After Billy's departure from The Cove, the boys and their friends got back into their normal routine of setting up for the barbeque, skating and/or swimming, riding the PWCs, fixing lunch and then swimming or skating some more.
A thunderstorm came through that Saturday afternoon, so that dampened the boys' fun time some. But they still were able to burn the burgers and dogs while it rained and they ate and talked about how the summer had gone for them. Then they enjoyed the Skate Park after the sun came out and dried it off.
On Monday the Fire Chief and the Cover men talked about what they would do during the fire drill. They decided they would time the boys scrambling out of their beds, getting some clothes on and getting out of the house.
The Fire Chief wanted his men to see the fire controls Mr. Ken had in his house, and where they were. He also wanted the firemen to get acquainted with the layout of the house and especially where the bedrooms were.
After they had decided on the main parts of what they would accomplish, Mr. Ken asked the Fire Chief about them using the fire ladders from the boy's rooms. The Fire Chief liked that idea, but he was against the boys climbing down them because of the safety issue.
Mr. Wayne asked if his men used those large air bags and, if they did, could they set those up under the window they used, and also use a safety harness on the boys as they climbed down the ladder.
The Fire Chief smiled and said during a fire they wouldn't have the harness. Mr. Wayne countered and said the idea of them climbing down the ladder was to give them the confidence and the experience of what it would be like, so that if they ever had to do it, they knew they could. The Fire Chief said he'd think about doing it that way then.
They all agreed Wednesday morning, at 10 a.m., barring the fire station being busy with a real fire, would work for everyone. Mr. Chris then mentioned their insurance company would be present at the fire drill to watch.
The Fire Chief was surprised at that, but figured with the amount of money they were insuring they would want to see that Mr. Thomas was being proactive, ensuring the residents knew their fire plan and practiced it.
Wednesday morning the five Cover boys were excited they would be practicing their first fire drill at The Clove. They'd done fire drills at school multiple times, but this was the first time they would practice one there at their home, The Cove.
Momma Maria had breakfast ready early for all of the Covers that morning. Mr. Ken wanted the boys showered and dressed for when the firemen arrived to set up for what was planned. Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris were also there earlier than they normally would be, because they needed to know the procedures themselves.
The Fire Chief, in his emergency response vehicle, and three fire engines arrived about 9:30 that morning. The security guards were prepared for them and had the Main Gate open when they heard them coming up the street. The Fire Chief brought an aerial truck, a ladder truck, and a pumper and twelve firemen who manned the equipment.
The firemen set up outside and then the Fire Chief coordinated with Mr. Ken to pull the Fire alarm to see how long it took the boys to respond. The boys were up in their rooms, as if they were in bed, and they were expecting the alarm to go off sometime after 10 a.m. When it went off at 9:45 they thought it actually was a fire and they scrambled down either the back or front stairs.
Momma Maria, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris all headed outside and they met the boys on the other side of the driveway across from the Foyer Door. The Fire Chief had his stop watch out and when everyone was assembled at the curb, he stopped his timer. Forty-five seconds to be out of the building and one and a half minutes to assemble. He was very impressed.
The Fire Chief had his men set up the air bags under Robert's window. It was the highest window of all the bedroom windows. Mr. Ken prepared the boys for their descent and explained the firemen would put a harness on them before they went out the window, so they would be safe. He told them Mr. Wayne would be waiting for them at the bottom.
Robert went first, and he got to pull the ladder out of the box and they all heard the fire alarm go off. Mr. Chris then silenced the alarm via his cell phone app. But before the teen threw the ladder out the window, 'dad' Ken had all the boys' feel how heavy it was. They felt that it was more bulky than heavy. Robert then opened his window and threw the ladder out. Then, with the harness on him he climbed out the window and began his descent.
The ladder twisted and turned some as he descended. He wasn't expecting that at all. He thought he would go straight down, but the light weight of the ladder and the wind off the lake blew the ladder around and he had to make sure of his footing. It took him a good three minutes to descend the ladder.
All the boys did the exercise. Kyle and Matthew were the most skittish about it. The height was what they feared the most. But the fireman's encouragement and the fact they had the harness on them gave them the confidence they could do that.
Mr. Ken was proud of all of the boys when they were all down on the patio. Mr. Ken and the Fire Chief then walked the firemen through the house, to show them the layout of the home as well as where the bedrooms were and where the fire controls were located.
The firemen were surprised that the house had a fire sprinkler system installed and they commented that it would help them tremendously, if there ever was as fire, as it would help knock it down and keep it from spreading.
