The first day of their Holiday School Break and they had to get up to go to breakfast. The boys knew they should be able to sleep in that first Holiday morning, but they also wanted to go out to breakfast. The question that was going through their minds that morning was either 1) sleep in, or 2) go to breakfast.
That morning Charles took it upon himself to make sure all of his 'brothers' were up and ready to go by 9 AM. He loved going out to different restaurants, especially for breakfast. Charles loved Momma Maria's cooking, but he also loved a change to his morning routine and going out for breakfast was one those changes.
Mr. Ken didn't care all that much to go out for breakfast. He loved being able to lounge around his home in his running shorts and nylon t-shirt reading his morning newspaper while drinking plenty of fresh hot coffee. He also loved the breakfast tacos Momma Maria made for them that were so easy to warm up in the microwave.
But, for as much as he'd rather stay home, Mr. Ken knew, when he took on the responsibility of being a foster dad, he had to give up some of his creature comforts. The wealthy young man had made it a priority to give the children he decided to foster, a home life that mirrored every other child, living in a stable home environment.
When the five boys came down and entered the Kitchen Nook, 'dad' Ken was all washed up, dressed and ready to go. But, first things first, the boys had to say 'Good Morning' and get their morning hug. Then, they were ready to go.
"Dad' Ken had the boys take a light jacket even though they were going in the Sprinter van. He hadn't told them, yet, but he wanted to have a family type outing after breakfast. As they headed to the garage, Robert called 'shotgun'. After they loaded into the van and 'dad' Ken backed out of the garage, they were met by Mr. Gene and Mr. George.
"Hello, Gene, which one of you will be riding with us?" asked 'dad' Ken.
George got out of the shared vehicle and walked over to the van. Robert was going to get out and offer up the shotgun seat to the security man, but Mr. George told them he could watch out all sides better from sitting in the back. Once everyone was seated, Mr. Ken drove out the Main Gate and headed to their breakfast stop.
"Where are we going, 'dad'?" asked Charles.
"I thought someplace like Burger King, or Chick-fil-A, or maybe Jack in the Box or even Taco Bell. Where would you like to go, boys?" asked 'dad' Ken.
That caught the boys totally off guard. They figured they were going to IHOP and now they had to make a choice. They started talking amongst themselves and they weren't really watching where they were going.
As the Covers drove along, they passed a number of eateries that 'dad' Ken had mentioned. Again, they didn't notice where they were headed, that is until Charles spoke up.
"I think I know where we're going, guys," said Charles.
"Where?" asked he twins in unison.
"I think we're going to Denny's," smiled Charles.
"Yes, that is where we're going," spoke up 'dad' Ken.
When they pulled into the parking lot, Mr. Gene pulled in a few seconds afterwards. The twin security guards talked as the Covers walked into the diner. Mr. Gene and Mr. George walked in just as their assignments were being seated. They had themselves seated closer to the entrance so they could better manage security of the Covers.
"What can we get, 'dad'?" asked Matthew.
"Well, we came for breakfast, so you should look over the menu and see what breakfast items you would like," suggested 'dad' Ken.
After a few moments of looking over the breakfast menu, Matthew spoke up and said, "'Dad', there are almost 30 different menu items here. What do I order?"
"Well, 'son', look through the menu again and eliminate anything you've already had. Then look at the ones you've never had and eliminate from those," recommended 'dad' Ken.
After a few minutes of quiet while all the Covers read and reread the menu, Matthew asked 'dad' Ken what he was going to order. It was Charles who told his younger 'brother' that 'dad' would probably get the Original Grand Slam with two buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, two bacon strips and two sausage links, and coffee.
The other boys laughed at Charles and told Matthew to hurry up and choose. It was then their server brought their drinks and some additional napkins. She then asked if they were ready to order. Everyone said they were ready, well, everyone except Matthew.
Mr. Ken got the Grand Slam Breakfast and added hash browns to go with it. Robert and Charles also ordered the Grand Slam Breakfast and they also ordered a side of hash browns. The twins each ordered the All-American Slam, which came with three scrambled eggs with Cheddar cheese, two bacon strips and two sausage links, plus hash browns and toast.
