Published: 27 Oct 2022

From Previous Chapter:

Ken and Kate were seen holding hands some during their meal and their smiles told anyone who looked that they were getting along very well like two adults do while they are getting to know one another. Ken did ask Kate if he could see her again. Kate was happy to hear that question and said he could. He told her he would call her when he could set it up.

After dinner, Rusty and Jessy hugged all of their new ‘big brothers’ before getting in their mom’s car. She thanked all of the boys for being such good ‘big brothers’ to her boys, and that they talked their grandmother’s ear off today, telling her all about them.

They all said their goodbyes and Kate and Ken gave one another a big hug and then they looked at one another before they separated. Then everyone went their separate ways.

‘Dad’ Ken suggested they all stop for some ice cream on their way back to the hotel. He told the boys they hadn’t done that since they’ve been on their trip, and they owe themselves that one last treat. The boys all agreed.

Mr. Levi was full from dinner and he really didn’t want ice cream, but when they got to the ice cream store and he saw all the flavors, he decided he’d have one scoop to satisfy his taste buds. His son teased him and reminded him that he said he felt like he was a kid again and a kid would never get just one scoop. Levi laughed, so he got a second flavor, and enjoyed it.

But, just before the group left the store, Matthew said to ‘dad’ Ken, “‘Dad’, we forgot to get chief her cup of ice cream.” Then he ran away fast.

“I’ll get you for that. You just wait and see!” laughed ‘dad’ Ken, along with everyone else.

Back at the hotel, Mr. Ken told everyone to pack for their trip home tomorrow and to leave out what they intended to wear. He told everyone to be down in the lobby by eight o’clock, showered, dressed and with all of their bags ready to load into the vans. Levi asked Wayne to change his dressing and then then the boys helped him pack his clothes.

The three adults met in the hotel’s bar for a few adult drinks before they headed up to their rooms to go to bed for the night. They talked about the trip, but Ken asked Levi for his take on what he saw during his four days.

Levi sat there thinking for a few moments, and then he told his host that this was something he and his son will always remember. He told Ken that he could never have afforded to do a vacation the way he did it, but he liked his style. The three had a good laugh over it.

Up in Collin’s room, he, Robert, Eric, Charles and Billy talked about what they saw with their ‘dad’s’ infatuation with Kate. Robert told them about his conversation the other day about his dad, that one day he would start dating and would eventually start his own family.

Robert told him that he told his dad that he wasn’t getting any younger, and that if he was thinking about getting married, and having kids of his own, he needed to start looking. He added that his dad bopped him on the back of his head for saying that. The boys all laughed.

Billy got serious then and asked what that would mean for him and his ‘brothers. Robert told the older teen that his dad told him that if the woman he dates can’t accept that he’s adopted two teenage boys and fosters others, then she isn’t the woman for him. Billy was super relieved to hear that.

When the travelers met down in the lobby the next morning, it appeared everyone had gotten a good night’s rest. They seemed cheerful as they gathered together and Mr. Ken paid the bill. Their transportation was outside, so the boys began taking their bags outside.

When that was finished, a few of the boys asked if they could grab a muffin and a carton of milk to take and eat along the way to the airport. ‘Dad’ Ken reminded them they would get a good breakfast on the plane. But they said they needed something to hold them over until then. The adult smiled at hearing that and told them to hurry up.

At the airport, the boys all said goodbye to Collin. They asked him when they would get to see him again. The soon to be college sophomore told them that it would probably be Thanksgiving at Wilkinson, and he was looking forward to that, too. They all hugged one another and the younger boys headed onto their plane.

Collin and his Big Bro stood together and talked. Collin kiddingly asked him how serious he was with Kate. His Big Bro told him that it wasn’t any of his business. He reminded his lil’ bro that he knew they just met, but that he kind of liked her and only time would tell. He did add that she was the first woman that he felt was down to earth and wasn’t out after his money.

Collin told his Big Bro that was one of the main reasons he hadn’t been dating much, his money. He said he was afraid to get too involved with someone and then let a money grabbing hussy take him to the cleaners. He explained he liked what his Big Bro was doing and that was staying low, dating some, and waiting until he got older.

