Published: 28 Sep 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

The Cover boys were disappointed that their ‘dad’ hadn’t called again, but Mr. Wayne reminded them that their ‘dad’ was extremely busy, and they’d see him tomorrow night. Disappointed, they all headed to their rooms and eventuality the Estate Master talked to them all before they all went to bed.

Tomorrow, Chief would have her veterinarian appointment to see if she was healthy enough to have a litter of pups. The resident pet was looking forward to it, as she was looking forward to having her first litter of pups.

The Covers, including Chief, all slept well that night.

Wednesday morning at Edgewood was overcast, and it looked like rain. The two bosses ate breakfast at their hotel and then packed for their trip home later that afternoon. They got to the park later than they expected, but they had to rely on Jason to run the show with his two right hand men, Braxton and Tucker, so their being late didn’t bother them at all.

When Ken Thomas and Ben Walthers did finally arrive at Edgewood, they were surprised to see a long line of men and women, waiting to be hired. They saw that Braxton and Tucker were outside interviewing the people, and they were happy to see that Jason had used them in that capacity.

The Public Relations person was also out there passing out forms, clipboards and pens and asking the people to fill out the applications, and answering any of their questions. They also told the people what positions were open, how many they were filling today, that a cursory background check would be done, and then those who qualified would get called back later today.

“How many have they hired, Jason?” asked Ben, when he saw the ops manager inside the operations building.

“Well, sir … right now … they are just taking their applications. We still need to run their background checks, but that is just a formality. If they answer that they had never been arrested, we’ll actually run the check, but for the most part, we’ll have the majority of them come back tomorrow to start work,” answered Jason Zimms, Edgewood’s operations manager.

“How many do you intend to hire, Jason?” asked Mr. Ken.

“Well, sir … I’m thinking about fifty for the first hire. I’ll then see how they work out when the students start working. I really want the high school students, who will eventually work many of the positions in the park, to earn a nice paycheck right from the start

“You do know that at the parks … that we rely on the high schoolers for the most part, and we need to treat them right. The adults … well, they are all part-time hires, for now, and we’ll keep the really good workers, and try to find permanent jobs for them,” offered Jason.

The two bosses smiled at one another and told Jason they’d catch up with him later. Ben then went and started calling the soft drink distributors to see what sort of drink deals he could work out for that park’s season, or maybe longer.

Mr. Ken went directly to the DERR Work Center to see if the men had gone out to work, or had they waited for Jason to give them orders. He found the Work Center completely empty, and he was very pleased to see that. He then took a golf cart and started driving around the park to see how much grass and weed cutting had actually occurred around the coasters, and what other areas needed to be cut next. He found the landscaping crew hard at work cutting out and away from the coasters.

The park’s owner also saw the other men hard at work. The electricians were checking the electrical systems at the kiddie rides, the mechanics were also there inspecting the rides. The plumbers had the doors open to the water heaters which they were draining. He stopped by and asked them what their plans were.

The lead plumber told him they were going to drain all of the hot water heaters and clean out the built-up debris and then check the heating elements, since they had the time. He said they might have to change out a few elements and possibly a few heaters, but that now is the best time to do it. The lead said they found a few broken faucets and toilets that the other men were changing out right now. Mr. Ken thanked him and continued driving around the park.

Mr. Ken was happy to see that Jason had the men pressure washing the areas around the food stands, and the ones they had done looked awesome. He stopped to talk to the men to see if they had any comments as to what they were doing.

One man said he wished he had ear protection, as the machine was quite loud. Mr. Ken took out his radio and called Jason and told him to get the men some ear defenders the next time he goes to the big box store for supplies.

Another man said that the job was easy, but also tiring, and he would have liked someone to switch off with. He said that doing it eight straight hours is way too much with all the standing and for his back. Mr. Ken told the guys they should be getting breaks and looking at the time, he told the men they should take a 15-minute break every 2-hours. The park’s owner told them to make sure they take a full one-hour lunch break, and that he’ll talk to Jason about assigning other men to switch off with them.

Mr. Ken found some of the carpenters working on The Wooden Coaster queue. The queue that wound up to the station house was mainly made up of wood and had been screwed together. He watched as the men were actually tightening the screws in the walkway planks and side supports.

