Gene looked on as Mr. Ken held the young boy in his arms. He could clearly hear the boy's crying and wished he knew exactly the reason for the lad's distress. With that going on, he knew he couldn't focus all his attention on the man and boy, so he did his job and continued to scan the area for any potential threats. It wasn't long before George arrived and Gene filled his twin in on what was happening.
As the boy continued to cry, a crowd was beginning to gather, so George and Gene used their skills to persuade them to keep moving along. Before long a salesperson stopped by to ask if there was anything she could do. Learning her help wasn't needed, she called the store manager, along with security, to her floor. She was also ready to call 911 but decided against it, for now. She decided she would first wait to see what the store manager would do.
The store security was first to arrive and they immediately saw two men – George and Gene – directing people around the man and boy. They didn't see anything to cause them to think anything was wrong, but they still needed to talk to the man to find out why the boy was crying. They also needed to know why the man was holding the crying boy, so they walked over to them. It wasn't until the store security men got closer to the man that they recognized Mr. Ken.
"Hello, Mr. Ken," said the first security man, "is there anything that we can do to assist you with the crying lad?"
It was when Charles heard the question that he understood he was probably causing a scene and could possibly get his new foster dad in trouble so, he pulled out of the hug. As soon as he did, he saw what he thought were policemen, so he decided to answer the man's question.
"Thank you sir," began Charles, "my 'dad' … ahh, Mr. Ken, that is, he was just helping me deal with something that happened to me and he thought getting out and buying some new clothes would help. The thing is … I'm his new foster kid … and I've never had any brand new store bought clothes, ever, and when I saw that I would be able to finally have some I… I just couldn't believe it and I began to cry."
Just as Charles was explaining to the security men why he was crying, the store manager arrived. He heard the lad's story and then recognized the new foster dad was none other than Mr. Ken Thomas. He went over to the man and introduced himself and asked if what the lad said was really true.
It was Robert who answered the man's question by explaining his new foster 'brother' had recently arrived at Three Finger Cove and didn't really have any good clothes. He also explained that due to the 4th of July Carnival this was the first chance they had to get out and get Charles some new ones. The new teenager continued to explain to the manager that kids in the foster care system rarely got anything new and Mr. Ken was doing what he did best, and that was taking care of the kids brought to him
The store manager was moved by the story and told the saleslady to give Mr. Thomas a twenty-five percent discount on anything he bought. He also whispered to the woman that she better remember that man's face, and those of his boys, so, that the next time they shopped there she would handle the situation in a much better fashion. He also suggested she assist the man and his boys in their shopping adventure.
Ken Thomas thanked the store manager for his kindness but also told the man that he really didn't need the discount and he didn't want the man to get in trouble with his corporate headquarters. The store manager only smiled as he told Mr. Ken that the summer merchandise was already being heavily discounted and that his purchases would help deplete the inventory even faster. The store manager then told the saleslady to make that a thirty percent discount as he and the security men walked away.
"Well, Charles, you heard the man. He wants to deplete his inventory, so … what say we look for the clothes you need to get you through the summer?"
"Yes, what are we waiting for," exclaimed Charles, who then began to search through the racks of boys clothes.
Robert knew his way around the Boys Section and he led his new 'brother' to the better brands of clothes. The teen help the twelve year old select four pairs of shorts, to include two cargos, and one each of solid twills and chinos. They then chose two pairs of long legged jeans and four belts to use with either the shorts or jeans.
The lads then went over to the shirts section where Mr. Ken joined his 'son's'. There the trio chose a number of solid color Izod and Arizona polo's, a few button-down shirts to go with Charles's jeans, some Under Armour shirts, and some plain t-shirts for everyday use. Then they went over to the swim suits and Charles picked out 3 that he liked.
It was a giggling Robert who suggested they look at the boxers or briefs. Charles got a big grin on his face as he was looking forward to getting some boxer briefs like Robert wore.
"Well, Charles, will it be boxers or briefs, also known around the world as 'tighty whities'?" teased the lad's new foster dad.
"I think I'd like to get boxer briefs like Robert wears," replied Charles.
