Published: 27 Apr 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

Mr. Ken told the teen he better be prepared as there was a lot more yet to be told. Billy said he hoped that Phil would read about it on the internet first and then ask him to fill in what wasn’t said.

It was then Billy asked Mr. Ken about the possibility of him going to get his provisional driver’s license tomorrow. Mr. Ken smiled at the question, and then told the teen that Mr. Wayne was the one he gave the task of teaching him to drive, so he needed to ask Mr. Wayne tomorrow when he saw him.

The two shared a hug and Mr. Ken headed down to his own retreat to relax and get some rest before the weekend began. Everyone slept soundly that night in The Cove.

The boys woke up Saturday morning and they each went their own way to get cleaned up. Phillip still used the alternate bathroom, while the rest of the Cover boys used what was originally known as the Boy’s Bathroom.

“Do you think Phil will ever join us in here?” asked Matthew, of no one in particular.

The three other boys just looked around at one another before Billy answered by saying they needed to let their new ‘brother’ decide when he wants to join them. He added they shouldn’t, at any time, pressure Phil into showering with them.

The oldest Cover teen then said that when he saw Phil change in the pool Locker Room with the boys who are his friends, he said that he wasn’t too comfortable in doing that. He continued and added that they needed to let Phil try to figure things out for himself, when it comes to showing his body to his friends and them.

While Phillip was showering that morning, he was thinking about what he learned the previous evening from two of his ‘brothers’. He told himself it was hard to believe everything he heard that happened, especially to Billy. And then, on top of that, he learned that the same man who Billy was accused of calling the police on was the same man that held a knife to Charles’ throat.

It was then that Phillip realized that both Billy and Charles somehow must have known one another before they came to The Cove. But he thought that if they did know one another, then why didn’t they talk as if they knew one another. He was now confused and he knew he needed to talk to them when he got the chance. He quickly finished his shower and went to get dressed for the day.

It was after 9 a.m. when the boys finally arrived in the Kitchen Nook for breakfast. ‘Dad’ Ken asked them if they’d all taken ‘slow pills’ which was why they were so late.

Robert laughed at his dad and told him there was no need to rush that morning, as they had to wait on their friends before they began filling the Easter Eggs. Dad Ken told his son they could always go out to the garage and begin separating the eggs into like sizes, to speed up the process.

Phillip listened to the exchange, but didn’t understand it. Matthew saw the question on his new ‘brother’s’ face and he tried to explain that with a thousand eggs to fill they first had to take them out of the plastic sleeves they were in and that took time and, if they did it first, then when their friends arrived, they could begin filling them with candy and money.

“What kind of money and how much money do you put in the eggs?” asked Phillip.

“Mostly nickels, dimes, and quarters, Phillip, but a few plastic eggs will have dollar bills, too. You’ll see,” answered Mr. Ken. “The eggs will also have candy as well as a few will have the prize coupons Bill and Robert made last night.”

“How will we do that?” then asked a curious Phillip.

“Just wait and see,” answered a smiling Matthew, with his mouth full of breakfast taco.

The boys quickly finished eating their breakfast, cleaned up the Kitchen Nook and then they all headed out to the garage. There, they began emptying the sleeves of their plastic eggs and separating them into boxes of the same size.

“Geez, there sure are a lot of eggs,” laughed Phillip, as he helped empty the sleeves of plastic Easter eggs.

“Just wait until we start opening them up and stuffing them and then having to put them back together. Sometimes the eggs won’t stay shut because you put too big a piece of candy and/or added to many coins and you have to change them or coax them,” spoke up Matthew. “We sometimes even change the eggs ends, so they have two different colors,” laughed Matthew.

Phillip was wanting to break down the boxes as they emptied them, but Robert told him they will need them to use as they filled the eggs and then to hold the filled eggs until next Saturday. Phillip said he didn’t understand.

The oldest cover, Billy, told him to just stand back and watch when all their friends get there and then he and his friends will be given a chance to join in and play with one thousand colorful Easter eggs. The other three Cover boys laughed, knowing what Billy meant.

The new Cover was still thinking about what he learned the night before and he had questions. So, he waited until the laughter subsided, then he said, “Ahh, Billy … I know you told me a lot about how and why you were brought here to live. But … can I ask you a question?”