Matthew was still undecided. He looked over the menu items his 'dad' and 'brothers' ordered, but he just couldn't choose. The server stood there waiting on the eleven-year-old boy. Then it came to him, Matthew wanted fruit, so he quickly looked over the menu items that included fruit.
The youngest Cover stopped at the first menu item that included fruit and ordered the Double Berry Banana Pancake Breakfast. That came with two buttermilk pancakes, with juicy blueberries cooked inside and topped with fresh strawberries, bananas and whipped cream. It also had two eggs and hash browns, plus the Cover added two strips of bacon.
While the Covers waited on their breakfasts, they talked about last night. The boys were very animated in their discussion of what they saw, but particularly what Santa gave them. They all thanked their 'dad' for the presents. All 'dad' Ken would say to that was the name on the gift tag said it came from Santa and not him. The boys let it drop.
"That food last night was really good, 'dad'," said Kevin. "It wasn't as good as Momma Maria's, but they had lean brisket, with and without barbeque sauce, and chicken and pulled pork and it all tasted so good. I don't think I had any of the side dishes the meat was so tender and tasty."
"Dad, I met some of our neighbors last night," started Robert. "Some of them asked me how we were all doing after our kidnaping scare. I told them that the Sheriff's deputies had put together a plan to catch the men in the act and it worked out and we were all doing very well.
"I had some of my classmates ask me about Max, last night, 'dad'," said Matthew. "Some of them still couldn't believe I would be friends with him. I told them that they were doing to Max what they did to Ryan. I told them that neither of them deserved being ignored and made to feel unwelcome. I told them that they, by their actions, that they were the bullies."
'Dad' Ken applauded Matthew for sticking by his guns and turning the tide against the other students. The foster dad added that hopefully his other classmates would eventually realize they were the ones left out. Matthew knew what his 'dad' meant by that.
Each of the boys had to tell what they saw and experienced at their first Three Finger Cove Holiday Party. They continued to exchange stories as they ate their breakfasts. Mr. Ken just sat back and listened to the boy's enthusiasm and the enjoyment they all shared at the party.
"Dad' ... where's Mr. Wayne?" asked Matthew.
"Yea, where is he? He wasn't at the party last night, and he isn't with us now," observed Kyle.
"I gave him some time off. Unlike me, who has to be with you rug rats 24/7, he needs time to unwind and relax away from The Cove. He will be at tonight's party and I will let him know you were all concerned about his absence," replied a smiling 'dad' Ken.
The twin security guards also talked while they ate their breakfasts. They each saw one of the vehicles that had been identified as belonging to Grace Turnsten's friends. They also noticed the vehicle continued along as they turned into the parking lot. That concerned them. The men were still following the Covers and after what occurred outside the Medical Office building with Mr. Ken and Matthew they knew they needed to be very vigilant.
When breakfast was over and the Covers were all loaded into the van, Matthew asked when they got home if they could ask their friends over for a few hours. 'Dad' Ken reminded them all, that he covered what would happen that weekend with all of them and things had not changed. The boys were disappointed their 'dad' didn't relent and let their friends come over.
It was then 'dad' Ken told the boys they weren't going straight home. He explained he wanted them to have some 'family' time and they were headed to The Mall to window shop and look at all the Christmas decorations. That revelation surprised all of the boys and they were happy they were getting to do something different.
When the Covers arrived at The Mall, Robert asked if he and Charles could go by themselves. The teenager reasoned they were getting older and they needed some time to spread their wings. The teen also said they never get away from The Cove and this was a good time for them to learn how to act when they are away from him and to be responsible.
'Dad' Ken thought about what Robert said. He knew the boy was right. He had kept them almost like captives at The Cove and they did need to have a social life away from The Cove. He remembered telling Robert that as he enters high school next year he needed to be more active in the school activities and be more sociable by going to games and dances.
"Boys ... yes, you never get away from The Cove as a rule and it is time you had some freedom from your tyrant 'dad'," laughed Mr. Ken. "You two can go off together and I'll have Mr. George follow behind you at a distance. That way he won't hear what you're saying especially if you meet a few of your female classmates," now teased 'dad' Ken. "You two have your coins? Right?"
"Hey ... where are they going?" loudly asked Kevin, as he saw Robert and Charles walking away from their group.
