The boys were downstairs, and in the kitchen, well before 9 o’clock that Tuesday morning. They both said good morning to Miriam who returned their greetings, then put their breakfast in front of them. Today it was pancakes, crisp sausage and whole white milk.

As they ate, the boys talked about what they were going to do today. Mark said he and Kieran would do their exercises and then pitch and catch. Billy said he’d watch them and help them anywhere he could.

The boys then said they’d go over to the park and play some baseball and then go swimming afterwards. After that they said they didn’t have any other plans, although, Billy said he would like to go out and talk to the older teens later, after dinner.

Mark met Kieran out in the garage and the two boys began doing what exercises they could. Neither of them could wait until Mr. Golderson’s book arrived so they could begin doing all nineteen exercises.

Mark’s ‘big brother’ heard them talking and told them that you usually didn’t do every exercise every day. He mentioned that you usually worked different muscle groups to give the ones you worked the day before time to recover. The two boys never heard anything like that before, but they didn’t discount what the teenager told them.

Mark and Kieran went out to the backyard and began their battery. Kieran did change the target for Mark to pitch to and the boy hit the mitt the majority of the time. Billy watched them for a while and he was happy that Mark was able to hit the target wherever Kieran put it.

After the two boys worked their battery for about an hour, the three boys went over to the playground to play some ball. Again, Billy told the group that Mark was going to be limited to how many pitches he throws, because he’d just worked out for an hour with Kieran and he wasn’t used to pitching for a long period.

Some of the boys told Mark he should wait to come there and pitch, and not waste his throws in his backyard. Mark wasn’t sure what to do. Waiting to pitch when they played ball sounded good to him, as he would still get to pitch. The boy looked to his ‘big brother’ to see what he’d say. All Billy told him was they should talk to his dad tonight to see what he had to say about it.

The group played their game and when Mark got to forty pitches Billy wouldn’t let him pitch anymore. Many of the boys weren’t happy, especially those who were on Mark’s team. Billy kept listening to their bitching and eventually he told them they were all self-centered and didn’t care about what the extra throwing could do to Mark’s arm.

One boy even told Billy that if he hadn’t come to their neighborhood, none of that would have ever mattered. Billy shot back telling the boy that what he just said proves they only care about themselves and they didn’t care what it could do to Mark’s arm and his future.

Billy then told Mark that he was going home. The teen said his little ‘brother’ could stay and do what his friends wanted him to do, and ruin his arm and his future as a pitcher, or he could just play as it was agreed, or go home as well. Billy then got on his bike and rode away.

Mark was at a loss after hearing what his ‘big brother’ just said. He liked to pitch and especially play ball with his friends. But his new foster ‘big brother’ was pissed at what his friends were trying to do to him, and Billy decided he didn’t want to be there anymore, and rode away. Mark was now on his own and he had to decide what he was going to do.

Of course, the boys who wanted him to continue to pitch kept telling him to ‘come on, let’s play’. His friend Corey, who also played Little League Baseball, came over to him and talked to him. The boy told Mark it was his life, his arm and his decision to make, but he had to accept whatever happened to his arm if he messed it up.

Mark thought about what Corey told him and what his ‘big brother’ had told him a few minutes ago. The youngster felt they were both telling him he needed to do what was right for him, so he told everyone he was going home. He then grabbed his bike and rode away.

As Mark left, Corey received many jeers and taunts for what he told his friend as the game was now essentially over. Spencer, Corey’s big brother, stood up for his younger sibling and told everyone they could all go to hell and that it was a pick-up game not the major leagues and that he agreed with Billy and Mark.

The fourteen-year-old told his younger brother he was leaving and that he should think about doing that, too. Spencer got on his bike and rode away. Corey wasn’t too far behind.

“Well, Taylor, I hope you’re satisfied!” spoke up Drew. “We had a good thing going with us playing ball almost every day and now you’ve probably ruined it for us for the rest of the summer. I hope you’re satisfied!”

“Well, if that Billy character … if he hadn’t shown up, we wouldn’t have had to stop. And if Mark … if he had gotten a twelve or thirteen-year-old foster brother like he was supposed to instead … instead of this … this know-it-all we would be back to normal,” argued back Taylor.