Billy didn’t think anything about it, so he told Phillip he could ask away.

“Well … I was thinking about what you told me last night and … and what Charles had also said, so …well … did you and Charles … did you two know one another before … before you both came here to live here?” finally got out the new Cover.

The inside of the garage got very quiet after the question was asked. Charles and Billy looked at one another and Robert and Matthew just looked on waiting to hear how the older Cover teen would answer.

But it was Charles who took the question.

“Phillip … Billy and I …we never really knew one another. We had never met. Our paths sort of crossed, but only in a way that his step-dad and my mom knew one another through ‘Smokey’. It wasn’t until Billy began living here that … that he realized he sort of knew me from afar.

“It was then we learned that Jody, his step-dad, and my mom, Gina, knew one another. It was strange that our parents were involved with ‘Smokey’s’ drug dealing, but we had never met,” finished explaining the teen.

“Yes, that’s true, Phil. You see, my step-dad … he dealt drugs out of our house, while Gina … she actually delivered drugs to drop-off points and also collected the monies for ‘Smokey’. Plus, we didn’t live close to one another and Charles … he is like two years younger than me, so we would never have hung out together anyway,” further explained Billy.

“Oh. Last night … after you told me about ‘Smokey’ and everything, I … I got to wondering if you two knew each other before you came to live here. What you both just told me … it kind of makes sense, now. Thank you for telling me your stories. I sure hope my life doesn’t get to be that complicated,” offered Phillip, as a way of explaining why he asked his question.

After that, the boys finished opening the sleeves of the plastic eggs and then put the same sized eggs into separate boxes. Mr. Wayne came into the garage while they were doing that.

Robert nudged Billy, “Billy … while he isn’t busy talking to dad, yet, you need to go over and talk to Mr. Wayne. Ask him about his taking you later, if there is time, if he would take you to get your driver’s license.”

The oldest teen smiled at the encouragement and walked over to the Estate Master. “Mr. Wayne … do you, ahh … do you think you could take me later, if there is time, do you think you could take me later, so I can get my driver’s license?” finished a hopeful Billy.

“Well, Bill, I think you are a bit premature in asking to do that. There are two things you haven’t fulfilled yet,” replied Mr. Wayne.

“Well, I’ve done all the videos and I’ve driven at least 44 hours with you and Mr. Dennis. What haven’t I done?” asked a disbelieving Billy Dirketson.

“Yes, Bill, you have done well with your driving and have done the required videos, but there are two items you have yet to meet. The first is that of the 44 hours of practice driving, ten of them have to be at night. And we haven’t done any of those. And the second item is that you have to hold your learner’s permit for six months and it has only been three.

“Bill, when you get the chance, later, check the requirements, your logs, and see where you are in meeting what the State requires before you can take the driving test. Can you do that? When you see that … I think it will get you to refocus on the date you can actually take your driver’s test and what we need to do to get your night driving hours in,” counseled the Estate Master.

Hearing that just burst Billy’s bubble as he had told all his friends that he was going to get his driver’s license that weekend. A few tears came to his eyes and he had to wipe them away. But he quickly recovered and he thanked Mr. Wayne for explaining to him what he still needed to do in order to take the test. The two hugged and the teen went back to helping his ‘brothers’.

When it was now close to 11:30, ‘dad’ Ken came out to the garage to see how far the boys had gotten towards opening all of the sleeves of Easter eggs. He also wanted to make sure Phillip and either Robert or Billy went up to the Main Gate with him to greet his new friend and get him entered into the database. He also told whichever teen went with their ‘brother’ to call him if Mr. and Mrs. Neezeman came with Westin. He added he’d come up and meet them and then show them around the estate.

Billy and Phillip took the four-seat golf cart up to the Main Gate. The teen had Phillip drive. When they got there, some of the Covers’ friends had already begun to arrive and the teen told them to head down to the garage.

Preston and Bryson arrived just before Westin did and they decided they’d wait for their friend, Westin, to arrive. When Phillip’s new friend did arrive, he came with both of his parents and his sister. Billy knew to call Mr. Ken who came up to the Main Gate within ten minutes. As they waited for Mr. Ken, Billy showed his new ‘brother’ how to register his friends into the database using Westin as the example.