"I let them go off on their own. It is time they had the chance to learn how to act away from The Cove, and out from under my watchful eye," chuckled the owner of The Cove.
George Warren stayed about 50 feet away from the Cover boys as they walked around The Mall. The two boys stopped at the sporting goods store, and walked in. They specifically looked at the skating helmets and then the elbow and kneepads. Mr. George made a note of that.
The boys continued along and stopped to look at the Christmas tree all lit up at the middle of the shopping complex. They talked about how it compared to theirs at The Cove and they did find some faults in it, but they also liked its large size and loads of colorful lights. George Warren just watched on.
Mr. Ken and his remaining three foster sons walked in a different direction. Mr. Gene tagged along as the Covers window-shopped. They walked into almost every store they passed to see what kind of Holiday decorations they had displayed. The boys compared them to theirs and they liked theirs better.
As they walked along the corridors, a few people recognized Mr. Ken and wished him a Merry Christmas. A few of them stopped him to shake his hand and say hello to the boys who were with him. The boys had to ask him why so many people knew him.
Their 'dad' had to explain to them what happened four years ago with the big storm and how he was appointed by the governor to work on the recovery. The boys were satisfied with his answer, but told him they wanted to know more about what he had to do during the recovery. 'Dad' Ken said when he had the time he'd tell them.
Robert and Charles worked their way to the Food Court. Charles asked his older 'brother' why they were there because he didn't have any money. Robert told him he had money. The teen told Charles that their 'dad' let him keep some of the money, well a few dollars, he got from the radio station and it was his treat.
The two Covers got in line at one of the many fast food restaurants. They decided they'd just get a large fries and share it and two large drinks. When they received their food order they found an empty table and sat down. Mr. George wondered where they would put those fries and drinks, as they just finished breakfast not more than an hour ago.
As the boys ate, four girls came over to them.
"Well, lookie who we have here," spoke Skyler Sippelle, as she and the other girls approached the Covers.
"Hello Skyler," replied Robert. "What can I help you with?"
"Wow, such a greeting. I thought you'd at least stand up and greet me. I guess your new dad hasn't taught you any manners, yet," laughed Skyler, who was joined in by the other three girls.
"And, what's your excuse, Charlie?" laughed Leah Holmes.
"Why should I even recognize you? You threatened my friend and me after I wouldn't join you in badgering people who didn't agree with you. I have no need for people like that," replied Charles.
"That's probably where Matthew gets his attitude," now spoke Brooklyn, Skyler's younger sister and classmate of Matthew.
"Well, since my younger 'brother' isn't here to defend himself I'll ignore you," replied Robert.
"And, you?" said Brooklyn, looking at Charles.
"I don't know what your problem is, but it obviously has to do with you trying to be a big girl in little girl pants. I see you're learning your trade in bullying from these other three. So, why don't you all go home and play with yourselves," sarcastically said Charles in reply.
Hearing what Charles just said, Brooklyn picked up the Cover's soda and poured it all over him. Charles, without thinking, quickly picked up Robert's drink, stood up and threw its contents into the girls face and hair. That started a shouting and name-calling match as the two drenched youngsters tried to wipe the sticky drink off them with all the napkins they could get a hold of.
"What's going on here?" demanded the security guard. "Tell me, or I'll call the police and have you all taken to jail," said the security guard, trying to scare them into talking.
Mr. George wasn't too far away when he heard and saw the confrontation between the Cover boys and their so-called female friends as it went down. He quickly called his twin and told him to bring Mr. Ken to the Food Court as girl trouble found his boys.
Mr. Ken didn't take the information well, but he knew not to get mad, but to hear their story and try to make some sense of what happened. In the meantime, other security guards came by and separated the boys and girls and started taking their statements.
Mr. George stayed close to the Covers and listened to the questions the security guards asked and answers the boys gave. They security guards already had a mess of a problem on their hands and they ignored the large man who was listening in. At least the boys were calm and polite to them.
On the other hand, the girls were arguing with their counterparts, which made it even more difficult to get a complete story from them. Brooklyn wanted to go home and get a shower to wash off all the soda that was on her face and in her hair.
