When Mr. Ken woke up that Sunday morning, at his usual non-school day time, he told himself how great it felt to be waking up in his own bed. He took care of his morning ablutions before dressing in his standard running shorts, nylon t-shirt and Crocks. The man then went outside to retrieve his Sunday morning newspaper, before having his first cup of coffee.
It was after nine a.m. before the first Cover boy arrived in the Kitchen Nook. Billy took care of Chief's needs and then went looking for something to have for breakfast. Mr. Ken suggested to the teen he heat up 21 breakfast tacos, so they all could have something warm to eat. The teen smiled at the hint and did what he was asked.
The rest of the boys came into the Nook within fifteen minutes of Billy's arrival. They all could smell the breakfast tacos being heated, and they thanked their 'dad' for doing that for them. But Mr. Ken pointed at Billy as the one who did it.
Billy told his 'brothers', that, to be honest, he only did it because Mr. Ken suggested it. The teen apologized for not thinking about doing it himself. He said it just wasn't something he was attuned to doing, like taking care of Chief. The teen then checked the tacos to see if they were ready.
As the boys ate, their 'dad' asked them what they had planned for the day. Matthew quickly said he wanted to practice his sailing and hoped one of his friends would go out with him. Charles said he wanted to do the same thing, but he wanted to try using the Sunfish. He then smiled at Matthew.
Billy said he'd like to take the WaveRunners out on the lake with his friends, but didn't know if there were wetsuits that would fit his friends. He then lamented that there were six of them and only five personal watercrafts.
Mr. Ken told Billy, and, by default, Robert and Charles that he wanted to personally check out the two new toys before they started to use them. Charles asked him when he would do that. The teen's dad knew his son asked so he wouldn't forget and put it off, and they wouldn't get to use them until much later in the summer.
"I will do that right after I read my newspaper. So, how about giving me until about noon. OK? If I don't go out there, come and remind me," replied Mr. Ken.
"OK, we're going to hold you to that," replied Charles, with a smile.
"Oh, and boys ... when you do go out sailing, I want you to always have a buddy with you. No sailing by yourself, unless it is an emergency. But even then, you should use the phone and call the Rescue Headquarters and have them respond. Any questions?" added the boys' 'dad'.
"And Bill, we will leave early Tuesday morning for your 3-day trip. So, make sure you have enough clean clothes. If you need some, let me know and I'll show you how to use the washers and dryers. That way you can have the clothes you want to take, and clean clothes whenever you want," chuckled the man.
"And, boys, while I'm gone, Mr. Wayne will be here filling in for me. You've all been on your special trip, so you know that Bill and I won't be back until Thursday evening some time. There is less than two weeks before the 4th of July Picnic, and I want to have this trip before then.
"Mr. Chris has been working with the carnival rides operator, the fireworks contractor and the church groups that set up their booths and provide the foods for the Picnic. We haven't decided how we're going to distribute the tickets, but we'll probably do what we did last year. The rides won't require a ticket. Only the food and games booths will require the tickets. More about that later," finished 'dad' Ken.
"Dad ... what about the Cove Skate Park? Are you going to allow the kids to use it?" asked Robert. "And, if you do, how will you regulate it, and will the kids need to have a parent sign the release form?"
"Good questions, son. How about you and your 'brothers' talk about it, and come up with a plan if you think the local boys and girls should be allowed to use the Cove Skate Park. You can get with me with your ideas when Bill and I return from our trip. Will that work for you?" asked 'dad' Ken.
The boys looked around at one another and said they'd talk about it. Charles said they had three days to decide, and if they can't, then maybe no one should use it. Billy spoke up and asked his 'brothers' to seriously consider letting the neighborhood kids try out the new Cove Skate Park. He told them all the kids knew about it, and to not let them try it out could be a big mistake in maintaining good neighbor relations.
Mr. Ken just shook his head when he heard that. Bill, again, had shown him that he has a forward-thinking mind and looked at situations and challenges differently than many teens his age might. He saw a good future for the teenager, and hoped he chose a good major to study when he went off to college.
Robert then asked how they should share the watercraft, now there are so many of them who have taken the Texas Boater Safety Course. 'Dad' Ken said that he may have to assign days they each got to use them, so there won't be any hard feeling if one group tries to monopolize them. He added they should try to work it out themselves, and, if they can't, they were to come back to him and he'd decide.
Since Matthew and Charles were going to go sailing, they didn't bother taking a shower. They knew they would get sweaty in their wetsuits and dirty if they somehow capsized their sailboat. After eating, they each called their friends to see if one of them would sail with him today.
