Charles, Camm and James, along with all the other lads, enjoyed themselves being out on the floating rafts. The lads went back and forth between the Jungle Joe and the Climbing Wall by using the connecting platform or by swimming to them after being thrown into the lake waters. James also got a taste of playing the game of who could be the 'King' at the top of the rafts. He learned that game too well, as he was often unceremoniously dumped, well, more like thrown, into The Cove's waters.
"Charles, this is awesome. I love these slides and of course, the climbing walls and pillars to get to the top to use the slides," offered James. "I especially love playing king of the raft. I haven't had this much fun with this many kids my age, ever!"
"Yeah, this whole thing is awesome. I can't believe how much my life sucked before compared to what I have now," replied Charles.
Taken aback by his friend's revelation, James cautiously asked, "Charles … your life … you know … before you moved here … was it really … was it really all that bad?"
Charles stopped what he was doing when he heard the question. He'd only just met James the other day so he knew he wasn't ready to share anything of his 'old' life with him. He really hadn't shared much of anything with Camm and he'd known him a bit longer. He knew now wasn't the time, and maybe later, much later, when he got to know James, and Camm for that matter, he might share some things, but not now. But, he knew he needed to say something.
"James … yeah my life really sucked compared to where I live now. Whose wouldn't? I bet your life would look a whole lot different from where you live now with your mom and if you were to live here or, maybe even, with your dad," offered Charles.
"Yeah, you would be right there, Charles. My sister … she can do anything she wants, but me … I have to ask for just about everything I want to do. You heard how my mom treated me at Doc Powers' office. She doesn't care if she embarrasses me, or how, or who with. I wish I could live with my dad. I know I'd be a lot happier living there," said James, coupled with a few sniffles.
Camm just stood back and listened as the two boys talked to one another. He knew practically nothing about either one of them but he was learning that his life wasn't all that different from what he just heard. His mom controlled what he did and where he went and that was one of the reasons he didn't have any 'real' friends.
"James … I never knew my dad," began Charles. "Can, can I ask you … do you ever see your dad?"
James was still sniffling some from the thoughts he had about his dad when Charles asked him if he ever saw his father. He now felt what Charles felt like when he asked about his life before Three Finger Cove. He knew when he answered his new friend that he shouldn't lie about it.
"Charles," started James, and then realizing Camm was there he included him, "and you too Camm … I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't say anything to anyone about … about what I am going to tell you. Okay?"
Both Camm and Charles nodded and also said they wouldn't say anything.
"Guys … the reason my dad and mom separated was … my mom accused him of … touching my sister when she was very little. My mom … she won't let me see my dad," finished James, as he broke down and cried.
Charles and Camm immediately went to the distraught lad and tried to comfort him. Some of the other boys saw James was crying and wanted to know what was wrong. Knowing he couldn't tell them the truth, Charles told them James had jammed his fingers. That elicited a groan from a few of the boys as they all knew how bad that could hurt.
"Damn James … I didn't mean for you to tell us something that bad," apologized Charles.
"Yeah, James you didn't have to tell us something like that … well, that was so personal," added Camm. "Is … did they send your dad … to jail?"
"That's the thing guys; he's not; they didn't. He was never charged. My mom … I think she used that as an excuse to get him out of her life. Well, that is what I think why she did it. I was only eight when they began arguing, and I mean a lot. I'd often heard my mom telling my dad that she had hated when he changed my sister's diaper and that she never wanted him to see her with hardly any clothes on or even naked. My mom … she would yell at my dad for even suggesting he take my sister to see Doc Powers when she was sick or needed to have a physical.
"My mom was very protective of my sister, but she never cared the same way about me. Then, when I was about ten, my mom … I heard her tell my dad that he was to leave and never return. She told him if he ever did came back into HER children's lives she would have him charged for molesting my sister. Sure, I was only ten, but I swear I never remember seeing my mom ever allowing my dad go anywhere with my sister, and, I mean anywhere," chronicled James.
