Published: 24 Aug 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

The boys were sent up to their rooms to relax before going to bed and Mr. Ken and Wayne talked some before ‘dad’ Ken went up to say goodnight to his ‘boys’. Mr. Wayne headed home since he would be there tomorrow night for the sleepover and he would be spending Sunday through Tuesday night with the boys, while his boss was gone.

There wasn’t anything new the boys wanted to talk to their dad about that night. They told him they were all looking forward to the sleepover. Phillip was the only one who was the most excited, as he never had someone sleepover, ever.

The night was calm and quiet and all of the Covers slept well.

As was his usual morning routine, Ken Thomas did his morning ablutions and then went out and retrieved his newspaper. When he entered the Kitchen Nook, Momma Maria had his coffee ready and poured him a cup as soon as he sat down to take the paper out of its protective sleeve.

What caught the owner of The Cove eyes was the teaser headline above the masthead: PANIC BUTTON DIDN’T WORK, Sec B-1. He wondered if that had anything to do with yesterday’s trial, so instead of looking at the first section of the day’s newspaper, Mr. Ken went directly to the Local Section to see what the rest of the headline was. He was right.

After seeing the headline, Mr. Ken knew he had to read what the reporter had to say about Mark Goldersons testimony at the trial yesterday.

Ken Thomas was surprised at how well written the news article was. Even if he hadn’t been there, he’d gotten a good idea of what the young boy said during his testimony, and he subconsciously applauded the reporter for doing such a good job.

At school that Friday, Billy was inundated with questions from his friends. They all wanted to know how it went at the courthouse and what he said at the trial. The Cover described how he enthralled the entire courtroom with his in-depth telling of how the three men burst into the home and they proceeded to beat on him and then shoot up the place. Then Billy smiled.

Billy’s friends saw the smile on the Covers face and knew he was pulling their leg. They bugged him to tell them what actually happened and all Billy would tell them was that he told the court what actually happened, and they had already heard it from him, a few times, and he wasn’t going to relive it again.

Billy changed subjects and reminded his friends to bring their sleeping bags, and anything else they wanted to bring, over at 6 p.m. for the sleepover and they’d have pizza then some swimming and then the Dive-In Movie. The teens asked him what the name of the movie was and Billy told them he and his ‘brothers’ haven’t even looked at what Mr. Chris has bought as of late. They all laughed.

Phillip and his friends also talked about the sleepover for that night. Phillip told them to make sure they brought their sleeping bag, a pillow, if they needed one, a change of clothes if they wanted, PJs if they wore them, and to be there by six o’clock. The Cover emphasized six o’clock, so they could get in and set up their sleeping bags around the fireplace, before Matthew and his friends did.

When Mr. Ken got to the office, he was pleased to have a phone message from his lawyer, Patrick Butler, saying that his bank transfer did come through and that it cleared at the end of the day, Thursday. The note added that their new local bank account that they had set up when they were there earlier that week had also received their infusion of operating capital and that Jason Zimms had arrived that morning and the two of them were headed over to the Bankruptcy Trustee to retrieve the Park’s keys. The message further said that they would call him when they were at the Edgewood Amusement Park.

Mr. Ken called Ben and told him the good news. He also told him he would call the air charter service and plan a late Sunday afternoon flight leaving about five o’clock, which meant he needed to be at The Cove by 3:30. Mr. Ken added he’d have Mr. Chris set them up with hotel reservations for three days returning Wednesday evening.

Mr. Ken quickly called Mr. Chris to make those hotel reservations for the two men before he forgot. It was then Chris told him he was supposed to take Robert to see his mom that Sunday. Mr. Ken had totally forgotten about his promise to take his son to see his mom, and now he had a dilemma. He would have to sit down with Robert tonight, after dinner, and talk to him and see if he’d let Mr. Wayne take him.

Mr. Ken then called the air charter service for a five o’clock take-off, but they explained to him that a five o’clock take-off would get them back east at nine, at the earliest, and not in time for dinner. They suggested they leave at two, at the latest, if they wanted to arrive at a decent time and get dinner after they arrived. Mr. Ken agreed to the two o’clock take-off time. He quickly called Ben with the schedule change.