George Warren stayed close and the security guard's finally saw him nod and signal to the boys, so they went over to him. They told him to back off, or they'll arrest him for interfering with their investigation. George laughed at them and then pulled out his credentials. They also saw the man had a gun in a holster when his jacket opened up some.
That put a light scare into the security men as they only had a Taser and club. One of the men quickly called their supervisor and told him he better get there right now. He added there was a private security guard there who was a retired police officer and who had a gun on him. The supervisor got on his golf cart and headed to the Food Court as fast as he could.
As that was happening over with the boys, another girl came up to the four schoolgirls and told them not to say anything until they had a lawyer. The girl was Joanna Schwimminger. When she saw her friends being questioned and Robert Thomas was also involved she thought she could get her dad to fix it. She knew her dad, Dracken had a history with Ken Thomas, but she couldn't remember what it was all about at the time.
"'Dad'", called out a still dripping Charles.
Mr. Ken heard his foster son call out to him, but he didn't hurry any faster than he already was going. He was still trying to figure out in his mind how something like that could happen. But his young 'sons' didn't have any qualms about going over to their older 'brothers'.
"Hey, hey, you can't talk to them," said one of the security guards.
"Why not? They're our 'brothers' and you aren't the police," came out of Matthew's mouth.
That even surprised 'dad' Ken and the older 'brothers' who all had a smile on their faces. 'Dad' Ken then went over to the security men and told him the two boys were his and he wanted to talk to them. The security supervisor got there just then and went over to the man.
"Oh, Mr. Ken ... are these your boys who caused all this trouble?" asked the snarky man.
"That has yet to be proven," replied Mr. Ken. "But if you will get the video from all those security cameras we'll find out soon enough. Or, is that too much to ask a man who can't find a better job?"
The man got hot under the collar at feeling he was being disrespected and suggestively approached the owner of The Cove. The man didn't take two steps before he was stopped right in his tracks by Mr. Gene who got in front of the man. The large man told him he and his twin were private security guards for Mr. Thomas and his 'sons'. Then, he told the man to go get the CCTV footage and bring it there and to hurry.
Dracken Schwimminger came up to the gathered people and seeing Mr. Ken went over to him and wished the man a Merry Christmas. Ken Thomas returned the wish as they shook hands. They exchange tidbits until Joanna came over to her dad.
"Daddy, my friends ... they were attacked by those two boys over there. They ... they threw soda all over them and they didn't do anything to them," cried Joanna, as she tried to manipulate her father.
"Mr. Ken, are you here because you are just curious or ... are those boys somehow associated with you?" asked a cautious Dracken Schwimminger.
"Well, both Dracken. When I heard of a disturbance I came right over. And yes ... both of those boys are mine. Robert is my son, and Charles is my foster son," answered Mr. Ken.
"Your son? I ... you're too young to have a son that's the age of those two boys," said Dracken, with a question in his voice.
"That's true Dracken, but I adopted Robert a couple of months ago. And as for the other boy, Charles ... he's one of my four foster sons," replied Ken Thomas.
"Well, congratulations on the adoption. I suppose you know what you're doing. Maybe raising boys is much easier than raising girls," laughed Dracken Schwimminger.
Gene Warren spoke up just then and told the lawyer that he asked the security supervisor to get the CCTV footage, so they could sort that out before the Sheriff's office got involved. Mr. Ken told Dracken that would help sort out the 'he said, she said'. Dracken Schwimminger agreed.
"But daddy, they attacked my friends. Aren't you going to do anything about that?" bemoaned Joanna, the lawyer's daughter.
"My daughter ... do you know who this man is?" asked the young ladies dad.
Joanna took a long and hard look and then realized who the man was. It was then she understood what her dad was saying to her. She knew Mr. Thomas was the man her sister hated because he made her write an apology to another boy and she had to pay a very large sum of money. She also grasped that Robert was the man's son who he just adopted.
"Yes, daddy, he's the man who sued Hannah and made her pay that foster kid lots of money," replied Joanna in her twisted thought process.
"No, Joanna, he's the man who told me about that scum Brody and that you were having sex together. Against my wishes, if you will remember. He also straightened me out about Hannah and her girlfriends trying to scam his foster son out of an even larger sum of money. So, my daughter, I am very suspicious in what you are telling me.