"Well, in that case, we can go home and get you some of his, then", said Mr. Ken, as he continue his laugh.
"'Dad', I mean Mr. Ken, you know what I mean. I want, ahh, I would like my own, please," responded Charles.
"Okay, then, let's see what they have here. You know … we can go to a few other stores to buy your new clothes, too, Charles. We don't have to stay in this one store," suggested Mr. Ken.
"I know what you're saying Mr. Ken, but … well, the man said we'd, well, you would get a thirty percent discount and I know that adds up when you're buying as much as you are," reasoned Charles. "And, I kinda like the clothes here."
"Well, in that case, let's take a look at the boxer briefs. Shall we?" asked Mr. Ken.
Robert beat Charles and his 'dad' over to the underwear section. He already had out a few packages of boxer briefs, in his new 'brothers' size, for Charles to look at. As soon as Charles saw them, he looked to Mr. Ken to find out how many packages he could get. They added four packs of four boxer briefs each to their growing pile of boy's clothes.
"Have we forgotten anything, boys?" asked Mr. Thomas.
Robert quickly spoke up and said, "Charles also needs some new shoes, sneakers, socks and lastly some luggage. Oh, I almost forgot. He also needs a cell phone and a wet suit and, oh yeah, and a skateboard." All Mr. Ken could do, when he heard what Robert said, was to smile at the antics of his 'son'.
The sales lady, who initially wanted to call the police, took her store managers suggestion to help Mr. Ken and his boys and continued to follow behind them and added anything they chose to buy to the never ending pile of boys clothes. As that pile did grow, she was glad she hadn't called 911 as she saw a potential sizable increase in her pay, that period, due to the extra-large one time purchase by the man.
"Charles, there are three things on the list that Robert suggested that we get tonight. We can get you a pair of nice shoes, a couple of pair of sneakers, socks to go with the shoes and the sneakers, and a couple pieces of luggage. I've already ordered the cell phone and we should have it later in the week. It is too late in the day for us to get you a wet suit but we can go out and get you one tomorrow or possibly Monday since all the boys are coming over tomorrow. We could also stop and get you a new skateboard when we go to get the wet suit. Will that be okay with you, young man?" smiled foster dad Mr. Ken.
Charles smiled back at his foster dad and then wanted to know where the shoe section was. Robert knew where to go so he quickly showed him the way.
"Ta-da!" said Robert, as they entered the shoe area.
Charles looked on and asked which ones he should choose first. Mr. Ken said he thought they should look at the fancy 'Sunday go to meeting' shoes first. So, that's what they did.
"There are so many different shoes to look at," exclaimed Charles. How do you know which ones to get?"
"That's easy, Charles," began Mr. Ken, "you get the ones that look good and feel great. Since you don't have a suit, we'll get you one of those later, it doesn't matter which color we get as long as the shoes fit and feel good on your feet. Now … let's walk along the aisles and see what they have."
Charles took his new foster dad's advice and he walked the aisles, with Robert and Mr. Ken looking on. Charles would stop every now and then and take a shoe off the shelf and look at it as if he was choosing a 1st Place Prize. When he finished looking at all the boy's shoes, he looked to Mr. Ken with a 'What now?" look.
"Now that you've seen all the shoes and took particular interest in a few of them, what say we take one last look at the ones you stopped to look at and try a few on," suggested Mr. Ken.
Charles went back and took two of the shoes he looked at off the shelf and asked if he could try those. Foster dad Ken looked to the sales lady who'd been following them and asked if she could help or could she find someone that could. The woman immediately took off looking for someone who worked in that area.
As he waited, Charles was thinking about the shoes. He looked at the two he picked, but he wasn't sure if he should get either one. Not ever having had new shoes, like those he held, he really wanted to get them, but there was something gnawing at him. The lad then looked at his new 'dad' and asked, "Mr. Ken … do I really need to get new shoes like these? I don't see the need for me to ever wear them, at least right now, so … do you think we could, you know, we could save some money and I can get them when school starts?"
It was then the saleslady came over to help the man and his boys, and asked how she could help them. Mr. Ken then looked at Charles and asked, "Are you sure you don't want new shoes? School starts in about seven weeks, which would mean we won't have to come back?"
