Hearing that Charles was supposed to stay back caught all of the boys off guard, and they stopped going out of the Study.
"Dad, why can't we stay and listen?" asked Robert.
"Well, maybe, just maybe my new son doesn't want you to hear what we are going to talk about," replied the teen's dad, with a smile.
"But what is it you're going to talk about, so he can make up his mind about it?" argued back Robert.
"Robert ... for now, it is none of your business. After you all leave, I'll ask my new son a question about something that was overheard. It will be then he can decide if he wants all of you to listen in. Any questions?" said a perturbed 'dad' Ken. "Now, all of you ... leave ... go!"
Robert and his 'brothers' reluctantly walked out of the Study and closed the door. Mr. Ken then yelled for them to get away from the door.
Charles was sort of concerned over what he just saw and heard. He could never remember his new dad acting that way, ever. Charles wondered what could have been said that he could have overheard it. It was then it dawned on him. It had to do with what he told Matthew that all his 'brothers' also overheard.
"Dad ... are you going to ask me about ... ask me about what I told Matthew and what ... and what the rest of my 'brothers' overheard?" asked Charles James Thomas.
"Yes, I wanted to know if what you told your 'brothers' is going to cause trouble between you and them. And, do you think they are trustworthy enough to keep that special secret to themselves?
"And, as I know it, only Robert, me, Ms. Judy, and Doctor Doug know that story. So, do you want your 'brothers' to come back in and we discuss it together, or ... would you rather it just be you and I and Mr. Wayne?" finished Mr. Ken.
Charles thought about it for a few moments. He then said he wanted his 'brothers' back in. He reasoned he'd tell them anyway, and this way they'd get it first hand and he won't forget something important. New dad Ken went to the Study door and invited the Cover boys back into his Study.
The boys quietly took their chairs. When they sat, they looked around at their 'dad', Mr. Wayne and Charles, and then back around again. They all waited for someone to say something.
It was Charles who spoke first. "I think dad ... I think dad wants to talk to us about what you may have heard me tell Matthew earlier. Only Robert, Mr. Wayne, Doctor Doug, Ms. Judy, and now Matthew ... know almost my full story."
"You mean there is more?" asked a surprised Matthew.
"Matthew ... there is always more. You'll forget some of it until ... until something happens that causes you to remember it all over again. But ... well, I told you the majority of what you asked," finished Charles.
"Boys, I don't know what Charles told Matthew, or what you may have overheard. But, need I remind you, that what you all heard is private. The things you know about one another is only for you and NOT for anyone else. And, you shouldn't discuss it with one another, including your friends.
"Today should be a happy day for Charles. But here we are ... discussing his past. Boys, let this go. Whatever you heard ... please keep it to yourself," asked a somber 'dad' Ken.
"Dad ... shouldn't we, you know, talk about what they heard, so ... so they don't get it all mixed up or confused?" asked Charles. "I won't mind as long ... as long as we don't talk about the last thing."
"Boys ... you heard what Charles said. So ... do you want to hear what Charles has to say about what he told Matthew, so you know what was said? He says he doesn't want you to get it wrong with whatever else you've heard from him, or know about him?" asked 'dad' Ken.
The boys looked around at each other and then Billy spoke up and said, "Yea, I'd like to hear what he told my 'brother' Matthew. I know some of the back story that 'Greaser' told me, or what I overheard him tell my mom. It would clarify things for me, for sure."
The boys agreed they wanted to hear it straight from Charles, so the new teenager told them what he told Matthew. He covered what his mom did to him after she got involved with 'Smokey'. He then told his 'brothers what 'Smokey and his buddies did to him and why he needed to have surgery last summer.
The younger boys were almost in tears after hearing that part of Charles' life. The twins did their 'twin talk', and then they hugged. All Mr. Ken could surmise is that they talked about what their dad had in store for Kevin and it wasn't good.
When Charles was finished telling his 'brothers' about his life, he told them he wasn't going to answer questions. He told them what they heard is all they needed to know. Charles did ask Billy if they could talk later.
Since they knew their 'brother' was finished telling them what he intended to, the boys got up and went to Charles and they had a group hug. 'Dad' Ken and Mr. Wayne then joined in with the hug.
Mr. Ken then sent all of the boys up to their rooms to relax before going to bed.
Instead of going to his own bedroom, though, Charles knocked on Billy's doorframe and asked if he could come in. Billy said he figured his 'brother' would wait until tomorrow, but he was ready to talk, if his 'brother' was.