Collin’s Big Bro told the teenager he had all the time in the world to start a family. He told Collin to finish his education, learn how to run his empire and surround himself with trusted confidants. Mr. Ken then told the teenager to call him any time he needed to talk. Collin grabbed the man and hugged him as a few tears fell.

If the CWE pilots had a horn to blow to hurry the two up they would have blown it. But they knew how much Collin looked up to Mr. Thomas, and they knew the two needed to say their final words before they parted until the next time they met.

Breaking the hug, Big Bro Ken told Collin he was only a phone call away, but he now has seven boys who rely on him and he can’t just run down to Wilkinson, or up to the college campus, at a drop of a hat. He reminded the college sophomore that Matthew’s mom will go on trial when they get back and the boys all go back to school next week.

Mr. Ken added he will move into his new office building by the end of the month, will hold his first meeting of all of his amusement park managers after the Labor Day weekend and he will probably be entering into a new joint venture with Mr. Levi’s investment group soon to build a marina out at Four Corners.

Collin told his Big Bro that he envied him with everything he had accomplished and he hoped that when he finally gets to be in charge of his ‘empire’ he will be able to do similar things. The teen’s Big Bro told Collin not to mimic him, but to establish his own mark on the world. Collin knew what the man meant. They hugged one more time and then they each headed to their own waiting business jet.

By now, Mark knew what he needed to do upon take off so he just got in his seat, hooked up the seatbelt and waited until they were at cruising altitude. Once there, the flight attendant came back to get everyone’s breakfast order.

During breakfast, Mr. Ken asked Levi what he thought about bringing Miriam to The Cove to finish up her recuperation. Levi said that his host was already doing so much for him and Mark and that adding Miriam was too much of him to ask.

Mr. Ken explained that Miriam could share the guest suite with him, and they could get used to her new hip. The owner of The Cove added that she would be back with her men and she would have Momma Maria at the house during the day if she needed any woman’s help.

Ken told Levi that he would have Momma come in over the weekends, so Miriam would have good breakfasts and lunches and they would go out to dinner those nights as they have done.

Wayne jumped into the conversation and reminded Levi that he still needed wound care and his wife would, as well, and this way they could both receive it at the same time and they both could go to Mark’s soccer games this way, too.

Levi was liking the way they were trying to convince him to bring Miriam back to The Cove when they returned back there. He told them they sold him, but now he needed to sell the idea to his wife. He told them that they would need to get it cleared by her doctor and that it might be Thursday before they could move her there. Ken told him to start working on it as soon as they got back.

Mr. Ken then asked Levi when he could set up a meeting with him and his investors, so they could get a feel for one another and discuss, in general, the idea of forming a partnership and moving forward with the marina project. Levi said as soon as he gets back, that will be the second set of phone calls he’d make.

Ken then told Levi that they’ll get back around noon and although the boys will be hungry and tired, he was taking them out to get them their school clothes. He added that he was taking Mark with them. Levi began to balk at the man spending more money on his son, when he was employed and could buy the boys his school clothes for him.

Ken smiled and told Levi that CPS gives him clothing money for the boys and he wants to make sure he spends Mark’s share. He also didn’t want Mark to feel left out when they all go out and get new clothes and he doesn’t.

The two also talked about where Mark would attend school. Ken told Levi he could drive his son to his old school and pick him up every day, or he could let Mark go to school where the boys go and when he finally moves back home, they could move his studies/grades to his old school. Levi told Ken he and Miriam would talk about it.

‘Dad’ Ken went to the back of the jet to talk to the boys. He had all of them gather on the divans so he could talk to them before they got back to The Cove.

“Boys … we haven’t had a meeting since we left, so … well, I want to tell you what you have in store when we get back today. … OK … listen up. When we get back, you need to get your dirty clothes in the hampers. Then, we’re going out to lunch,” got out ‘dad’ Ken before being interrupted.

“But what about our friends coming over?” asked Kyle.

‘Dad’ Ken smiled and then said, “I asked you to listen up, so wait until I finish, please. … Now, as I was saying … then we’re going out for lunch. After lunch we are going school clothes shopping. Shirts, pants, shorts, socks, underwear and shoes. The works. If we don’t do it today, we’ll do it tomorrow, which will delay you getting to see your friends.