"You know … I remember Doc Powers saying something about your mom," began Charles. "He said how your mom would never let your dad bring your sister to his office for anything. I also remember how every time she talked about you, or your sister, she always used 'MY' or 'ME' like your dad didn't have anything to do with you ever being born," additionally offered Charles.
"Yeah, that's how she always referred to us. It was always HER daughter or HER son; never his," inserted James.
"James … if I ever get the chance to help you, believe me, I will," said Charles.
"Thanks Charles, it is good to know someone will at least try," replied James, through his continuing sniffles. "Charles … since you don't ever see your dad … what about your mom? Do you get to see her?"
Charles wasn't sure if he could answer, but he knew James had just shared a deep family secret and he knew his wasn't anywhere near as bad. So, he decided to tell James and Camm since he was there, too, a little bit about his mom.
"James … Camm … it is because my mom used drugs and … and she got caught dealing them that I am in the foster care system. I hope you guys will not go around and say anything to anyone. Not many people around here know that and I want to have as normal a life as I can. My new 'dad', Mr. Ken, he's promised … he promised me he'd do whatever he can to make sure that happens. He's already done so much for me and I've only been here a short time," is what Charles told his two friends.
The three lads sat on the connecting platform for a little while longer before they decided to swim back into the beach area. Once they got there, Charles asked James and Camm to help him get the barbeque ready for the rest of the kids. Camm knew what to get from the garage but none of them knew where to get the burgers and dogs and other things. Charles said they'd get the stuff from the garage first and along the way he'd ask his 'dad' where the rest of the stuff was and they'd go back and get it.
It took the three friends about fifteen minutes to get all the barbeque fixings together. Once they had it all down on the patio, Charles brought out the grill and cleaned it up like Robert showed him. Charles then lit the grill and began to heat up the grates so they'd be ready for when the rest of the lads came in for a bite to eat.
Out on the rafts, Sam asked, "Hey, where'd Charles and his friends go?" to no one in particular when he recognized that none of the three lads were any longer on the rafts.
The rest of the boys all looked around hoping they hadn't got caught under the rafts. Some of the lads dove into the lake waters and checked under the water toys just to make sure. When the boys came back to the surface they told the rest of the boys that they weren't under there.
It was then that Robert looked over to the patio and he saw that the grill was out and was smoking. Seeing that, he knew his 'brother', James and Camm had gone in and got the barbeque ready.
"Hey guys, look," started Robert, while pointing towards the house, "they went in and are up on the patio. It looks like they set up the barbeque for us. Who's hungry?"
With the cry 'Who's hungry', all the remaining lads dove into the water and began a fast swim to the beach and then a quick run/walk up to the patio.
James saw the boys dive off the water toys and told Charles that they'd have company very soon. That information got Charles to open the cooler and begin placing burgers and hot dogs on the hot grill grates. Charles then asked Camm to go up to Mr. Ken's Study and ask his 'dad' if he wanted any burgers and dogs. James hadn't seen all that much of the inside of Three Finger Cove so he asked if he could go along. The two twelve year olds turned and hurried through the pool entrance door and up the stairs to find The Cove's owner. By the time Charles's two friends had returned, all of the other lads had arrived at the patio.
Robert remembered Mr. Ken asking the lads to rinse off before they got into the indoor pool so he asked the boys to go rinse off the lake waters while the burgers and dogs finished cooking. When Robert came back from rinsing off, he told Charles, Camm and James to go do the same. He told the three that he'd finish cooking the burgers and dogs. When those last three boys came out to the patio, they had brought 'dad' Ken with them.
"Thank you boys for setting up the grill and getting the barbeque started. I'm sure all the other boys are grateful for your forward thinking," announced Mr. Ken.
That brought a round of applause for the three youngsters – Charles, Camm and James – and some pats on their backs for their 'forward thinking'. Everyone had enough to eat and when everyone was finished, Mr. Ken asked that their 'hosts', meaning Charles, Camm and James, be given a reprieve from cleaning up since they had set things up and had done the majority of the work. The lads agreed with Mr. Ken and jumped right into putting things away and cleaning up the patio.