The Fire Chief then had the men set up the aerial ladder and put up some regular ladders against the house as a training exercise. The chief had the pumper set up to take water out of the lake and shoot water out onto the lawn for their exercise.
The firemen were still there when the Covers friends began to arrive. Mr. Ken told the barbeque team for that day to be ready to feed the firemen if the Fire Chief said they could stay.
The insurance company was impressed with what Mr. Thomas had arranged with the Fire Chief. They talked with the Chief, after everything was accomplished and the firemen were putting their equipment away. They also learned that Mr. Thomas was fully involved in setting up the fire drill and had asked him to do something similar in the fall.
When the men were close to finishing putting their ladders, hoses and bunker gear away, Mr. Ken asked the Chief if he could talk them into staying and having a burned burger and hot dog with them. The Chief graciously accepted and the men positioned their equipment near the Main Gate for a quick getaway if they had too.
The boys enjoyed having the twelve firemen, and the Chief, there for lunch. They got to talk to the men about their job, their trucks and equipment. Some of the boys were there early enough to watch them set up the aerial truck, ladders against the house and pump lake water out onto the lawn.
It was close to 1 p.m. when the firemen left The Cove that Wednesday. Mr. Ken thanked all the firemen as they walked over to their trucks to go back to their station house. The owner of The Cove thanked the Fire Chief for their time and efforts in doing that for him, but especially for his 'boys.'
The Chief told Mr. Ken that it was his pleasure and that what he was doing for those unfortunate boys was above and beyond what many people would even think about doing, and here he had taken a bullet for one teenager, adopted two others, and continues to foster more. The Chief saluted Mr. Ken for what he does for their community.
The boys had an early lunch, so they got to swimming and/or skating. Some even went out on the PWCs to enjoy them for a much longer time. The boys talked about the upcoming trip to the Lakeside Water Park and wondered how many parents were going. They asked Robert and Charles and they told them they didn't know.
The boys had also gotten into the game's competition. They got started last Sunday and many had already played a number of the games. The names of the winners were on the front of the poster boards while the loser's names were on the backs as that was where they had their second chance to remain in the competition.
When the Covers had their after-dinner meeting in the Study that evening, Charles asked his dad if any of the parents asked to accompany them to the water Park on Friday. The teen's dad said that Mrs. Sullivan volunteered, as she usually does, and that Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris would also be there, with him.
'Dad' Ken told the boys that they only had room for four parents and she was the only parent who called, so far. He added the night wasn't over and that he could get a phone call. And just then the phone rang. It was Carol Fletcher. Trevor and Terran's mom asked if she could go with them on Friday. She said Barbara Sullivan needed a friend.
Mr. Ken laughed and said that wouldn't be a problem. He told the woman to be there before 10:30, or they'll leave without her. He also told her to bring suntan lotion and a towel if she intended to get wet. He also asked her not to watch her sons, but to enjoy the day out in the sun.
The Covers finished up their usual talk in the Study before their 'dad' sent them up to their rooms to relax before getting into their beds. He told them he and Mr. Wayne would be up there soon.
The men started at Robert's room. It was there they learned that Lonnie had called Billy earlier in the week, but had asked him not to tell anyone. Robert said Lonnie told him Billy was happy where he was and was slowly getting into a routine.
Robert also told his dad that Lonnie said Billy's new foster family took him to the shooting range to learn how to use the guns they had in the home. Robert wasn't too sure about the next thing he told his dad, but he said Lonnie told him it had to do with the foster dad being a banker and that he needed to protect himself and his family. Mr. Ken put that information away for further consumption.
The man's son then told his dad that Billy understood why he did what he did and didn't really blame him for sending him away. That he only wished he could find out who framed him in the first place, and pay him back somehow.
Mr. Ken and Wayne were surprised that Lonnie had stayed in contact with Billy. But Billy had told them that of all of his friends Lonnie was the one he felt closest to, so it was inevitable that they would make contact.
In Charles' room, the teen asked if they really were going to visit the amusement parks again before school started. The boy also asked if his dad was planning on any new rides for the parks for next year, and if they would know what they were ahead of time.
The teen's dad asked Charles if he was thinking of following in his footsteps when he got older. Charles cheekily said that someone had too. The man ruffled the boy's hair and then moved on to the twins' bedroom.
The twins were excited about going to the water park. They couldn't remember ever going to one and this would be an adventure, just like when they visited SeaWorld, Six Flags and his amusement parks a few weeks ago. 'Dad' Ken was happy the boys were upbeat about Friday's trip to the water park. He told them to sleep well and then he and Mr. Wayne moved onto Matthew's room.