His next call was to Wayne to ask him about taking Robert to see his mom, if his son would be OK with that. Wayne asked who would be responsible for the boys while they were both gone. The boss asked Wayne to talk to Dennis about filling in for them, explaining this is why they needed him. Mr. Ken then asked his Estate Master to see if he could get the boy’s scheduled to see the dentist after school beginning next week. He told the man he wanted to get that done before they went on their trip.

While Mr. Ken was making all of his phone calls, Ms. Judy called him. He called her back when he finished talking with his Estate Master.

“Judy … what good news do you have for me?” asked a jovial Ken Thomas.

“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I’m on the judge’s schedule for this afternoon,” chuckled Judy Turner. “So, I’ll try to get him to release his ruling so that Phillip’s mother and her son can see one another, until she gets out of the rehabilitation center. I think once he learns the mother is now in rehabilitation, because of the coma and head trauma, he’ll be more understanding. Oh, and I’ll also ask if the grandmother can be included in that visitation, too.”

“Oh, thank you Judy. Phillip is stressed out about not being able to see his mom. Please call me when you leave his office, and tell me what he said. If he agrees, maybe I can take the boy over to see his mom tomorrow sometime.

“Oh, ahh, Judy … I, ahh, I meant to ask you this, but … well, I’ve been so busy lately with so many projects that I keep forgetting. But now that we’re talking I ahh … ahh, I, well, as you know I’m taking the boys on our trip, right after school gets out for the summer, and what I wanted to ask you is … would you like to come along with us?” finally got out Mr. Ken.

“Ken, you know how busy I am at work. How could I take ten days off?” asked a disbelieving Judy Turner at Mr. Ken’s request.

“Judy … when was the last time you took a vacation? A REAL vacation, huh? You owe it to yourself to take some time off, and it would give you some time to spend with Eric,” offered Mr. Ken.

“And five other boys,” laughed Judy.

“Maybe six, if Mark, remember he’s a Cover, too, and comes along,” Mr. Ken laughed back. “Judy … you don’t have to spend the whole time with us. Last year Dan … he spent the first five days with us and then Levi … he came and spent the last five. I can do that for you, as well.

“And, I can make it so you’d have your own hotel room, so you won’t have to be responsible for any of the boys. You could even sleep in and come out to the parks later in the day. That way you’d get to see what my amusement parks are all about.

“I haven’t asked Dan yet, if he wants to join us, but I bet he will. But I bet he’d want to come the last five days, so he can see the parks he didn’t get to see last year. All you would do is trade planes, as he and Levi did. Think about it, Judy. You NEED some time off, and this would be a great all expenses paid trip,” encouraged Ken Thomas.

Judy told her friend that she’d think about it. She asked him when he needed to know. Ken told her the sooner the better, but he’d go ahead and make the reservations, as it was easier to cancel them, than make them at the last minute. Ms. Judy then she asked about Chief. The woman wanted to know who would watch the resident pet, while she was gone. Ken told her it would all work out.

It was a busy morning for Ken Thomas. With him being gone from the office for three days, he was behind the power-curve of information, and he was trying to get caught up. He called Ms. Jackie to find out what was happening with the amusement train and rides at Four Corners.

He was happy to learn that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved their application to install the train and rides at Four Corners, and all they needed now was the Commissioners’ Court’s approval and they could begin to install the electrical and water lines needed for the rides and food concessions.

Ken Thomas learned that there was a company who would plan out and install the train if it was bought from them. Mr. Ken wanted to know the particulars and if there were any other manufactures who were interested. Learning there were, he told Jackie to pursue them to see if they could also plan out and install the train, and what their price would be, as well.

During lunch at the schools, all the Covers’ friends could talk about was the sleepover for that Friday night. The students around them were disgruntled that they didn’t get to know the Cover boys when they had the chance, because they could have been there tonight, too.

Some of the boy’s classmates talked amongst themselves about trying to befriend them during the school year, but because they heard they essentially had the number of friends Mr. Ken would allow, they couldn’t become one of those ‘friends’ now. The girls and a few boys who’d been invited over to The Cove, to use the new Cove Skate Park, said that all they needed to do was just be friendly and eventually they’d get the chance to go over there. Many said they didn’t believe them.