“Why do I need to do this?” asked Westin, with his parents looking on.

“Oh, well, this is so you can come back to The Cove without Phil having to come up to the Main Gate and vouch for you each and every time,” explained the older Cover teen.

“I … I can come back?” asked an astonished Westin.

“Yes, you can,” was heard from behind the small group. It was Mr. Ken who had now arrived at the Main Gate.

“Hello, and welcome to The Cove. I’m Ken Thomas, the owner of the estate and Phillip’s foster dad. And, yes, Westin can continue to return to The Cove, when Phillip is here, as long as he behaves himself and helps with things when asked.

“And you must be Jaxon. We talked the other night,” continued Mr. Ken, as he presented his hand to shake Westin’s dad’s.

“And this is my lovely wife, Lauren,” offered Jaxon. The woman and Mr. Ken also shook hands.

“And this is our daughter, Whitney. She’s a freshman at Alvin York,” finished Jaxon.

“Oh, that is interesting. Let me make a quick phone call,” stated Mr. Ken, and he pulled out his cell phone and made a call. Two minutes later Robert, with his Best Friend Eric, came rushing to the Main Gate in the third golf cart.

“Robert, Eric … do you two know this lovely young lady? She’s a freshman at your school,” continued the smiling owner of The Cove.

“Well, I’ve seen her at school, but I don’t know her personally,” replied Robert.

“Son, this is Whitney Neezeman. She’s Westin’s sister,” was how dad Ken introduced his son to the young lady. “I’m going to give Jaxon and Lauren the nickel tour. How about you two give Whitney a tour, as well. And then you can introduce her to your friends and the rest of the boys down in the garage. That way she’ll know a few more freshman and some sophomores at Alvin York.”

“We can dad, but … we have the Easter eggs to fill,” answered Robert.

“I think your ‘brothers’ and friends can handle the job while you two are gone for a few minutes. Don’t you?” teased the teen’s dad.

Robert and Eric asked Whitney if she would like a quick tour of The Cove. Learning she would, the three teenagers got into the golf cart Robert drove up there. The three, with Robert and Whitney sitting in the front seat, drove over towards the Pavilion.

When Mr. Ken made sure Westin was entered into the database, he asked the Neezeman’s if they would like a tour of the estate. He explained this way they would see and understand what their son would be undoubtedly talking about when he came home later in the day.

Mr. Ken told Bill to explain to Charles and Matthew, and the rest of the boys, why Robert and Eric were busy. He told the teenager to get the boys started on the project and not to rush it. Billy asked Mr. Ken if he’d gotten the money and candy out of Mr. Chris’s office yet. Mr. Ken said he hadn’t and he would start his tour at the house and he’d meet him at the office in a few minutes.

It was a tight fit for the teenager and four boys on the four-seat golf cart, but Billy drove it slower than usual to be safe as they went down to the Parking Coral.

Jaxon and Lauren had questions about how a fourteen-year-old freshman could be his son. So, on the drive down to the house, Mr. Ken explained to the Neezeman’s how he fostered Robert for almost eighteen months before adopting him. He then told them how he adopted Charles last fall and that he was now fostering Bill, Matthew and Phillip.

Jaxon and Lauren appreciated the background on how a twenty-something could be a dad of a fourteen- and a thirteen-year-old. They also applauded him for being a foster parent to three more boys. They did tell him they had done some research on him and they knew about the shootout and his being shot and some things about Three Finger Cove before coming there that day. Mr. Ken just inwardly smiled.

Mr. Ken led the parents through the Foyer Door and asked them to stay there in the MRS Room while he went down to his Estate Manager’s office to retrieve the candy and money for the Easter Eggs for next Saturday’s Easter Egg Roll. Billy and Charles were there waiting for him and they took the bags and boxes of money and candy up to the garage.

While Mr. Ken gave the Neezeman’s the nickel tour of The Cove and Robert and Eric gave Whitney her tour of the estate, Phillip and his friends were out in the garage waiting to learn how they would participate in getting one thousand plastic Easter Eggs filled with candy and money.

“OK, everybody, listen up!” called out Billy.

“Most of you were here last year and, from what I understand, many of you were here the year before, so you know how this goes. We’ll let Phillip and his three friends work on the small Easter Eggs to start. The rest of us will break up into groups and start working on the medium and large eggs.

