"Hey, Bill ... Bill wait up," again called out the freshman, who broke away from the larger group.
Billy stopped and waited for the freshman to catch up.
"Where are the others?" sarcastically asked Billy.
"I don't know. I guess they figure you're a senior's lackey," responded the other freshman.
"A lackey huh?" smiled Billy. "What's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Brett, Brett Wrangeler. I was the new guy here just before Christmas, so I know what you're going through," replied Brett.
"Oh, and what should I expect?" asked Billy.
"I think you better get to your class before we talk much more. Your room is right around the corner. Mine is the one right after yours," replied Brett, as he and Billy walked to their classes.
When their class was over the two new friends met out in the hall. Brett asked to look at Bill's schedule and told him where to go next. The new Cover asked Brett to call him Billy, but Brett told his new friend that since the seniors introduced him as Bill, so that is what the students will call him. The two freshman then walked to different classrooms.
Billy had one more class to attend before catching his school bus home. As he walked to his final class of the day, he heard some of the freshman call out to him as Bill. He told them to call him Billy, but it went on deaf ears.
Billy caught his bus home at 4:28. It took about 40 minutes for him to arrive at the top of the street where the Main Gate to The Cove was located. The new Cover walked to the gate and asked to be let in. The guard didn't know who Billy was, and the man wouldn't let him enter the estate grounds.
"Please check the database. My name should be in there," called out Billy. "Mr. Ken said he'd add it when he came home from the high school."
"What is your full name?" asked the guard
"It is William 'Billy' Dirketson," replied Bill
"I'm sorry, but your name is not in the database. So, why don't you move along and go home?" sarcastically offered the guard.
"Then, call Mr. Ken or Mr. Wayne. I'm Mr. Ken's new foster son. They know who I am," asked Billy.
"I will not bother either of those men. They have more important things to do than to tell me to send you away. Now leave the premises before I call the Sheriff's office, and have you arrested for trespassing," announce the guard.
"Then call them. See if I care. I am a resident here at The Cove and if it takes the police to get Mr. Ken to come up to the gate and let me in then do so!" said a defiant William Dirketson.
By then another guard came up to the Main Gate and asked what the teenager wanted. When the second guard heard what the teen said, he called the house and talked to Mr. Ken.
Two minutes later Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne walked up to the Main Gate.
"Bill, I am so sorry for not registering your name into the database. I totally forgot when I came home. I ... I was thinking about the Easter Egg Roll and ... and all of those Easter boxes that were to arrive later today. I really am sorry Bill," offered the owner of The Cove, and foster dad to the teen.
"He wouldn't call you," now spoke up Bill. "He (pointing to the guard) refused to bother you. He said you have more important things to do than to tell him to have me go away!"
Mr. Ken and Bill walked down the slight rise and went into the house. The owner of The Cove left Mr. Wayne there to get the full story, and come back to the Study when he was finished.
"Momma, do you have any afterschool snacks left over after those empty stomachs of mine were here?" laughed Mr. Ken.
"Ohs, yess. Misters Kens. Youse tolds mes to makes sures the others boys didn't eats thems alls," answered Momma Maria.
Bill and Mr. Ken sat down while Momma brought over some snacks they both could enjoy. She also brought over a cup of coffee for Mr. Ken and offered Bill either chocolate or vanilla milk.
Never having heard of vanilla milk, Bill asked Momma Maria for a glass of that. The woman placed a tall glass of frothy vanilla milk in front of the teen and he tasted it. Momma saw the smile come to the teen's face, as he savored the milk. She was sure he would ask for more before he finished his after school shack.
"Bill, I am very sorry for not registering you up at the Main Gate. I should have been more focused on your needs, than what I was thinking of. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me," offered Mr. Ken.
Bill wasn't sure what he should do. He never had an adult apologize to him for anything they ever did wrong. He knew he had been brought to a wonderful home, but he never thought his foster dad would act that way.
Billy figured after the man stormed out of his office the previous day he would be a stern foster parent, but here he was doing something totally out of character from what he experienced with his other foster parents.
Changing the subject, Billy asked his foster dad if the Easter boxes ever arrived. Mr. Ken told the teen to finish his snack, and he'd show him what they all had in store for tomorrow.
As the new Cover finished his snack, and placed his dish and glass into the sink, he went over to Momma Maria and thanked her for that wonderful treat. The teenager also told Momma that he could never remember anyone fixing him something to eat after he returned from school. The teenager then gave Momma a shoulder hug and a smile. Mr. Ken smiled, too.
