"Good morning, dad," said Robert, as he and his 'brothers' came into the Kitchen Nook. "Oh, Eric called me this morning. He called to tell me they cancelled school for today."
"Oh, and why is that I didn't hear about it directly from the school?" asked a concerned 'dad' Ken.
Robert replied, "I don't know. There are a large number of kids in our school and they have to call all of them. But maybe they just didn't get to you yet."
After Robert answered his dad, he and his 'brothers' all began to snicker, then giggle. That in itself got 'dad' Ken's attention.
"What are you guys trying to pull?" asked Mr. Ken.
The younger boys all looked at their older 'brother' to answer. Then, on a signal from Robert they all yelled, "April Fools'!"
That surprised 'dad' Ken at first. Then, after a few moments of thinking about what they said he burst out laughing.
"That's a good one boy's," said the laughing man. "You got me for sure. But I would have figured it out eventually. Maybe you didn't know this, but the school has this phone program that can make simultaneous phone calls to all the parents in just a short amount of time. Now, sit down and eat your breakfast."
The boys all giggled at their April Fools' joke they played on their 'dad' as they sat down. Momma Maria brought the boys' breakfast over to them and she had a big smile on her face from watching the joke her chicos played on her employer.
As the boys said their Goodbyes to their 'dad', as they exited to catch their school bus, Billy came into the Kitchen Nook.
"What was all that laughing about that I heard coming up the stairs as I went to the bathroom?" asked Billy.
Mr. Ken smiled and said, "There's no school today for some reason."
"Oh, good! Then, I can go back to bed for another hour," replied Billy, as he turned to go back up to his bedroom.
"Stop right there, Bill! April Fools'," called out Mr. Ken, with a big grin on his face.
"Oh, is today April Fools' Day? That's a good one, Mr. Ken," replied Billy.
"Sit down Bill and let me tell you all about what your 'brothers' tried to pull on me. Oh, maybe you should take care of Chief before you sit down," finished Mr. Ken.
Billy rinsed out both of Chief's bowls and filled one with fresh water and the other with fresh kibble for her to eat. The teenager took a few moments to scratch behind the resident pets ears and then sat down at the table to eat his breakfast.
While the newest Cover ate, Mr. Ken explained what the other Cover boys tried to pull on him and how he turned it into his own April Fools' joke on Bill. Billy laughed at the telling and said he'd try to figure out a way to turn it on his classmates. The two had a good laugh over that.
Before Billy went out to meet his school bus, Mr. Ken reminded the teen that he'd be over at the school about 9:30 to take him to his physical. Billy replied he'd be ready and then the teen headed out the garage side door.
At school, the younger Cover boys told their friends about the April Fools' joke they played on their 'dad' that morning. All the kids laughed at what their Cover friends tried to do to Mr. Ken. Then, they all exchanged stories about jokes they played on previous April Fools' days.
Brett and Kaden were waiting for Billy to arrive at the high school. The Cover told his friends about the April Fools' joke Mr. Ken played on him that morning, and then how the joke began with the other boys pulling on their 'dad'. They all had a good laugh including their nearby classmates.
Kaden asked Billy if he had an answer for him for that Saturday. Billy told the teen Mr. Ken told him he would know by the time he came to school on Friday. Billy did remind the two friends that if they do come over, they are asked to be there by 10 a.m. to help set out the Easter Egg Roll.
Some of the nearby classmates heard Billy mention to Brett and Kaden about coming over on Saturday, so they asked why they got an invite and no one else. Billy told the nosey people, that the most people he could ask over to The Cove was two and they were the first ones who made an effort to befriend him. Billy was happy when the first bell rang.
Mr. Ken talked to Mr. Chris before he left The Cove to take Bill to his physical with Doctor Powers. They reviewed the upcoming week and the contact phone numbers the owner of The Cove could be reached at the following week, if the man didn't answer his cell phone. Mr. Ken asked Chris to pass that information on to Wayne when he arrived later that day.
Mr. Ken stopped at the high school administrative office in order to sign-out William Dirketson to take him to his physical. It took almost fifteen minutes for the school staff to send a runner to get Bill out of class and bring him to the office.