They had fabricated a four-foot rod with a T-handle and a bearing mounted rachet that they could insert a Phillips bit at the end. In that way they could stand and use their own torque to tighten down the screws. They used their battery powered drills to tighten the side mounted screws.

Mr. Ken saw that it was a very efficient way to tighten the screws, and not have the men down on their knees, as they have thousands of screws to tighten. One man was also sanding down the edges of the wood handrails and he was using an extension cord as a cordless sander wouldn’t last long enough to finish the entire queue.

The park’s owner found the other carpenters working at the Main Entrance. Some were fixing the Security Checkpoints, while others were working on the Ticket Booths and entrance turnstiles. He was happy they were all gainfully employed.

The Cover boys were very happy at breakfast that Wednesday morning. Momma could hear it in their voices, as they were all looking forward to their ‘dad’ coming home later that day.

When the three Edgewood bosses came together later that morning, they all reported what they had been doing. Ben said that the Coke and Pepsi distributors were mildly amused at his request that they let the public decide, during that season, which brand of soft drink they wanted the park to serve.

Ben explained that they both wanted to know which soft drink they served at their other parks and when they learned that two served one brand and two served the other, they agreed to the friendly competition. Ben told Jason he would need to work out with them which brand went to which food stand.

Mr. Ken told them about his trips around the park and how the Work Center men were very busy. He reminded Jason about the ear defenders and then he told the ops manager he needed to assign relief men for the pressure washers, and then he explained why. Jason apologized for not thinking that one through, and that he’d have people assigned after their meeting.

It was while the three were meeting that the state food inspector arrived. Jason excused himself and left to escort the inspector to the park’s freezers, and then to the cafeteria, which he hoped would also pass.

Mr. Wayne took Chief to her veterinarian appointment that morning. The resident pet seemed to be overly excited to go there and just gave Wayne a bunch of doggie kisses every chance she got.

Once inside the waiting room, Chief sat or lay quietly waiting for her turn to have her appointment. Then, when her name as called, she let out a very loud bark that got the attention of everyone.

“Well, Chief,” said the vet to The Cove’s resident pet, “so, we’re thinking of having a litter of pups, are we?”

“Woof, woof!” replied Chief.

Both men smiled knowing that Chief was a very unique animal.

The veterinarian did a very thorough physical exam of Chief. He also took some blood and got Chief to give him a urine sample. The two men talked about Chief and Mr. Ken’s desire to allow her to have a litter of puppies. The vet told Mr. Wayne what he needed to watch for as Chief’s genital area was already beginning to swell and that she soon would be ready to mate, if that is what Mr. Ken and Chief want.

The vet and Wayne talked about the types of food Chief should eat once she was carrying a litter of pups and where they should establish her whelping area, so she could go there to birth her pups. They also talked about the pups care afterwards, but the vet also told Wayne to read up on it on the net.

Before Mr. Wayne and Chief left the office, the doctor gave the Estate Master a list of three men who had agreed to allow their sire’s to meet Chief to see if she would want to mate with them. The doctor explained that Mr. Ken had asked him to find some potential mates for Chief, and only three men who had Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers had jumped at the opportunity, when they learned what special kind of dog Chief was.

While Jason was showing the state inspector around, Mr. Ken was telling Ben that he wasn’t going all the way home with him. The owner of TFE told him he was going to be dropped off at Crystal Lake, and that he would discuss the new water park with Arnie Arnolds and where they would site it. Mr. Ken said he’d be home Friday afternoon.

Mr. Ken told Ben to finalize the water park design and work on finding a construction company who can build the water park. Mr. Ken added they would then need to submit their plans to the local Planning and Zoning for approval, so they could hopefully start construction by the fall, if not, sooner. Ben said that it shouldn’t be a problem, since the plans were essentially done and he knew which companies could build water parks back east.

It was then that Jason came back to the office with a great big smile. “We … it passed. The food in the freezer … we can serve it. Also … the cafeteria … it also passed, so we can now use it. The women out there are smiling big time, too. They are planning the meals for the next week. They’ll start using up all of those hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken parts and turkey legs, and anything else that is out there. There is more than enough to take us through this transformation period.”