Mr. Ken and Billy then headed out to the garage. When Billy saw all the boxes he was flabbergasted. He asked what was inside all of them and Mr. Ken told the teen there were Easter Egg Roll prizes of different sizes, and at least one thousand plastic Easter eggs in three different sizes.
Billy tried to get the Owner of The Cove to show him the prizes and plastic eggs. But, Mr. Ken told the new Cover he needed to wait for his 'brothers' to be there. The man further explained he didn't want a mutiny on his hands for letting the new kid see what was inside the boxes without them.
Billy saw the smile on the man's face, and knew right away he was kidding him about the other boys planning to mutiny. But, Billy also knew his younger 'brothers' would probably throw a fit if he got to see what was inside the boxes before they did. The teen told Mr. Ken he understood what he was saying.
As the two Covers walked into the Kitchen Nook, the five younger boys came looking for Billy. They wanted to know why he got home so late, and then why he was out in the garage with their 'dad'. The boys also wanted to know if he saw what was inside all the boxes.
Billy laughed and told his 'brothers' he tried to get their 'dad' to show him the Easter Egg Roll prizes, and all the plastic Easter eggs, but he couldn't get him to budge. The teen told them their 'dad' said they would mutiny if he had. The boys all laughed.
Billy then told the Cover boys that his afterschool bus picks him up at 4:28 and he would be home about 5:10 every school day. The teen also told the boys he would catch his school bus at 8:08, every morning, so he'd get his beauty sleep while they were heading off to school an hour before he did. The teen then laughed.
"Well ... we get home before you and we'll get to eat Momma Maria's snacks before you do," shot back Kevin.
"Boys ... there is no need to argue," spoke up 'dad' Ken. "High school students go to school later than the rest of you. Next year Robert will also get to sleep in, while you all catch the 7:07 school bus.
"Now, what really has you all down here, and not being upstairs doing your homework?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"Well ... we really were concerned that Billy wasn't home yet, so we came downstairs to see if he ever got home," answered Kyle.
"If that second guard hadn't come to the gate I'd probably still be up there waiting for someone to vouch for me that I did live here," spoke up Billy.
Hearing that surprised the five younger Covers and they started asking loads of questions. Mr. Ken had to calm them down. The man explained what happened and he was the reason Bill didn't get to the house sooner than he did.
That was when Mr. Wayne walked into the Kitchen Nook looking for his employer, Mr. Ken. The Estate Master nodded to the man and walked out of the Nook, presumably headed to the Study. Mr. Ken told the boys to talk to one another about the Easter boxes out in the garage, and Bill's encounter with the gate guard.
"So, what did you find out?" asked Mr. Ken of Wayne Mitchell.
"First, the guard who refused to call us is a new hire. He's only been on the job for less than a week, and has only been on the Main Gate at night. Second, he has an attitude. He has a chip on his shoulder and acts superior to anyone. And third, he is very argumentative. The man will argue for his point of view no matter if he is shown he was wrong," reported Mr. Wayne.
"If you had to make the decision to keep or get rid of the man, what would be your counsel to me?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Hmmmm ... I'd tell you to talk to Mr. Diamond and tell him about the man's rough edges. I'd tell him he might have a loose cannon on his hands, and give him your reasons. The man may be good, but maybe not on the Main Gate during prime hours until he gets a better attitude and is more people friendly," counseled Wayne Mitchell.
"Yes, you gave me what I needed to hear. I don't like firing a man unless he is a disgrace to the team. Like that guard who had my hands behind my back and ... well ... that's a story for another time. Did the other guards have anything to say about that guard's disposition and demeanor?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Well," chuckled Mr. Wayne as he began, "what I got was they ... they don't particularly like the man. They said he always tells them he knew more than they did, and he'd only been there less than a week. They also told me the man is always right no matter what."
"Did they have anything good to say about the man?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Well, they did say he had the right training and should be able to perform without hesitation. But, they all said they all had essentially the same training, but the guard in question did have some military police training above theirs. The question I'd have to ask is ... 'what does all that mean' if the man doesn't have any people skills?" finished Mr. Wayne.
As the men discussed what the owner of The Cove should say to Jules Diamond, the boys came into the Study to tell them to go wash their hands up to their elbows. Mr. Ken got up and approached the younger boys and began to tickle Matthew and Kyle. When he finished with them he attacked Kevin and Charles.