“Remember to place the stuffed eggs into a separate box. That way we know how much we’ve done,” added Billy. “I’ll show Phillip and his friends what to do and help them there and if they need help Matthew and some of his friends can swing over to help. Robert and Eric, as you know, are giving Westin’s sister, Whitney, a tour of The Cove, and they will join us after they finish showing her around. OK, let’s get started.”

There were thirty-six boys there that Saturday to work on the one-thousand Easter eggs. Of course, Robert and Eric were busy with Whitney and Phillip and his three friends were new to the process, so six boys of the thirty-six were not really participating at first. Plus, with the delayed arrival of the candy and money they had gotten a late start.

“Phil, Preston, Bryson and Wes … all you need to do is break open the egg, fill it with candy and sometimes candy and a coin or two, snap it back together and place it into a separate box. It’s just that easy. Try not to break the plastic eggs,” advised Billy, as he had the four younger boys start into helping with the small plastic eggs.

Up at the Pavilion, “I heard the other kids talking about the Cove Skate Park, but I never knew it was anything like this,” offered Whitney, to Robert and Eric, as the three teenagers walked around the Cove’s Skate Park and Pavilion.

“Do you skate?” asked Robert of Whitney.

“Some. I never got into it like most boys and some girls do,” answered the female freshman teen. “I didn’t like seeing all the bumps and bruises my friends were getting. And then there were the cuts and scratches on their palms and knees. A girl doesn’t need all those ugly scars,” now laughed the young lady.

“I see you have this big Pavilion, grill and washstand. Do you use it much?” now asked Whiney.

Eric looked at his Best Friend and with a smile answered, “You bet we do. Every day when we’re all here, we burn the burgers and dogs. We have teams and take turns preparing tomatoes, lettuce and onions, while two boys cook the burgers and hot dogs. The team also sets up the serving line and then everyone helps clean up afterwards.”

“How much does everybody pay?” asked the teen girl

“My dad pays for everything,” quickly answered Robert, with a big smile.

“When you say ‘my dad’ it sounds so … so funny to me,” apologized Whitney. “I’m sorry for laughing, and I hope you won’t be offended at me saying that, but he’s so … so young to have a freshman for a son.”

As the teens talked, Mr. Ken was showing Jaxon and Lauren around the inside of the home. The parents were surprised by everything they were shown and they couldn’t believe their son would get to swim in the large indoor pool, with the jumping ledge, later in the day. They also met the two lifeguards and were happy to know their host was safety conscious.

Lifeguard Russel told the Neezeman’s to search YouTube for the video called, Lifeguards Practicing, Just In Case. The guard explained how last year, while Mr. Ken and his ‘family’ were gone, he and the other guards were training out in the cove when Rene Vaughn, from KBLY-TV, came by and talked to them about what they were doing. Gavin added that the video would show them how well trained and prepared they were for any emergency.

The Neezeman’s were also amazed with the water toys out in the cove that their son would get to play on when the weather got warmer. They were also surprised that Westin would also be allowed to take one of the sailboats out if he takes sailing lessons. They did ask if he could also use the personal watercrafts, or WaveRunners, but Mr. Ken told them the boy needed to be at least thirteen and had to pass the Texas Water Safety Course. The owner of The Cove did tell them that Westin would get to be pulled behind on a towing tube and have another wonderful experience doing that.

When the three teens finished their tour of the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion, they drove to the bottom of the driveway and then they walked over to the beach and the boat dock. Whitney was blown away by what she saw.

The young lady was surprised at seeing the water toys, WaveRunners, sailboats and large cabin cruiser. She asked Robert if he got to use them all. The Cover teen told the freshman girl that the only thing he couldn’t drive by himself was the Commander as he wasn’t old enough. He did tell her that driving the personal watercraft was loads of fun and if she took the Texas Water Safety Course and brought the certificate for Mr. Ken’s files, she would be allowed to drive one, too, if she ever came over. That put a big smile on the young girl’s face.

The three teens did make it to the garage where the rest of the Covers and their friends were still working on the Easter eggs. There Robert introduced Whitney to the other Alvin York freshman and sophomores. That introduction slowed down the older boys working on getting the Easter eggs filled with candy and money, but they didn’t care. They all enjoyed the break in the monotony and the chance to meet a pretty girl from their school. Bill, Brett, Lonnie, Gabe and Jamie were especially smitten with meeting the very pretty girl.