Charles sat down on the spare bed and asked Billy to tell him what his step-dad told him about him and what he overheard the man tell his mom. Billy got up and closed the bedroom door, so that none of the other 'brothers' could inadvertently listen in.
"Billy, will you tell me what you knew about me and ... and my mom? You know, what 'Greaser' told you and what you overheard him telling your mom?" asked Charles.
Billy sat there not knowing what he should tell his 'brother'. He didn't want to hurt the young teen's feelings, but he opened his mouth earlier, and said he knew some stuff and he wanted to see if it matched.
"Charles ... I don't want to hurt your feelings by telling you stuff you don't need to hear," replied Billy.
"Billy ... I need to know! ... I need ... I need to know what they said about my mom and me. I ... I need to know, so ... so I can move on," argued Charles.
"Are you sure you need to know everything? Some of it ... some of it is gross and disgusting," said Billy.
"YES! I mean yes, I ... I want to know everything!" replied a serious Charles.
"OK, but don't say I didn't warn you," said Billy.
After taking a few moments to get his thoughts together, and a deep breath, Billy began. "So, here goes. My stepdad ... he told me that 'Smokey' ...that 'Smokey' ... that he wanted to get to know your mom ... on purpose. That 'Smokey' ... that 'Smokey' got your mom hooked real badly on crack and other hard drugs ... on purpose.
"'Greaser' ... he told me that 'Smokey' ... that he enjoyed taking you places, since he never had children. He told me 'Smokey' looked at you as being that boy that he never had. But ... he also despised you, because ...because you really weren't his kid.
"'Greaser' ... he told me that 'Smokey' ... that 'Smokey' tried to get your mom pregnant. But, she was using so many drugs that her body ...it was too weak from using them and because she wasn't eating right. And ... and that every time she thought she was pregnant she ... she would lose the baby.
"Then, I overheard my stepdad tell my mom ... that 'Smokey' ... that he was using your mom as a ... a ... call girl, a hooker. You know what that is, right? (Charles nodded indicating he knew.) ... Anyway, that was so ... that was so she could work off the money she owed him for all the drugs she used.
"Then, 'Greaser' said that ... that 'Smokey' ... was going to throw a big party and ... and take Charlie with him. He finished up by saying it probably ... that it probably wouldn't be good for Charlie to be there.
"Charlie, my stepdad, he told my mom that 'Smokey' ... that 'Smokey' needed to control your mom better and would use you as his bargaining chip. He didn't explain what he meant, but I think my mom understood the reference. I guess ... I guess that is what he meant from what I heard happened to you by 'Smokey' and ... and his buddies.
"'Greaser' ... he didn't want me to get to know you. He felt that if I did that 'Smokey' ... that 'Smokey' would do the same thing ... to me. My stepdad ... he knew 'Smokey' was somewhat of a sadist and ... and he didn't want me to ever get to know you and then, by chance, get to know 'Smokey'.
"My stepdad told me he didn't want me to get involved any further than knowing that he and my mom stored and delivered drugs for 'Smokey', and, of course, dealt some of them out of the house. I had no idea that they had guns in the house. I only learned that, you know ... after they arrested my mom and tore the place apart. They found all those guns with their serial numbers filed off and the ammunition for them.
"I'm so sorry that 'Smokey' ... that he used you as he did. I ... I can't even begin to know what that had to be like. I wish ... I wish there was something I could for you, though," finished Billy.
It was then Billy heard his 'brother' crying. The teenager got up to console Charles and then the two hugged. What they didn't know, until later, was that Chief let herself out of the bedroom and headed down to get Mr. Ken.
It wasn't more than three minutes later that 'dad' Ken knocked on the partially opened door frame.
"Dad," called out Charles, who then ran to the man and hugged him and cried even more.
Of course, the 'brothers' heard the light crying out in the hallway, so they went out to see who it was. They saw Billy's bedroom door was ajar and then they went to investigate. When they looked into the bedroom, they saw Charles and their 'dad' hugging, and Charles crying onto his shoulder.
"Dad ... what ... what happened?" timidly asked Robert.
Billy answered by telling his 'brothers' that Charles had wanted him to tell him what he knew, from what his stepdad had told him. The teenager said that what he told Charles wasn't pretty, but he wanted to know it anyway. Billy said he told Charles what he knew about him, his mom and 'Smokey', and it was very painful for his 'brother' to hear.