Glenn said he agreed with Billy and that it wasn’t right to have someone ruin their arm just so they could play ball. Drew spoke up and said he was with Glenn. Then Briggs stepped into the conversation and said Billy was right to protect his little ‘brother’. He then reminded them what he told them all yesterday, that if it were Reese, he’d be just as protective.

The Oxtters, Brigs, Reese and Kieran, all walked over to their bikes, got on them and rode home. The rest of the boys followed suit. The only two boys left at the ballfield were Taylor and his nine-year-old brother, Tanner.

Tanner then turned on his own brother and said, “I hope you haven’t ruined my friendship with Mark, or any of the other boys I go to school with. I’ll bet mom and dad won’t be happy when I tell them what you did here.” Tanner then got on his bike and rode home.

Mark went looking for his ‘big brother’ when he got home. He found him up in his bedroom.

“Billy … thank you for sticking up for me. I never knew that Taylor was that way. I knew he was a bit hotheaded and had argued about things before, but today … I don’t know what set him off,” revealed Mark.

Billy looked at his little ‘brother’ and told him that, to him, they played the game too seriously and forgot they were there for fun and friendship. The teen told Mark that he wasn’t ever going to the park with him to play ball again.

Billy said he’d go there and would watch his little ‘brother’ pitch and make sure no one messed with him, but he wasn’t going to play ball anymore. The teen told Mark they played without him for a long time and they could continue to do so.

Today, it was Patrick Boemieller’s turn to host the swimming after they played ball. Mark asked his ‘big brother’ if he was going to go over there with him. Billy asked if that big mouth was going to be there. Mark said they wouldn’t know until they got there.

The teenager knew that Mark really wanted to go swimming and be with his friends. It was something he did routinely and he knew he shouldn’t take what happened today at the ballfield out on his little ‘brother’. So, Billy told Mark to get his swimsuit on and he’d meet him in the kitchen.

When Mark and his ‘big brother’ arrived at Jerry’s, the first thing they did was look for Taylor. Mark spied Tanner, Taylor’s nine- almost ten-year-old brother, so the two went over to talk to him.

“Tanner … is your brother … is he coming to swim?” asked Mark.

“No, he won’t. I told my mom. I told her what happened at the park between him and Billy, as soon as I got home. Taylor’s grounded until our dad gets home from work tonight. Taylor … he’s really pissed at me for telling.

“I wish I had a big brother like you have. Someone, you know, who looks out for me instead of being such a jerk at times and picks on me. I’m sorry for what he did, Billy,” offered Tanner.

“Tanner … thank you, but you didn’t start what happened at the park. Is your older brother … is he always such an asshole?” asked Billy.

Mark chuckled at hearing what Billy said. Tanner, though, answered Billy by saying that Taylor gets hyper at times, especially when he doesn’t get his way. The young boy said that is why he beats on him when his parents aren’t looking.

Billy told Tanner that he needs to talk to his parents about how Taylor beats on him and why and when. The teenager told the youngster that Taylor might need to talk to a professional, or maybe he has a medical problem inside of him that you can’t see and that can only be seen by doing some blood tests, and more.

Tanner thanked Billy for talking to him and not holding him responsible for what happened earlier. The young boy said when he got home tonight, he’ll pull his dad aside and tell him what Billy said. Billy told Tanner that was only a thought and from only that one interaction with his brother. Tanner said he understood, but it gives him something to start with.

Mark went off and got in the pool and played some games with the other boys. On the other hand, Billy searched out the older teenagers at the pool to talk with. Their topic of discussion was Taylor and his attitude at the park.

As the conversation began, Billy told them he wasn’t sorry for what he said and how he acted. He told the other teens that Mark is his responsibility and he’ll say and do whatever he has to, in order to make sure his little ‘brother’ is treated fairly and isn’t taken advantage of.

Briggs, Drew, Spencer and Glenn told the foster brother that they all agreed with what he’d said and done at the park earlier, and they didn’t hang around much longer themselves. They also said they didn’t understand why Taylor was so upset about Mark not pitching anymore as they had done that before.

They told Billy that they’d seen Taylor act that way a few times before, but never as he had today. Billy told them that Tanner just told him Taylor picks on him and beats on him when their parents aren’t around. Fifteen-year-old Drew said they know the parents and they need to help Tanner out here by telling them what they know about Taylor’s demeanor.