“That’s great, Jason. Now we need to see if the local distributors will continue to supply what we need to sell at our food stands. And speaking of what we need, we still have to decide if we are going to keep the same menu or change it up,” offered Ben Walthers.

“I think we need to change it up some,” quickly spoke up Jason. “But that will all depend on who will deliver what. Give me a few minutes and I’ll start making some phone calls,” finished Jason.

“Ben … which brand of soda will we be serving at the cafeteria tomorrow,” laughed Mr. Ken.

Ben said that he’ll call both soda distributors and see if they’d bring their dispensers over this afternoon and set them up in the cafeteria to start with, and then when we have the food stands ready later in June, we can have them bring the rest of the dispenser’s over and set them up.

While the two bosses were talking, Jason came back with a grim face. “The food and paper goods suppliers … they both aren’t interested in working with us unless … unless they are paid in-full what they are owed by the previous owners.

“I told them both that we aren’t responsible for what they are owed by the previous owners, and that they have to work their settlements through the Bankruptcy Trustee. They told me it would be a cold day in hell before they sell us anything. I told them both to have a good day before I hung up.”

Jason then explained to Ben Walthers that he could find a further out supplier, but it would cost them more. Or, he added, he could try to pay the close-in suppliers up-front for what they would buy, otherwise they needed to get the lawyers involved because the Bankruptcy Trustee was responsible to pay off Edgewood’s creditors, not them.

“Ben … we need to find a food and paper goods supplier PDQ!” called out Mr. Ken.

Ben said he was on it. He pulled out his cell phone and called back to the office. He talked to his team about the food and paper goods suppliers for the other four parks to see if they could also supply what Edgewood would need. He told them to coordinate with Jason Zimms, as he would he heading home later that afternoon, if they didn’t have an answer by then.

While Ben was talking to his home office, Mr. Ken called Wayne. The two talked about Chief’s physical. It was then Mr. Ken learned that the vet gave the Estate Master the names of the three men who would like to have their sires mate with The Cove’s resident pet.

Mr. Ken asked Wayne to call the men and see if one could stop by tomorrow morning, another on Friday and another on Saturday. The owner of The Cove asked Wayne to explain to the men that he wanted to let the two dogs have the run of the estate for about an hour, or so, to get to know one another, and then he’d ask Chief which one she wanted to mate with, and when it was time, he’d ask the man to bring his sire over.

It was then Mr. Ken told the Estate Master that he wouldn’t be home until Friday afternoon. He explained they were going to build a water park at Crystal Lake that fall, and he was going to stop there on the way home and talk things over with Arnie.

Mr. Wayne asked his boss what he should tell the boys. Mr. Ken told him to tell them the truth and that he wouldn’t be home until Friday afternoon. The boy’s dad and foster dad said the boys needed to get used to him being away, as he would be gone even more as time moved on and his businesses continued to grow. Wayne said he understood.

During lunch, the three Edgewood bosses ate and talked about what Jason needed to accomplish during the next 50 some days. Mr. Ken then told Jason that he should expect to receive a phone call that afternoon to go and inspect a short-term rental apartment for him to stay in that would be totally furnished and have a kitchen.

Mr. Ken told him that way he could cook some meals for himself, and have a place that would feel more like a home. The owner of Edgewood also told him if the place was nice enough the men from the other parks would also be housed there during their stay, and it would all be charged to TFE. Jason said he’d like that versus having to stay in a motel for the next two months.

The men also reviewed what landscaping was needed around the park and could be done before the Grand Re-Opening, they were now calling it, and continue afterwards without interfering with the guests. They discussed having the rides inspected when there were a number ready for the inspectors, so they didn’t waste their time coming out for just one or two.

Ben told Jason that both soft drink distributors would be there first thing in the morning to install brand new soft drink dispensers in the cafeteria, and they both would be ready for the lunch rush. Ben told him he needed to charge the workers for the soft drinks, so he needed to set up a register and decide on the cost for a certain sized cup, but the food will be free until it is all used up. Then, after that, they will have to pay for their lunch. Jason made a note in his cell phone.