While Mr. Ken and Ben were at lunch, over at the Lakeside Hotel, Jason Zimms, Edgewood Amusement Park’s new Operations Manager, called. The man told them that when he and Mr. Butler arrived at the park, they were met by a number of the permanent employees wanting to know when they could come to work. Jason told the men the employees told them they had heard, through the grapevine, the two men would be out there, which was why they showed up.

Jason then asked if he could tell them to come to work tomorrow, Saturday, and have them fill out their W-4s and start getting things together over the weekend. He reasoned that by Monday he could have a team established and a basic plan for the two men to look at, that they can then use to fine tune the list of what truly needs to be done, and when, by the first of July.

The men agreed and told Jason that those two extra days would help in the long run. Mr. Ken also told Jason to go by the bank and sign the account cards for the park, so he had access to the funds, and to pick up the new park credit card. The new park’s owner told Jason he needed the credit card so he could start buying the supplies he’ll need to begin cleaning the amusement park, until he and Ben got there on Monday. Mr. Ken told the new ops manager they could talk about what more he’ll need to purchase when they see him.

Mr. Ken then wanted to know when they could expect the amusement repair companies to arrive at Edgewood to start checking the major rides first and doing any repairs. Ben said, because of the driving distances, they’d probably begin arriving on Tuesday, at the earliest, but by Thursday at the latest. Mr. Ken was happy to hear that, because the sooner they get to the park the sooner the rides could get up and running, then cleaned, and possibly painted and be readied for opening day.

After lunch, Mr. Ken called his Real Estate Group manager to his office. They discussed going forward and buying all the properties he had Three Finger Realty put contingencies on near the Edgewood Amusement Park, when he put his bid in on the property.

Some of the properties they had contingencies on abutted the park, which would now allow Three Finger Entertainment to expand the park in the future. The other properties would allow the company to build hotels or motels nearby, in order for them to offer a ‘Drive-Stay-Fun’ Plan. That was the Plan Ken Thomas envisioned creating when he bought those properties near his Crystal Lake Amusement Park. He also wanted to offer it at all of his other amusement parks when he had nearby hotels and motels lined up to join him in the offering.

Purchasing Edgewood Amusement Park complicated Ken Thomas’ life right now. It was something he really wanted to happen, but in doing so it also put itself on top of a number of other things that he was juggling, and he could now feel the pressure. He was now extremely happy he had all those good people he hired to handle much of the workload.

Ken Thomas decided to call Dan Fischer before he left the office. He wanted to talk to him about accompanying them on their amusement park trip right after school let out for the summer. When they talked, he told them he invited Judy Turner to go along and that they could change planes, as he and Levi did last year, and that way it would give him the chance to see the parks he didn’t get to see.

Dan was thankful his friend had called him when he did. He told Ken that he had to submit his summer vacation plans, and the two talked about the timeframe, so the Lieutenant knew what dates to submit. Ken also told him Judy was concerned about who would take care of Chief, if she went along. Dan told him not to fret, it would all work itself out. The two men laughed.

Mr. Ken’s last phone call, before he headed home, was to his veterinarian. He asked for an appointment for Chief for next week. He told the receptionist he wanted to know how physically and medically fit his resident pet was in order for her to have a litter of pups. The woman was surprised at the request, and it being late in the afternoon, she had the doctor pick up the phone.

The two men talked about Chief and her having her first litter of pups. The doctor asked Mr. Ken if he had decided on a male sire yet. Mr. Ken told the doctor that Chief had been really good about not getting herself heavy with pups, but he was going to see if she was wanting to do that.

The doctor laughed, knowing that Chief was a very special dog who, from the very first time he treated her he could almost sense she knew what he was going to do and what he was saying. So, he laughingly asked Ken if he was going to have a sit-down talk with her to see if she was interested in having some pups. Mr. Ken said that was exactly what he was going to do.

The veterinarian told Chief’s master that he knew of four or five very healthy Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers he might want to consider. The doctor told Mr. Ken that he’s treated all of them, as he has Chief, and he knows they are healthy and would be good sires for her pups.