The boys swam until five o’clock, which was the normal routine. They thanked Mrs. Boemieller for hosting them today before heading home for dinner. Once there, they changed into their play clothes, and this time they hung their swimsuits outside to dry.

At dinner, Mark told his parents about how Taylor was such a jerk at the park today and how Billy handled him. Mark also told them how his ‘big brother’ stuck up for him and wouldn’t let him pitch more than they agreed to, since he’d thrown for almost an hour with Kieran.

Levi and Miriam asked Billy to tell them how he saw what happened. The teen, being older, very bright and astute, was a bit more descriptive as he told them what happened at the ballfield. Billy told the Goldersons that he wasn’t going to play ball with the boys from now on, but would be there to make sure no one messes with his little ‘brother’.

The Goldersons were happy with the full explanation of what happened at the park. They were even more relieved that Billy was there to make sure their son wasn’t made to overthrow and possibly ruin his arm. Miriam thanked Billy for taking care of his little ‘brother’ as a ‘big brother’ should. Billy smiled at her and felt gratified that what he did was the right thing to do.

When the family sat down in the Family Room after dinner, Miriam told the boys that she talked to Kimberly and Delta about having a cookout, and they all decided to do it early Saturday night, about 5 p.m., because they all already had plans for Sunday. She told the boys they all agreed that it sounded fun and they would have the cookout starting late Saturday afternoon.

Miriam then told the boys that they, along with Briggs, Reese, Kieran, Sydney, Dana and Alexa would be responsible for the menu and they would have to cook it. The woman told them that she and the other mothers would help with the typical salads such as potato salad, Cole slaw and deviled eggs and whatever else they thought would go with what they decided to cook.

Mark was a bit confused that they would be doing that, as he’d never done anything like that before. Billy told his little ‘brother’ that it would be fun and tomorrow they needed to talk to the other kids to see what they thought they should cook.

When they finished talking about the Saturday late afternoon/early evening barbeque, Billy mentioned to Levi how he found Mark hiding in that ‘Safe Room’ situated between their bedrooms the other night. Mark spoke up and told his dad that those hinges or whatever they are make way too much noise when he gets in there. Billy told the man they needed some sort of oil.

The three went up to the ‘Safe Room’ and Levi had Mark get into it so he could understand what the boys were talking about. As soon as the man heard the squeaking noise, he knew he needed to fix that, long before someone needed to use it.

Mr. Golderson immediately went down to his small workshop in the garage and came back with 3-In-One oil, a spray can of WD-40 and powered graphite. The man had his son go into the ‘Safe Room’ and when he heard the squeaking, he used the 3-In-One oil to silence it.

Levi then had his son go to the other entrance and even though it didn’t make any noise, he used the WD-40 on the hinges there just to make sure it didn’t make a noise when someone had to get into that safe area without the intruders hearing them.

When that simple project was finished, Mark told his dad about Billy’s coin. Billy reluctantly brought it out from under his underwear and handed it to his foster dad. And just as soon as the man had it in his hand, his son told him not to squeeze it.

That not only caught the man off guard, he was curious as to why he couldn’t squeeze it. His son told him that it was a special gift from Mr. Ken and his ‘big brother’ didn’t want it bent or scratched.

The man admired the coin and its unique designs on both sides. He felt it was quite heavy for being a commemorative coin. Billy told his foster dad that he was told the coin had a number of different metals in it, which caused it to feel so heavy. The teen also told the man the coin was bigger than a silver dollar as well, which also made up for the weight.

The boys stayed in Billy’s room, once Mr. Golderson went back downstairs. The boys talked some about the cookout, but before long the long day caught up to them and they were soon in their own rooms and eventually went to bed.

The boys were both downstairs and had already eaten their breakfast when Kieran came to the house to do the exercises and then catch as Mark pitched. The boys went out into the garage while Billy helped clean up after their breakfast.

“Billy … please talk with Briggs and Alexa today about what you want to do for the cookout. Involve the other boys and Sydney if you can. Let us know what you want to cook and what time you want to serve. You know, like if you were putting this on yourselves. If you have any problems get with me and we can figure it out. OK?” explained Miriam, about the upcoming Saturday night cookout.