The three men also discussed when they would announce the renaming of the park, and the installation of any new rides to replace the three that were deemed unsafe. Ben said those new rides wouldn’t be installed until the off season.

Jason then asked if the park would have a Halloween and Christmas season. Mr. Ken said that he could envision a Halloween one, but if they are installing three or more new rides, they would need access to the entire park from, and Mr. Ken pulled out his cell phone and checked the calendar, and continued and said right after that first, or second, weekend of November. Jason thanked the man for that information, so he could plan that far in advance.

Mr. Ken said that one or both of them would be back at least one more time and, of course, they both would be here for the Grand Re-Opening Day, as they were now calling it. Ben told Jason to use Braxton and Tucker elsewhere, besides administrative duties, as they had the experience to handle all the aspects of running the park.

When the men returned to the park another I&R company had arrived and they introduced themselves. Ben told them which rides they were to work on, and for them to coordinate with Jason going forward.

Mr. Ken and Ben said their goodbyes to Jason, as they had to catch their charter flight back home. They wished the new operations manager well and said for him to call them if he had problems, or if he needed their help with anything. They reminded him that he would have ten seasoned workers from the other four parks arriving by the weekend, and to use them as the leads for all the DERR Work Center personnel, and to fire anyone who balks.

Upon the boss’s departure from the park, Jason Zimms was now under the gun to prove he was their man to transform Edgewood into a brand-new park. It was then he received that phone call to inspect where he was going to live, until he found a permanent residence. He stopped and told Braxton where he was going, and that he was in charge until he returned.

Braxton asked where Mr. Thomas and Mr. Walthers were and he was surprised that they had left to return home, and wouldn’t be back for a few weeks. Jason told the former ops manager he was going to rely on him and Tucker to help supervise what needed to be done, and then he left to check that short-term residence, where he would hopefully live.

Arnold ‘Arnie’ Arnolds was happy to have the owner of Crystal Lake Amusement Park back visiting again. Mr. Ken told Arnie that he was going to get settled in his hotel room first, and then go out to dinner with Kate. The owner of TFE told Arnie he would see him bright and early tomorrow to discuss putting in a water park.

Kate was surprised to hear Ken was in town, and that he wanted to go out to dinner that night. She called her mother and asked her to watch the boys, while the two went out. Edith was happy to do it, as she liked Ken and hoped the two would keep seeing one another and eventually marry. She knew long distance relationships weren’t easy, but Ken did try to make it work.

The Cover boys were all disappointed that their ‘dad’ wasn’t there, when they all returned home from school. They asked Mr. Wayne if he knew when he would get home, and he told them he’d tell them what he knew when they sat down for dinner. He then sent them all to get their homework done.

At dinner that evening, Mr. Wayne told the boys that their ‘dad’ had decided to stop at Crystal Lake and talk to Mr. Arnolds about their decision to build a water park there during the off-season to be ready for opening day next year. The Estate Master told the boys that Mr. Ken said that while he was back east, he’d make good use of his time there, and the two of them would site the new water park, while Mr. Walthers returned to finalize the plans and finding a construction company.

Billy, Robert, Charles and Phillip all understood that their ‘dad’ had businesses to run, and that he’d be back on Friday. Matthew still bemoaned the fact the Mr. Ken didn’t return like he said he would on Wednesday. Mr. Wayne saw that it was really upsetting the pre-teen, so he decided he’d talk to him separately, later.

The Covers had their meeting in the Study after dinner, as they always do. There Mr. Wayne reminded Matthew that he’d see Doctor Doug tomorrow, and that Robert would go back to the dentist to have that cavity taken care of.

Mr. Wayne then told the boys that Chief had her physical today, and that she was already starting to show signs of going into heat, and that she will soon be ready for mating. The Estate Master told the boys that starting tomorrow the resident pet would be visited by three different potential sires on each of the next three days.

Robert asked if his dad was really going to allow Chief to have a litter of pups. Chief answered for Mr. Wayne with a big “WOOF! Then she went over to Robert for a few ear scratches, and to give him a few doggie kisses.