“Robert, I expect to have a letter waiting asking you to come to the high school for orientation. No getting around that. We also need to get all of you your bus schedules and lunch passes. It seems we didn’t get those as I had hoped to before the trial.

“Boys … there are going to be changes at The Cove this school year. Robert starts high school, and you all are going on to the next grade. Bill is back with us, and with the departure of two of his friends there probably will be at least two or more new friends added.

“Then there is Mark. He will probably be with us until Labor Day weekend. Also … his mom Miriam … I just asked Mr. Levi if he thought Miriam would want to join us at The Cove. If she does … she will share the guest suite with him and thus their family can start coming together before they move back home.

“And, speaking of the Labor Day weekend, as you know, we are having a big picnic. This will be a huge one as not only will there be our usual invitees, but I will also invite the Goldersons’ friends as well. This picnic will start early and end late. And boys … please do not ask to have a sleepover.

“Once school begins, your friends will again have to go back to their arrival and departure schedule of noon to five or six depending on the day. And remember, I am moving my Study office to the office building and I will work from there.

“And one last change that you will have to get used to is my hiring of Mr. Dennis. If he passes his background check, he should be on board beginning Wednesday, and he will be working almost every day through the Labor Day weekend. He will be tasked to take you to appointments and make soda runs and any of the other responsibilities Mr. Wayne has.

“I want him to get accustomed to our schedule, but mostly so he can get to know you and you, him. Please treat him well and give him every opportunity to succeed. I am hiring him to relieve Mr. Wayne from working upwards of sixty hours a week. Now … do you have any questions for me?” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

The boys looked around at one another to see if anyone was going to ask something. Then Robert asked his dad if Mr. Dennis was going to get his foster parent’s license like Mr. Wayne had.

The teen’s dad said that was something that would have be discussed later if he decided to make Mr. Dennis a full-time employee, but for now, Mr. Dennis would only work part-time and fill in when Mr. Wayne needed time off, or they needed the extra person as they did just before they left for their trip.

None of the boys would ask their ‘dad’ about Kate. The older boys had discussed that question in Collin’s room the previous night, and the younger boys asked Robert and Charles what they thought after they were out of earshot of their ‘dad’. The two adopted teens told the younger boys that their dad would eventually start dating and had told Robert that and as he does, they have to accept it and just go along with it.

Robert did allay their fears when he told them that his dad had told him that if any woman, he dates, can’t accept his adopted boys and the fact that he fosters them, then she would not be someone who he would be compatible with.

Mr. Ken told Wayne to ask Chris if he had the keys made for all the boys and if he did then they needed to get them to them by the end of the weekend. The man explained that he and Chris had that discussion and that he felt the boys should have their own key for the house and now they would also have something for their Three Finger Cove keychain.

Mr. Wayne asked his employer if Mark’s soccer team would be invited back to use the soccer field. Mr. Ken said he didn’t see why not. But he did ask his Estate Master to call the company and have it relined now and before the Labor Day Picnic. Wayne made a note to his cell phone.

The two Covers discussed doctor appointments for the boys. Mr. Ken told Wayne they needed to get all the boys back in to see Doctor Doug and to make dental appointments for all of them as well, but especially for Bill and Charles. ‘Dad’ Ken said he wanted the boys to talk to Doctor Doug as a chance to get caught up on anything that might have crept up over the summer.

‘Dad’ Ken said that with all the changes going on at The Cove, it would give the boys someone else, beside them, an opportunity to talk to about the changes, so they can fully wrap their minds around what they see and how it might affect them.

The men talked about the dentist appointments. Mr. Ken said he was remiss in not having the boys see a dentist before school let out and now, he wanted to make sure they all saw the dentist at least twice a year. He also said they needed to get clarification on whether or not Charles needed braces, and if Bill needed to have some wisdom teeth removed now or when he got older.

Levi Golderson listened to the two men talk as they all flew west back towards home. He saw how they worked as a team to ensure the boys were not only treated equally, but that they weren’t lost amongst the masses and the many things that went on at The Cove.

Levi also wondered to himself how Ken and Kate’s friendship would mature as time moved along, or would it. He knew the chances weren’t good when you considered they were almost fifteen hundred miles apart. He saw the way they enjoyed one another’s company and how Kate did make the effort to come back to the park to see him last night. He said to himself that it meant a lot in his book. But he wished them well in making it work.