As the majority of the lads were busy, James asked, "Did you pass your physical the other day, Charles?"
"Don't ask," replied Charles, before he realized he'd said more than he wanted to.
"Oh?" was all James said in reply.
Then Charles looked at his newest friend and asked, "James … did you ever have to have an operation?" Charles wanted to know.
Unfortunately, a few of the other boys heard the question and they went over to hear the conversation. They also told the rest of the boys about Charles's question and called them over to listen as well,
While the other lads were converging on James, Camm and Charles, James answered Charles's question by saying that he hadn't. That then caused the other lads to ask why the question was asked. But some boys didn't wait for an answer, they just volunteered whether or not they had such an experience.
Josh was the first one to speak up about having a surgery. "I had surgery on my foot. I stepped on a nail, or something, and the doctor said he had to go in and clean it out to make sure I wouldn't get an infection. He did that in his office, though. He also gave me what he called a tetanus shot."
"I broke my arm," began Brad, "and it had two breaks so they had to take me in for surgery. They told me that they needed to do that so they could set the bones right."
I had an appendectomy," spoke up Chuck, "and I was so scared. My stomach hurt so bad and I didn't know what was wrong. When my parents took me to the ER and the doctor checked me out he knew immediately what it was and he called in the surgeon to fix it. I spent two nights in the hospital before I was allowed to go home. I couldn't do anything for almost a month while my incision and intestines healed. That sucked!"
"I had my tonsils taken out," added Trevor. "But I was only in the hospital overnight."
"Why all this interest in surgery, Charles?" asked Josh.
Hearing Josh's question, James thought back to his and Charles's physical that week and asked, "Did Doc Powers find something wrong, Charles? Do you need to have an operation?"
Charles didn't know how to respond to James's question. He felt embarrassed by it and he could feel all the guys eyes were on him while they waited for his answer. The pressure became too much for him and he began to cry. It was 'dad' Ken who reacted first and pulled the crying lad to him.
The eleven, twelve and thirteen year olds just looked on as Mr. Ken took care of his 'boy'. They began to talk amongst themselves and speculated what Charles's crying was all about. They turned to Robert and asked him what he knew but The Cove's teen resident told them it was his 'brothers' place to tell them, not him. After hearing that, the boys waited to see if Mr. Ken or Charles would tell them.
'Dad' Ken walked Charles a few feet away from the gathered group of boys so he could calm his 'son' down. The man and his 'boy' talked some while the others talked amongst themselves trying to figure out why Charles was crying so hard.
"Charles … 'son … you're allowing this surgery thing to rule your life right now," began 'dad' Ken. "You are obsessed about this surgery that is so simple and routine that even your older 'brothers' have undergone the procedure. You've even talked to both and you said you were going to do some internet research on the topic, so I would think by now you should be ready to decide when you will have the procedure.
"'Son' … James asked you a simple question. Some of the other guys have even shared with you their experiences with their surgeries. You don't have to tell them what type or kind of surgery you need but I think you should tell them something. If you don't, they will more than likely bug you about it until they do know. Charles … I can understand it if you are feeling a bit embarrassed about it, but 'son' you have got to move on with your life and this surgery is the just the beginning. … So, what do you say? Are you about ready to move forward and work through this. I bet when the guys find out that you need to have surgery they will become your biggest supporters."
Charles stood there relishing in the fact that his 'dad' was holding him and making him feel safe. He thought about what Mr. Ken said and he had a question for him. "'Dad' … but what do I tell them?"
"You can tell them the truth. But, I bet you aren't ready to tell them that much about yourself and how it happened that you need to have that type of surgery. Or, you can just tell them that Doc Powers found you have a hernia and it needs to be fixed. I know that is a lie, and some people might call it a 'white lie' but I don't advocate your telling lies, but at least it is something simple that they can grasp onto," offered 'dad' Ken.
"But 'dad', what's a hernia? I can't tell them that if I don't know what it is, can I?" asked Charles.