As the teenagers talked, Mr. Ken and his guests made their way to the garage. He was explaining to his guests what the boys were supposed to be doing there and was surprised that only the younger boys were actually working on the project when they got there. He didn’t want to say anything and embarrass the older boys, so he and the Neezeman’s went over to the four youngest boys to see how they were doing.

“Phillip, Westin … how is it going? Is this anything like you expected?” asked Mr. Ken.

“Well … it isn’t hard, Mr. Ken. It’s … it’s just boring,” answered a smiling Phillip.

“How about you Westin?” asked Mr. Ken.

“I think it’s neat that you’re doing this Mr. Ken, and I get to help,” answered Westin. “And I’m glad I also get to help next Saturday to help put the eggs out on the lawn and then watch the kids race to pick them up to see if they get one of the prizes.”

“Preston, Bryson … this is the first time you’re getting to do this, too. So, what are your thoughts?” asked the owner of The Cove, and host of the Easter Egg Roll.

Bryson quickly spoke up and told the man that he was happy to be there helping. He added that he’d been there racing for the eggs, when he was younger, and now, he was seeing what it takes to make it all happen and know what it takes to put it all together. He added he was looking forward to next Saturday, helping spread out the eggs for the boys and girls and watch them scramble for them as he once did.

Preston told Mr. Ken he never knew there was an Easter Egg Roll at The Cove, otherwise he’d have been there like Bryson was. But the youngster said that he thought that what Mr. Ken was doing for his community was awesome and this being his fifth Easter Egg Roll showed he was committed to his community.

The Neezeman’s thanked their host for the tour and Lauren motioned for Whitney that it was time for them to leave. Mr. Ken told the parents that their daughter could stay until they came back for Westin, but Lauren said that with no other girls her age there she didn’t think it would be a good idea. Mr. Ken just smiled at her response.

Mr. Ken drove the Neezeman’s up to the Main Gate and when they got there, and before they left, the owner of The Cove told them when they came back to collect Westin that they might get to meet a few of the other parents as they picked up their sons.

Mr. Ken also told them about his Memorial Day Picnic and invited them to that. He gave them a rough idea of who would be there and explained it would be a good time to talk to many more of the parents whose sons have been coming here for a few years and hear some of their stories.

With Whitney gone, the older teens got down to helping finish filling the plastic eggs. When Mr. Ken returned with the six-seat golf cart, he pulled Robert and Eric aside.

“Boys … the field … it looks like it needs cutting … and with the Easter Egg Roll next weekend I would like you two to start cutting it today and finish it up tomorrow. Can you do that for me?” asked the owner of The Cove.

The teens knew that was coming as they had cut the field last year the weekend before the Easter Egg Roll and had wondered why ‘dad’ Ken hadn’t said anything to them. As soon as the man did ask them, they told him they’d let the rest of the guy’s finish filling the eggs and they’d change into work clothes and start cutting the field.

“Hey, where’re they going?” asked an unknowing Phillip.

Charles spoke up and told his new ‘brother’ that Robert and Eric had the job of cutting the big field and their ‘dad’ probably just asked them to get started on getting that done, so the field looked good for the Easter Egg Roll. Phillip just said, “Oh,” in reply, and went back to finishing with the plastic eggs.

As the boys were working on filling the plastic eggs, Gabe asked if they were going to burn the burgers, and whose team was up. Charles said he wasn’t sure, but he’d go up and get things started, but he needed some helpers. Gabe, Jamie, Josh, Cooper and David volunteered to help.

“Can we help, too?” called out Phillip.

Billy thought about the question. He looked at what still needed to be done, and seeing that they were almost finished, he told Phillip for him and his friends to bring over what they hadn’t finished and then they could head up to the Pavilion. The oldest Cover added for them to ask Charles to show them what they needed to do because eventually they would be added to a cook team and then they would be helping set up in rotation.

When Phillip, Bryson, Preston and Westin arrived at the Pavilion, the young Cover asked Charles what they could do. David said he’d show them how to clean the tomatoes and lettuce and set up the serving line. So that was what the four young boys learned that day.