"But 'dad', I mean Mr. Ken," sheepishly recovered Charles, "what if I grow some and … and then the shoes don't fit me? It will be a waste of money and … and we just can't afford to waste money right now," blurted out the twelve year old. Then, realizing he said what his mom always said about money, the boy looked like he was ready to cry.
"Oh, Charles … I understand what you're saying, young man," began Mr. Ken, as he held the about to cry lad, "and I appreciate that you don't want me to buy something you may soon grow out of. I'll tell you what … what say we look at the sneakers and at least get you two pair of those?"
"Why would I need two pair, Mr. Ken?" sniffled Charles.
"Well," started the man, but didn't get any further when Robert spoke up.
"Charles, if you wore the same sneakers every day they'd get stinky because they could never get the chance to dry out. Also, you want to have a fairly nice looking pair for when we go out to the diner or DQ. You DO need so stop worrying about how much they cost and get what you need," finished Robert.
"Yeah, what he said," laughed Mr. Ken.
Charles looked up at his foster dad and then to Robert and then wiped his eyes and smiled.
"Ahh, Mr. Ken … I think I'd rather get the sneakers and wait until we get closer to school starting before I get the new shoes. Is that going to be OK?" asked Charles.
"Yes … that will be no problem. I'll just invest the money, I just saved, and spend it on you at a later date!" again laughed Mr. Ken.
"'Daaaad'," said Charles. Then, realizing what he just said, he put his hand to his mouth and said, "I'm sorry Mr. Ken for calling you 'dad'".
Mr. Ken just pulled Charles to him and hugged him. When he was finished, he looked down to the lad and said, "I know, Charles, I know. Let's just finish getting the sneakers and socks and then we can go to DQ for an ice cream sundae." With that said, all Charles did was hug the man.
George and Gene watched on during the latest exchange between the boys and their employer, Mr. Ken. And, even though they were separated, from one another, by the way they covered the area, they each signaled one another that they'd never seen anything like that during all their years of protecting clients. They agreed they'd talk about it later when they had the chance.
Charles walked over to the sneaker area and began looking through the different brands and styles. He sort of already knew what he wanted, sneakers like Robert's', but he couldn't seem to find them. Robert showed his 'brother' the sneakers he'd like to have, so Charles asked to try some of those on.
As the three Covers waited for the saleslady to return with the asked for sneakers, a lady and a boy, about Charles age, came up to them.
"Mr. Ken?" lightly asked the woman, as she touched his shoulder.
"Yes? Do I know you?" smiled Mr. Ken.
"I'm Joyce Cambelle and this is my son Camden. We both were at your 4th of July Carnival and this year's was most exciting, wouldn't you say?" replied the woman.
"It's Camm, mom. I've told you a thousand times, I want to be called Camm!" exclaimed Camden.
"Hush, Camden, can't you see I'm talking with Mr. Ken," replied mom Joyce.
"Yes, mom!" reluctantly replied Camden.
"Oh, let me introduce my boys. This one is Robert," he began, by putting his hand on Robert's shoulder. "And, this one is Charles," Mr. Ken finished up, by pointing to the boy seated and waiting to try on some sneakers.
"It's nice to meet you boys, but what about Collin? We saw him at the Carnival with Ryan; I think is the lad's name. And …" began Joyce when Camm spoke up.
"Yeah, and he was also hanging with these boys too, mom," chimed in Camden.
"So, Ms. Cambelle, what can I help you with?" directly asked Mr. Ken.
"Oh, ah, I just wanted to stop and say thank you for hosting the Carnival again for us, Mr. Ken. I never did get to say 'Thank You' for the first two and when I saw you here I thought I'd stop by and thank you, in person, for all of them," replied Joyce Cambelle.
"So, you're one of my neighbors, then?" asked Ken Thomas.
As the two adults talked, the three youngsters began their own conversation.
"I know who you are," said Camden, to Robert. "You started going to our school right after Christmas and you hang around with Eric. No one really knew where you lived, even though you rode the school bus with us. It wasn't until Mike talked to you and asked if you lived at Three Finger Cove did we know."