Mr. Ken asked the doctor why he would want to consider the Goldens. The doctor told him because Chief was actually a Goldador which was a breed not many people know about, but is a blend of the 2 purebreds, the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. The doctor also said the Goldador is also known as the Golden Lab retriever which has the best traits of both breeds.

Mr. Ken thanked him for that information and asked how he would choose which male sire to pick. The doctor laughingly told him if he was going to let Chief decide if she wanted puppies, he should allow her to choose which male she wants to mate with.

Mr. Ken asked if those dogs he mentioned were AKC registered or champions. He reminded the doctor that Chief was just a ‘throw-away’ that he adopted, and he wasn’t paying an enormous sire fee or giving up two or three pups so some owner can make a bunch of money.

The doctor laughed and told Mr. Ken that Chief could have as many as ten pups her first time, but would probably have more like 5 to 7. He then asked him if he was ready to adopt away that many puppies. The Vet went on to tell Mr. Ken that he will have to keep the pups at least six weeks, but it would be best to keep them at least eight weeks to properly ween them. The doctor told him to research what he is getting himself in to by letting Chief have a litter of pups.

Mr. Ken thanked the doctor for his time, and then asked him to talk to the prospective sire’s owners to see if they were amenable to allowing their dog to mate with Chief, knowing she was not AKC registered. Mr. Ken said that he would let Chief choose her mate and would probably ask the owners to bring the dogs by The Cove so she can, and Mr. Ken coughed, interview them. Both men had a good laugh over that.

The doctor said he knew Chief well enough that he understood what he was saying and he would convey what he knew about Chief to the owners, so they could decide if they wanted to give their dog the chance to mate with Chief. Mr. Ken then told the Vet that Mr. Wayne would be bringing Chief in next Wednesday for her check-up, as he would be out of town.

The owner of The Cove arrived home earlier than usual that Friday and the boys were surprised. They asked where Momma Maria was as she didn’t have their after-school snack ready for them. Their ‘dad’ told them that he’d given her most of the day off, as she would be there tomorrow morning to teach them how to cook eggs for forty plus people. He then laughed.

When Robert came home, his dad pulled him aside to talk to him about Sunday. Robert said he understood and that his mom had already met him and by meeting Mr. Wayne she would get to know the other man who has helped him grow up. The two hugged and dad Ken thanked his son for his understanding.

Wayne and Dennis came to the Study to talk to their boss, seeing he was home early that day. Dennis told him he was going to be a chaperone that evening and that Wayne asked him to be there on Sunday if he had to take Robert to visit his mom.

Mr. Ken thanked the Assistant Estate Master for helping out tonight and on Sunday, as he just talked to Robert and he agreed to having Mr. Wayne drive him to see his mom. Dennis then asked where the teen’s mom was.

Mr. Ken looked to Wayne to see if he should tell the man, and getting a slight nod, the teen’s dad said, “Dennis … this is one of those issues that Robert’s friends know about, but … well, we still don’t go out and broadcast it from the highest hills. I think you understand what I am saying.

“That said … ahh, Robert’s mom and his biological dad, by-the-way, are both in … prison. There is a long story behind that, but Robert … he hasn’t seen his mom since her trial and now that Bill has gone to see his mom, my son … he wants to now go and see his.”

Dennis sat there for a few moments and asked, “Does that long story … does it have anything to do with the twin’s dad?”

Again, Mr. Ken looked to Wayne, and seeing another nod, Mr. Ken answered, “Dennis … it does in a roundabout way. You see … both fathers … they knew each other and they had business dealings that have … well, have put them both in prison. But back then … Robert and the twins … they never met one another as Robert … he was ten at the time and the twins were about seven and the families lived in very different parts of the state.”

Dennis Florkert thanked his employer for that back story, on his son, and promised not to spread that information outside the estate.

Mr. Ken then told the men when he would leave on Sunday, especially so Dennis could plan when to arrive at The Cove that day. Then he dropped the bomb on them that he was considering allowing Chief to have a litter of puppies. That surprised both men.

The owner of The Cove and Chief’s first master told them about his discussion with the Vet that afternoon. He also told them that Chief had never had a litter of pups, ever since she came to live at The Cove, and he was going to talk to her and see if that was something she wanted to do.

