken the woman was still being charged with child neglect for failing to provide for a child's basic needs, child abuse for not protecting the boys which resulted in significant harm or risk of significant harm, in effect Kevin's sexual abuse and emotional neglect.
He added she could be charged with child endangerment, because of the extended neglect, but she could also be charged with wire fraud and possible money laundering because of all the money her husband had go through his hands that she benefited from.
Mr. Ken asked what Parker Parchsons was being charged with. Detective Carrier mentioned the initial wire fraud and possible money laundering, but that the sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in his care, aggravated sexual abuse of a minor times six from the number of youngsters they identified through Kevin, sexual touching, aggravated sexual assault and the list continued, not including the conspiracy to kidnap his own sons and Robert Harrison.
Mr. Ken asked when the DA had planned to take the Parchsons to trial. Detective Carrier said he hoped the DA would first offer the mother a plea bargain with reduced charges and lesser prison time in exchange for her testimony against her husband. The detective did mention the DA was looking for a trial date sometime after the 4th of July. Mr. Ken thanked him for that information and asked him to stay in contact if things changed.
When Mr. Ken finally talked with Mr. Chris, he asked his Estate Manager to call the Police Explorers contact and then email him the release form for the Explorer's to have their parents sign and bring with them on Saturday, so they too can enjoy the new Skate Park. Mr. Chris said that was a great catch, as he never thought about the Police Explorers still being in high school and under the age of eighteen.
The two also talked about the sailing lessons and that Mr. Chris would pay the instructor using The Cove account and that they'd probably place the money from the boys into the petty cash account to make the accounting easier.
The coming week was going to be a busy one and the two men talked about it. It was already in the afternoon and Mr. Wayne had gone to the school to take Kevin to meet with Doctor Doug, which was why it was only the two of them.
The items of interest were that the restaurant company would be there tomorrow to install the pieces of equipment they'd purchased and stock the shelves with the supplies that were ordered to include the cooking utensils.
On Wednesday, the electronics' company would begin the installation of all the CCTV cameras for the skate park and the 82-inch LCD LED TV and cable box in the Pavilion and hook them up to the servers inside the house and make everything operational.
When Kevin returned from his doctor's appointment that afternoon, he was very upbeat. The older twin thanked his 'dad' for making it so he could see Doctor Doug today, and he told him that was what he needed. Kevin added he was looking forward to talking to Doctor Doug on Wednesday, so he could put the trial behind him.
Kevin also told his 'dad' that his classmates did pester him at lunchtime, but he stuck to his story he told his friends and told them there wasn't anything else to tell them that wasn't already in the newspapers. He said he told them he was just as surprised as they were when it was revealed during the trial.
Mr. Ken was happy for Kevin. The boy was pushing forward and not letting his classmates define him or bully him. The man just hoped that his parent's trials wouldn't derail him and set him back.
When the rest of the Cover boys returned from school, Charles sought out his dad to tell him Cooper, Hunter, David and Brad were all going to take sailing lessons when school was over. Charles was stoked that he was going to learn to sail and start using that 14-foot Sunfish day-sailor that's been tied up to the dock the entire time he's been living at The Cove.
The boys waited for Billy to return from school before they all enjoyed their Momma Maria afterschool snack together. They talked about what happened at school with their classmates asking them about Julian Hankers' death and Robert knowing the twins' dad and the money that man paid Kevin's dad to have sex with him. They all said they hoped the questions would soon end.
Billy reminded his 'brothers' that their last day of school was next Wednesday. Matthew spoke up and told his 'brothers' that the sailing lessons began next Thursday, and Kyle mentioned that their 'dad' said there would be no sleepovers. All the boys laughed at that one.
"What's all this laughing about?" asked 'dad' Ken, when he walked into the Kitchen Nook with Mr. Wayne.
'We're laughing that you won't let us have a sleepover after school is out, 'dad'," chuckled Matthew.
"You are," replied a smiling 'dad' Ken, who quickly went over to Matthew and grabbed him and began to give him a tickle attack. The boy squirmed and laughed as the man tickled the boy's ribs. The other boys laughed right along with their 'brother'. That was until Mr. Ken quickly moved onto Charles and did the same to him. All the boys quickly left the table to avoid being next.
"Chickens!" announced 'dad' Ken, who then told the boys to get back to the table and finish their snacks before Momma gets the 'spoon' after them. Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne then walked back to his Study.
Billy whispered, "The spoon?" to Robert, wanting to know what that was all about.
Matthew quickly went to the area were the restaurant sized pots and pans were stored and brought back the spoon Mildred used to beat Robert. Robert then told Billy the story of how Mildred used that huge ladle to back him up all throughout the kitchen as she hit him and told him that SHE was now his 'foster parent'.
The telling brought back that day to Robert and the boys asked him to tell them the whole story. Robert thought about it for a few moments, and knowing that to talk about it was to put it behind you, he said he would.
Robert told his 'brothers' how Mildred told him she was now his 'foster parent' and she was taking over responsibility for him. That he wasn't going to come and go whenever he wanted and his filthy friends wouldn't be coming over to The Cove anymore.
Robert told them how she said he'd have to do what she said and obey her, and all the time she was hitting him with that huge spoon as she backed him up throughout the kitchen. He continued and said he wondered where Momma Maria was, but then remembered she had a dentist appointment and that it was only him and her.
"But where was 'dad'?" asked Matthew.
"Well, dad was in his Study, where he always is," said Robert.