"That's a good question, 'son'. Well, there are different types of hernias. The one that would be closer to what Doc Rick might find, when he had you cough, would be the inguinal. This is caused when the inguinal canal doesn't close properly and causes a weak area and over time it may cause you problems in your groin. You know what your groin is, don't you?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', I'm twelve … I know what the groin is," now smiled Charles.
"Good. Then you know that it is associated with your 'boy parts' as you like to call them. (Mr. Ken smiles at Charles who chuckles back at his 'dad'.) Well, the cord that holds them up is the spermatic cord and it passes through the inguinal canal and if it didn't close properly, as I said, it can cause you problems.
"I bet your new friend James would understand since Doc Rick told him if he had a hernia he couldn't play football. Remember? So, you just tell the guys you have to have a hernia fixed. Then later, much later if you want, you can tell those boys who you want to know the real reason for the surgery. Or, you may decide to never tell them. What they don't know won't hurt them or you, for that matter," explained 'dad' Ken.
Charles hugged his new 'dad' and then thanked him for talking to him and explaining how he can face the guys with telling them about his needed surgery.
The lads watched Mr. Ken and Charles talking and they all wanted to know what they were talking about. They saw the two laughing some and that Charles had turned off the water works. When they saw Charles hug the man and look up to him and smile, they figured their talk was over and they'd soon learn about Charles's surgery. Charles then walked back to where all his friends were.
"I guess you all want to know what me and my "dad", Mr. Ken, were talking about. Well … Josh sort of figured it out when he asked me about all my interest in surgery. Then James … he asked me if I needed to have an operation and then he asked if Doc Powers found something wrong. Well, the answer is … that Yes, I do! … The other day … I had to have a full physical, so my 'dad' took me to see Doctor Powers. There, I met James. He was there to get a physical so he can play football. We talked some before Doctor Powers called us back to do the physical part of getting a physical. (That brought a few laughs from the lads.)
"Anyway, James knew that Doctor Rick, as my 'dad' likes to call him, would ask us to drop our pants and underwear and he would touch our, ahh, 'boy parts' and then make us cough. I'd never had a physical before and that caused me to talk to Mr. Ken about it. Just before Doctor Powers came out to get us, I sort of asked James if he wanted to get his 'boy parts' checked when I did. He agreed but he needed his mom's okay. We talked to his mom and then Mr. Ken agreed to chaperone us both. That explains why James and I got our 'equipment', as Eric once called it, checked at the same time," explained Charles.
It was Todd who asked, "Charles … you just met James and you decided to get your, ahh, stuff checked at the same time? Weren't you going to be embarrassed to be, well, naked together at the same time?"
That made most of the lads laugh, and Charles laughed, too, but he explained that he'd skinny dipped with most of them there and to him it wouldn't have been a problem. He then explained he figured it would be better for James to have a man, Mr. Ken, in the room instead of his mom seeing his being naked and getting his 'boy parts' looked at and sort of played with. The lads all agreed they would rather have their dad's with them, instead of their moms, when, and if, they ever had to have that type of physical.
It was Todd who offered, "Yes, that was a good thing to offer, Charles, and I am glad that Mr. Ken could chaperone the both of you at the same time. I've had Doc Powers check my, ahh, 'boy parts' and my mom WAS in the room with me. I was totally embarrassed when I had to take all my clothes off and then my, ahh, parts started to, ahh, grow. Lucky for me my mom understood and she had turned away and had her back to us when Doc Powers began to touch me. I was able to keep my, ahh, thing from standing tall that is until he checked my, ahh, shaft for problems that it just, ahh …"
"I think we all know where this is leading Todd," said Mr. Ken. "Thank you for sharing."
All the lads laughed at what Mr. Ken had just said knowing Todd was probably going to say his dick had gotten full hard-on erection in front of the doctor.
"Well, what happened?' asked Cody.