When the Covers' friends arrived that Sunday, they all learned that Mr. Ken had bought two more personal watercraft, and three sailboats. The boys all had to go to the dock to see what they all looked like.
Billy's friends asked him when they could go out on the WaveRunners, or the Jet Ski. Billy told them his foster dad was going to check out the two new machines before any of them, including his 'brothers', could take them out. Billy also said he didn't know if they had wetsuits that would fit them, and, for now, that might keep some of them from riding until the lake water warms up some more.
Charles' and Matthew's friends, who'd taken the sailing lessons with them, were overjoyed that there were now four small sailboats they could take out. Upon hearing their friends' excitement, Matthew told them that his 'dad' said there always had to be two people in the boat, when they sailed. The boys said it would otherwise be boring to be out there by themselves. Everyone laughed.
Most of the boys went back to the Skate Park to skate, since they knew they wouldn't be taking the watercraft out, or the sailboats. Billy told his friends that Mr. Ken said he'd be down there by twelve noon, or so, to check out the new 'toys,' as he called them, and he was going to be there in order to learn as much about them as he could, and he encouraged his friends to stay and learn, as well.
While Billy and his friends waited for Mr. Ken to come down to the small marina, Billy told them he and his foster dad were leaving Tuesday on his 3-day trip. The teens asked Billy to remind them where he was going.
Billy told them they were going up to Dallas-Fort Worth and would attend a Ranger's night baseball game, visit Six Flags Over Texas and, depending on time and the weather would visit either the Museum of American Railroad, the Dallas World Aquarium or Speed Zone. He added he really wanted to go to Speed Zone as that was where Charles had such a good time.
Billy then began telling his friends what he did on their just completed trip. When he told them about flying the business jet, they couldn't believe him. He told them to ask his 'brothers', as they also flew the plane either going to the amusement parks or coming back.
Billy then told them about the five parks they visited.
"I thought your foster dad ... I thought he only owned four amusement parks," asked Lonnie, in an incredulous manner.
"He does, but Robert talked him into taking us to visit that park where the Rocket roller coaster fell off the track, over the Memorial Day Weekend. We went there to see where it happened and it seems that Mr. Ken ... that he is still interested in buying that park. Which was another reason for us to go there," answered Billy.
"So, you're saying Mr. Ken ... he wants to buy another amusement park. Wow, he must really be loaded," remarked Gabe, with a smile.
"Guys, I have no idea how much money Mr. Ken has. But I bet it is safe to say he has a few nickels to rub together, and then some," replied Billy.
Billy's friends asked him to tell them more about his trip and what he did and what rides he rode. Billy started at Fantasy Fun Park, then worked his way through Mountain Top. When he was finished with those two parks, he told them what he rode at Discovery Kingdom and then at Crystal Lake.
Billy told them about meeting Ron, and how they had him tag along and ride the rides with them. Kaden asked how that could be, since he wasn't a Cover. And then he asked if Mr. Ken paid for him to ride the rides.
Billy told his friends that they all had Fastest Passes, and Ron rode with Mr. Wayne on one ride and his 'brothers' got to talking to him, and before he knew it his 'brothers' asked him to go with them and they'd try to get him on the rides with them.
Of course, Billy had to explain what a Fastest Pass was. Then the Cover told them that since they'd been to the park the day before, the ride operators knew who they were and they didn't even check their passes. That they just told them when to come back. And that was how Ron got to ride the rides with them for the rest of the day.
"The lucky stiff," said Jamie, to no one in particular.
Billy then told his friends all about Edgewood Amusement Park and how dirty it seemed. He told them about the three rides that were also shut down by the State Regulators, and what Mr. Ken thought about those. Billy then told them about the rides that were there and what he thought about the old and new rides they rode.
Matthew and Charles both had a buddy set sail with them, in their sailboat of choice. And with two sailboats remaining, four other boys decided to pair up and take a sailboat out to refresh themselves on how to sail.
When Mr. Ken came down to look over the two new WaveRunners, he saw Matthew was with Aaron, Charles was with Cooper in the Sunfish, brothers Brad and Brant were out sailing together, and David had Max with him.
Mr. Ken saw the boys stayed close to the cove, but away from one another, as they tacked up wind and then came back down with the wind. He could hear them laughing as they were enjoying themselves.
When Mr. Ken went over to the new 'toys', Billy asked if he could tag along and watch what he did, and learn if there was anything new, he needed to know about them. The teen Cover also asked if his friends could watch, as they needed to know what to do, and how to do it, before they took the personal watercraft out, as well.