"The security supervisor is going to get the video camera footage of what happened here and then we'll know soon enough who did what to whom. I sure hope you didn't lie to me Joanna. That would not be good for you," cautioned dad Dracken.
The security supervisor came back just as Sheriff's Deputies arrived. Someone had called them and they came because they wanted to know what the caused the ruckus. When the deputies arrived they immediately knew who Mr. Thomas and Mr. Schwimminger were. They went over to the men to talk to them. The supervisor, seeing that the deputies knew the men, knew he needed to sort this out and fast.
The security supervisor quickly brought out a hand held video machine and played back the footage from 5 minutes before the soda incident until after Mr. Thomas arrived. The five men watched the footage in normal time, and then at half-speed.
"JOANNA ... you're lying ... you better have your health insurance paid up young lady, as you're going to need it," yelled the girl's dad.
"And as for your friends needing a lawyer ... they sure do because ... it was they who started all this! Now, you go out to my car and wait for me! Oh, and give me your phone. I'll not have you call your mom and lie to her and have her all upset over a bunch of lies. Now, GO!" yelled Dracken.
The sheriff deputies were laughing over what they saw on the video player. They asked for a copy of the video for their report. They actually didn't need it, but they wanted to show it to their fellow offices, so they all could have a good laugh.
It was then that Mr. Ken pulled them aside to ask them not to let that video get out on the internet without blurring out the faces of his two boys. He reminded them that he was the one boy's dad and guardian of the other and he did not want the release of their names, pictures, likenesses or faces to be shown without his written permission.
The owner of The Cove, friend of Sheriff Barnes and close friend of Lieutenant Fischer, told them he knew who they were and if that video ever got out without the faces being blurred they will be in a world of hurt. He didn't mince his words. They said they totally understood.
"Boys, what say we get Charles home and let him take a shower? I think we all had enough excitement for today. Don't you?" asked 'dad' Ken, with a slight smile.
"Can we see the video, too?" asked Matthew.
'Dad' Ken went to the security supervisor and asked him for a copy for him and at the same time he got the deputies. He told the man he may need it as a court exhibit. Dracken heard what Mr. Ken asked and requested his own copy for his records in case he had to defend someone in the video. The two men looked at one another and laughed knowing that would never happen.
Gene and George watched it all unfold from behind the scenes. They laughed over George's description of the soda being poured over Charles' head and then Charles reacting within a microsecond by picking up Robert's cup of soda, standing up and throwing the contents up into the girls face.
Charles felt all sticky as he walked to the van. When he went outside, even with his jacket on, he immediately got cold and ran back inside. He asked his 'dad' to bring the van round to where he was. Mr. George stayed with the boy.
As the Covers drove home, Mr. Ken asked the boys if they wanted to stop for an ice cream. Charles was totally against that and was the most vocal saying, "Nooooooo! I want to get home and showered and changed. Let's not stoooop!"
His 'brothers' all laughed at him, but they agreed they wouldn't want to have to stay in those wet and sticky clothes any longer then they had too. So, with the vote taken, the Covers headed back to The Cove.
Chief was there waiting on her men. When the garage door opened she was beside herself that they were coming home. They all greeted Chief as if they'd been gone all day as they each petted her and then scratched behind her ears as she liked.
Charles was the first one through the garage door into the Kitchen Nook. After he showed his love for the resident dog, he hurried up to the bathroom, took all his clothes off right there and got into the shower.
"Boys, are you hungry? I can heat up the brisket, pulled pork and brisket barbeque for you to make a small sandwich. We'll have the same foods tonight, but there will be slider sandwiches made for our guests. It makes it easier for them to eat and not have to deal with making their own.
"Why didn't you do that last night?" asked Matthew.
"Well, last night was like having a family get together. I provided all the foods and drinks, but the people get to mill around and make their plates and talk with one another," explained 'dad' Ken.
"But won't your, err our, guests want to do the same thing tonight?" followed up Matthew.
"Well ... tonight our guests are ... they are important people who expect a bit more refinement. So, the caterer will have the lean brisket, brisket barbeque and pulled pork and chicken sliders along with small cups of ranch style beans and potato salad set out for them to take, as they want.