"Well, Doc Powers came out and heard our conversation about Mr. Ken chaperoning us both and told James's mom that would be a good idea, so we both went in with my 'dad' for the rest of our physical. Those of you who have had a hernia check know what comes next. Like Todd, we had to get undressed to our underwear. And if you didn't see what James wears when we changed to go swimming, I'll have you know James wears tighty whities," offered Charles.
That revelation got everyone laughing, including Mr. Ken, while James exclaimed that she wouldn't buy him anything else. Eric was probably only one of the few who totally understood the lad's predicament.
"Anyway, Doc Rick asked us which one wanted to go first so we looked at one another and decided to drop our underwear at the same time. The Doctor Rick decided to check my 'boy parts' first. He played with …" but Charles didn't get any further when Mr. Ken interrupted him.
"Charles … Doctor Powers did not, and I repeat he did NOT play with your anything," loudly corrected the man. "He had his examination gloves on which were necessary for him to use in order to do a proper physical and check for a hernia and other problems with your penis or testes and he has to feel them WITH HIS GLOVES ON!. And, yes he did feel your penis and he did feel your scrotum and the testicals inside but he did NOT, I REPEAT, he did NOT play with them. Boys, please believe me when I tell you that Doctor Powers is not going to play with your 'boy parts', equipment, or stuff, or whatever you call it these days. If you ever have to get a sports physical, or a regular physical when you get older, he will do what Todd and I just explained. Okay?"
"Sorry, 'dad', but it felt like he was playing with them," laughed Charles, which got him a quick head rub from, his 'dad'.
"Continue," was all 'dad' Ken said to his 'son'.
"Well … ahh, Doctor Rick checks my ahh, penis and he feels my scrotum and testes, as 'dad' calls them. But we all know what WE call them," added Charles, which got another big laugh from all the boys, including Mr. Ken.
"Where was I?" teased Charles. "Oh, yeah, then Doctor Rick pushed his finger up inside me and has me cough. He did both sides. Then he did the same thing to James. After Doctor Powers finished checking us both he asked us to get dressed. Then James and the doc went out to find and talk to his mom. "Dad' and I waited for the doctor to return and it was then he told me that he found a hernia and that I would have to have an operation."
"Is that why he didn't have you get fully dressed, Charles? Did he do another check to make sure and then talk to you about it?" James wanted to know.
"Yeah, James, he did another check and it was after he did that extra check he talked to me and my 'dad'," replied Charles. That was enough to satisfy his new friend.
After the explanation, all the boys wanted to ask Charles questions. Some wanted to know more about how Doctor Powers felt his 'equipment', while others just wanted to know if he got a boner when the doctor touched his 'boy parts'. Others wanted to know more about his hernia and what needed to be done to fix it. Charles gave the lads the explanation his 'dad' gave him and they all seemed to be satisfied. Only Mr. Ken and Robert knew the real truth.
By this time the sun had gone down quite a bit and the lads figured it would get too cold out on the lake to get back on the floating rafts. They were also dry from standing around eating and then listening to Charles telling them about the operation he needed. They needed to decide what to do. They could go swimming or they could ride their boards. They chose to ride. That meant they would all go back inside and change back into their street clothes.
James liked the idea of changing and he looked forward to seeing all the boys naked, again. Sure he'd seen a few of his friends 'equipment' when they stayed overnight at each other's houses but he wanted to do more. He knew about boners and hard-ons and every other word that meant that but he wanted to touch them too, but none of his friends wanted to do that. He wondered if he'd ever get the opportunity to do that. He remembered how big Charles erection was when they had their physical and he hoped he could see it again and maybe even touch it. The only problem he had was figuring out a way to do just that.
As the lads began to head inside to change, Mr. Ken made an announcement. "Fellas … can you wait just a few seconds before you go and get changed? I want to ask you what you all think about going to the Lakeside Water Park tomorrow. I know it is a bit late but I figured we all need to enjoy that place before it gets too late in the summer and we all are spread out on vacations or doing other things. Call your parents after you change and ask them. Sam and Terran, if you want, and you each know a friend who you think would like to go, give them a call and ask them if they would like to go with us. Tell their parents to call me and I'll talk to them. Guys … I want you all to know Charles, Robert and I are definitely going tomorrow, well, unless it rains cats and dogs.