Billy thanked his foster mom for allowing them to do that, and he told her they wouldn’t be disappointed. The teenager then went out to the garage to check on the two boys, but he also wanted to get Briggs’ phone number from Kieran, so he could meet with him later.

Mark had told Kieran about the cookout and that the teens were supposed to be ‘in charge’. Kieran quickly called his brothers and told them about the cookout, and he learned that their mom just told them about it.

When Billy asked Kieran for Briggs phone number, the boy said that his older brothers and sister were coming over to talk to him. Billy smiled and waited for them to show. He then asked the younger boy if he knew Alexa’s phone number. Kieran laughed and told the teen he didn’t have it as she was too old for him. All three had a good laugh.

The three boys were laughing when Briggs, Reese and Sydney came over to the Goldersons to talk to Billy about the cookout. Billy asked Briggs about calling Alexa, so she and Dana could be involved from the start. The older teen called the pretty young lady at her home, and they agreed to meet at the park around ten. She told them to bring pen and paper for notes.

Mark and Kieran finished their exercises and then went on to pitch and catch. Briggs, Reese and Sydney watched the two do their thing, as they sat with Billy at the table on the pool deck. The four talked about the cookout and how it all came about and how they were tasked to create the menu and cook it.

Billy explained to the other three how Mark asked to have a barbeque some night, but Mr. Golderson waited to talk to his wife. The teen figured that it was Miriam who suggested they do that as a teaching moment, since she was a college professor.

When it was getting close to ten o’clock, Billy told his little ‘brother’ and his friend they were headed over to the park to talk to Alexa and Dana, and if they wanted to hear what they were doing for the cookout they should come along.

The five rode their bikes over to the covered picnic shelter, where Alexa and Dana were waiting for them. The discussion continued with Alexa and Dana asking how they got assigned to make up the menu and cook it. Billy did the explanation, as to what he thought it was all about, all over again.

Alexa wasn’t all that happy that she had to help to do this. The three younger boys, Mark, Kieran and Dana were all enthused about getting to do something like that. Even Reese and his sister, Sydney, were interested in doing something they never thought they would get to do.

Alexa told the group she didn’t care to get involved, and they should do it without her. But her younger brother, Dana, reminded her that their mom told her she would be involved, or she would be grounded. The older teens just snickered under their breath when they heard that.

Billy had the pen and paper and asked everyone what they thought they should cook. Hot dogs and hamburgers were the first two things the younger boys offered. Billy didn’t discount what they said, but he asked the other members of the group what they had in mind.

Thirteen-year-old Sydney suggested they do steaks. Billy wrote that down. But Briggs said that those were expensive and they probably wouldn’t be able to afford to cook them. Reese suggested chicken breasts, then Briggs suggested they also do sausage. The younger boys laughed and said that was for breakfast.

Billy told the boys to hold their laughter that there were other types of sausage that people cook for their main meals. The teen then mentioned that there was polish, turkey, beef and a Kielbasa and an Italian sausage. He added that they would have to figure out what to serve with it, though.

Ten-year-old Dana then asked, “What about what we had to eat at the Block Party on the 4^th? Could we do something like that?”

The group discussed the different meats they had that day, but again Briggs said that many of those were expensive meats and they needed to be realistic. Billy was again reminded that families needed to watch their budgets, and they just couldn’t order expensive cuts of meat whenever they wanted them.

The foster teen then asked the group what they should fix with whatever they decided to cook. But the others said they needed to know what they were going to cook first. After some more discussion they decided on chicken breasts and a few different types of polish sausages.

The foster teen then asked the group when should they plan to start cooking this meal, reminding them that they also wanted to swim afterwards. They talked about how long it would take to cook the chicken breasts and sausages and when they wanted to swim and plan from there. They discussed it and decided they wanted to serve by 5 p.m., so they should start about four. They all agreed.

After more discussion the group decided on corn on the cob, asparagus spears, baked beans and baked potatoes. Billy then mentioned that his foster mom said the moms would make potato salad, Cole Slaw and deviled eggs unless we think there should be something different.

Mark asked if there was going to be some sort of dessert. Dana and Kieran seconded that question. That brought about more discussion. Billy asked how a dessert using fresh fruit sounded. He then remembered something Momma Maria made and told them what it was.