The Cover boys wanted to know what he told their 'brother', but it was 'dad' Ken who told them there was nothing more to be told tonight, or any other day or night. Mr. Ken told the boys they were NOT to pester Billy, or Charles, about what was said between them. The man then sent the boys back to their rooms to get ready for bed.
"Charles ... I take it that what Billy told you ... was very upsetting to you. You must have heard something that touched a nerve, or brought back some very bad memories. This is something you'll need to talk to Doctor Doug about," counseled the boy's new dad, who then hugged the teen to himself.
It was a few moments before Charles spoke.
"Dad, she ... she knew, she knew," cried Charles. ... "'Smokey' ... he used her and me and she ... she knew, she knew what he did to me. Billy didn't say that much, but she had to have known if what 'Greaser' told Billy is true," cried Charles.
Mr. Ken looked at Billy to see if he would verify what his new son just told him. All the teenager did was shrug his shoulders.
Charles eventually stopped crying. He thanked Billy for telling him what he knew. The new teen said to his 'brother', and dad, that it only verified what he always thought, and now he knew for sure. Charles then thanked his dad for being there for him and holding him.
Mr. Ken thanked Billy for telling Charles what he wanted to hear. The dad and son then walked over to Charles' bedroom. There the two talked for a few minutes about trying to put that all behind him and to move forward. The two then hugged and Mr. Ken went to the rest of the boys' rooms and said 'Goodnight' to them. 'Dad' Ken then headed down to his own bedroom.
The Covers woke to a damp, dreary, and foggy morning. The boys were bummed out because it might mean their day of riding skateboards, their friends visiting, their cookout, and swimming were looking like a non-starter.
As the Covers ate, and 'dad' Ken read his morning newspaper, Charles asked his new dad if he'd help him hang his new plaque. Mr. Ken told his son he would as long as it was in his room and not in the Foyer. The boys laughed at what their 'dad' just said.
"No, Dad, I want to hang it in my room," replied Charles.
"Where do you think would be the best place?" asked dad Ken.
"I'm thinking that it would look good between the windows. People would see it as soon as they walked into my room," chuckled the new teenager.
"What are you going to do if you got a new roommate?" asked a chuckling Kyle.
"Dad wouldn't do that to me. Would you dad?" smiled Charles, while blinking his eyes very fast, as if to sway his new dad. All the boys saw that and laughed.
Mr. Ken told Charles they'd go out to the garage, after they finished breakfast, and select a nail, or brad, or whatever they thought they'd need to hang the fairly heavy plaque. Kyle and Matthew asked if they could help, but 'dad' Ken said this was a dad and son thing. Charles smiled at hearing that.
After the Covers finished eating, had rinsed their dirty dishes, and placed them in the dishwasher, dad Ken and son Charles went out to the garage. The other boys texted their friends to tell them they needed to wait to come over because of the weather. Their replies were comical, and not fit for publication.
Mr. Ken and Charles looked through a number of parts bins to find what they thought might be the best hanger to use for the new plaque. Charles found a few that dad Ken told the boy would hold it, but would detract from the plaque. The man suggested they take a few different sizes of nails, or brads, and maybe they could use two smaller ones on the ends that wouldn't be too obtrusive.
The man and boy took their nails and brads, a hammer and tape measure, and then walked up to the teen's bedroom. Dad Ken had the teen hold it to the wall between the windows where he thought it would look best. Mr. Ken then took the tape measure to see where the middle was and then placed a medium nail there.
Charles hung the plaque on the wall where his dad had placed the nail. The plaque wasn't balanced correctly because of the way the letters had been cut from the metal. Mr. Ken then had Charles go back down to the garage and find a torpedo level, which he explained what it looked like.
When Charles came back to his room, he had a carpenter's level that was almost three feet long. Dad Ken laughed and told his new son that it would work, but it will be difficult to use because of its length and weight. The two Covers walked back down to the garage and dad showed his new son what he was wanting Charles to retrieve.
The dad and son used the torpedo level to properly level and hang the new plaque. They both stood back and admired it. Then, Charles turned to his dad and cried on his shoulder.
"What brought that on sport?" asked dad Ken.
"It's ... it's just that this means that ... that I no longer have to worry about being sent to another foster home, dad. I was so scared, when that Ms. Washington said she would move us all next week. Thank you, Dad, for making me your son," offered Charles, who cried some more on the man's shoulder.
As the two Covers hugged, they heard the rumble of thunder. Charles quickly ran to one of the windows and looked out and saw it was raining, but not too hard. The teenager told his dad that he figured their friends wouldn't be coming over, so he asked what they all could do together.