The flight went well and after their three-hour flight, the travelers arrived back at the General Aviation services area of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at around eleven o’clock, after gaining that hour they lost when they flew back east last Monday.

They still had to deplane and load their bags into the two limousines Mr. Chris had hired to take them back to The Cove. They all used the Restroom facilities before they began their almost ninety-minute drive home. They split up as they had when they rode over to the airport ten days previously.

Some of the boys wanted to stop to get something to eat along the way, but ‘dad’ Ken told them to ‘suck it up’ as they would get lunch after they got home and before they went out school clothes shopping. He told them they all needed to get home and see what was waiting for them.

It was close to one o’clock that afternoon when the travelers entered through the Main Gate of The Cove. Ms. Judy and Chief were waiting at the Foyer Entrance for them and as soon as Mr. Ken opened his limo’s door Chief went bounding towards him. The resident pet almost bowled him over with her exuberance.

Chief then had to welcome all of her ‘boys’ home. She went to all of them and gave them lots of doggie kisses and received plenty of behind the ear scratches in return.

Mr. Ken had the boys take their bags up to their rooms and put their dirty clothes in the hampers. He asked Mark and Matthew to help Mr. Levi with his bags. He also directed the boys to be back downstairs in fifteen minutes as they were going out for lunch.

Ken asked Levi if he would go out and visit with Miriam and talk to her about moving to The Cove, and if she agreed to try to talk to her doctor to approve the move and then to arrange for wound dressing changes and any prescriptions, she would need to have filled.

Levi made sure Ken was OK with that move and upon getting that assurance, he readily agreed to go over and talk to Miriam and hopefully put everything in motion.

Ms. Judy took her son and Robert in her car as the rest of the Covers headed out to a fast-food restaurant for lunch. The boys were famished and they ordered large fries and drinks to go with their large burgers. Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne did the same, while Ms. Judy only got the medium size burger, fries and drink. Mr. Wayne bought.

The adults talked about the trip and it was then Ms. Judy learned about Kate and her two youngsters. That surprised Judy and she just had to know more. Wayne had a few pictures on his cell phone, so he shared them with Judy. Judy commented that the woman was very pretty and the two looked good together. But the woman would talk to Eric later and get his first-hand observation and take on Mr. Ken’s woman friend.

When lunch was over, the Covers headed over to The Mall to shop for school clothes. Billy and Robert headed over to the young men’s section to try on some pants, while the rest of the boys headed to the boy’s sections for their new school clothes.

Each boy, including Mark, got to pick out five new polo shirts, four new pairs of shorts and one pair of long pants. They were also to pick up a pair of shoes for school along with socks and underwear. When they were finished, they headed out to the outlet mall to see if they had anything out there the boys might want to add to their take.

The twins asked if they could look at the Under Amour shirts and maybe get some. The other boys asked if they could stop and look at the Nike store. Since both stores were close by, Mr. Ken parked nearby and the boys walked to the stores they wanted to look in.

Of course, the boys got t-shirts and from the stores they liked as well as a pair of running shorts. These shirts could not only be worn to school, but they could also be worn as after school tops if they ever went where they needed to wear something nice, but they didn’t want to wear a polo shirt. The shorts could also be used for school or for when they played or skated.

Charles asked his dad if they could get a second pair of shoes. He said they would usually get two pairs and they only got one at The Mall. The teen’s dad said that was why he brought them out there. He said he wanted to show his son he was trying to save a few pennies. Charles laughed, but he and his ‘brothers’ eagerly went looking for a second pair of shoes.

When all their school clothes shopping was done. Matthew asked if they could get a soft pretzel, or two, and a dipping sauce and a drink. When asked how they could be hungry after that big burger and all those fries they ate, the twins said they did a lot of walking and were now hungry.

Defeated, ‘dad’ Ken laughed and stopped at the pretzel shop and the boys each got two pretzels and two dipping sauces, to share, and a drink. Mark was totally surprised at all the clothes he got for school. And now he was getting something he never remembered ever getting and he was looking forward to this special treat.