Mr. Ken had the boys take their shoes and socks off, and join him at the water's edge. He opened the seat and told them what he was doing and why. He checked the oil level, which he said Todd would normally do, but he also told them it was worth knowing where it was located, and how to do it.
Mr. Ken then showed them where to fill and check the fuel level. Again, he told them Todd would take care of that, but if they were ever out and ran out of gas they needed to know where to find the tank and how to refill it. He told them that even if someone gave them a half-gallon of gas, it should be enough to get them back to The Cove, at a slow speed.
Mr. Ken showed them how to start the engine. After he'd done that, he had each and every one of the teenagers start it for themselves, so they knew what to do. Then, he did the same with the other new PWC. The teens followed along and did exactly what they were told.
"OK ... who's ready to just idle around here in the cove?" asked the owner of The Cove.
Billy was the first one to raise his hand. Lonnie said he'd like to do that, as soon as he changed into his swimsuit. Mr. Ken told him to hurry, and for the other teens to do the same, if they wanted to try out the WaveRunners.
All five teens ran to get their suits and change. They had a long way to go, since their things were up at the Pavilion, still. Lucky for them, a Cover had a six-seat golf cart there and gave them a ride to the bottom of the driveway, so all they had to do was enter the indoor pool area through the patio entrance and change.
While Mr. Ken waited for the boys to return, he had Billy start the Jet Ski for him. He watched what his foster son did, and was proud he did what Robert he taught him, before they went on their trip. He then had the teen put on a life vest and slowly ride it out in the cove and around the water toys.
Billy's friends all arrived where Mr. Ken was, at the same time. He had Jamie, Gabe and Lonnie each get a life vest, put it on, and take one of the WaveRunners and start them for him. As he watched, he saw they were meticulous in checking the PWC for damage, or other problems, before starting it. He also saw they checked the oil level and gas, before setting the switch and pressing the starter button.
Kaden and Brett waited to see which one of them would get to use the last PWC. But Mr. Ken called Billy in before he assigned the WaveRunner to either of them.
"Boys, let me show you the difference between the Jet Ski, and the WaveRunner," began Mr. Ken. "Go ahead, one of you, open the seat, and tell me what you see!"
Brett beat Kaden to the machine and opened the seat and looked inside. Kaden also looked inside with his friend, and they both tried to figure out what the difference was. Billy was smiling to himself, as they looked and looked.
"Boys, this is an older machine, and you have a pull cord to start it, as opposed to the starter switch, as you saw on the WaveRunners," chuckled Mr. Ken.
"Kaden, move the switch to the ON position. Then, when you're ready, pull on the cord as if you were starting a lawnmower," encouraged Mr. Ken.
On the first pull, the Jet Ski motor started and Kaden got a big smile on his face. Mr. Ken then told him and Brett, and Billy again, that when the machine is cold it might take three or four tries to get it to start, or more if it is really cold. But then, he asked, in a jovial way, "Why were they going out if it was that cold?" The three boys all laughed.
Mr. Ken had Kaden put on a life vest and he got to take the Jet Ski out and ride it around the cove. Brett then started the WaveRunner and, after donning a left vest, he joined the other teens who were slowly riding around the cove and the water toys.
Billy and Mr. Ken watched the five teenagers slowly circle, and get used to the watercraft. By the time they had been on the machines for about ten to fifteen minutes, Jamie, Gabe, and Lonnie were complaining their feet were getting cold.
Billy yelled out to them to come on in if their feet couldn't take it. The three teens yelled back, "No way!"
Mr. Ken would occasionally look over to the four sailboats to see how the new sailors were doing. He could hear the giggles and laughter coming from the boys, and was happy they were having fun.
The day wasn't a particularly windy day. There were brief wind gusts that blew every once in a while, and the boys took advantage of them to make their small boats go faster. The boys were also keeping their distance from one another, to make sure they didn't take someone's wind, or bump into them.
Suddenly, Mr. Ken heard some cries and then a splash. He looked over to where the sailors were and he only saw three sailboats. He yelled to Kaden to bring him the Jet Ski, and now. Billy also called out to his friend, but with the noise the machines made they couldn't hear them.
The two Covers began waving the five teens to come back in. As soon as the first teenager came in, Mr. Ken told him to get off, and he jumped on. The owner of The Cove headed out to where the overturned sailboat was. There he saw Mathew and Aaron in the water getting the small boat ready to upright it as they had been taught.