The whole time the group was together, Alexa hadn’t said anything other than she didn’t want to be involved. Billy wanted her to help, so he directed that dessert question directly at her. The young lady didn’t respond, so Billy put her name down for strawberry dessert for fourteen people. She said she wouldn’t make it, but her brother told the teenager that he’d tell their mom and their mom would make sure she’d do it. All the boys laughed.

The entire time the group was talking, some of the other boys came by the ballfield to see if there would be a ball game today. So, they did stop by and asked the teens and youngsters talking under the picnic shelter about anyone playing ball today. They then all walked away disappointed that no one in the group were interested.

Mark and his ‘big brother’ arrived home in time for lunch. As they ate, the boys told Miriam about their ‘cookout meeting’ and how it went. They explained what they had decided on cooking and what sides they wanted. Mark had to tell his mom about how Alexa didn’t want to be involved, only to have Billy put her name down for some sort of strawberry dessert.

Miriam asked Billy what he had in mind for the dessert. All Billy could tell the woman was that the dessert he was thinking of had lots of cut up strawberries, pieces of pound cake and lots of Cool Whip or whipped cream. Miriam said it sounded really good.

Mrs. Golderson then had Billy tell her what sides they wanted to serve. She liked the idea of corn-on-the-cob and was totally surprised when she heard them say asparagus spears. Miriam said that having baked beans really wasn’t something that would be served with their meats, but the baked potatoes with all the fixings sounded wonderful to her as a change.

When the boys finished eating, Billy had Mark help him clean up the kitchen. Then they had to decide where they were going to swim that afternoon. Today it was Carter’s turn to host the after-game swim, but Mark said he’d better call over there to see if that was still on, since they didn’t play today. It was.

Mark and his foster brother headed over to Carter’s to swim. They knew the pool wasn’t all that deep, but it was a place to catch up with the other boys and find out what they’ve been doing.

The topic of conversation that day was what happened at the playground the previous day and if they would ever have ball games again. Billy told those who were there that he wasn’t going to play anymore. He told them they played without him before he arrived, so they really wouldn’t miss him.

Tanner was there that afternoon, and he told Billy that his older brother, Taylor, the one who caused all of the problems at the park yesterday, wouldn’t be coming to the park to play ball anymore. The youngster told everyone that Taylor had been grounded from the playground for the rest of the summer. He then asked Billy to please come back and play as they were now going to be short one player because of Taylor. Billy said he’d think about it.

Mark and Billy returned home a little after 5 p.m. Miriam welcomed them home and told them both to go get their showers before dinner. Reluctantly, Mark went up to his room to get clean clothes he could change into after his shower. Billy just changed out of his wet swimsuit and took it and his little ‘brother’s’ downstairs and out to the backyard to hang up to dry.

Miriam talked to her foster son about the cookout and if he believed they could pull it off without the adults’ help. Billy said they could, but they’d still need the adults help. He told the woman that the other day was the first time he’d ever barbequed those chicken breasts and would still need someone to make sure he did it right.

Billy also said that the smoked sausages probably wouldn’t be much of a problem and that they were just bigger hot dogs. The two had a good laugh at that. Billy then went up to his bedroom to wait for his little ‘brother’ to get out of the shower and leave the bathroom for him.

While Billy was taking his shower. Mark heard his ‘big brother’s’ cell phone ring. He ignored it the first time it rang, but when it rang about 30-seconds after the first time, the boy went over and looked at the phone. He saw there was a name on the screen, so he figured it was one of his big brother’s’ friends, so he answered it.

When Mark answered it, he learned it was one of Billy’s former friends who asked where Billy was. Mark told the person that he was in the shower and he could have him call them back in about fifteen minutes.

The person on the other end made small talk with Mark as if he wanted his friend to call him back, but then he said he wouldn’t be available later. The older teen then asked Mark where they lived, so that maybe he could come over and visit with his old friend.

Mark didn’t know that he shouldn’t have given out their address and where they were located, but he thought he was doing his ‘big brother’ a favor. But before they ended the call, the person who called Billy asked Mark not to tell his friend he called, because he wanted to surprise him later in the week. He also asked Mark to delete the call from the incoming list in order for the surprise to come off. Mark said he would.