By that time Mr. Wayne had gotten to Matthew who was giggling all over the place. Robert and Billy just watched what was happening in front of them, as they backed up and out of the Study. Billy was surprised that Mr. Ken played around with his foster kids.
Billy never saw any of his other foster parents do anything other than yell at them. Seeing the playing put a smile on the new teenager. The teen then remembered the hug the man gave him the previous day, and figured he would be a part of the play eventually. He smiled again.
The Covers settled down and after they washed their hands, up to their elbows, they all headed to the Dining Room for dinner instead of the Kitchen Nook.
"Why the Dining Room?" Mr. Ken asked Momma Maria.
"Lasts nights ... yous weres alls sos scrunchedes ups ats thees Kitchens Nooks that's whys Iss decideds yous needs mores elbows rooms," answered Momma, as she placed the nights meal on the table.
"Boys ... did you ask your 'brother' what happened to him up at the gate?" asked 'dad' Ken.
"Yea, that sucked, 'dad'", offered Charles. "Especially that the guard who wouldn't call you or Mr. Wayne to make sure he did live here."
"Yea, 'dad', that had to suck that Billy lives here, but they wouldn't even check with you after he asked them to,' added Robert.
"Will you fire that man?" asked Matthew.
"Well, that guard works for Mr. Diamond. He's the man I contracted out with to place security guards to watch over The Cove. It will be up to Mr. Diamond to decide if the man stays and just needs some 'people' skills, or if the man only works certain shifts.," explained 'dad' Ken.
"'Dad', when will you show us what's inside the boxes out in the garage?" asked Kyle, with his mouth full of dinner.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, 'son'. And, to answer your question, I was going to wait until tomorrow before your friends arrived," replied Mr. Ken.
"Well ... tonight is before our friends arrive," chuckled Kyle.
"Boys ... is that what you all want?" asked dad' Ken.
"Yea," shouted five boys.
"And you Bill ... would you like to see what's out in all those big boxes?" said Mr. Ken, as he directed his question directly to Bill, since he didn't join in the enthusiastic reply of his 'brothers'.
"Yea, sure, ohh, I mean, yes, sir, I'd like to see what's inside the boxes. I asked you when we were out there. I didn't know I had to yell out like they did," replied Bill.
"OK, good. When we're done eating, we'll head to the Study to let our meal settle and talk. Then, we'll head out to the garage and open a few boxes so you can see what we'll be working with tomorrow," offered 'dad' Ken.
When dinner was over the Covers walked to the Study. They all took their normal seats, but with the addition of Billy there was a little bit of musical chairs going on. When Billy sat up front, Charles said that was his seat. Then Bill moved to another chair and Kyle told his new 'brother' that it was his chair.
"OK, I'm the new guy, so where do I get to sit?" said an exasperated Billy.
Kevin got up and offered his chair to his new 'brother'. Billy smiled at the older twin, but then realized he was the new kid on the block and he needed to see where he should fit in at his new foster home.
The new kid on the block also remembered what Mr. Ken had told him about his 'brothers', 'One important (Rule) is you will treat the other boys as your 'brothers' and as equals. Don't try to boss them around. You may be older than they are, but they've been here longer than you have. Remember that!'
Remembering that the five boys had been there longer than he had, Billy told Kevin, "Thanks, but I'll see what chairs are empty and I'll take one of those."
Mr. Ken inwardly smiled at what Bill had said to Kevin. The man knew that Bill tended to stand up for himself, and it had to have been hard for him to say what he had. The owner of The Cove watched the boys take their regular seats, and then saw Bill take one of the two vacant leather chairs.
"Bill, I told you I'd take you out tonight to get your new clothes. If we go out to the garage to open those boxes, I don't think we'll be able to do that tonight. Will you be OK going out tomorrow night after dinner, or Sunday afternoon when we will have much more time to look at the clothes and not be hurried? Your choice Bill," stated Mr. Ken, as his first comment during the Covers after dinner discussion.
"No, sir, I won't be disappointed if we don't go out tonight. Look at the time. If we went out tonight we'd hardly have enough time to buy all the clothes I might need. So, I think Sunday afternoon will be better. That way we aren't rushed," replied Bill.
"Thank you, Bill, and then we'll plan to go shopping about lunchtime then," replied Mr. Ken.