"'Dad' we got this!" yelled Matthew. "We were taught how to upright the sailboat if this happened. It was the first thing they showed us. Watch and see."
By then, Billy, Kaden, Lonnie and Jamie were out on the lake near Mr. Ken watching what was going on. They heard what Matthew told his 'dad', so they decided to wait and watch and be ready if they were needed.
Matthew and Aaron did what they were taught. They got on the side of the sailboat and using their weight they tried to right it. Mr. Ken yelled and asked if they needed help, but Matthew yelled back that because they were smaller, they had to do something different. On their next try the sail came out of the water.
The boys then began bailing the boat out before they could get in because their weight could make it sink. Again, an anxious 'dad' Ken watched as the two boys did what they'd been taught. The other three sailboats came near, but Mr. Ken yelled to them to keep their distance, and let the two boys handle the problem.
When the boat was bailed sufficiently enough, first Aaron got in and began bailing faster and soon Matthew was able to climb back in. 'Dad' Ken could see the two boys were shivering, so he made the decision to idle to them, get a line and tow them back to the cove. He then told the other three sailboats to come in as well.
Billy and his friends let Mr. Ken go past them and then they waited until they saw there was enough room at the cove beach for them to bring the PWCs back and dock them.
Mr. Ken told the two very wet boys to head into the locker room and take a warm shower. Even with their wetsuits on, they used up a lot of energy righting the overturned sailboat, and the cold lake water got to them.
When all the teens had docked their personal watercraft, Mr. Ken had them come over to the sailboat and help bail the rest of the water out. The other sailboats came into the cove and separately approached the dock to tie up as they had been taught. When the first sailboat was secure, the second came in and when that one was secure, the third one did so, as well.
The teens had the sailboat fairly bailed out by the time the other three sailboats came and docked. Mr. Ken saw they had done a good job and thanked them for doing that for the boys, as they were just too spent, from the cold, to do that themselves.
Mr. Ken asked Billy's friends how they enjoyed their short jaunt on the PWCs. They all told him they couldn't wait until it got warmer and they could head out onto the lake, and not be so cold. Mr. Ken told them by the first of July, in two weeks, the water will have begun to lose its chill, but the water will still be a bit cold further down.
The news that Matthew and Aaron had overturned their sailboat, then righted it, got to the rest of the boys up at the Skate Park and Pavilion. They all had come down to the overlook above the docks to watch. They also saw the older teens were riding the PWCs, and that Mr. Ken was out there with them, as Matthew and Aaron got their sailboat righted, and were towed in by Mr. Ken.
The two, now warmed up sailors, came out of the house to see what they needed to do to finish bailing out their sailboat. They saw it had been done and they thanked 'dad' Ken for doing that for them. But the man told them Billy and his friends did that and they should thank all of them. And that was what they did. The two eleven-year-olds gave each of the teenagers a big hug for taking care of that wet and cold job for them.
Billy and his friends asked Mr. Ken about the covered paddle boat and paddle board along the beach next to the lifeguard stand. They asked if they would be allowed to try those out when the lake water got warmer.
Mr. Ken told the boys that those two new items were for the exclusive use of the lifeguards. He told the teenager that when they all begin to swim out in the cove, and play on the water toys, the guards would be stationed on the floating guard stand, the beach stand and they would use the two new items to surround them to make sure that if anyone gets into trouble they would be right there to help them.
That was the first time any of the boys had heard of the way the lifeguards would protect them out in the cove, when they were swimming. They boys also saw other safety equipment near the beach lifeguard stand, and they figured Mr. Ken was making sure there was safety equipment available for the lifeguards to use, in case of an emergency.
The rest of the day went just like the other non-school days had. After the excitement of the overturned sailboat, the boys burned the burgers and dogs, went swimming, or continued skating, then they left The Cove at six, as there was no school tomorrow.
When the boys went up to the Main Gate to wait for their parents, Aaron's mom and dad came over to Mr. Ken to talk to him about what happened out on the lake. Mr. Ken told Claire and Lucas that a brisk wind came up and caught the boys off guard, and they capsized their sailboat.
Mr. Ken continued and told the parents the boys did exactly what they learned from their instructors. He explained how he went out there on a PWC, when he saw what happened, but he was rebuffed not to help as they told him they knew what to do. He told the mom and dad the boys righted the sailboat, without any help from anyone, and they had done it very well.
Hearing that made Claire and Lucas very proud of their son. They hadn't been too sure of his taking the sailing lessons, but now that he had shown he learned those lessons well, they couldn't be happier.