"Yeah, I remember talking to Mike Summers, not long after I started school. He was a 5th grader. But, I don't remember seeing you on the bus," replied Robert.
Laughing, Camden said, "How could you? You and Eric were always talking about something and I remember if Eric hadn't told you when your Bus Stop came up you'd have missed it."
Charles looked at his 'brother' and said, "You almost missed your Bus Stop? How could you do something like that?" Then, Charles laughed some more.
"Hey, I was new and Eric … he was the only kid who took some time to talk to me that first day and we quickly became friends. And, we were talking so much that I almost did miss my stop. Lucky for me Eric knew his way to The Cove, and when we came up to it he mentioned it. And, when you look back at it, I guess it had to be funny," now laughed Robert.
"Hey, how do you know about me and I don't remember seeing you? You're not in my class are you?" wondered Robert.
"Naw … I was in the 6th grade and I usually sat in the front of the bus. Us younger kids knew not to sit towards the back where the bigger kids always sat … otherwise we'd get beat up," replied Camden.
"How old are you, Camden?" asked Robert.
"My name is Camm! Please call me Camm," responded Camden.
"So, how old are you then?" asked Charles. "And what grade will you be in this fall?"
"I'm twelve, and I'll be in the 7th grade when we go back to school," replied Camden.
"Hey, so, will I," smiled Charles.
Camden stood there thinking and then he asked, "I thought Collin lived with Mr. Ken? I saw him at the Carnival with Brad and Gordon, and some other boys, and you two, of course. I know Collin lived there after he was found in the lake. They made the announcement at the first Christmas Party. But … how can you two be Mr. Ken's boys? He isn't even married."
Charles looked at Robert to answer, since he didn't have a clue as to what to say.
"Camm … don't you know why I am living at The Cove?" asked Robert.
When he didn't get a response, the new teen asked, "Didn't you know that I am a foster kid? Just like Collin was. That I was sent to live with Mr. Ken?"
"Yeah, I heard that but … I never paid any attention to it. You weren't in my grade and … and I noticed you were always with Eric and Logan and many of the other 7th graders. Since, I was a 6th grader … I knew there was no way I'd ever get to hang with you. Then, when the word got out about, you know, the new skateboard ramps, I had hoped I'd … I'd get invited over to try them out since a number of the 5th grade kids got to try them out. But, I never did. Then, there was that … that fight in the cafeteria, you remember, between you and that 8th grader, Brody I think was his name.
"After that I didn't hear very much about the ramps and I knew then I'd never get asked over to try them out. So … I just stayed to myself and hoped that, one day, I'd get to. I talked to my mom about them and she told me that if I was supposed to be invited, I would be.
"The day of the Carnival … I had hoped I'd get to see you guys riding them and then I hoped I'd get the chance to ride them. But, when we entered Three Finger Cove and walked over to the Carnival, I could hardly see what they looked like, and I never saw anyone riding them," fully explained Camm.
"I'm sorry Camm that you didn't get a chance to try the ramps out," honestly replied Robert. "Mr. Ken told us he didn't want anyone riding the ramps the day of the Carnival because he knew that all the kids would want to ride them and there wasn't enough space to do that. Also, Eric and I did get to be good friends and I got to know the rest of the guys then, too. As for the 5th graders …"
"You don't have to explain, Robert," interrupted Camm. "I understand."
"I bet you really don't Camm," began Robert. "Sam and Terran … they're Chuck's and Trevor's younger brothers. They helped us build the ramps, along with their fathers, and Mr. Ken said they could use the ramps and bring a few of their friends. That was why the 5th graders got to come over to The Cove and check out the ramps."
"Whatever," replied Camden?
"Hey …" started Charles, as he stood up to defend Robert, "if my 'brother' says that's the way it happened then that's what happened."
Gene heard the loud exchange and quickly went to see what the boys were up to. The commotion also caught the ears of Joyce and Mr. Ken and they stopped their discussion and looked to the three lads.
"Sorry, mom … I guess we got a bit loud, didn't we?" explained Camm.