The men could tell Matthew was still a bit down about losing his older 'brother. But they didn't want to say anything about it, so they went into the room with an upbeat attitude. They asked him what he thought about the upcoming waterpark trip and what he might like to do there.
Matthew said he'd never been to a waterpark, so he had no idea what he could do there, but he guessed he'd have fun as he had at Six Flags and when he visited the amusement parks. 'Dad' Ken told the boy about a few of the water rides there and how much fun they could be. That brightened the boy's spirit some, and the men said they'd see him in the morning.
Matthew had put aside his wondering what had happened to Billy. He resigned himself to the fact that he'd never see him again, even at Four Corners. He no longer cried over Billy. He just wondered how his big 'brother' was doing now, and if he liked where he was living.
But even if he told his 'dad' that he no longer cried over Billy's departure, the boy still missed his 'big brother' and that night he did cry himself to sleep.
When Friday came around, the boys arrived at The Cove by 10 a.m. There was no roll call. The bus was already there, and at 10:20 Mr. Ken asked them to get on board by age, with the adults, Mr. Ken, Mr. Wayne, Mr. Chris, Barbara Sullivan and Carol Fletcher, getting on first. At 10:30 the bus departed The Cove.
The travelers arrived at the Lakeside Water Park around 11:30 that Friday morning. Mr. Ken got off the bus first to make sure everything about him still having guests enter free was still valid. He had his Black American Express card in case it wasn't.
The sponsor of the trip talked to the Water Park's manager who assured Mr. Ken that his guests were indeed allowed in free. Mr. Ken then went to the bus and told his guests to follow him. The park's manager gulped hard when he saw over fifty people get off a bus and walk towards the entrance.
The water park manager was going to stop the kids from going into the water park, but Mr. Ken told the man he is the one whose money built it, and he was given carte blanche, by the Commissioners, to bring anyone into the park for free. Mr. Ken told the manager to call them, but in the meantime, his guests were going into the park.
The boys who'd been there before knew exactly where they were going to go first. Matthew and his friends hadn't been there before, and were sort of left in the lurch by the older boys. Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne told the boys to follow them and took them to the wave pool first.
Mr. Chris joined Barbara Sullivan and Carol Fletcher in finding a place where they could sit and work on their tans. The women asked Chris why he was there without his family. All he could tell them was he was working, and his family doesn't come to work with him. That surprised the two women.
Chris qualified himself and added that Mr. Ken gives him the freedom to come and go as long as his job is done and up to date. He said being a chaperone today was a no-brainer. He said he owed Ken Thomas a whole lot and he was not going to complain if he had to work a little longer on one day out of the year.
The eleven-year-olds loved jumping the waves in the wave pool. From there they went to the bigger slides where they got to go down in big rafts. As they waited in line the adults made sure the boys put on suntan lotion, so they wouldn't burn. Even though many of them had good tans, being out in the hot sun for long periods of time could cause a sunburn that none of them needed.
The older boys were having fun, as well. Most of them had been to the water park before, so they knew which slides they enjoyed the most and rode them more often than the ones they didn't like so much. They did hit the wave pool a time or two, but the big raft rides were what they gravitated to.
About 2:30, Mr. Ken began sending the boys he could find up to the refreshment stand to get something to eat. He told them if they didn't go now, they would go hungry until they got home later on. All of the boys got at least a burger, fries and a soda, or a hotdog, fries and a soda. A few boys just got a soft pretzel and a soda.
But all the boys were back on the water slides by 3:30 and that gave them a good three and a half hours to enjoy whatever water slide they could get on. Head Rush was one of the slides Matthew and his friends liked because eight of them could race at one time.
The older boys liked the Water Works. That was where there were four different twisty slides that all emptied into one pool. It let them all gather together after they all got to the bottom of the slide to decide where to go next.
The older boys waited towards the end of the day to head over to the Flow Rider. That was where they rode a boogie board into a fast-flowing water to see how long they could stay on. When the boys were there last year, they timed one another and made it into a game. This time they just laughed at one another when they fell off.
The eleven-year-olds came over to that water ride and watched. They then decided to get in line to try it out. When they did that it caused the line to slow down because the ones who were there before were quickly running around after they fell off to get back in line. That meant they couldn't ride as often. They weren't too happy at all.
Luckily Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne were there with Matthew and his friends to run interference. When the bigger kids, not the Covers friends, began to argue with the new boys, the adults stepped in and told them their boys had just as much right to be there as they did. The older boys began to argue with the men, who told them to deal with it or get banned for the rest of the summer.