"Is there anything else we need to discuss?" asked Mr. Ken. "Tomorrow we'll work on the Easter Egg Roll. The barbeque will have to be run by ... hmmm, I guess the eleven year olds would have to be in charge. Robert, Charles ... do you think Sam and Terran could handle that?"
The teen and pre-teen looked back and forth to one another. 'Dad' Ken saw Charles shake his head and then Robert nod his head. It was then Robert told his dad that the boys could probably do it, but they really didn't have very much practice at the grill. The Cover teen suggested he and Charles could do it with the younger boys helping.
"Let's give that some more thought boys. Maybe something will come up by tomorrow before your friends arrive to skate. But, maybe by then we'll be far enough along we can all take a break," offered 'dad' Ken.
Mr. Ken then reminded the boys that the following Saturday would be the actual Easter Egg Roll. He told them they'd have to be up early. That was so they could set out all of the plastic Easter Eggs before they opened the gates for the neighbors to enter. 'Dad' Ken told them they'd then help with the Easter Egg Roll and when it was all over they'd help verify the winning tickets and pass out the prizes.
By then the boys were getting antsy and Matthew asked when they were going out to the garage. Mr. Ken said he got the hint and asked everyone to meet out in the garage. The boys, except for Billy, hastily got out of their chairs and quickly headed to the garage.
"Bill, are you OK with what we're doing?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Yes, sir, I am. I just didn't want to get in their way. I'm sure they've been waiting for this for a long time, so I figured I'd hang back and not get run over," laughed Billy.
"Bill, I want to thank you for not pushing the chair seating issue earlier. I was proud of what you said and let the boys have their normal seats. You've been here a day and a half and I see you're standing back to feel the way things work here at The Cove. Tomorrow will be a big day when you see forty some boys here for some skating, a barbeque and then a swim.
"Bill, just hang in there and do what you've been doing. Ask questions if you're not sure about what you're seeing," asked Mr. Ken of his new foster son.
"Sir ... is it ... is it always this busy around here?" asked Billy.
"To be honest with you ... it was a lot busier back over the Holidays," began Mr. Ken. "We had three Holiday parties plus the trip to Six Flags. On top of that, I took all the boys to visit my amusement parks back east for four days.
"Then ... on our plane ride back we had ... we had an inflight emergency. We had a rapid decompression, smoke and or fog in the cabin, and then we had to make an emergency landing. It was a Holiday to remember, for sure."
"Can I ask the bo, ahh, can I ask my 'brothers' about the inflight emergency? That had to be a scary thing to experience. I wonder what went through their minds as that all happened," asked Billy.
"Hey, come on 'dad', we're waiting for you and Billy," called out Kyle, as he came looking for the two missing Covers.
Before Mr. Ken and Billy hurried to the garage, Mr. Ken asked Bill not to talk to Matthew about the emergency. The man explained that the youngest Cover was still a bit apprehensive about flying and he didn't want to upset the apple cart.
Bill said he understood and the two hurried to the garage. When they arrived the others clapped they finally got there. Mr. Wayne handed a box cutter to his employer and presented a box for the man to open.
Mr. Ken took the box cutter to the presented box and slit the tape holding the contents inside. After he'd done that he asked Robert to open the box and show his 'brothers' what was inside. The Cover teen held up two packages of large plastic Easter eggs. The boys moaned.
Mr. Ken then gave the box cutter to Robert and asked him to open a box. The teen did just that. When the box was opened he asked Billy to look inside and show their 'brothers' what was inside. The older teen held up two more plastic Easter egg bundles, but these looked to be a bit smaller than the first ones. Probably medium sized. The other boys moaned again.
Robert handed the box cutter to Billy and asked him to open a box. Billy did what his foster dad and 'brother' had done and when the box was opened he asked Charles to reach inside and pull out some of what was in there. Charles pulled out two large plush Easter Rabbits. The younger boys all clapped and then wanted to hold them.
Billy gave the box cutter to Charles and when he opened his box he had Kevin look inside and bring out what was there. The older twin pulled out smaller plush animals and passed them out to his brothers.
Kevin was allowed to open the next box, with Mr. Wayne supervising the boy as he carefully cut open the box. Kyle was asked by his brother to reach in and pull out what was inside. The younger twin pulled more plastic Easter Eggs. These were much smaller than the first eggs
Kyle was then allowed to open the next box, with Mr. Wayne's supervision, and after it was opened he asked Matthew to reach inside and pull out what was inside. Matthew pulled out more of the smaller plastic eggs.