The adults shook their heads and went back to talking, but Gene, he decided to stick a little closer just in case the boys got out of hand.
"I'm sorry, Robert, it's just that … well, I always wanted to get invited over to Three Finger Cove and not just for the Holiday parties. They're fun, and all, but I … I've heard about the swim parties and the sleep-overs, too, and … and I always hoped I'd get invited … but, I never knew anyone so … so, I never got to go," clarified Camden, with a few tears beginning to form in his eyes.
Robert went over to the soon to be 7th grader and began to rub his back. Robert didn't have anything to say to the boy so he just stood there hoping his back rub would help Camm get to feeling better.
The saleslady watched as the boys had their conversation and, when she saw they had settled down, she brought two pair of sneakers for Charles to try.
"Here you go young man. Try these on for size. We do have a number of styles, but first we need to find your correct shoe size," explained the older woman.
Charles tried on the first pair of sneakers and found they were long enough but they were too tight across his toes, so he took them off. The second pair felt just right and he asked the lady what other styles in his size she had. The older woman lightly grabbed the boy's hand and asked him to follow her. She showed him the styles many of the boys were now buying, and she told him that before long they would all be gone. She said he'd better get them now and wait until school started before he wore them. Then, she told him that way he'd have one of the most prestigious footwear going. Charles smiled at the lady and asked if she had his size.
After choosing his first pair of sneakers, Charles asked the lady what would she recommend for everyday play but would also hold up to skateboarding. She quickly walked away and a minute or two later she came out with some good looking and colorful sneakers. Charles liked them right away. They had something the boy just knew it was what he wanted. After trying them on, he took both pair to his foster dad and asked him if it was okay to get them both.
"Do they fit you, Charles?" immediately asked Mr. Ken.
"Yes, sir … the lady helped me pick both pairs and I really like them," exuberantly responded Charles.
Ms. Cambelle smiled at the lad's enthusiasm and then looked to see where her son had gotten off to. She thought to herself that she hadn't planned to talk as long as she did, with the young bachelor, but she was truly enjoying it. She also wondered if she would have any luck with that very available and eligible college graduate who also happened to have loads of money. Sure she knew she was a little older, well, a bit older, than he was, but she knew in today's social environment people really wouldn't care. Thinking all that put a slight smile on her face.
"Great, we have everything, but the socks," announced Ken Thomas. "What say we head to that department and get Charles some new socks and then we'll be done?"
"Ah, 'dad'," broke in Robert, "we also need to get Charles some luggage?"
"It's been a long day already, Robert, and I'm sure we still want to stop by DQ. I think we can get the luggage on another day when Charles hasn't been so inundated with choices and revelations," replied Mr. Ken.
"But, 'dad'," Robert began to argue.
"Dad? You call Mr. Ken Dad?" incredulously asked Camden.
"Yep, I do," enthusiastically replied Robert. "It's a long story but … since, he is my Foster Father, and thus my foster dad, Mr. Ken allows me to call him 'dad'. Don't you 'dad'?"
"Yes, I do. We both agreed at the arrangement. He calls me 'dad' and I call him 'son'," answered Ken Thomas.
Camden was flabbergasted at that revelation. Then, he motioned to Charles to see what he called Ken Thomas.
"Ahh … I only just came to live with Mr. Ken last Wednesday, so ahh … we haven't had any real time to sit down and talk about that. So, for now I call him Mr. Ken, but I have called him 'dad' a time or two." That revelation caused Charles to put a smile on both his and Mr., Ken's face.
"Dang … you're both lucky to have someone to call 'dad'. I don't really know my dad. He left us when I was still very young," spoke up Camden.
With that said Joyce went to her son and pulled him into her. She knew the boy so badly wanted to have a 'dad', but she hadn't found anyone she thought would be worthy enough to be the boy's father. That was until she began to talk to Ken Thomas, that evening.
"Boy's … let's head to the socks department and then hit DQ," offered Ken Thomas.
As the three began to walk off, Charles whispered to Mr. Ken and asked if he could invite Camm over to The Cove tomorrow. 'Dad' Ken looked to Robert to see if that would interfere with anything he had planned for the next day. It was then Robert reminded his 'dad' that Sam and Terran would also be over, with the rest of the guys, so it really wouldn't matter. Mr. Ken then nodded to Charles that he could invite the lad over, and told him to tell Camden to bring his swim suit.