Dennis couldn’t believe his boss was going to sit down and ask the resident pet if she wanted to get pregnant. Mr. Ken saw the look in the man’s face and explained to him that Chief was very special, and that she has always been able to comprehend what people say and feel. The owner of The Cove told Dennis that they have never treated the resident pet otherwise, and he should never discount what Chief can do.

Wayne spoke up just then and added that Chief has a special sense of people and situations, and that she will react to them without a command to do so. The Estate Master said that if a boy is crying or hurting for some reason, she will come and get Mr. Ken or him.

Mr. Wayne gave an example of Chief one time, saying that she snuck up and attacked a man holding a knife to a boy’s throat, at her own peril, without being told, and that she defended their boss and Ryan against an overly power-hungry security guard when she didn’t even know them.

Continuing, Mr. Ken asked Wayne to take Chief to the Vet on Wednesday for a check-up to make sure she was healthy and reminded him that the boys needed to see the dentist before they went on their trip. Mr. Ken then mentioned he invited Judy to go along with them on their trip and remembering that, he called Chris to come to the Study.

When Chris arrived, he told the man, “Chris … I invited Ms. Judy to join us when we travel to visit my amusement parks. I want you to reserve a room just for her; no boys. I told her she needs a vacation and this way she could see some of my parks.

“She and Dan … they will trade off like Dan and Levi did last year. Oh, and I expect the boys to ask Mark to join them, as he is a Cover, too, so we need to plan on him being on the trip, as well. I’ll need a Special Power of Attorney that covers illnesses, etc, so talk to Stewart, please.”

“So, who’s going to take care of Chief, while you’re all gone?” quickly asked Mr. Chris.

“Dan said it will all work itself out,” chuckled the man’s boss. “But I think … I think he’s going to stay here at night, since you’ll be here during the day watching over things, and the lifeguards as you did last year. Also, Dan said he wants to see the parks he didn’t see, so when they change off, Judy will come and get Chief and take her home, and then she’ll take her to work with her as she always does.”

Chris was satisfied with that explanation. Then he told his employer that he ordered both dinner bells and that they should be in later next week. Mr. Ken thanked him for that and then told him he had another item he’ll need to order in due time – a whelping box for medium to large dogs.

After Mr. Chris heard he’ll need to order a whelping box, Mr. Ken then went into the reason why and then he asked him if his kids would like a dog like Chief. Chris said he’d have to talk to Sandra, and see if they want to take on that size of a commitment. Chris then asked when the pup would be ready for them to have. Mr. Ken said if everything went well, probably mid- to late-September.

The boys’ friends began to arrive around six o’clock. Most of them just took their things over to the Pavilion and waited for all of their mutual friends to arrive. Phillip’s friends arrived within five minutes of one another and the Cover had all of them walk down to the house to set up their beds for the night. They set up around the Rumford fireplace, like Charles told them to, and the five boys left their extra clothes they brought with them there.

Preston then asked Phillip if they could change into their swimsuits right now, so they don’t have to fend off all of the older boys, when it is time to swim. Phillip agreed that would be a good idea, so he told his friends to follow him and they could help carry all of the swimsuits and towels to the locker room for the boys.

When the boys had all of the swimsuits and towels in the Men’s Locker Room, they each found theirs and then they went to the benches and took off their sneakers, but not their socks as they would be putting their sneakers back on, as they would be going up to the Pavilion for pizza.

The boys giggled as they dropped their shorts and underwear, at the same time, and then put on their swimsuits. They then put their sneakers back on and then went out to the pool deck to place their shorts and underwear in a locker.

“I heard that one time the older boys … they took their clothes off and turned all around in the middle of the room,” began Preston, “so the younger boys could see what they’d look like when they got older. Then they told the younger boys to get changed, as they were all hesitating to change.”

“Something like we did the first time, huh?” asked a smiling Bryson.

“Yea, like we did Bry,” agreed a smiling Preston.

The five younger boys headed back up to the Pavilion. When they got there, Billy asked them where they were, as the pizzas were already there and getting cold. Billy then saw they had their swimsuits on and a locker key on their wrist and then he smiled. The teenager told the boys they could warm their slice up on the hot grill plate, or in the microwave, and then for them to get a cup of ice and a drink.