David explained that until they were older, they wouldn’t get to cook the burgers or hot dogs, but eventually they would learn how to use the mandolin and slice the tomatoes and onions. But for now, he showed them how to clean and pat dry the lettuce and set up the serving line.

When the burgers were done, Charles asked Phillip and his friends to go down to the garage and get everyone to come up to eat. Phillip asked his ‘brother’ why they didn’t have a dinner bell or a big triangle to ring, so people would know food was being served.

Charles told Phillip to bring it up at the evening meeting tonight, but for now he should take a golf cart down to the garage to tell everyone it was time to eat. The teen also told his ‘brother’ to go inside and tell their ‘dad’ and Mr. Wayne that the burgers were done.

While the teens were eating. Gus, the exchange student, asked Billy if he was going to get his driver’s license later that day. Billy reluctantly told his friends that he was mistaken in his calculations and that he still needed ten hours of night time driving and three more months of time before he could take the test. He told them he would check his logs tonight and he would know tomorrow when would be the earliest date he could take the driver’s test.

Billy’s friends teased him that he should have checked his logs before he boasted he was getting his driver’s license that weekend. Billy knew he had screwed up and openly admitted his mistake and asked for his friends to forgive him for boasting so much.

Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne heard the light-hearted ribbing Billy received from his friends and they were happy the teen acknowledged he shouldn’t have boasted so much and had swallowed his pride.

After everyone had eaten and the Pavilion was cleaned up, it was decided it was too late to go swimming. Billy told everyone they still had to clean up the garage, but he didn’t need everyone down there. The Cover teen told Phillip to stay there and show Westin around and let him use the Cove Skate Park.

Westin couldn’t wait to get out on the Cove Skate Park. He’d heard a lot about it and now he was getting his chance to use it. He took his skateboard, placed it down on the smooth concrete surface and pushed off. The young boy smiled.

The other boys watched as the new boy did a few simple moves out on the course then stop, look around, with a big smile on his face, and start all over again. Phillip, Bryson and Preston then joined him out on the Cove Skate Park.

Before Westin knew it the rest of the afternoon had passed away and the other boys were headed to the Main Gate. He asked where everyone was going, and it was then he was reminded that on Saturday everyone had to leave by 6 p.m. and it was almost that time. Billy asked him if he had a locker yet. Westin said today was his first day, so the teen told Phillip’s new friend he could choose between a couple of empty lockers.

Once Westin picked his locker and stowed his skateboard, swimsuit and towel, he, Phillip, Bryson and Preston hurried over to the Main Gate where the Cover’s three friend’s parents were waiting for them.

“Mom, dad I love this place. We didn’t get to swim, but I did get to help set up the serving line for when we had burgers and hot dogs. Then, after we cleaned up the Pavilion, I got to use the Cove’s Skate Park and it was so smooth. I’m not as good as the other guys, but the older boys said the more I come over there they will help me learn to do things better and before I know it, I’ll be using the deep skate bowl. I can’t wait,” announced an enthusiastic Westin.

The other parents who were there noticed the new parents and went over and introduced themselves. They told the Neezeman’s how The Cove was the best thing for their sons as it was a safe place for them and that Mr. Ken often took the boys places when he took his ‘sons’.

At dinner that night, Phillip brought up the idea of the Pavilion having a dinner bell, so they could ring it to announce the burgers and dogs were being served. Mr. Ken asked the other boys what they thought about Phillip’s idea. None of them had anything negative to say about it. Their only question concerned what type of bell it would be and would it be loud enough to hear if you were down at the garage or maybe out at the beach.

Mr. Ken told Phillip to go ahead with his suggestion and to use his new computer to research what types of dinner bells he thought would be good for the Pavilion. The man told the new Cover to print their picture, description and cost and they could talk about it during the week, or the next weekend.

Mr. Ken then thanked the boys for their hard work in getting the Easter Eggs filled and ready for next weekend’s Easter Egg Roll. He also told the boys to thank their friends for helping and to remind them they needed their help next Saturday, as well, to put them all out.

Since it was a Saturday night, the Covers did head over to the Go-Kart Track and they got in line to wait their turn. Some of their friends were there and they all talked about school, that it would soon be over, and what they planned to do that summer.