Charles quickly turned to see where Camm had gone. He didn't see the lad, so he asked George and Gene if either of them had seen where the lad may have gone. It was then that Charles saw Ms. Cambelle, so he hurried to where she was.
Upon seeing Camden, he said, "Camm … do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
Camm looked to his mom and asked, "Mom … do we?"
"I don't think so, Camden. Oh, I'm so sorry, honey, it's' Camm. No, I don't think we have anything planned. It's a Sunday, so I'll be relaxing before I have to go to work on Monday. Why … what do you have in mind Charles, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am, it's Charles, and I wanted to ask Camm … if he wanted to come over to The Cove tomorrow," replied Charles.
"You mean it? You really mean I can come over to Three Finger Cove, tomorrow?" an astonished Camden said.
By that time Robert and Mr. Ken had walked over to where Joyce, Camden and Charles were, and it was Robert who answered. "Yes, he means it … and we call it The Cove, mostly, now. The guys are coming over at twelve noon and bringing their skateboards and swim suits. You'll have to sign in or the guards won't let you past the gate."
"Guards? Is he going to be safe there?" quickly asked Joyce.
"Sure he is," replied a smiling Robert, "that's why there are guards."
"What he means is that ever since what happened at the Carnival, the other night, I've employed security guards to patrol the grounds until the Sheriff announces the problem is no longer, well, a problem" explained Mr. Ken. "So, Camm … would you like to come over tomorrow?"
"Mom … I can, can't I?" implored an anxious Camm.
Joyce looked to Mr. Ken and then back to her son and then to Robert and Charles before telling her son, Camden, that he could go to The Cove the next day. Upon hearing he could go to the place, he had wished so long to go to his face lit up like a Christmas tree and he jumped around for a few seconds.
As Charles was walking away, he called out to Camm for him to bring his skateboard and his swim suit. Camm could only smile at hearing that he probably would get to try out the skateboard ramps.
It didn't take the Covers long to choose socks for Charles to use with his new sneakers and wardrobe. And with that final purchase, they all carried some bags out to the F-150 and then they headed off to Dairy Queen for an ice cream sundae.
"What should I get 'da', err Mr. Ken?" asked Charles, after they'd entered the store.
"Well, why don't you look through their Menu and then choose the one that you think you'll like. And, if you don't want a sundae you can get a banana split," explained Mr. Ken.
Charles eyes lit up upon hearing that, and since he never ever had one of those he chose the banana split.
The three Covers decided to sit in a corner booth to eat their cold concoctions and to also have a quiet conversation about what they thought about their meeting with Joyce and her son.
"I sort of felt sorry for Camm," spoke up Charles. "He sounded so lonely."
"Yeah, 'dad', I have to agree with my 'brother'. Camm seemed so … so lonely. I remember seeing him at school … but, I never knew his name. I also don't remember seeing him hang around with many kids. You know, I don't think he has many friends, 'dad'," added Robert.
"You know … the way he talked … it sounded like he watched you Robert and … and I bet he wished he could be your friend, but he didn't know how to meet you. You were a 7th grader and he was in the 6th grade, and he did say he sat in the front of the bus, didn't he?" said Charles.
"So … you both see something not going to well with Camden?" directly asked their 'dad'.
"'Dad' it's Camm, not Camden," corrected Robert. "And yeah, looking back at what I remember about him from school, he just seems that he is miserable or lonely or something like that."
"You should have heard him when he talked about the skateboard ramps and who got invited. He sounded so disappointed that the 5th graders got to try them out and not him, a 6th grader," inserted Charles.
What the boys just said got Ken Thomas to thinking. He remembered that during his talk with the boy's mom, Joyce, she would occasionally touch him on the upper arm. He didn't pay any attention to it at the time but now he wondered if she was flirting with him. He told himself that he better watch out when he is around that lady. And, in the meantime, he told himself to talk to Camm and try to find out what was going on with him at both school and at home.