That evening, Ken Thomas stopped by Kate Partlunds’ home to take her out to dinner. He talked with Edith, Kate’s mother, and fooled around with the woman’s two boys, Rusty and Jessy, for a few minutes, before the two adults went out to dinner.

Ken and Kate were really enjoying one another’s company, when they were together. And today, Ken’s coming by surprised Kate to no end. It told her that the man really had some feeling for her, if he would change his original schedule to return home to his boys, but instead stop by Crystal Lake, and to see and be with her.

The two went out for a nice quiet dinner, at a very fancy restaurant, where they took their time eating. Mr. Ken doesn’t drink, when he drives, but he did encourage Kate to have wine with their meal. She chose not to, telling her date that she didn’t need it either. So, the two drank ice water, with a squeeze of lemon, with their dinner.

Phillip practiced his guitar that evening down in the Great Room, after the Covers had their meeting in the Study. Mr. Wayne went down there to talk to the boy and asked him if he wasn’t over doing the practicing by doing it afterschool and just then.

Phillip said he really wanted to learn how to play well to show Mr. Ken that he wasn’t wasting his money, like his mom thinks he is. Mr. Wayne said he totally understood, but he also told the boy that he needed to have fun too, so not to forget to do that. Phillip smiled at the man and went back to practicing.

The two dinner date adults talked about things going on in their lives, even though they did talk during the week a lot. Mr. Ken told her about his decision to let Chief have her first litter of pups. He added that there were three sires lined up for her to meet, and that she would get to pick from them to be the pup’s father.

Kate laughed at Ken having three male dogs stopping by to have a play-date with Chief to see which one she wanted to mate with. The two had a lively conversation about it, but luckily Kate had met Chief, and knew how special the resident pet was. So, she knew about and understood Ken’s desire to allow Chief to decide who the father of her pups would be.

Ken told her about the boys and what they were up to, and about Bill having to testify last week and what that was all about. He then told Kate that he and the boys would be back during the second week of June, as they visit all of his amusement parks, as they were prone to do, right after school let out for the summer.

Mr. Ken then asked her if she, the boys and her mother would consider visiting The Cove for the 4^th of July Carnival. He told her how the church groups serve their special foods, and there would be carnival rides for the adults, as well as the youngsters, and games for the boys to play. He then mentioned that he sponsors the huge fireworks display out on the lake, and they could all have front row seats, while sitting out on the covered picnic finger.

Mr. Ken suggested that he could stop by and they could fly back with him after he and Ben have their Grand Re-Opening at Edgewood. He said they’d get there that Saturday and the carnival is Monday and Tuesday and they could stay until the following weekend and then see more of the area, and maybe some of San Antonio. Kate said she would talk it over with her mother, and see what she had to say, and that she would let him know, when he visits them in June.

Ken Thomas was really smitten with Kate, and he was trying to learn what sort of visitation rights the boy’s father had with them. In the back of his mind, he wanted to know if there would be a custody fight if they did get married, and she moved back to Texas to be with him and took the boys.

He wasn’t sure how he could broach that subject, but he knew it was an important one. He had to decide if it was something he should discuss with her before he asked her to marry him, or after. He was afraid that either way it could sour their relationship, and he didn’t want that to happen.

Mr. Wayne went upstairs, as Mr. Ken usually did, to talk to the boys before they went to bed. The Estate Master talked to the boys out of order that night, as he wanted to talk with Matthew last. In the pre-teen’s room, he told the boy that he’s heard how he has been overly focused on Mr. Ken, when he is gone.

Mr. Wayne told Matthew that it was mentally unhealthy for him to continue to think that way, and that he was happy he was talking to Doctor Doug tomorrow. He told Matthew that he needs to talk to Dr. Jennings about why he feels the way he does every time Mr. Ken leaves The Cove.

Matthew began to cry and all Mr. Wayne could do right then was to hold the boy, until his crying slowed down. The boy told the man that he was afraid that he would lose Mr. Ken, somehow, and thus his forever home.