"But, what about Chief? Where was she?" asked Kyle.
"Chief was with dad. I just came home from school, so she would have been with him waiting for me to come home," replied the teenager.
"So, then what happened?" encouraged Kevin.
"Well, I yelled back at her that she wasn't my foster anything. I told her that I didn't believe her as my dad hadn't said anything to me that he was going to do that. She laughed at me. She said he couldn't tie his shoes without her.
"Mildred had been doing things to me the whole time I'd lived there, but I never said anything to dad because I knew how much he relied on her. But I had told myself that I wasn't going to be hit by her anymore and especially with that big spoon she had.
"I yelled at her at the top of my lungs hoping dad and Chief could hear me, but we were in that back section where all that big restaurant stuff is. I told her she was just a housekeeper and she would be sorry for hitting me. So, she hit me even more.
"And it wasn't until she backed me up and I tripped and I fell against some large pots and pans that made a lot of noise that I guess Chief heard it and came running with dad right behind her.
"Mildred was hitting me with that spoon when Chief came to my rescue. She bared her teeth at Mildred and backed her up against the wall. She then began swinging the spoon at Chief to defend herself.
"That was when dad came into the back kitchen and found me on the floor all bloodied and me holding my hand to my head. I heard him tell Chief to keep her where she was. He then called Doctor Rick to come to the house knowing I needed medical attention.
"Well, when Doctor Rick heard that Mildred had beaten me, he called the Sheriff's Office before he came over. The Sheriff's office dispatched a Deputy. It was Mr. Dan, but he wasn't called that back then.
"Mr. Dan heard me tell Doctor Powers how Mildred beat me with the spoon and seeing all the blood and my cuts and bruises arrested Mildred. I guess he then called the detectives and they came over later and talked to me about what happened," finished Robert.
"You did a good job telling your story, son," said dad Ken from the doorway. "Didn't he boys?"
"Thank you, Robert for telling me that story," began Billy, "that filled in more about The Cove that I never knew."
"Boys ... clean up your mess and go start your homework," said 'dad' Ken.
After dinner that evening, the Covers talked about the coming week and especially the weekend's picnic. Charles had to tell everyone again that he would be taking the sailing lessons with Matthew and his friends and was looking forward to sailing the Sunfish that summer.
Mr. Ken told the boys their trip to see the amusement parks was on for the following Thursday and they would be leaving at o'dark thirty as they did last December. He did tell them that the plan was for them to spend at least one full day and a partial day at each park. And that was because of the travel arrangements.
Robert asked if Collin was going to be with them, but his dad told his son, and thus the boys, that Collin had made plans to visit his manufacturing plants, but had planned to catch up with them by the time they reached Crystal Lake. That put a smile on five of the boy's faces. Billy had yet to meet Collin.
Mr. Ken did tell the boys that the restaurant supply company would begin to install all the equipment in the storage room tomorrow and that on Thursday Momma Maria would go out and buy all the needed supplies for that room.
Mr. Ken told the boys that when they got home from school on Wednesday, they would have to start taking what is out in the garage up there and begin to store it. Then on Thursday they would finish with whatever else Momma Maria buys. The boys knew they had their work cut out for them.
Charles asked if they could start tomorrow, with the smaller stuff and continue on Wednesday and Thursday, so they aren't rushed and they can figure out how they want to store all of the things they will have. 'Dad' Ken said that would be okay with him, as long as they still made time to eat Momma Maria's afterschool snack, she would have made for them.
Billy then asked to clarify what they agreed to the previous day about when one or two of them were gone that their friends could still come over. Mr. Ken asked the teenager what he meant. Billy explained that he initially asked if Jamie and Gabe could be there when he wasn't, but he wanted to know if what they agreed too also meant that Brett, Lonnie and Kaden could also be there when he wasn't.
Mr. Wayne spoke up and said he made a note in his phone and to give him a few seconds to find it. Ten seconds later he read back to the Covers what he wrote. "They agreed that if only one or two of them, meaning the boys, were gone then all of their friends could continue to come over, but if three or more were gone only the friends of the Covers who were there could stop by."
The Covers looked back and forth to one another and discussed if that was what they meant. Mr. Ken asked the boys if there would be a big difference between Bill's five friends being there versus if two of his friends were.
Mr. Wayne mentioned that Bill's friends are only one year older than Robert and his friends and it shouldn't matter all that much. That if they cause problems they would be asked to leave and never come back, which is what would happen to any of the boys no matter their age.
Mr. Ken made the executive decision and told the boys that by what Mr. Wayne read back to them, and by what he remembered from their conversation that was what they agreed to. 'Dad' Ken said that all of Bill's friends could still come by, when he wasn't there, and they were still under the rule that if they caused trouble they would be asked to leave and to never come back. The boys said they understood.
After that discussion, the boys talked some more about the Memorial Day Picnic, which just days away, and the excitement was evident in their voices. The Cove Skate Park would be finished and they would no longer have to share the old ramps, that have been out on the Parking Coral for the last fifteen months, or so, with forty to fifty of their closest friends.
And, on top of all that, school was almost over for the summer, and their long-awaited trip to visit all four of their 'dad's' amusement parks was also just around the corner. They just couldn't wait for their summer to begin.
When 'dad' Ken began speaking, it brought them all out of their daydreaming. He told them to go up to their rooms and finish their homework and he and Mr. Wayne would be up in a few minutes to say goodnight.
Another quiet night was had in the Three Finger Cove household that Monday night.
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