The boys backed down because they had no idea who those two men were.
When it was time to head back to the bus, the boys were definitely wearing out. Some had gotten way too much sun and they could feel it. Tomorrow would be a telling day for them if they would be at The Cove or not. The adults loaded onto the bus last. Mr. Ken knew how many boys were on the bus and he counted before he told the bus driver to take them home.
The bus arrived back at The Cove about 8 p.m. The parents were all there waiting for their sons who ran to them and told them how much fun they had. The parents thanked Mr. Ken for taking their child to the water park, and wished he would take some money to help pay the cost of the trip.
Mr. Ken again reminded them that when he invites his 'sons' friends to go with them he will pay the freight. All he asks is that the parents give their sons money for snacks or for games they could play while they are there.
After all the boys left The Cove, the Covers changed into nice clothes, so they could go out for dinner as Momma Maria was off that night. They only went over to the Four Corners Diner and got a nice dinner. Matthew did look for Billy, but when he didn't see him at the restaurant, Go-Kart Track, or miniature golf course he was disappointed.
The Covers talked about their day once they returned to The Cove and were in the Study. Matthew was the most vocal about what he got to do. He'd never gotten to do anything like that ever and he was just so excited about all he had done.
Even Kevin and Kyle were animated about what rides they rode with their friends at the water park. They each talked about how they saw the rides they rode and how much they wanted to go back again.
Robert and Charles said that what the Lakeside Water Park needed was a floating water park like the one they were on during their cruise. They said that would add another aspect to the park like adding a roller coaster does to an amusement park. Mr. Ken said he understood and when he had the chance to talk to Judge Barnaby, he'd mention it to him.
The boys went up to their rooms early that evening. It had been a long day and after walking up the slide's stair after stair, all day long, the boys were worn out. Mr. Ken wasn't much better off as he was a little bit older and had done as much walking as the boys had.
'Dad' Ken didn't spend much time in any of the boy's rooms that night. Mr. Wayne had already gone home, so he was the only one who visited the boys. They all shared something funny that happened at the Water Park and then 'dad' Ken told the boy not to stay up too late.
Chief was in Matthew's room when 'dad' Ken stopped there. Matthew told him how he looked for Billy when they were at Four Corners. Mr. Ken pulled the boy to him and told him not to get his hopes up and if it is meant to be, they will see Billy eventually. Matthew said he just wants to see Billy one more time. Mr. Ken just hugged the boy as he let out a few more tears for his big 'brother'.
On Saturday, the Cover's friends couldn't say enough about all the fun they had the previous day at the Lakeside Water Park. They all knew they had to thank Mr. Ken again for doing that for them. The boys who were responsible for the barbeque that day got to work in preparing the tomatoes and onions, as well as filing the dispensers and getting the sodas on ice.
Some of the boys decided to play against one another in the game's competition schedule. They all had hoped they could have the competitions finished by the Labor Day Picnic, so they could do the Championship during the Picnic. It looked daunting, but if they worked at playing the games each day, they eventually would whittle down to whom the individual game winners were.
Saturday turned into Sunday and the Covers and their friends were enjoying themselves as they had last year, but most of them were a year older. The games of King of The Raft were a bit rougher as the older boys were stronger and they could throw the eleven-year-olds further.
The lifeguards cringed every time the younger boys splashed into the water. They were happy though that the insurance company required twelve-year-olds, or younger, to wear life vests. It made their job easier, but they still had to make sure the boy was face up when they came up for air.
Russell had taken the Texas Boater Safety Course that previous Saturday and now with the certificate he could drive the Jet Ski. Mr. Ken had all five lifeguards there that Sunday as he wanted to train Russel how to drive the three-seat machine, and then drive it while pulling the water tube.
When the boys saw Mr. Ken showing Russell his way around the Jet Ski and then the lifeguard driving it around the lake, they all hoped he would be using it to tow them on the water tube. They weren't disappointed when Mr. Ken volunteered Charles as the first Guinea pig to let Russell practice towing someone on the tube.
All the boys watched as Russell drove the Jet Ski and Mr. Ken was the observer while Charles stayed on the tube. Russell was not too aggressive at first. That was until Mr. Ken told him to give it more gas. Charles didn't have a chance after that.
Russell drove the Jet Ski for about 90 minutes. By that time, he was physically drained. But a bunch of the boys did get the chance to ride the water tube before Mr. Ken told Russell to hang it up for the day.