While everyone was feasting, Jordan and Gavin, the two lifeguards for the night, came over to Mr. Ken and gave them the names of some of their friends who were looking for lifeguard positions that summer. Mr. Ken thanked them for the names and then told them after he ate, he would call them to see if they could come in tomorrow for an interview.

“Boys … if I can have your attention while you are all seated,” called out Mr. Ken. “Tonight … this is the first sleepover of the summer and joining us as a chaperone is Mr. Dennis. And, on Sunday … I have to leave early to go away on a business trip, and Mr. Wayne and Robert are also taking a trip and so, Mr. Dennis … he will be here, as if I, or Mr. Wayne, were here. So, if you have any problems, take them to him. OK?”

“Mr. Ken … is it warm enough to have the movie out on the patio tonight?” asked one of the boys.

“Well, even though it is warm now, as the sun goes down it will get much cooler, and many of you don’t have a warm jacket to stay outside until eleven o’clock. So, what say … what say we wait until the next sleepover, and then have the movie outdoors. OK, Boys?” answered Mr. Ken.

Phillip and his friends thoroughly enjoyed the pizza party, especially with all of the different types of pizza they could try. None of them had ever been to something like that and the older boys told them it had been a long time since they had one there. After the boys had eaten what they could, Billy had them collect what was left over and he put it in the Pavilion refrigerator telling them they could have it for breakfast.

“Why would we want pizza for breakfast, when we can have pancakes and crispy bacon?” laughed Charles’ friend Cooper.

“We’re having pancakes and bacon for breakfast?” asked a disbelieving Jeffrey.

“I think we are,” replied Phillip. “But I think Momma Maria is also coming in to teach us how to fix scrambled eggs, so we can fix breakfast tacos, too. I think. This is my first sleepover, so this is all new to me,” finished Phillip.

Some of the boys decided to turn the Cove Skate Park lights on and skate, while most of them decided to head down to the house to swim. Phillip and his friends decided to head down to swim.

Mr. Wayne called out, before he drove a golf cart down to the house, “The movie starts at nine o’clock sharp, whether you are there or not!”

“Hey, you took our spots,” loudly complained Matthew to Phillip, when he and his friends went to set up their sleeping bags for tonight.

“I’ve never been here for a sleepover,” replied Phillip, “and Mr. Ken … he told Charles to show me where me and my friends would set up. And that is where Charles told us to set our sleeping bags up at. Go and talk to him.”

“What’s all this yelling about?” asked ‘dad’ Ken, with Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis, nearby.

“Ohh, nothing,” answered Matthew.

“He’s just mad that me and my friends set up where Charles told us to. I think he’s mad because he and his friends were going to set up near the fireplace, too, and we got there first,” offered Phillip.

“Oh, OK, I get it, now. Matthew … aren’t you and your friends usually set up over by the pool wall?” asked ‘dad’ Ken.

“Yes, but with the twins gone, I thought … I thought we could move to where they and their friends used to go,” argued Matthew.

“Well, for tonight, you go over by the pool wall, and the next time you and your friends can have the fireplace, seeing that Phillip and his friends are already there. Can you do that for me, ‘son’?” asked ‘dad’ Ken, who then hugged Matthew.

Matthew smiled at the closeness he felt from the man. The pre-teen then said that he and his friends would set up over by the pool wall. The boy then hugged his ‘dad’ and he and his friends took their gear over to where they used to sleep and set it up.

Tonight’s movie was going to be: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The description on the box said: After saving Xandar from Ronan’s wrath, the Guardians are now recognized as heroes. Now the team must help their leader, Star Lord (Chris Pratt), uncover the truth behind his true heritage. Along the way, old foes turn to allies and betrayal is blooming. And the Guardians find that they are up against a devastating new menace who is out to rule the galaxy.

The boys swam and had fun until Mr. Ken came in and told them they had five minutes to drain their dragons before the movie started. He reminded them not to eat popcorn or drink any soda while in the pool. But that they could sit on the side wall if they wanted to. He also told them he’d stop the movie at a point, about half way through, so they could have a potty break. The boys all laughed at that.