The boys shared their dipping sauces, but they basically got the same ones. There was caramel, cheese, sweet glaze, hot salsa, cream cheese, honey mustard and marinara. But a few of the boys got cinnamon sugar pretzels and pepperoni pretzels besides the original ones that changed the flavor mixes. But they didn’t care and neither did Mark, as he was enjoying something totally new.

As the boys ate, ‘dad’ Ken asked them if they thought they had gotten everything they needed for school. He then went through a litany of things, like pencils, pens, notebooks, protractors and more. Robert spoke up and said many of the local stores had lists of things the schools recommended the different grades should have at the start of school.

So, on the way home, the Covers stopped at one of the big stores and they all went inside and found their grade lists and began shopping for the items on their lists. Mark didn’t know what he should do, so he asked his foster dad where he would be going to school.

Mr. Ken told Mark that he and his dad had talked about that, but they hadn’t made a decision. Mr. Ken told Mark that he felt that what’s on the local fifth grade list would more than likely be on his school’s list, so they should get that. The man added that if and when he goes back to his regular school, he can add to it. Mark liked that answer and went and got a fifth-grade list and began shopping.

When the Covers arrived back at The Cove, Mr. Levi was waiting for them. The boys took their clothes up to their rooms to try them on to make sure everything fit the way they wanted and then to take the tags off and put them in their hampers. They also put their school supplies away.

Ken, Wayne and Levi went into the Study to talk about Miriam. Levi told them that Miriam initially told him she wasn’t sure that she should come there and be a bother. But Mr. Golderson told the men that once he explained that they would be together, along with their son, until their home was finished, she finally agreed.

Levi told them that they have a phone call into their doctor to approve her move to a private residence. He also said he called the company that changes his dressing and set it up for Harper to come tomorrow morning at ten and asked if they could also service his wife when she moves there. He added that they agreed to do that once they get the paperwork.

The only question the men had was when Miriam would be allowed to move to The Cove. Levi told Ken and Wayne they hoped it would be at the end of the day tomorrow. He said they looked through her original paperwork and the approval should only be a formality in getting their insurance company to approve the in-home medical care.

Wayne then asked Levi if he wanted to have his dressing changed before or after they went out to dinner. Levi said that since the boys weren’t down yet, it would be nice to get it out of the way. The two men quickly headed up to the guest suite to change Levi’s dressing.

Mark still couldn’t believe all the new clothes he’d gotten for school. He knew his parents would have gotten him some new things, but not as many as his foster dad had gotten him, not to mention the two new pairs of sneakers and the extra stuff from Nike and Under Armour which he normally would never have gotten.

Dinner that night was very lively. The boys couldn’t wait until tomorrow when their friends would be back and they could tell them all about their trip. ‘Dad’ Ken stepped in and told them that he and Mr. Wayne would be taking them to their schools in the morning to get them their class and bus schedules and the lunch passes. He told Robert that he had to go to the high school for orientation at ten o’clock on Thursday and that was when he would get his class and bus schedule. The teen’s dad told him he’d get him his and Bill’s lunch pass when he drops him off.

The boys moaned at hearing that, but their ‘dad’ told them their friends could come to The Cove and wait for them, as they would normally do if they had gone out to breakfast. He then told Mark that he would be going to school with his ‘brothers’ until he moved back home.

Levi then told his son, and the rest of the boys, that he and his mom were working to move her there to The Cove. He explained that this way they could all be together as she finished up her rehab and they would all be together until their home was finished being fixed after the invasion. He told everyone that should be in about two more weeks after all the painting was finished.

‘Dad’ Ken then asked the boys if they had checked out the changes to the other bathroom. The boys told him they had totally forgotten all about him doing that while they were gone. They all said they would do that the first thing when they got home.

Of course, after dinner, the boys had to drive the Go-Karts. Mark was excited he’d get to do that again. The boys got in line and they talked to a few of their friends they knew who were also in line. The Covers told them about their trip and how they had Fastest Passes at each of the four parks and got on the rides without even waiting sometimes.

When it was their turn to ride, Matthew had called ‘front’ along with Charles, and that made Robert, Billy and the twins pick a kart behind them. Billy told him he was on his own and he wouldn’t be doing any interference for him this time.