"The people tonight will do a lot of politicking and deal making with some of the individuals they don't get much face time with. Their handlers, well the people who control their contacts, won't be here to run interference," answered 'dad' Ken.
"I guess I won't understand it, then. Will there be anyone here tonight that we'll know?" asked Matthew.
"Yes, Mr. Bill, my lawyer and Mr. Stew, your lawyer will be here. Mary Taylor will be back as she needs to mingle with our guests, so she can highlight her abilities. She's the one who decorated The Cove for me, boys.
"There should be the District Attorney, George Morris, Sheriff Matthew Barnes, Judge Adam Richards and his wife Kathleen, Judge Steven Rossenburger, he presided over Robert's parents' trials, Judge Joseph Barnneby, his title is County Judge, but he is actually a Commissioner, and a number of other County Commissioners, and Doc Richard Powers. The doc and I go back as far as when Collin arrived at my Patio that stormy night.
"Boys, there will be a lot more people from around the county and the state here tonight. They are what many people call the movers and shakers. They are the individuals who have their fingers on the pulse of what is happening around the county. Knowing them can be very helpful in your business dealings.
"We'll talk about your responsibilities later, as we did last night. So ... are you guys hungry?" finished 'dad' Ken.
Mr. Ken heated up the brisket and barbeque and asked the boys not to stuff themselves. He told them after they eat they may want to lay down for an hour or so. He explained they had a long day yesterday and an interesting one already today. 'Dad' Ken asked them to at least relax, then shower and get dressed before coming down by 5:30.
As Mr. Ken was talking to his boys, Robert was texting Eric. The teen Cover told his Best Friend what happened at The Mall and what Charles did to Leah. Eric's reply must have been funny as Robert chuckled out loud and then excused himself for doing so.
Charles took his shower and changed into everyday play clothes, then came down to the Kitchen Nook. He got himself a barbeque sandwich and caught up on what his 'dad' was telling his 'brothers'.
Robert told him the word is already out what he did to Leah at The Mall. He told his pre-teen 'brother' that he texted Eric and he already knew. So, Charles quickly got his cell phone out and texted David and Cooper. They returned his text to tell him what they had heard. Charles called each of them to tell him his story.
"When will I get a cell phone?" whined Kevin.
"I didn't get mine until I was here almost five months," spoke up Robert.
"I think I was here about three months when I got mine," added Charles.
"Oh," was all Kevin could muster.
'Dad' Ken inwardly smiled, knowing what Santa was bringing each of the boys for Christmas.
It was then Mr. Ken's cell phone rang. When he answered it, he learned it was the Main Gate guard. He wanted to let him know someone who was in the database, but hadn't been there for quite some time was on his way down to the house. When Mr. Ken learned who it was he smiled and told the boys they had a guest coming to the Foyer Door.
The six Covers and Chief walked to the Foyer door and when the doorbell rang Mr. Ken opened it.
"Collin," yelled Robert and Charles, at the same time.
"How are my baby 'brothers' doing," said a smiling Collin, as he gathered the teen and pre-teen into his arms.
When he was finished hugging Robert and Charles, he opened his arms for the twins and Matthew to join him. Mr. Ken just stood back at the family reunion that was happening in front of him. When Collin finished hugging the three younger 'brothers' he went to his Big Bro and the two hugged as if they hadn't seen one another in years.
"Collin, I thought you would have been here yesterday," stated Big Bro Ken.
"Yea, I would have been, but Grammy ... she fell and Uncle Andy asked me to go there instead. She'll be OK, but she is frail, you saw her at Thanksgiving, so I felt like she needed family there for her. She sent me knowing I was supposed to be here, but I will go home tomorrow afternoon instead of staying until Tuesday like I had planned," explained the freshman college student.
"Ahhh, I was hoping you'd stay longer and go to Six Flags with us and then help us with our skateboards," exclaimed Matthew.
"Matthew, I would love to, but Grammy ... she needs me to be there with her right now. I am still going with you to Mr. Ken's amusement parks next Saturday, so we'll be together for a few days, then," announced Collin.
The Cover boys helped Collin take his bag to the guest bedroom. The younger boys then told their older 'brother' they were going to lie down and relax before the night's Holiday Party. Collin went back down to the Kitchen Nook to grab a quick sandwich and talk to his Big Bro.
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