Mr. Wayne watched as Matthew was next to open a box. When the youngest Cover finished he asked Mr. Wayne to do the honors. The Estate Master reached inside and pulled out Easter baskets filled with candy and a small plush animal. Everyone applauded there were three different prizes to give away.
The Covers continued to pass the box cutter around until all the boxes were opened. Mr. Ken then got out his order form to check that everything was there. The boys then separated the boxes into like piles. One pile had the Large Easter plush animals; one pile had the large Easter Eggs; one pile had the medium plush animals; one pile had the smaller Easter Eggs and one had the filled Easter baskets, and, lastly, one pile had the medium sized Easter Eggs.
"Boys, tomorrow, when your friends get here we'll then begin to separate the plastic eggs and fill them with nickels, dimes and quarters. Then, while some of the boys do that, we'll make and insert coupons into some of the plastic Easter eggs that correspond to the different sizes of plush animals, or Easter Baskets.
"Dad," began Robert, "can we make the coupons tonight? That would make the process go much faster. I saw how Ryan waited until the day they opened all the boxes to make the coupons and then filled the plastic eggs. If they had made the coupons the night before they could maybe have cut an hour off the process. And, they did all that the night before the Easter Egg Roll. It was a tiring time, dad."
"Yes, Robert, that is a good idea. But, who would make the coupons, son?" asked dad Ken
"Well, since it was my idea I could do that. They weren't fancy or anything. I just need to know how many of each type of prizes there are. I could put five or six coupons on a page and print them out. Then, we can all cut them out of the page. What do you think, dad?" asked Robert.
"Sounds good, son. Give me a minute to look at the invoices. That way I can tell you what to make and how many," replied dad Ken.
Ten minutes later, Robert and Billy began work on the coupons. They only needed fifty large plush and Easter basket coupons. Then, only twenty-five small plush coupons. Billy and Robert talked as they worked and got to know one another better. Billy was also able to learn more about what it was like to live at The Cove, and some of the things his new 'brothers' got to do.
The teenagers put five coupons per sheet on the paper. They could have made more, but they figured the coupon might then be too small for the younger kids. In doing it that way, they only needed ten sheets for the large plush and Easter baskets, and five pages for the small plush animals.
The teens also decided to use colored paper for each prize category. They did that so it would be easier to identify the prize when the child brought their coupon to the garage to exchange it for their reward.
When the teens showed Mr. Ken what they had done, the man was pleasantly surprised at their ingenuity. He thanked them for taking on that task and getting it accomplished in a short amount of time.
Robert asked where his 'brothers' were, and learning they were down swimming, the teen told Billy to follow him and they could go swimming, until it was time for bed. Robert rang the warning bell before he headed down the Great Room stairs. Billy asked the teen what he'd done and why. Robert told his new 'brother' to wait and see.
When the two teenagers walked into the indoor pool area, the boys were still rushing to put their swimsuits on. Billy was surprised and figured they caught them swimming without the suits.
"Ohh, it's only you," said Charles. "We thought 'dad' was coming down."
"Well, I was bringing Billy down to swim, and I wanted to warn you," explained Robert.
"Come on Billy; let's find you a swimsuit that will fit and we can join our 'brothers'," said Robert as he pulled Billy towards the Men's Locker Room.
"Robert, were they ... were they swimming ... naked?" asked Billy.
"We call it skinny dipping; it's fun," replied Robert. "Now, let's find you a swimsuit you can use until dad buys you one on Sunday. Dad bought a number of different sizes for times like this."
"Couldn't we just join them and, you know, swim naked?" tentatively asked Billy.
"We can and will, but if dad, or Mr. Wayne, come down ... we have to have a swimsuit close by to put on before he comes into the pool room. That was why I pushed that button. Dad had it installed so in case we are skinny dipping we can get dressed before an adult shows up," explained Robert. He finished his explanation by saying he'd finish upstairs before bedtime.
Robert found a swimsuit that fit Billy, even though it was a bit big. The two teens then went into the Locker Room to change. After they changed, Robert showed Billy how they use the lockers out on the pool deck.
Billy was about to dive right in when the twins shouted out he needed to take the swim test. The new teenager looked to Robert like they were kidding. But, Robert told him everyone, including adults, and their friends, before their first swim in the indoor pool they had to show they could swim. Robert told Billy all they had to do was swim across the width of the pool to show they could swim, before they could swim anywhere in the pool.