Mark smiled and said he wanted it that way, to see how well he could drive without any help. Mr. Ken, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Levi waited outside the track. Mr. Levi wanted to watch how well his son would do.

When the Green light lit up, Matthew and Charles mashed their gas pedal and raced out of the starting blocks and, of course, they led the pack of twelve karts. Charles raced in front of Matthew who followed his ‘brother’ closely behind. Robert and Billy were tight on their back bumpers and trying to pass them, but Charles had raced his older brother enough times to know all of his moves. He wasn’t going to let Robert by him.

Mark was still the novice out on the course and before long, both Robert and Billy passed him and then so did the twins who laughed as they passed. Mark decided he needed to be more aggressive so he began to take chances, but he forgot that you braked into the curve and sped out of them. So, when he went into a curve too fast, he spun out.

Mark was mad at himself for making that stupid mistake. Doing that put him at the end of all of the karts and at the end of the race he finished twelfth.

Dejected, Mark didn’t go exuberantly over to his dad after the race. He did go over to him though, where his dad did console him for doing his best and telling him he learned from his mistakes. Levi then hugged his son to him who melted into the man.

The group stopped at Mr. Ken’s Kreamy Kone for ice cream that evening before heading home. They all got sundaes instead of banana splits that evening. Of course, they got a cup with a double scoop of vanilla ice cream for Chief. When they got home, Mark was selected to give it to her.

“Chief … I have your ice cream treat for you. Come and get it,” yelled Mark, as he entered the Kitchen Nook.

Chief was already there, because she heard the garage door opening and knew her ‘men’ were home. So, she just sat down and waited for Mark to put the cup of ice cream down on the floor for her. The rest of the Covers and Mr. Levi came into the Kitchen Nook right after Mark did and they heard the boy call for Chief and then they saw the resident pet eating her treat.

As soon as Chief finished her ice cream, she went to Mark, sat and then raised her paw for him to shake it as a way to thank him for giving her the treat. Then, as soon as Mark reached for Chief’s paw, she put the paw down and began to give the youngest Cover some doggie kisses. Everyone laughed at the pet’s antics.

There were more people than chairs in the Study, so they met down in the Great Room. Mr. Ken did what he would normally do, up in the Study, and reviewed what would happen tomorrow and over the next few days.

“Boys … Mr. Wayne, Mr. Levi, Robert and Bill will hold down the fort tomorrow while I take you to the school to get your class and bus schedules and lunch passes. I also will register Mark while we are there.

“I heard from Mr. Diamond and Mr. Dennis, his name is Dennis Florkert, did pass his background check and he will be on board with us beginning tomorrow about eleven. Remember, Mr. Dennis will be a part-time employee.

“Since I will be at the school with most of you, Mr. Wayne will greet him, get him registered into the database and orient him to The Cove. He’ll explain some of the duties he’ll be involved in and where I am and that I will return when I am finished at the school.

“Robert, Bill, if you see him walking around with Mr. Wayne up at the Cove Skate Park and/or Pavilion, don’t ignore him. Go over and meet him and if Mr. Wayne wants you to, then introduce the other boys to him. And, answer any questions he may have.

“Robert, Thursday at ten … you have to be at Alvin York High School for your orientation. I’ll drive you over there. I want to meet the new principal. While I’m there, I’ll get you and Bill your lunch passes. Then, either Mr. Wayne or myself will come over to get you depending on how long the orientation takes.

“Boys … just as I did last year … I’ll add extra money in your account. You all know what happened last year, so you can treat someone who didn’t bring enough money for lunch, or who just needs a warm meal. Boys … don’t be afraid to use that extra money if you need to. OK?

“I also want you all to go back and talk to Doctor Doug. Maybe you don’t think you need to, but I want to give you the opportunity to just sit down and maybe clear some things up and just talk about the little things that might have happened since the last time you both talked. Think about it. I’ll let you know when your appointment is.

“Bill and Charles … I’ll talk to the dentist and make appointments for you specifically about your teeth. The rest of you will also be going back to the dentist for a check-up, and we’ll do this in the spring as well. This way we’ll try to catch any problems before they get too bad.

“School starts on Monday, so remind your friends that on Sunday they will have to leave by five. Mark will be going to school with you for the first two weeks and then he and his mom and dad will, more than likely, move back into their home.