The two Covers headed down the stairs looking for the rest of the Cover boys. They found them looking out the large Kitchen Nook window that overlooked the estate and the lake. 'Dad' Ken asked them all to head to the Study, so they could talk about the day.
"Boys, as you can see the rain has decided to take away your fun for the day. So, how about you put your 'recall' into motion, and tell your friends to find something else to do today, as we are taking a 'family' day," spoke 'dad' Ken.
The boys did what their 'dad' asked them to. It took them about fifteen minutes to get all the calls done and texts answered before they were ready to discuss what they'd do that Saturday.
"Boys, let's brainstorm this and see what we can come up with that we all can do today, together," began 'dad' Ken.
Kyle mentioned they could play some games. Kevin said they could finally swim with their 'dad'. Matthew said they could skate between the raindrops. That made everyone laugh. Billy spoke up and said the woman yesterday said we never left the estate. He suggested that they do something away from The Cove.
Robert and Charles mentioned that time they all went to The Mall. Kevin then asked if he was ready to have another soda dumped over his head. That caused a lot of laughter, and then they had to explain the 'joke' to Billy.
They kicked The Mall suggestion around some and Billy asked if they could go to a movie and then walk around looking at clothes in some of the stores. The teen also mentioned they're all going to need summer clothes, soon. That started another round of suggestions.
But it was Charles that got everyone's attention by saying they could do most of everything if they leave by noontime. He recommended they all see a movie, look at the new spring and summer clothes, and then go out to eat.
So, that's what the Covers did. They all piled into the van, clicked on their seatbelts and Mr. Ken drove them to The Mall. Matthew asked where Mr. Wayne was and 'dad' Ken told him, and his 'brothers', that Mr. Wayne needed time off to take care of some personal things and he had the day off. He added that it meant they'd have to put up with him today, and maybe all weekend. The boys laughed and cheered at the same time.
When they arrived at The Mall, Mr. Ken parked as close as he could to the TheaterPlex section of The Mall. They hurriedly ran out of the van and headed into The Mall. When they were in there Kevin asked Matthew if he had run between the raindrops. That brought about a round of laughter.
"Boys," called out 'dad' Ken to get their attention. "Take a look at what's playing and let me know what you want to see," recommended 'dad' Ken.
When they all came back, 'dad' Ken learned that the three youngest ones each wanted to see something different. The three older teens said they wanted to see the same movie. Mr. Ken had a dilemma. He knew he could allow the three older Covers to see their movie together, but he had to decide which of the three movies the youngest Cover boys wanted to see.
"Bill, Robert, and Charles, here is twenty dollars each. Buy your tickets and meet me inside the TheaterPlex. Kevin, Kyle, and Matthew we have to decide between the four of us which movie we'll see together," announced 'dad' Ken
"Ahh, 'dad' ... Kyle and I are twelve and ... and we should be allowed to see which movie we want," argued Kevin. "Charles and Robert are only thirteen and they get to go with Billy. So, why can't we go by ourselves?"
"Well, Robert and Charles are with a fifteen-year-old, and they say there is safety in numbers. They're big and together they should be able to handle any trouble. Whereas, you three are still quite small for your age and bullies could take advantage of you. Now ... let's look at the three movies you all want to see and, if you three can't agree, then I'll pick the one we'll all see, together," finished 'dad' Ken.
As the four Covers were looking over the movie posters, they heard someone call out, "Hey, Billy, hey, Billy." The three older Covers heard it too, and waited to buy their tickets.
Billy looked to see who was possibly calling his name. He then saw three of his friends from where he used to live in the old neighborhood, with his mom and stepdad. The three friends came up to Billy, and the gathered Covers, who were also interested in knowing who those boys were, and how they knew their older 'brother' Billy.
"Billy, my man," said the biggest of the three friends, "after your stepdad was killed and they raided your house, we never knew what happened to you. Can you tell us where you've been?"
Billy looked to his three friends, then turned to Mr. Ken and told him who they were. Billy then introduced them as Austin, Anthony, and Micah. Billy told his foster dad that he went to school with them up until he was taken away and put into the foster care system.
"Guys, let me tell you what happened," began Billy. "After my stepdad, Jody, was killed in that shootout, they raided our home and they took my mom away. Since, I had no adult to take care of me, I was placed into the foster care system.
"I was at a few different foster homes, but they and I didn't get along very well, if at all. Then, the Director of Children's Protective Services, herself, took an interest in my case and ... and she moved me to another foster home. That's where I live now. I have five 'brothers' now, and a great place to live."