While the boys waited in line and talked, Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne talked about Bill’s desire to get his driver’s license. Wayne told his employer about the two major issues the teen had yet to meet. Mr. Ken was surprised that Bill needed ten night time driving hours. He told Wayne that with Daylight Saving Time and it getting dark later in the evening they will have to plan so the teen got it done before school was out.

Mr. Ken then told his Estate Master he needed to get with Chris next week to see if he learned where Bill’s mom was being housed in the Texas prison system. The boss said that Bill wanted to visit his mom and that he hoped to do it the weekend after Easter.

Mr. Ken also mentioned that Robert also wanted to go and visit his mom, and maybe eventually his dad, but for now they would probably visit Angela the weekend after they visit Billy’s mom, or at least before school let out. Mr. Ken added he was telling Wayne that as he would be asked to hold down the fort while he was gone.

Phillip was at the end of the go-karts line that night when they started their race. The youngster knew what to expect this time and he was able to keep up with the pack. He was building his confidence and learning how to drive the corners. But the best part was, he was having fun.

The Covers did stop at Mr. Ken’s Kreamy Kone for ice cream that evening and they made sure to get Chief a double-scoop of vanilla in a cup for her to enjoy when they returned. Phillip gave it to her.

Since they talked at the dinner table that evening, Mr. Ken told the boys there was no need for them to have their meeting in the Study and for them to head up to their rooms and he’d be up soon to talk to them. Mr. Wayne had headed to his apartment after they drove the Go-Karts.

“Well, Phillip, how did the day go with your new friend, Westin, here?” directly asked Mr. Ken.

“It was great having four of us, Mr. Ken. It was too bad we didn’t get to swim, and I didn’t get to show Westin around the estate other than the Pavilion and the Skate Park, but tomorrow, I’ll make sure I show him everything and we get to swim,” answered Phillip.

“Are you going to want to invite any more friends over?” now asked the foster dad.

“I don’t know, Mr. Ken. I’ve only been at the school a few weeks, now, and … I just haven’t met everyone. Well, I have, it’s just … it’s just that I haven’t really gotten to know them all yet,” continued Phillip.

“Well, there’s no rush for you to have as many friends as your ‘brothers’ do. So, take your time and add friends as you see fit. Now don’t forget to drain your dragon before going to bed,” teased Mr. Ken, who hugged the boy before heading to talk to the other boys.

Ken Thomas talked to Matthew next, then with Charles, Robert and he finished up with Billy.

“Bill, Mr. Wayne tells me you need ten night time driving hours. I told him we need to plan that so you get it all done before school is out. I thought of letting you do it tonight, but with all the boys in the van I didn’t think that was a good idea. Even if we get it done thirty minutes a night, we’ll get it done,” counseled the foster dad.

“I know we will Mr. Ken. It’s just that … well, I thought I had everything done, but Mr. Wayne … he told me I also needed three more months to wait. So, I have the time,” responded the teen, with a smile.

“Bill, I’ll get with Mr. Chris about your mom next week. Let’s plan on us going to see her the weekend after Easter. OK? I’ll let you do all the driving. It will give you the chance to do some long-distance driving, as well as some driving out of the area. That will surely give you some good driving practice. Will you be ready for that?” asked Mr. Ken.

“Yes, sir. I’m looking forward to seeing and talking to my mom. … Ah, Mr. Ken … ahh is there a way that I can earn some money, so … so that I can put some of it into my mom’s prison account, so she … so she can get the things she might need?” asked the hopeful teenager.

“Bill … one thing I’ve never done for my foster sons, as you well know, is I have never given them an allowance. But I’ve always tried to make sure they had the money they needed when we went places. In this case, I’ll make sure you can deposit some money into her account. I’ll have Mr. Chris find out how much we can put in there and what we need to do. Give me a few days. OK?” finished Mr. Ken.

Billy thanked the man for doing that for him and his mom. The teen then went over to his foster dad and hugged him.

As he left the bedroom, Mr. Ken told the teen not to forget to drain his lizard before going to bed. That got a laugh out of Billy, who went directly to the boy’s bathroom to do just that.

It had been a busy day at The Cove that Saturday, and everyone was settling down for a well-deserved good night’s sleep, and it was quiet throughout the night.

The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com

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