Mr. Wayne told Matthew that he has to believe that Mr. Ken will do everything in his power to fight to keep him at The Cove. The man reminded the pre-teen that his ‘dad’ went all the way out to Colorado, and fought for him there, and then brought him back, so he needs to believe he won’t abandon him on purpose. Mr. Wayne again told Matthew to talk to Doctor Doug about his fear about Mr. Ken’s being gone.

The two shared a long hug and Matthew said that he would talk to the doctor about why he feels the way he does every time Mr. Ken goes away.

After dinner, Ken and Kate took a stroll out along the main street. They held hands and just talked about anything that came to mind. In many cases, it was business that they talked about. Kate would mention how the properties along the road to the amusement park were beginning to go to settlement and that he might want to start talking to a developer to begin planning what type of homes he wants to build out at the lake, once the new road is built.

Ken, for his part, would talk about what they were doing at Edgewood, and their intention to change the name. He told her about the initial problems with the main trades work force, and how he had to fire two men during the first two days.

The more they walked, the more they talked about work related issues until Kate started to laugh. She told him how strange it was that during dinner they talked about them, the boys and what they wanted to do with their futures, and then when they were out and about, they talked shop. Ken thought about that for about two seconds and laughed, too.

Ken Thomas took his date home by eleven o’clock that night. Edith was up and waiting for her daughter’s return. Ken apologized to her for keeping her daughter out so late, but he reasoned that they don’t get to see one another enough, and he just wanted to be with her.

Edith, without blinking, said in return, “Then you should make an honest woman out of her.”

“Mooom!” exclaimed Kate, as she lightly tapped her mom’s shoulder, while also laughing at the same time.

Ken asked Kate if he could take her and the boys out to dinner tomorrow night. He told Edith she could come along to make up for his keeping Kate out so late. But the mother said that having a nice quiet night, alone, would be more to her liking. Ken said he’d pick them up at five, then gave Kate a light goodnight kiss before leaving her at the front door.

Arnie Arnolds was looking forward to talking to the Crystal Lake’s owner that Thursday morning. Mr. Thomas had told him last year, when he bought the park, that he felt that being close to the lake they should build a water park there, and now it appears that is what they plan to do.

Before Ken Thomas left his hotel that morning, he made sure he ate a good breakfast from the hotel’s breakfast bar that they held, down in the lobby. He’d stayed at that particular hotel every time he’d visited the area, and he was never disappointed.

The two men met at Crystal Lake’s operations building and Arnie had the topographical map of the park, the property survey and overhead drone views of the park, that Jason had taken, available for the park’s owner to view before the two went to the area.

Mr. Ken talked to Arnie and asked him where he felt would be the best location for the water park, because once it goes in it isn’t going to be moved. Arnie said he felt that it should be placed out front so people can see it as soon as they drive up. The park’s operations manager reasoned that any new rides can always be placed in the back of the park, because the people will always go there to ride them.

The two men looked over the maps and photos before they took a golf cart and drove over to the area Arnie felt was the best place for the new attraction. When they got there, Arnie said he felt they should have a separate entrance for the water park.

Mr. Ken said he felt that the two, the amusement park and water park, should be a combined ticket, with changing rooms and lockers for the guests to use at the water park, before they go out to the amusement park.

Arnie wondered out loud about guests wearing their wet bathing suits on the rides and causing damage to the seats, and not wearing closed toed shoes. Mr. Ken said they would post large signs at the exits of the water park telling the guests that wet bathing suits and/or flip flops would not be allowed on any rides, or something to that effect

Mr. Arnolds asked if they could build the water park so they could eventually have a different entrance with little cost if the need arises. Mr. Ken laughed and said he’d talk to Ben and see what they could do with the plans.

When the two men finished looking over the site, they went back to the ops building. There Arnie wanted to know how Jason was doing at Edgewood. Mr. Ken gave him a run down on how Jason was handling the pressure of putting the entire park back together again, with some employees who had done as little as possible over the past many years, and now they found themselves having to work hard or get fired.

Mr. Wayne told The Cove’s resident pet that she would have a visitor that morning and Chief was anxious about meeting another dog that she might get to have her puppies with. The Estate Master told her that she would get to meet one new dog each of the next three days, and then after that she would have to tell Mr. Ken which sire, she liked enough to mate with.