Billy then introduced the three teens to his 'brothers' and his foster dad, Mr. Ken.
"Wooah, I know that name. So, you live in that big estate on the lake? You lucky bastard!" said Austin. "You have got to tell us what it is like to live the life of luxury," now teased Austin.
"Yes, the house is big, and I have my own bedroom and computer, but it is like every other house. My 'brothers' have to catch their school bus before I do, so we only eat breakfast together on the weekends. We do eat dinner together as a 'family', though. That is probably the best part of my day," cheerfully stated Billy.
"So, what brings you here?" asked Micah
"The rain mainly," laughed Billy. "We all decided to get out and go to a movie. Then, we'll check out the new clothes for summer, and then we'll probably go out to dinner."
"What brings you guys here?" asked Billy, of his three old friends.
"The rain. Same as you," laughed Anthony.
"Hey, can we exchange phone numbers? That way we can stay in touch, and maybe ... and maybe we can wrangle an invite to your new digs?" laughed Austin, with Micah and Anthony joining in.
The boys did exchange phone numbers, and then the three friends walked away. Mr. Ken smiled at Bill, and then he told the rest of the Covers they needed to pick a movie and get a move on.
Mr. Ken bought each of the boys a large tub of buttered popcorn and a medium soda before they went to their movie theater. He reminded them to meet out and wait in the lobby for whichever one's movie finished first.
A little more than two hours later, the three older Cover teens came out of their theater talking about the movie they just watched like old friends. They saw their 'dad' and other 'brothers' were not there yet, so they waited as Mr. Ken asked.
The three younger Covers, and Mr. Ken, came out of their theater about ten minutes later. They all talked over one another about the movie they saw. 'Dad' Ken had to put a stop to their loud talking as it was distracting to the other people in the lobby.
"Boys, go drain your dragons, and we'll leave to go walking around The Mall," spoke 'dad Ken.
As the six Cover boys walked to the Men's restroom, an older lady said, "What a unique way to tell your boys to go potty," smiled the older woman.
The woman then looked at the two young boys who were with her and told them to go 'drain their dragons'. The boys looked at one another, laughed, and headed to where the Cover boys went.
"Thank you for giving me a cute way to tell my grandsons to go to the bathroom. I'm not so sure their mom will like me saying that, but I'm sure my son will have a good laugh over it," offered the grandmother.
"Thank you. Sometimes I use 'lizard' instead of 'dragon'" laughed Mr. Ken.
When the two younger boys entered the Men's Restroom, they had to wait to drain their dragons, as the three urinals were busy with a line formed by the Cover boys.
"Can you believe Gramm told us to go 'drain our dragons'?" laughed Toby.
The younger Cover boys had to ask them if their Gramm always told them that. Luke told them, "Our Gramm heard that man say it, and thought it was a fun way to make us go 'potty', so she told us what that man said to you."
"That's our 'dad'," said Matthew.
"Your dad? He's too young to be your dad," said Luke.
"Well, we're his foster sons," said Kevin. "But he adopted two of our 'brothers'."
"There are, what, six of you, and he only adopted two of you. That doesn't sound right," replied Luke.
"Well, we're all from different moms and dads. Only Kyle and I are related, we're twins. The other foster boys we call our 'brothers', as it is easier to tell people who ask, than their real names all the time," explained Kevin.
"So, that woman you are with ... it that your grandmother?" asked Billy.
"Yea, she's a lot of fun. She takes us places. When it started to rain, she called our mom to ask if she could take us to the movies, but our mom ... she said, 'Noooo'," explained Luke.
"Yea, but, our dad ... he heard us arguing with our mom about Gramm taking us to the movies, and he said we could go. It was probably good that we're gone. They started to argue, just as our Gramm picked us up," added Toby.
Luke nudged Toby to show him the urinals were opened and the two boys went to the porcelain God and relieved themselves. They both said "Ahhhhhh", as they drained their 'dragons'.
The Cover boys laughed at the two younger boys. The Covers also waited for the two boys to finish, so they could all walk back to the lobby together.
"Are they all your nephews?" asked the woman, while the two adults waited for all the boys to return.
"Oh, no ... they are my sons and foster sons," replied a smiling Mr. Ken.
"Your sons? You don't look old enough to be a dad, even for the youngest one," exclaimed the grandmother. "You'd have to have been what, a freshman in high school to have conceived a baby."
"No ma'am. I adopted two of my foster sons, Robert and Charles. One of them just yesterday," revealed Mr. Ken.