Mr. Ken also told the boys that Russell would drive the Jet Ski and pull the water tube, but that the older boys had to work as the observers. Mr. Ken made it known that Russell would drive twice a day for no more than an hour at a time. The boys said they understood.
The boys now had another fun thing to look forward to when they arrived at The Cove every day. They had the Skate Park, the four games, the water toys, the water tube and some even had the PWCs to ride. The Cove was even a better place to go for the boys than it had ever been.
While the boys ate, Robert's friends would tell the younger boys their stories about when all they ever had was the concrete driveway to use their skateboards on. Then there were the ramps that were added that spring after Robert came to live there. They told how they would put the barbeque on when there were only four or five of them.
Kevin, Kyle and Matthew couldn't imagine what it would have been like back then. They were all happy they now had what was there now. Even Sam and Terran told their stories of how they helped build the ramps and how much fun they had, just like when they all helped build the lockers.
All the boys who were new to The Cove were in awe when they heard the stories. They never realized what it was like to be visiting The Cove even eighteen months ago when Robert first came to live there. They felt that Robert had always lived there, but only to learn he only moved there what seemed like a short time ago.
The Covers went out to eat that Sunday night as they usually did. They didn't eat at Four Corners as the boys wanted to go somewhere else. They said they hadn't eaten at Texas Roadhouse, so they wound up there that night.
The Covers all got salads, steaks and loaded baked potatoes along with raspberry lemonade to drink. The restaurant also provided unshelled peanuts for them to eat, as they waited for their meals to arrive at their table. The boys enjoyed breaking open the shells with their fingers to get the peanuts out. It was a new experience for the boys and they told their 'dad' to put that place on their list of restaurants to go to when they weren't eating at Four Corners.
They all stopped at their favorite soft-serve ice cream store on their way home that Sunday evening. The boys all got Sundaes versus banana splits. They also got Chief her medium cup of vanilla ice cream and she was in seventh heaven when she got the soft serve to eat that night.
The Covers sat and talked in the Study that night as they usually did. The boys thanked their 'dad' for having Russell get his Texas Boater certificate, so he could now drive the Jet Ski. They said they now had someone to drive them back and forth with the water tube.
Kyle told their 'dad' about the stories the older boys were telling them while they ate today. He explained they told how they only had the driveway to skate on when Robert came to live there and that was only eighteen months ago. Kevin said that with all they have there to do now, he would have thought it would have been three years, not a year and a half.
Mr. Ken reminisced with Robert over what was and how things changed with the ramps, the water toys and the PWCs. The boys liked hearing the stories as it made them appreciate what they have because they would be bored otherwise.
When it came time for bed, the boys went upstairs and waited for their 'dad' and Mr. Wayne to come up and say goodnight. The men started at Matthew's room and ended at Roberts.
Matthew thanked his 'dad' for putting up with him and how he wished Billy was still there. 'Dad' Ken told the boy he understood and for the boy to try to move on and to just think about the positives between him and the teen.
Kevin asked if 'dad' Ken had heard anything about his parent's trials. 'Dad' Ken said he hadn't, but he would make a phone call next week to see if there was any news on that front.
Charles asked if his dad had heard anything about Edgewood. Mr. Wayne said they had his phone number and he hadn't heard anything from them, since they visited almost two weeks ago. Charles said he could see how his dad could make that place so much better.
Robert told his dad that everyone was playing the four games and they were keeping track of the winners and eventually the losers would start playing to see which of them would get their second chance to stay in the competition. Dad Ken was happy the boys were still playing towards finding an overall Champion.
The Cove was quiet that evening. Chief had reverted to staying with Mathew who loved having her staying with him. The young Cover had even begun taking care of her needs in the mornings. The Cove was almost back to its normal self before Bill's arrival.
Ken Thomas laid down early that evening. He felt he needed the extra rest, and with all the boys up in their rooms, he felt comfortable in getting a few extra winks himself.
The man had felt he had just fallen into a deep sleep when his phone rang. He woke with a start. He answered the phone to learn it was Jules Diamond Security's main office telling him one of his coins just went off. That immediately woke Ken Thomas right up. He sat up on the edge of his bed and asked the man to explain everything to him.
A Note from the Author: That's it, the final chapter of Billy's story.
Now that his story has concluded, I would greatly appreciate all of your comments on the story's development and what you liked and didn't like about it.
Also, if you know of any 'problems' within the story, where I may have messed up with names, places or timelines, please drop me a line. That way I can fix where I messed up for the next generation of readers.
ChowHound
Comments are encouraged and appreciated. Just use the email address listed at the top of the page.