The parents thanked Mr. Ken for giving them a better version of what happened, than what they heard from Aaron, and they also thanked him for being such a great role model for Aaron, and the rest of the boys. They all shook hands.
The other parents who were there, were also hearing that story for the first time. They were concerned over what happened, at first, but after hearing the boys did what they'd been taught, without any help, they were relieved. Some even went over to the Duggans to tell them how proud they were of the way their son acted under pressure.
The Covers went out to eat and the topic of discussion was Matthew's overturning of his sailboat, then getting it righted and back to The Cove in one piece. The boys said it reminded them of what happened to Walt and how quickly something like that could happen out there on the lake.
Matthew wasn't living at The Cove yet, so they had to tell him what happened that fateful day on the lake, and when 'dad' Ken and Logan dove into the lake to help save Walt Tankard's life.
Matthew got upset over hearing that and wondered if that could have happened to him, too. But 'dad' Ken told him he and Aaron had done exactly what their instructors had taught them to do, and they had done it with determination and resolve and that was the mark of a good sailor.
Charles told his 'brother' that he couldn't have done it any better, and saw how quickly he and Aaron began to right the overturned sailboat, and then told their 'dad' not to help, as he knew what he was doing.
Charles added that it was indicative of someone who learned what he was supposed to learn and could put it into practice without any help from someone else. All the boys applauded Matthew for what he'd done.
As the Covers left the restaurant, they all patted Matthew on his back and told him he had done well and they were proud of him. Matthew was all smiles after the accolades at dinner, and how his 'brothers' were impressed with the way he handled his overturned sailboat. They then headed out for their missed ice cream.
Once back at The Cove, the Covers gave Chief her ice cream, before heading to the Study to talk about what was to come. There, 'dad' Ken reminded the boys that he and Bill would be leaving Tuesday morning and wouldn't return until sometime Thursday evening.
'Dad' Ken then asked how the barbeque schedule was working out. He wondered if sharing the responsibility for the barbeque was getting the job done and then he asked how it went.
Kevin said he was scheduled for it today, and it took him a few minutes to get his team into gear, but once they understood it was their turn, like when it was Robert's turn just before they went on their trip, they got right to doing what they needed to do.
Kevin added the lifeguards didn't show until eleven, so they didn't help with filling the dispensers, but his team got it all done. The teen told his dad that the lifeguards did help with the cooking of the burgers and hotdogs, and with the cleanup. The older twin said that having the same people doing the set up and take down made sure it all got done, and having the checklists Billy and Robert made also made it simple.
Billy then spoke up and said, since he would be gone on Wednesday, he and Matthew would trade days with Charles and his team for tomorrow, Monday. He added that way he doesn't throw the schedule in turmoil, but he would go back into his normal rotation when he returned. The rest of the boys said that it was only fair their older 'brother' took his turn, even if it was out of turn.
'Dad' Ken told the boys to let him or Mr. Wayne know if there were any of the boys who balked at doing their share of the barbeque set up and tear down. He said he never thought about who did what before, but now that there is a way to include everyone, he wanted everyone to participate, unless they were really sick, or had a broken arm or leg and couldn't do something.
The mentioning of Mr. Wayne's name brought up the question as to where their Estate Master was. Mr. Ken told the boys the man needed some time off after being gone for nine days and he needed time for himself to do his laundry and whatever else he needed done. 'Dad' Ken told them not to expect Mr. Wayne there tomorrow, either.
Mr. Ken asked his 'boys' if they had any questions for him, before they went up to their rooms to relax and settle before going to sleep.
Billy quickly asked his foster dad to tell his 'brothers' about all the safety equipment he bought for the lifeguards and how the lifeguards would watch over them when they begin swimming out in the cove.
That was the first time they, too, had heard there was going to be something different, other than the PFDs (personal floatation devices) for those twelve and under, out in the cove, when they swam. So, they asked their dad to tell them what he was changing this year as compared to last year.
Mr. Ken told the boys about the new floating lifeguard stand, the paddle board and boat and the emergency equipment the lifeguards would have in case someone was injured, while they played on the water toys.
The man told the boys they probably already saw how the guards this year, looked the part, and they'd better listen to them. He added that they, or their friends, better not play with the paddle boat or board. The boys knew that tone of voice and said they'd tell their friends.
When the Covers' meeting was over, Mr. Ken sent the boys up to their rooms to relax before going to bed. He told them he'd be up later to say goodnight.
Comments are encouraged and appreciated. Just use the email address listed at the top of the page.