Published: 7 Dec 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

The two Covers talked some more, but eventually ‘dad’ Ken told the youngest Cover not to forget to drain his dragon before going to bed, as he rustled the boy’s hair and then he walked out of the bedroom to head down to his own retreat.

As the owner of The Cove got ready for bed he thought about Bill’s clandestine note, and how he believed the teenager would handle it. He figured he and the teen would find themselves at the courthouse Wednesday morning. He knew he better let Rosemary know to cancel his appointments and rearrange his schedule for at least Wednesday morning.

The Cove was quiet all night through. But one Cover didn’t sleep all that well.

At breakfast that Tuesday morning, Mr. Ken asked Billy if he had made up his mind about Wednesday morning. The teenager said he hadn’t yet, but that he would know by the time he came home from school. The teen’s foster dad told the teen that if he knew any sooner for him to at least text him, so he could plan his day at the office. The Cover teen said that he would.

On the ride to the high school that morning, Robert asked Billy if he was going to go to the courthouse tomorrow. The oldest Cover boy said that he probably would, after what Mr. Ken told him during their talk in the Study last night.

Robert then asked the teen why he didn’t tell his dad that. Billy told his ‘brother’ that he probably would, but he hadn’t decided that he definitely would, so he needed the time to think about it some more. The younger teen said he sort of understood, then told his older ‘brother’ that he hoped he would make up his mind quickly, then tell his dad.

When Billy got off the bus that morning, his friends saw that he was still a bit down and they asked him what was bothering him. Billy asked them to walk away from where everyone was and he’d tell them.

When the group was away from the majority of their classmates, and Billy felt like he could tell his friends what was on his mind, the Cover teen told them why he was acting the way he was, since yesterday.

“Guys … yesterday, you remember when that pretty young thing stopped by me? Well, she … she stopped by so … so she could bring me a note. A note from … Kaden,” started Billy, as his friends cut him off.

The Cover teen’s friends immediately began talking all at once, wanting to know what was in the note, and asking Billy what Kaden wanted from him.

“OK, OK I’ll tell you. Kaden … he asked me in the note if I … if I would be at his juvenile court hearing tomorrow at nine o’clock,” continued the Cover, but again his friends cut him off and wanted to know if he was actually going to go.

“Hey, look, everyone,” called out Billy, trying to get his friends’ attention, “Kaden asked me to be there, but not for him, but for his … his mom. Here … read the note for yourselves,” finished Billy, as he passed the note to Lonnie, and the others, to read.

Lonnie quickly read the note, then passed it on to Brett, who in turn quickly read it and passed it on to Gabe, who did the same and passed it on to Jamie, who read it while Gus read it over the teen’s shoulder.

“So, what are you going to do?” asked Brett.

“Yea, are you going to be there, at the courthouse?” asked Gabe.

Billy didn’t answer right away, but then he told them, “Yea, I mean yes! I think I am going to be there. I talked with Mr. Ken last night about what he thought I should do and he told me … well, he told me that I will continue to be challenged, as I get older, with these types of decisions that will not only define me, as to who I will be, but as people … as they will see me.

“Then, my foster dad … he asked me if … if I was going to be the person who will turn the other cheek and give my opponent, namely Kaden, a second chance, and show them forgiveness. Or … or was I going to be someone who will continue to kick them when they are down and never give them the chance to redeem themselves.

“Guys … Kaden … he couldn’t be any further down than he is now. And I know that his mom … that she will be devastated if he is taken away from her. And tomorrow … tomorrow that could very well happen, as he has to go before the judge, and … and he has to account for his actions the night those men invaded the Goldersons’ home,” revealed Billy to his friends, who hadn’t really thought too much as to what would happen to their former friend.

It was just then that the first bell of the morning rang.

Mr. Ken waited for Mr. Chris to arrive at the Cove before he left for the office. He wanted to get briefed on what was happening around the estate as the Memorial Day Picnic was essentially only four days away, and after that, the big trip the boys were anxiously waiting for, would happen.

Chris and Wayne briefed their employer on what was planned for the Picnic and the amusement park trip the following week. Mr. Ken reminded them that Ms. Judy would be joining them for the first five days and Dan would change out with her for the last five days. He told them that he was also planning to stop at his newest park on the way home.

Mr. Ken told the men that Charles asked to go with him when he opens Edgewood, on the first of July. That was the first time either of them had heard that, and they wondered if the other boys would also be going. The owner of The Cove said that he hadn’t decided if his son could go along, just yet, and if he did allow him to go, the other boys wouldn’t be going. He explained that they needed to stay there to help set up the Carnival and pass out the wrist bands for the local residents.

Mr. Ken told the men that he was going to ask Dan to stay at The Cove, starting the Thursday before they leave, and for him to stay there until he joins them. He reasoned the lieutenant could be there with Chief and keep her company until Ms. Judy comes back to get the resident pet when she returns. He then told Chris that if Dan has to work during the day he would at least be there for Chief because Momma would be off.

Mr. Ken then asked Chris to see if the soccer fields would be available for next year’s carnival. The man reasoned that the sooner they begin looking for another venue to hold it the easier it would be to plan for it. Wayne asked his boss why he didn’t just move it to the Four Corners Amusement Park he was building, and just forgo the carnival group he’s used the past five years.