"Guys, we'll leave from here at about eleven and take the Commander. Come decked out to swim and you can change here when we get back. Tell your parents we'll shoot for our return by six to six thirty. Okay, go get changed and make your calls. Let me know if you're going so I can make plans. Sam and Terran, same goes for you and your friends." That said, the lads quickly headed inside to change while Mr. Ken headed to his Study.
The boys were all excited at the possibility of their going to the Lakeside Water Park and they all began talking about it all at the same time. The two lads who were the most excited were Sam and Terran. They each were going to get to ask one of their other friends to join them tomorrow. They couldn't wait to get changed and then to call their parents to ask if they could go and then to call a friend, each. They had ear-to-ear smiles they were so happy.
James enjoyed the view of so many boys getting naked while they got dressed. He loved watching the lad's dick bounce as the lad walked around. But, what he really enjoyed seeing were the older lads who had bigger peckers and some hair above their boy toy. He was enjoying himself so much he forgot to get changed himself. It was a smiling Charles who nudged him to 'stop looking and start changing'. James then saw the smile in his new friend's face and he smiled back.
All the lads quickly changed and then ran outside and over to the ramps and made their calls home. Their excitement about going to the water park was overwhelming to their parents who just couldn't say no to them. Then, as the lads got their parents' permission they told Robert who kept a count of who was going. In the end, everyone had received permission. Only Sam and Terran hadn't yet received any permission from either of their friends. They hoped Dominic and Wyatt would be allowed to go.
Up in the Study, Mr. Ken received a phone call, first from Wyatt's parents and then Dominic's. Both sets of parents wanted to make sure that the invitation wasn't some sort of hoax. The parents told Mr. Ken they each talked with Sam's or Terran's parents before calling, but even so they still wanted to make sure of the invitation. They said they felt there wouldn't be any real reason for their sons to otherwise be invited to Three Finger Cove and they had to know for themselves.
Ken Thomas assured them that he did give Sam and Terran the opportunity to each invite a friend explaining that ever since the boys had been coming to The Cove they only had the older lads to pal around with. Mr. Ken told the parents he wanted the two younger boys to have at least one friend, close to their age, to have fun with and the invite to go along with him and the other lads to the Lakeside Water Park was indeed an honest offer. Both sets of parents then readily agreed to allow their sons to go with the large group.
Ten minutes later, Robert came into the Study to tell his 'dad' that all the boys had gotten an OK from their parents and both Sam's and Terran's friend would also be going. Ken Thomas began to tally the number – Robert, Charles, Logan, Brad, Gordon, Eric, Chuck, Trevor, Josh, Cody, Sam, Terran, Camm, James, Dominic, and Wyatt – a total of sixteen boys would be riding along as the Commander made its way to the Lakeside Water Park.
While the lads rode their skateboards with enthusiasm until it was time for them to head home, Mr. Ken realized that sixteen lads were going to be slightly more than he could personally watch over at the water park so he called Ryan and asked him if he could help out tomorrow. He then called Daniel and asked him the same question. There were now going to be at least three adults chaperoning the lads.
When it came time to leave, Charles and Robert walked with their friends up to the Main Gate as they waited for the parents to stop by The Cove to pick their kids up. When James's mom picked him up, she asked if Mr. Ken was available so she could talk to him. Charles, not knowing how to handle the woman, took out his new cell phone and called his 'dad'. He told him what Mrs. Whitely wanted and the man agreed to walk up to the gate.
Brad saw Charles had used a cell phone and he went over to the lad to ask him about it. The thirteen year old was surprised the newest lad at The Cove had his own cell phone already when it was almost six months before his friend Robert had gotten one.
"Charles … you already have a cell phone. Robert was here almost six months before he got his. How come you got one so soon after coming here and Robert had to wait so long?" Brad wanted to know.
Robert heard Brad ask Charles about the cell phone and he went over to help his new 'brother' answer the question.