Billy smiled when he saw Mr. Ken standing there waiting for him. Mr. Ken put his arm around Bill's shoulder and the two walked out to the truck. The two Covers talked as they drove to Doctor Powers' office.
When the man and teen arrived at the physician's office, they were signed in and Mr. Ken was given a number of papers to fill out on the teenager. It took the man about ten minutes to fill out all the forms. Then, the 'fun' began for Billy.
For the next two hours, Billy had to undergo the initial tests all new patients must endure. There was the height and weight recording, the checking of the teen's blood pressure, then a hearing test, an eye exam, the standard x-rays of the chest and long bones, peeing in the cup and the inevitable blood draw. Bill was relieved when it was time to go to lunch.
"Mr. Ken ... why again do I have to do this complete physical. I feel fine and you can see there is nothing wrong with me. I have all my parts and pieces, you know, like two arms, two hands, two legs, two feet, two eyes, two ears, a mouth, a nose and a, ahhh," was all Bill got out before Mr. Ken stopped him.
"Yes, you appear to have all the parts and pieces all males have and as for the, ahhh, boy parts I'll take your word for it. If you didn't have those, I am sure the other boys would have said something to me," laughed the foster dad, and Bill joined the chuckles.
"Now, as for the why you need the physical. Bill, it is for both of our protection that I have it done. All the boys before you have had a physical and every foster child after you will have one," began to explain Mr. Ken.
"But you still haven't told me the why," interrupted Bill.
"Bill, you're fourteen, almost fifteen, and I have no earthly idea of what happened to you in those preceding years. This physical will tell me, and you of course, if everything is good, as you say, or if there is something we need to look out after and possibly fix," said Mr. Ken.
"But, what could be wrong?" asked Bill.
"Bill, did your mom or dad ever take you for a physical as the one you're presently getting?" seriously asked Mr. Ken.
"Not that I can remember, Mr. Ken," answered Bill.
"Well, maybe you have a problem with your heart, or eyes or hearing, even. You could even have unknown problems with your lungs, liver, kidneys or even your, ahhh, boy parts," chuckled Mr. Ken.
"You mean the doctor is going to check my ... my ..." stammered Bill.
"Yes ... Doctor Rick ... he is going to look at and check your penis, testicles and scrotum to make sure there are no diseases present. He will also check that you don't have a hernia nor potential cancer of the testes. The hope here is that nothing will be found, and we'll move on from there.
"This physical, though, ... it is designed to tell me what I have to do to get you healthy if something is found and if you need to take any medications to help rid it from you. The bottom line, Bill, is that I have a baseline to start from and anything that goes wrong from here on in, is my responsibility. I hope you understand, Bill," finished Mr. Ken.
"Yea, I guess I do, it's ... it's just that I don't know if I want someone to touch my, ahhh, my ... boy parts. At least not a man," replied a smiling Bill.
When their lunch was over, the two Covers headed back to Doctor Powers office. There, they were warmly greeted and were told the doctor would be with them soon. The two took a seat and waited.
As they sat there a few of the other patients came over to Mr. Ken to ask him if he was still sponsoring the Easter Egg Roll that year. They explained they asked because of what happened last fall with the attempted kidnapping. The owner of The Cove assured them there would be an Easter Egg Roll that coming Saturday, at 12 noon, as scheduled.
The women also asked if the boy with him was his nephew. Mr. Ken explained who Bill was and that he would be a resident at The Cove for the foreseeable future. Hearing that put a smile on the newest Cover's face.
When it was Bill's turn to see the doctor, Mr. Ken and Bill walked back to the examination room. The nurse had Bill take his clothes off down to his briefs and put on the paper gown and wait for the doctor. They didn't have long to wait.
"Good afternoon, my friend," offered Doctor Powers, upon his entering the exam room.
"Hey, doc, long time no see," replied Mr. Ken, as he stood to shake the doctor's hand.
"Doctor Powers, this is my newest Cover. His name is Bill Dirketson. He's been with me a week. And, he'll be fifteen in two weeks. We're here for his baseline physical," announced Mr. Ken.
"Bill, you've been sent to a great man and a wonderful home to live in. Play your cards right and you'll be set for life," offered Doctor Rick.