Chief was all doggie smiles and when Oliver Hayes and his dog, Apollo, a Labrador Retriever, arrived. Mr. Wayne and Chief were at the Main Gate waiting for them. Mr. Wayne had the security guards open the Main Gate for them and the man drove into the estate.

Mr. Wayne and Oliver talked while Chief danced around waiting for the man to let his dog out of the dog carrier. The men finally agreed to allow the dogs to have free reign of the soccer field, Pavilion area and Cove Skate Park for about an hour.

Mr. Hayes observed that Chief was getting close to being in heat and asked Wayne when he thought the two dogs would get together to mate. Wayne said he wasn’t sure, but the vet had told him that maybe by late next week, orearly the following week, would be the prime time.

Chief and Apollo romped around the front of the estate and played like they were old friends. They play fought, chased one another and just ran after one another and then changed places. They did that for an hour.

While the two dogs were getting to know one another, Oliver and Wayne walked over to the Pavilion where the Estate Master had filled Chief’s bowls with water and ice, so the two pets would have fresh, cold water to drink when they wanted.

Mr. Hayes was amazed at what he was seeing. He asked Wayne lots of questions and when he learned that Mr. Thomas fostered boys, which was the reason for the Cove Skate Park, Pavilion and Soccer Field, and what the man couldn’t see was the cove that had water toys, sail boats and personal water craft, he was happy he allowed Apollo to come over and meet Chief.

When the hour was up, Oliver called Apollo over and the dog and Chief came over to the two men. The man told his dog to get a drink of water and the two dogs both went over to the ice-cold water waiting for them.

Mr. Hayes thanked Wayne, and Chief, for allowing Apollo to come over and play and he hoped that the two would have another chance to play again soon. The four walked over to the Hayes vehicle and before long the visitors were gone.

Chief was all smiles in the golf cart, as Mr. Wayne drove the two back to the house. Then once in the Study, Chief found a nice spot to lay down and took a nap after all the play she’d just done with Apollo.

After dinner that evening, the boys were full of questions about how Chief and the other dog got along that morning. Mr. Wayne inwardly smiled and told them that Chief and Apollo, who was a Labrador Retriever and had some great color in him, had a great time playing and getting to know one another.

After their usual meeting, Mr. Wayne kept Matthew back when the boys headed up to their rooms. The man was interested in knowing if the pre-teen was able to talk to Doctor Doug about what they talked about last night.

Matthew said he did and Doctor Doug helped him understand what he was trying to tell him last night. The boy did say he wanted to go back and talk to him some more, so Mr. Dennis made the appointment for him for two weeks from now. Mr. Wayne thanked the youngster for trying to get a handle on that fear of his. The two hugged and then Matthew headed up to his room.

Mr. Ken picked up Kate and her boys at five o’clock. The boys were full of energy and lots questions about their big ‘brothers’. They went out to a buffet that evening which enabled the boys to get their favorite macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets and a soda.

Ken and Kate got themselves a medium rare steak, a baked potato and some hot vegetables, but not at the same time, as the boys, being eight and six, still needed to be supervised at the table.

The boys wanted to know when they would get to see their big ‘brothers’ again and have them take them out to ride the rides at the amusement park. Mr. Ken said they would be there again in June and their big ‘brothers’ would be happy to take them on the rides.

Ken and Kate didn’t keep the boys out too late that night, as the boys did have school in the morning. But the two adults enjoyed each other’s company for another evening and they did talk more about what they each planned that coming summer. And Ken, did broach the subject about the boy’s father, and how often he sees them. He was surprised to learn that the man was almost nonexistent in their lives. The two shared a few kisses before Ken went back to his hotel room.

The Cover boys talked with Mr. Wayne that evening before going to bed. In Robert’s room, the teen asked him if he thought his dad was seeing Kate, while he was at Chrystal Lake. All Mr. Wayne did was smile, and then tell the teen to ask his dad when he got home. Robert said he’d think about that, and then smiled himself.

All the Cover boys slept well that night. Chief also had a good sleep, as she relived her romp with Apollo, and looked forward to meeting another male dog tomorrow.

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

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