"Brad … Mr. Ken asked me if I wanted a phone, soon after I got here, but I told him no. I didn't see the need for one at the time and I told him that maybe for my birthday he could give me one. That's why I didn't get mine until I'd been here a while. But now that I use mine a lot, I told my 'dad' that it would be good for Charles to have one for when he starts school and he has his own friends. I didn't know he was going to get him one so soon," explained Robert.
"Oh, okay, I just thought it was kinda strange but … well, thanks for telling me," replied Brad, and then he ran off to get into his parents car.
Mr. Ken came up to his 'boys' and said to Robert, "That was quick thinking and a good enough answer about the cell phones, Robert. Thank you for saying that." Mr. Ken then ruffled this 'son's' hair.
Everyone heard, "Mr. Ken … over here," when Mrs. Whitely called out to The Cove's owner.
Ken Thomas went over to the woman and asked her what he could do for her.
"Mr. Ken, I want to thank you for inviting my son to play with your 'son', today," began Allison Whitely. "When he called me about your asking to take him to the water park tomorrow I wanted to ask you what kind of adult supervision you would have to watch over all these boys."
Some of the parents had gotten out of their vehicles to talk to other parents and they happened to hear Mrs. Whitely's question. They thought it was a good one to ask, and now wished they had asked it, so they walked over to hear the man's answer.
"That is a good question, Mrs. Whitely. I want you to know, that besides myself, I have two college freshmen accompanying us to help keep an eye on the lads. That will give each adult five or six lads each to chaperone. But, Mrs. Whitely, Allison if I may, the boys have never given me any reason to not trust them. With the exception of your son James, and Camm over there, the other boys have been coming to The Cove since right after the Holidays. They've all been wonderful people, who are courteous, helpful, and conscientious about keeping the grounds clean," answered Ken Thomas.
"Thank you Mr. Ken for answering my question. I guess if my James is going to be coming over to play it is good to know that you do look after the boys," responded Allison Whitley.
Then, looking towards her son, she said, "You hear that James? These lads are courteous and helpful and they help keep the place clean. I better not hear that you are not doing your share!"
Allison then turned to go to her car and saw the number of parents who were listening to her and Mr. Ken talk. She felt it was a good opportunity to tell them what she did at Doctor Powers' office the previous day, so she told the gathered adults, "I want you all to know that I allowed Mr. Ken, here, to chaperone my son when he had to have his football physical the other day. Mr. Ken had taken his new foster son, Charles, to Doctor Powers for a physical, as well, and I didn't think it was right for me to be inside the doctor's office when James had to get naked so the doctor could check his 'boy parts'. I was happy to see the man there, that day, so I asked him to help my son out so he wouldn't be embarrassed by my having to see his naked twelve year old body. No mom should have to see her son, at the age he is now, without any of his clothes on … unless it is an emergency. Ladies … wouldn't you agree?" She and James then walked to her car and they were soon gone.
After Mrs. Whitely and her son departed, some of the other parents came over to Mr. Ken and thanked him for having two college men accompany him and their sons. They told him they appreciated him looking out for their boys and for not only inviting them to the water park but for treating them to so many wonderful opportunities they may not have otherwise. Mr. Ken thanked them for their accolades and turned a bit red from them.
Soon all the boys were gone and only Mr. Ken and his two 'son's', and Chief, of course, remained. They walked down to the house and decided to go over to the Four Corner's Diner to eat since they didn't want to get all cleaned up and changed just so they could eat on the more formal side. Gene and George did accompany the Covers for dinner and they agreed to sit down and eat with them only if they could sit on the ends and have a clear sight to the exits.
The five diners enjoyed each other's company. It was during their meal that the boys asked Gene and George to swim with them the next day. The men had to beg off because their job was to protect them and they explained they couldn't very well take their guns into the water. They also explained the other swimmers might not appreciate them walking around with their heavy firepower. The lads laughed over the men's explanation and thanked them for being their body guards.
When the meal was done and the Covers were safely back at home, Gene and George said their good nights and headed on to their own home.