"Now, Bill, let's begin with the simple stuff. Sit on the table please and I'll start out checking your reflexes," stated the doctor.
Bill sat on the table and the doctor proceeded to check the teen's reflexes at his elbows, knees and feet. Then, it was to check the boy's ears followed by the eyes. The doctor had the teen open his mouth for a look inside at his tonsils and general appearance. The doctor then listened to the boy's heartbeat and then felt the arms for any abnormalities.
"Bill, well, I've checked everything. Well, except for your, ahhh, boy parts. I would like you to stand up and open your gown and drop your briefs or boxers. That way I can check you for a hernia and make sure everything there is as it should be and ... and you don't have any tenderness with your testes.
"Come on now, no need to be bashful, Bill. I've probably seen thousands of the male anatomy parts that most boys are ashamed of showing ... except to their friends," laughed Doctor Rick.
That put a smile on Bill's face, and he immediately dropped his boxers. He then looked over to see what Mr. Ken was doing and saw the man had turned away from the boy to give him some privacy.
After looking over the teen's boy parts, the doctor told the boy how he was going to check for a hernia. When the doctor was ready he had Bill cough as he checked both sides. The doctor then rolled the testicles between his thumb and forefinger to check for any tenderness.
"Bill ... I must ask you this. It may be a bit embarrassing, but nonetheless ... I have to ask. ... Bill ... have you ever been ... sexually abused by any male and forced to service them through ... anal sex?" gently asked Doctor Powers.
"What kind of question is that? And NO ... no male has ever sexually abused me. Why ... why would you ask me that?" almost demanded Bill.
"Bill ... you are a boy in Children's Protective Services and ... and many times the boys and girls are ... are sexually abused while in their temporary homes. I understand you've been assigned to a few other foster homes, before being sent to Mr. Ken's, so ... so I needed to ask," explained the doctor.
"And, if I had said I had been sexually abused, what ... what would you do to check that?" asked a still slightly angry, and inquisitive, Bill.
"Ahh, Bill ... I would ask you to turn around and I would have you bend over. Then, I would check your anal canal for tears or other abnormalities. It is a simple exam. I use rubber gloves and some slippery gel, and before you knew it the exam would be over," explained Doctor Powers.
"Did you, ahhh, have to check any of my 'brothers'?" asked Bill.
"Bill that is something I just can't answer. You know, doctor-patient confidentiality," replied Doctor Rick
Then, Mr. Ken spoke up and said, "Bill, it would not be fair ... it would not be fair for you to ask the other boys if ... if they ever had that exam done to them. It is just like the boys not telling you why they are living with me and they ... not asking you why ... why you are living at The Cove, as well.
"Eventually, you may know some of their stories, but not necessarily all of it. The same goes for you. The kid's in CPS are usually there because ... because of what their parents have done ... not necessarily ... what they themselves have done.
"Just look at your own situation. If it weren't for your mom and step-dad you'd ... you'd still be living at home. Your 'brothers', for the most part, would rather be living with their parents, as well, but for the time being, they aren't. You've been to other foster homes, and my bet is the one you're at right now is far better than you've ever thought possible.
"Please, for the sake of civility and peace at The Cove ... I MUST ask you not to even mention whether or not you had to have your backside checked. The boys may ask you if you had your boy parts checked, but that is typical of young boys who have had their own checked. Now, what say we let the doctor finish up his exam and head on home?" concluded Mr. Ken.
On the way home, Bill was very quiet. Mr. Ken stopped at Dairy Queen, as he had with the other boys. When the man pulled into the parking lot, Bill was totally surprised.
"Why are we stopping here? Won't Momma Maria be mad if we spoil our dinner?" asked Bill.
"Not any more than if we were to raid her sweet cakes she has ready for you when you came home from school," laughed Mr. Ken.
"Come on. I've brought all the boys over here after their physicals as a special treat. It was just us and none of the other boys, so they got some one-on-one time with me that they each cherish."
The Covers each got a banana split and sat at a corner table to enjoy their concoctions. They talked some more as they ate.
"Mr. Ken ... why is it you never, you know, never asked me about my step-dad?" Bill wanted to know.
"Bill ... you've been with me for only a week now. I figured ... I figured when you had your two weeks, and decided to stay, I'd get around to that sooner or later. I already know what is in your file, so all I would be doing is qualifying it and maybe adding to it.