“And as you know the Labor Day Picnic will be that Saturday of the three-day weekend. And this one will be huge. Not only will our regular guests be here, but I am also inviting all of the Goldersons’ friends to return for an opportunity to talk to Miriam and have one last day of fun for the summer.

“I also want you to remember I am moving my office to the office building and I will start working from there, hopefully by the end of September. I also am hosting all of my park operating managers the weekend after Labor Day. Be aware I will not be available from Thursday night until Sunday. I will be staying at the Lakeside Hotel the entire time.

“Boys … Mr. Levi … he has put together an investment group and we will also be meeting sometime, possibly at the end of the month. This meeting is to see if we want to form a partnership to build the marina. Then, if that project succeeds, we may cooperate on more ideas I have. Only time will tell.

“Now … do any of you have any questions for me, or anything the group needs to be made aware of?” asked ‘dad’ Ken.

“‘Dad’ … you said we’d talk about changing the soda machine over to some water bottles when we got back. When can we do that?” asked Kevin.

“Good question. Maybe we can look at that on Friday. Or, maybe you guys can ask Mr. Chris for the operating instructions and Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis can look at the machine with you to see how you can do that. Then, you can decide if it is doable and practicable. Will that work for you boys?” asked ‘dad’ Ken. The boys all nodded their heads.

“OK, stay tuned for any changes on the fly. Remember, Miriam, Mrs. Golderson, could be moving here by the end of the day tomorrow, or by Thursday at the latest. Mr. Dennis is due here by eleven tomorrow and is my new employee. Also, if you haven’t heard, I am going to hire a Projects Manager who you may see here off and on. More about that as I get close to hiring that person.

“Now, what say you all go up to your rooms and relax before bed? You all have to get up early tomorrow and be ready to be at school by ten. Well, Bill and Robert, don’t, but they still need to be downstairs by nine for breakfast. We’ll be upstairs in a few minutes to say goodnight,” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

The three adults talked about the number of items on the agenda that they needed to continue to remind the boys about as time moves along. Mr. Ken said with school starting and his businesses moving to the office building and his park managers meeting and then his meeting with the investment group, he will be spread very thin the rest of the month and into September.

One thing he told the men that he didn’t tell the boys was that he will be gone for about a week in September to go back to the parks to discuss their fall and winter preparations and their new ride for next year and other issues. He asked them not to say anything to the boys about that for now.

The men went up to talk to the boys as they usually did when they were at The Cove. Mr. Ken started at Mark’s room, so when he left, Mr. Levi could stay and talk with his son.

Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne talked to the boys separately that night. The boys liked it that way as they got to talk to them and get some personal time with each of them. They thanked him for making the changes in the other bathroom making it so there were more showers available for when they had friends stay over. The biggest question, though, from the boys that night was if Mr. Dennis would be included in their nightly talks.

Mr. Ken told them that he didn’t plan to have Mr. Dennis saying goodnight to them as he and Mr. Wayne do if and when he may have to spend the night with them. The younger boys were happy to hear that.

Robert talked to his dad about his going to high school come Monday. The teen’s dad told his son that this was a new phase in his life and he needed to stand back, watch and see where he fits in the big scheme of things.

Dad Ken told his son he will more than likely meet new boys and girls from schools that funnel into the high school, and he might be inviting them to The Cove. Robert told his dad he’ll be sure to make sure they aren’t druggies. The two had a good laugh over that.

In Bill’s room, Mr. Ken talked to the teen and thanked him for not over tasking his injuries and also for helping Mark enjoy himself on some of the bigger rides. He also thanked the teen for stepping up and being the ‘big brother’ for the boys, especially when the twins needed him at Crystal Lake.

Billy smiled at hearing the praise and thanked his foster dad for talking to him and letting him know he was doing what he was expected to do as the oldest ‘brother’. The two then hugged and Bill relished it as it was something he was thoroughly enjoying getting from the man.

The travelers had a very busy day from the time they awoke that morning, then as they flew back home and had their 90-minute drive back to The Cove, then they went out clothes shopping and to dinner. When they finally let their heads hit their pillows it didn’t take long for their tiredness to overtake them and they fell right to sleep. It was a quiet night at the Cove.

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

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