"Well, that clears things up," chuckled the woman. "So, can you tell me who you are that they allowed such a young man to adopt two young boys, who are what, ten or eleven?"
"Well, Mrs. ..." started Mr. Ken, but was stopped when the woman spoke up.
"Whittier, Mrs. Eleanor Whittier, and those two are my grandsons, Luke, who is 10, and Toby who will soon be nine," said Mrs. Whittier.
"Mrs. Whittier, my name is Ken Thomas. And, I am in very good standing with Children's Protective Services and have been for the past four years, now. Last October, I adopted Robert who will be fourteen this June eleventh, and Charles, who turned thirteen the day I adopted him," answered Mr. Ken.
"Hmmm, Ken Thomas... that name seems to ring a bell with me. ... ... Oh, yes, you ... you were the man who the governor hand-picked to work as the lead on the cleanup after that horrendous storm we had, what, four, five years back?" offered Eleanor Whittier.
"Yes, ma'am, I am guilty as charged," agreed Mr. Ken.
"But ... there was something else, I seem to remember, but ... but I can't seem to put my finger on it for some reason," said the grandmother.
"He took a bullet for our older 'brother'," spoke up Robert, as he approached the two adults.
"Oh," said a startled Eleanor Whittier. Then she said, "Oh, that's right. You saved that teenager from the lake during that bad storm, and then you took that bullet for that same teen. Yes, I can see why you are in good standing with CPS."
"Gramm, is it true he took a bullet for someone?" asked an excited Toby.
"Toby, right? I was shot while in my house, while protecting it from those marauders who attacked it. A rogue FBI agent was looking for Collin. He heard a noise, and he shot in my direction and I was hit. I didn't take a bullet for anyone," explained and argued Mr. Ken.
"Yea, you're that man who has that big house out on the lake, aren't you? You got an award for helping save someone on the lake last summer. I heard you have an indoor swimming pool, these huge blowup water toys on the lake, and some WaveRunners. Boy that has got to be a great place to live," loudly said Toby.
"Yea, and he's building us our own skate park," jumped in Matthew.
"Wow! I bet that would be fun. We have a hard time talking our mom into taking us to the county one. And, she won't let Gramm take us," said Luke.
"So, you two like to skateboard, I take it," said Mr. Ken.
"Yes, we both do," replied Luke. "But all we get to do is ride on our driveway and street. I don't know why our mom won't let us do things?"
"It could be because ... because, well ... that she doesn't want you guys to grow up," offered Mr. Ken. "But, you will, and you need to experience different things.
"Boys, what say ... what say I invite you, you know, you, your parents and your Gramm to the Grand Opening of the Cove Skate Park that Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend? Your Gramm and I can exchange cell phone numbers, and I can send her the invitations and directions," offered Mr. Ken.
"You will? We can? Can we Gramm," said an overly excited Toby.
"Boys, I will talk to your parents, and it is they who will have to decide. But since they are also invited to the estate on the lake, they just may attend to see what it is all about. Just keep your fingers crossed," replied Gramm.
"There will be about 150 to 175 people, or more, there. Fifty to sixty of them are my 'sons' friends. The others are their friend's parents and siblings, and my special invited friends. And, you'll be some of my 'special' invitee friends," chuckled Mr. Ken.
The adults exchanged cell phone numbers while the boys talked. Matthew told Luke and Toby to make sure they also brought their swimsuits and a towel. The Cover said he hoped they would get a chance to swim in the indoor pool. The two young brothers couldn't contain themselves as they jumped all over.
Mrs. Whittier thanked Mr. Ken for the invitation, and the great way to get the boys to go to the bathroom. The two adults had a private laugh over that. The boys shook hands and the group split up and headed to wherever they had planned to go.
The Covers did walk around The Mall and they looked at the new spring and summer men's and boy's clothes. The twins wanted to buy some new shirts, but 'dad' Ken nicked that idea. He told them when they were close to Memorial Day, he'll take them all out for a new summer wardrobe.
The boys got hungry as their large barrels of popcorn wore off. They kicked around a few places to go to dinner and the winner was Golden Corral. The boys could never ever remember eating there, so they all voted to try that restaurant. Mr. Ken loaded the boys into the van and they drove to the closest Golden Corral.
The boys really liked going to the large buffet Golden Corral offered. The boys enjoyed taking whatever they wanted as long as they ate everything they took. Mr. Ken asked them not to stuff themselves, but to enjoy the many different items on the buffet.
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