"But, for right now, I don't think it is important. I want you to be happy at The Cove, first. And ...and maybe after you and Doctor Doug talked about things you may feel better about us talking about what your step-dad did and why.
"Bill ... you are a foster kid. You've had enough upheaval and disappointment in your young life. I don't want you to have to relive it until you're ready. It is something we will have to discuss, eventually, but for right now, let's work on getting you fully settled at your new home.
"You going to be OK with me doing it that way, Bill?" asked Mr. Ken.
Bill nodded his head saying he agreed with that, then he went back to finishing his banana split. Mr. Ken saw there were some questions running around in the teen's head, but decided to just finish his own ice cream treat.
Mr. Ken and Bill arrived home just as the other Cover boys were getting off their school bus. Bill waved at his 'brothers' as he and Mr. Ken drove through the Main Gate and headed to the 4-car garage.
"Hey, why didn't you wait for us? We could have ridden down to the house together," complained Kevin.
"Kevin," began 'dad' Ken, "You know there isn't enough room in the truck for seven people. It would have been unsafe for me to stop and jam all of you into the back seat. And besides, you all need the exercise," now laughed 'dad' Ken.
Momma Maria waited for her employer to finish answering the older twin's question. When she saw the lull, she said, "Oh, mys ninos yous ares alls heres sos Iss cans feeds yous yours afters schoolses snacks. Sits. Sits!"
Mr. Ken joined the boys while they ate their snacks. But, neither he, nor Bill, ate very much. Robert noticed and asked if they stopped at DQ before they came home. 'Dad' Ken said he was 'guilty as charged', but qualified it by telling the boys he did the same for each of them after their own physicals and Bill was no exception. Robert accepted the reason, and went back to eating his snack.
The Covers all stopped in the Study before going up to their rooms to start their homework. They talked some about their day, as they usually did and then 'dad' Ken sent them up to their rooms. Even though Bill didn't have any homework, he went up to his room to think.
Billy laid down on his bed and thought back about the physical he had that afternoon. He hadn't been looking forward to having one, but now that it was over, he wondered if his system would show that he'd used illegal drugs recently. Sure, it had been over a week since he last smoked some weed, but he was still concerned that if it shows up in all those blood tests, they did that Mr. Ken would send him away.
Billy wondered if he should come clean with Mr. Ken and tell him about his use of marijuana at his last foster home, before the doctor tells him about it. The teen was beginning to really like living there at The Cove, and he didn't want to leave. All that thinking got Billy to start crying about the 'what ifs'.
Chief was with Billy in the room and when she heard her new 'friend' crying she got up, stretched and then slowly walked out of the room. Once in the hallway, the resident pet picked up speed and went directly to the Study. Chief didn't bark when she entered the Study, but she did go to her first master, and she pulled on his arm for him to go with her.
"Chief, is something wrong?" asked Mr. Ken.
Chief let go of the arm and barked once and then grabbed the arm and began to pull on it so Mr. Ken would go with her. Ken Thomas got out of his chair and followed Chief up the stairs.
When the resident pet stopped at Bill's room the man heard some sniffling and figured it wasn't an emergency, as Chief didn't bark up a storm, but with the new teen crying, she decided to get him to find out why.
Mr. Ken knocked on the doorframe and asked, "Bill ... can I ... can I come in?"
Bill quickly wiped the tears out of his eyes and off his cheeks, sat up and told his foster dad he could come in. Mr. Ken walked into the room, with Chief at his side, and closed the door before he took the chair from the desk and sat down.
"Bill ... Chief heard you crying so ... so, she came and got me. You're not the first Cover boy to cry, so don't feel embarrassed. The question I have for you is, 'Will you tell me ... why?'" calmly spoke Mr. Ken.
Bill didn't answer, but continued to wipe his eyes and sniffle. Mr. Ken passed the box of tissues for him to use and compose himself. Chief even got into the act by putting her paws onto the bed and place her muzzle in the teen's lap.
"Bill," said Mr. Ken, "Can you tell me the reason for the tears?"