At nine o’clock sharp, Mr. Ken started the movie. Mr. Wayne nudged his boss to look out over the pool and then told him that he needs a few more rafts for when they have the indoor movies. Mr. Ken told him to remind him, or better still, to tell Chris on Monday.

Dennis smiled at the exchange, knowing the two had a great boss/worker relationship that he felt was more like a close friendship. He’d been working at The Cove for almost a year now, and he noticed that the two thought alike in many issues. He figured it was because they were close in age, and that they had worked together for more than two years, but mostly Wayne knew much more about the boys than he would ever know.

About seventy minutes into the movie, Mr. Ken stopped the movie and told the boys they had seven minutes to drain what needed to be drained, and get back into their seats, as the movie was being started whether they were there or not. All the boys scrambled to get to the Men’s Locker Room.

Matthew told his friends to head into the Women’s Locker Room, so they wouldn’t have a long line. Phillip told his friends to follow him to the Party Restrooms under the stairs. Some of Charles’ friends went with them, as they remembered doing that the last time, too.

“Phillip, this is so awesome,” exclaimed Westin, speaking of the Dive-In Movie.

“Yea, who gets to go to a Dive-In Movie? There aren’t any places that I know that do this,” added Jeffrey. “This is a lot of fun.” Preston, Phillip and Bryson all agreed.

All the boys enjoyed the PG-13 movie, even though the older teens would have liked a more action packed, ‘shoot ‘em-up’ type flick.

When the movie was over at 11:23, that included the seven-minute break, Mr. Wayne told the boys to get ready for bed and then head up to the Kitchen Nook for their bedtime snack.

Phillip and his friends quickly went to their lockers to get their clothes. Phillip told them to follow him and they’d take them out to their sleeping bags and get their PJs and change in the Party Restrooms, and then he’d take their wet swimsuits and towels back to the dryers.

When the younger boys came back from putting their wet things in the dyers, they were surprised to see that they were the only ones who wore PJs, whereas most of the other boys had boxer briefs on. They followed the rest of the boys up to the Kitchen Nook where the men had 9 dozen of the most asked for Krispy Kreme donuts along with white, chocolate and vanilla milk waiting for them.

“What’s vanilla milk?” asked Jeffrey.

“Try it; you’ll like it,” exclaimed Phillip.

All five youngsters got a glass of the frothy vanilla milk after Mr. Wayne shook the gallon jug up to make sure the sugar and vanilla were thoroughly mixed in the white milk. That made the vanilla milk somewhat like a milkshake.

“Gee, this is good. Where did he learn to make this?” asked Westin.

“Oh, this is Momma Maria’s recipe,” answered Phillip. “She makes it for us when she serves us our after-school snack.”

Westin and Jeffrey couldn’t believe Phillip and his ‘brothers’ get an after-school snack every day when they get home from school.

Billy called out and told everyone not to spend too much time in the Kitchen Nook eating and talking, as some of them have to be up at seven o’clock to start fixing breakfast. The older teen then went to Phillip to asked him if any of his friends were going to help in the morning. Phillip said he didn’t know he was supposed to ask them. The Cover teen told his ‘brother’ the more that help the better the breakfast will go.

Most of the boys got to their sleeping bags by 12:10 and they were all at them with the lights off by twelve-thirty. Phillip and his friends whispered to one another about what would happen in the morning. The Cover told them that they could help if they wanted, but he would be waking them up at seven o’clock when Billy comes to get him. Phillip’s friends moaned, but said they’d help and for him to wake them.

Chief stayed next to Phillip that night. Earlier that evening, Mr. Ken talked to her about her having a litter of puppies. Her first master also told her that Mr. Wayne would be taking her to the Vet on Wednesday to make sure she was healthy enough to carry a litter of pups.

Chief had never thought about having a litter of puppies the entire time she lived at The Cove. She liked the idea and Mr. Ken told her that if she is healthy, she could make the decision. Her first master also told her he would see if he could introduce her to a number of sires that she could then choose from. She liked the idea that he wanted her to be the one who decided which male she would mate with.

Chief loved that it was Mr. Ken who adopted her those many years ago and gave her such a wonderful home and lots of boys to play with. The resident pet slept soundly that Friday night and dreamt of having a bunch of puppies to care for.

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

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