The caller who didn’t want Billy to know who called was Kaden. And what Mark didn’t know was that in giving the teenager their street address, he set in motion a series of events that would not only affect his ‘big brother’, but his entire family in time to come.

Mark didn’t tell Billy about the phone call, when the foster brother came out of the bathroom. Billy was only dressed in his boxer briefs and Mark chuckled at seeing the teenager dressed like that. The youngster did remind Billy that his mom probably wouldn’t like him doing that. Billy said he forgot he wasn’t where he used to live.

The two boys went down to the kitchen after they were presentable. The foster son asked his foster mom if there was something, anything, they could do to help put the dinner on the table. At first, Miriam sighed, but she knew the teen only wanted to feel useful, so she asked him and his little ‘brother’ to set the table. The teen smiled and told Mark to show him where everything was.

Levi came home from work as the boys were setting the table. The man kissed his wife and then thanked the boys for setting up the table. The man then went through his mail as he waited to be called for dinner. One of the items in his pile of mail was a large box, that made him think it was the book he ordered for his son, so he opened that first.

At dinner that night, the boys told Levi about their ‘cookout meeting’ and what they decided to cook and serve on the side. Mark then told the story about how Alexa didn’t want to be involved, but her brother said he’d tell their mom and she’d make her help. Levi smiled at hearing that.

Levi then told the boys his book arrived and that they’d look at it after dinner. Mark was ecstatic that he now would have the book that he and Kieran could use to do their exercises correctly. He wanted to see it while they ate, but his mom told her son that he waited until today for that book and that another few minutes wouldn’t hurt him. All Billy did was lower his head and chuckle.

Billy made his little ‘brother’ help him clean off the table and put things away, before he could talk to his dad about the book they were waiting for. Mark wasn’t happy about having to help. But he knew his foster brother would say something about his not helping and probably wouldn’t do something with him if he hadn’t helped. So, Mark just did what he could.

When everyone was in the Family Room, Mark’s dad brought out the book for him and his son to page through. The two talked about what they were seeing, and totally forgot about the other two people in the room. That was until Miriam said something to her husband.

Levi apologized and then told Mark to take the book with him and read it in his room. Mark immediately headed up to his room. The three all laughed at what the boy did.

“Billy … I called Doctor Jennings’ office today. They gave me an appointment for you for next Thursday. Will that work for you?” asked Levi Golderson.

“Yes, sir! Thank you, so very much for getting that for me. I wonder if I’ll see any of the other boys there,” offered the teen, as an aside. “What time is it for, may I ask?”

The man pulled out his cell phone and looked it up. He then told his foster son that it was at one o’clock and that he would be home for lunch that day in order to take him and meet the doctor. Billy told the man that was cool and he was looking forward to talking again with Doctor Doug.

Billy then asked his foster dad if he had made any of the other appointments, as the doctor was pretty busy. Levi said he hadn’t, but figured they would try to go every two weeks until all six appointments were used up. The man then said when he went to work tomorrow, he’d see if he could make the second appointment for two weeks from next Thursday. That put a big smile on the teen’s face.

Billy told his foster parents he wanted to go up and see how Mark was coming along with that new book. He told the man and woman goodnight and he headed up to the bedrooms.

After their foster son left the Family Room, Miriam asked her husband if he saw the smile on Billy’s face when he told him about the appointment. Levi said he had and to him that was a good sign, as the teenager was looking forward to getting something off his chest. The man said he’d bet he would probably talk about why he was sent away from his last home.

Billy knocked on Mark’s bedroom door. When Mark didn’t tell him to come in, the teen knocked harder and called out Mark’s name. When he still wasn’t asked to come in, the teen knocked for the third time, but slowly opened the door and called out Mark’s name.

“Why didn’t you just come in after the first time you knocked?” asked Mark.

“Well, where I used to live … we had what was called the Three Knock Rule. So, I did it so you could decide if you wanted me in your room or not,” explained the boy’s ‘big brother’.

Mark had Billy explain that Rule to him some more. They then talked about the exercise book, but before long, Billy said he was going to bed and would see his little ‘brother’ in the morning.

After his foster brother left his room, Mark smiled at knowing a secret that he wasn’t going to tell Billy about until his friend came to visit him.

It was a quiet night in the Goldersons’ household that Wednesday night.

The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhound at CastleRoland dot Net

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