Bill looked at the man and burst out crying. This time Mr. Ken went into 'dad' mode and went over and sat on the bed with the teen and pulled him over to him and began to hug the boy. When Bill felt the man hug him and try to comfort him, he melted into the man and just cried some more.
It was then they heard Charles knock on the door and call Billy's name. Mr. Ken knew why the pre-teen was there, so he called out and told him to tell Momma that they would be there when they were finished talking, and for them to go ahead and eat without them.
"Bill ... how about giving me a hint here why all the tears, so we can go down and eat and not have to deal with Momma's wrath, for not being there on time for dinner," joked the foster dad.
Bill pulled away from Mr. Ken, wiped his eyes one more time and told the man he was afraid his drug usage, before he came to Three Finger Cove, would show up in his blood tests and he would send him away.
"Bill, I figured you'd used drugs before you came here. But I also hoped you would get away from them while you lived here and learn to lead a better life. So ... is that why all the tears, huh?" asked Mr. Ken, as he pulled the teen back to him for a hug.
After a few moments, Mr. Ken asked Bill if he was ready to go to eat dinner. Bill said he was, but wanted to use the bathroom before they went downstairs. The teen also asked if they could talk afterwards about why he was crying. Mr. Ken ruffled the boy's hair and told him to hurry up. Once the teen came out of the bathroom, the man and teen walked down to the Dining Room.
"Theres iss mys missings mens," said Momma Marias, as Mr. Ken and Bill walked into the room. "Comes. Sits. Sits while Mommas brings yous yours dinners."
The other Cover boys never said a word when their 'dad' and 'brother' sat down. Mr. Ken knew they were curious as to why they were late for dinner, but didn't know how to ask. Mr. Ken decided to tell the boys that they'd forgotten about the time and were in the middle of a good discussion, and he didn't want to lose their train of thought. He finished by telling them that he and Bill would finish their talk after they all met in the Study. That satisfied the boys' curiosity.
That explanation satisfied the five Cover lads and soon the conversation around the table evolved into the usual banter. Soon, the laughter at the dinner table was at its normal level. Momma Maria was happy the laughter was there. To her, it was a barometer of how things at The Cove were moving along. She knew when the conversation was non-existent there was trouble brewing.
When dinner was over, the boys got in line to hug Momma Maria to thank her for cooking that wonderful meal. When it was Bill's turn, he not only hugged the woman, but he apologized for being late, and told her he would try not to be late again. Momma gave the teenager a big hug in return and she tapped his behind as he walked away.
The Covers headed to the Study as they normally did, and they all took their usual seats. The boys told their 'dad' how their day went at school. They also told him how hard their friends laughed at the April Fools' joke they played on them. That put a smile on the man's face.
As he normally did, Mr. Ken reminded the boys about what was coming up around The Cove. He also told the younger boys that Bill had invited his friend Brett over on Saturday. 'Dad' Ken also told the boys Bill would invite his friend Kaden over as well when he sees him tomorrow at school. Hearing he could invite Kaden over on Saturday put a smile on the teenager's face.
When the younger boys were sent up to their rooms, Mr. Ken asked Bill to remain so they could finish their talk. They sat across from one another and began their talk where they left off.
"Bill, you've had some time to compose yourself, so I hope you can tell me why there were all those tears," began Mr. Ken.
"Mr. Ken, I ... I guess I got scared that ... that the blood tests would show that I had used drugs and you'd send me away. I ... I just got here and I was beginning to enjoy what I now had as ... as compared to where I used to live.
"Mr. Ken ... the more I thought about that possibility the more ... the more scared I became and the more I didn't want to move again. I was honestly afraid the drugs would still show up like I had just used them. I knew I hadn't used any since my last foster home and Mr. Wayne ... he made me flush any I may have brought with me that first day.
"I'm sorry for not telling you this before, but ... but things have moved along so fast for me that I ... I ... it just never occurred to me until after the physical today. It was when I was up in my room thinking that it all came to me and I began to cry.
"I really am sorry, Mr. Ken," finished Billy, as tears ran down his cheeks.
"Bill ... thank you for telling me this. Does this ... does this have anything to do with your asking me why I hadn't talked to you about your step-dad, yet?" asked Mr. Ken.