Billy dove into the pool and then swam across the pool. He then asked if he passed. The rest of the boys applauded and then asked him to play some games with them. But, first, Billy took off his swimsuit to see how it felt to swim naked. The other boys soon followed suit.
While the boys swam, they all got erections, but none of them were embarrassed about them. Most had seen Billy's that morning, so having him see theirs was felt to be only fair. They played a few games and just swam. They talked some more to learn more about their newest 'brother' and him about them.
Then, the bell rang. It caused the boys to jump some, and then they all hurried to get their swimsuits on knowing their 'dad' would soon be there.
"Boys, it is getting late," said Mr. Ken, when he came into the pool area. "How about you all get dressed for bed, and then come to the Kitchen Nook for your bedtime snack. I'll be up there waiting." Mr. Ken then left the pool area.
The boys put on their boxer shorts and t-shirt. Billy still wore tighty whities, but put on his school shirt and figured he would sleep naked as always. The boys headed up to the Kitchen Nook for their snack.
"Did you have a nice swim, Bill?" asked Mr. Ken.
"Yes, it was fun. I'd never swam in an indoor pool before, so it was a new experience for sure," replied Billy.
"Did they corrupt you, too?" said a smiling 'dad' Ken.
"Corrupt me? What do you mean?" asked a confused Billy.
"He means did we talk you into skinny dipping with us," spoke up Charles.
"No. They didn't corrupt me. ... I willingly swam without my suit on," smiled Billy, who then began to laugh.
"I see," said a smiling Mr. Ken. "Billy, skinny dipping, which is what I call it, is OK as long as you never tell any of your friends, nor anyone else for that matter, that you and your 'brothers' and friends do that. Also, it is never done when adults are there."
"You know about it and ... and you ... you let them?" asked an astonished Billy Dirketson.
"Yes, I know about it and ... and I have allowed them to do so. I consider it as being a bonding thing amongst friends. But please keep in mind, Bill, that if word gets out I allow the boys to skinny dip, then there is a better than good chance all of you will probably be sent away to foster homes nothing like what you have here. Tonight, I think, has been one of the few times they've gotten to skinny dip ever since the Holidays," explained Mr. Ken.
"Now, Momma Maria has a few leftover sweet cakes she made through the week, so please help yourself. And, don't eat too many, as you will probably stay up with a stomach ache. There is cold chocolate and vanilla milk in the refrigerator waiting for you. And make sure you leave some for Bill. He is now a Cover, too, you know," chuckled 'dad' Ken.
"A Cover? What's that?" asked Billy.
Charles took the question and explained where the name came from and what it meant. The pre-teen then told Billy that when he was brought to live at The Cove, he became a Cover by default. Billy thanked Charles for the explanation, and then went back to eating some of Momma's sweet cakes.
It was going on twelve midnight when 'dad' Ken sent all the boys up to bed. He told them he would be up soon after he set his coffee maker to start in the morning.
Mr. Ken stopped at all the boys' bedrooms to talk to them privately before moving to the next boy's room. He left Billy's room for last.
Mr. Ken did the Three Knock Rule before entering his newest foster son's room as he called out Bill's name. As the man entered the bedroom, he saw the teenager was under the covers already, but knew he wasn't yet asleep, since he just got up there.
"Bill ... how was your first day at school. We never did get around to talking about your new school and if you'd made any new friends," said Mr. Ken.
"Well, Sawyer introduced me to some of his senior friends. Then, they drug me to eat lunch with them. When he saw some freshmen he knew, he introduced me to them and one of them helped me find my afternoon classrooms. His name is Brett, Brett Wrangeler.
"Brett told me he was new to the school back before the Holidays. I think he might become a good friend, but until I get to know him better, especially if he ever uses drugs, I'll be careful, answered Bill.
"That's good to hear, Bill," offered Mr. Ken. "I know it will take you a few days to meet many of your classmates, and I hope you can find a few that you can invite here to The Cove. I know it's late, but I wanted to talk to you about your day, some. We can resume this little talk in the morning. Good night, Bill. Take good care of him, Chief. Now, the both of you get a good night's sleep!"
Mr. Ken then retired to his private retreat, drained his own dragon, then slipped into his king sized bed and fell right to sleep.
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