Billy thought about the question for a few moments and then told his foster dad it didn't have anything to do with his asking about his step-dad. Billy told Mr. Ken he was just surprised he didn't talk to him about Jody because that was one of the first things the other foster parents asked him.
"Bill my first concern, upon your arrival, was to get you well-fed, some new clothes, a medical physical and introduced to, as well as settled, at The Cove. I wish I had known some older boys that I could have introduced to you in the beginning, but that is water under the bridge.
"I also want to assure you that if your blood work comes back with drugs in your system we will sit down and talk about what they found. I do know that most recreational drugs can be detected up to seven days after use. But cannabis can remain in your body and detected up to 30 days after use. That probably happens if the user smokes it morning, noon and night, or otherwise 24/7.
"Look, Bill, let's wait and see what Doctor Powers reports. If the last time you used illegal drugs was seven days ago, before you arrived here at The Cove, then you should be home free. "Only you know when it was the last time you used any illegal drugs and hopefully it was seven days ago," calmly said Mr. Ken to the teenager.
"But ... but what if ..." started Bill, when Mr. Ken held up his hands.
"Bill, don't put the cart before the horse," offered Mr. Ken. "Let this play out. It will take at least a week before the results are available, and since I won't be in town until late Friday night, Doctor Powers won't give me his results until that Monday after I return, at the earliest. So, please, don't let this rule your life. OK?"
Bill sat there thinking about what Mr. Ken just said. He played through his mind the last time he used marijuana and he knew it was at least eight or maybe nine days ago. He knew his foster parents wanted him moved, so he didn't use any because he didn't know if he'd have to take a urine or blood test.
Then, Bill spoke. "Mr. Ken ... I'll try not to worry about it. ... I really love living here and ... and I don't want to lose it because of what I did before coming here. I ... I ... it's difficult to set aside what you know and think and how combined they can mess things up, Mr. Ken."
"Bill, if you only used marijuana and it shows up ... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If you weren't a heavy user, then I'd expect the tests will come back negative and you'll have done all that worrying for nothing," advised the foster dad.
"But ... I ... I don't want to leave here, Mr. Ken. What ... is there anything I can do?" pleaded Bill, as the tears came running down his cheeks.
Mr. Ken pulled the teen to him and hugged him as he had all the other boys when they were hurting inside. He rubbed the boy's back to help calm him down while telling Bill it would all work out. The man told the boy to just let it go and not to worry about something he no longer had any control over.
The other Cover boys wondered why it was taking Billy so long to come up to his room. They talked about it amongst themselves, and they all agreed to go downstairs and look for him. When they arrived at the Study, they saw their 'dad' hugging Billy, so they stayed back.
"Come on in boys," called out 'dad' Ken.
"How'd he know we were out here?" asked Kevin.
Billy answered and told them even he heard Chief's paws on the tiles.
"We came looking for our new older 'brother'," offered Kevin.
"Yea, we finished our homework and went over to talk to him and he wasn't in his room. So, we decided to look or him," said Kyle.
"I thought I asked you guys not to bother him when he was working on his homework?" said 'dad' Ken.
"But he had his physical today and he has no homework," argued Matthew.
"Well, you got me there," chuckled Mr. Ken.
"Why was Billy crying?" asked Kyle.
"How often did you and your twin cry when you first got here?" directly asked 'dad' Ken.
"Oh," said Kyle, and let it drop.
"Boys ... Bill and I were discussing his situation and, as you all know, I do not discuss with anybody why you are living with me. If you decide to tell a, part, or all of your story, to your 'brothers', that is purely up to you.
"As you know, Bill has only been here a week, and he has been inundated with Cove Rules, five new 'brothers', a new school, finding new friends, and much, much more. Leave it at that. When he wants you to know why he is staying here at The Cove, he will tell you. Until then, don't ask him and don't bother him about his story.
"Bill deserves the same privacy as you all had when you first arrived. When you told your 'brothers', about the reason you are living here, it was many weeks later that you let bits and pieces out. I want you to give him some space and time. Get to know your new 'brother' and him you.
"Now, it is getting past your bedtime and 6 a.m. comes up faster than you want. Now, all of you, and you too Bill, head up to your rooms and get ready for bed. I'll be up in a few minutes," announced 'dad' Ken.
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