Mr. Ken said he liked that idea, but then asked how he would be able to give back to the local residents. Wayne said he could do it just as he always did by using the wrist bands for the rides as he is using this year and coupons for the food stands at the park. Chris added that his boss could still ask the local churches to set up their booths at the Four Corners Amusement Park, as well, and charge everyone else as he is doing this year.

Ken Thomas had a great big smile on his face after hearing what his Estate Master and Estate Manager had to say about how he could put on next year’s carnival. He told them to write down those ideas and they would start focusing on next year’s carnival the day after this year’s was long gone. Then he changed it to the week after, as with the twins, their aunt and uncle and cousins here they wouldn’t have much time to talk about anything important. The two men laughed at what he said.

Mr. Ken then looked at the time and told the men that he needed to get to work and get his secretary, Rosemary, to change his schedule for tomorrow, as he would be at the courthouse with Bill. That was the first Chris Dominions was hearing that and he asked why he had to do that. Mr. Ken told the man about Kaden’s note to Bill and that he feels that Bill will want to go there, even after what Kaden did to him. Wayne told Mr. Ken that he’d explain it to him.

Once at the office, Mr. Ken did get Rosemary to rearrange his Wednesday schedule. He then sat down with Ben Walthers and they talked about Edgewood, and when they planned to announce the name change. The two agreed they would wait until Opening Day to announce the name change, which would take effect at the beginning of the next season.

Mr. Ken then told Ben that Charles would probably be with him when they go to Edgewood and that if he wanted to take his son, he would have no problem with that. Mr. Ken also said that he invited Kate and her family to return with him for his fourth of July Carnival, so the return plane might be full. Ben smiled at hearing that his boss’s ‘love interest’ might be getting more serious.

Ben also told the owner of TFE that they would have an operations manager for the Four Corners Amusement Park by the end of the week. The President of TFE explained that the assistant ops manager at Crystal Lake, Nelson Sanders, agreed to come in and help set up the Four Corners Amusement Park, and that he would run it for them for the foreseeable future and that it would take the pressure off him. That put a smile on Ken Thomas’ face, knowing that there would now be a dedicated operations manager to run the park.

At lunchtime, Billy texted Mr. Ken to tell him that he decided that he wanted to go to the courthouse tomorrow. His text explained that he thought about it some more, and that he felt that it was the right thing to do, even if Kaden didn’t deserve it.

Mr. Ken chuckled at what he read. He knew in his heart that Bill would do the ‘right’ thing. He also read between the lines, in the text, that the teen still had some bitterness towards what Kaden had done to him. The thing that the foster dad was most proud of, was that his foster son was being the better person, and giving his former friend the gift of friendship, even if he felt the teenager didn’t really deserve it.

Later that day, Phillip was picked up at school by Mr. Dennis and taken to Doctor Doug’s for his regular appointment. When the boy returned to The Cove, he did his homework and then immediately picked up his guitar and began practicing his chords for Mr. Bindy, in order to be ready for his guitar lesson that coming Saturday.

In the Study after dinner, the boys were interested to know if their older ‘brother’ was going to go to the courthouse and support his former friend, Kaden. The older teenager told his ‘brothers’ that he was going to the courthouse in the morning. When they asked him why he was going, he told them that even in someone’s darkest hours, they to need to know that someone would be there for them besides their mom. Mr. Ken just smiled at the teen’s response.

That night when the foster dad said goodnight to his foster son, he told him how proud he was that the teen decided to give Kaden some sort of support, despite what his former friend had done to him. Billy told his foster dad that he never wanted to be known as someone who held a grudge, and in Kaden’s case, he wanted his mom to know that there were people who were there to support her through everything she had to go through.

After the foster dad and son hugged, ‘dad’ Ken talked with the rest of the boys and then he went to his own bedroom to lay down for the night. As he got ready for bed, he thanked his lucky stars for his getting the boys he’d gotten, and he wished that any more that he might get would be of the same mold.

Billy got up at his regular time that Wednesday morning, even though he was not going directly to school that morning. The teen got ready for his day, as he would normally do, and went down to the Kitchen Nook for breakfast with Robert.

When Robert left for school, Momma Maria was surprised that Billy didn’t leave with him. It was then she learned that the teenager, and Mr. Ken, were going to head over to the courthouse, in a few minutes. It was then that Mr. Ken told her about Bill’s decision to support Kaden, and especially the teen’s mother, at his court appearance that morning, as the former friend accounts for his actions the night of the Goldersons home invasion.

Billy was quiet on the drive over to the courthouse, which was not overlooked by the teen’s foster dad. Mr. Ken figured the teen was still doing some second thinking about his decision to go to the courthouse, but he didn’t think the teen would back out of his decision to be there.

When the two Covers walked into the courthouse, they were totally surprised when they both saw that there stood Lonnie, Brett, Jamie, and Gabe and a few of their parents. Billy went over to them and asked them why they were there.

The teens told him that they too, weren’t going to be known as someone who continues to kick a person when they are down. And then they added that they also wanted Kaden’s mom to know that she had supporters, too. Then they told him that Gus didn’t really know who Kaden was, which was why he wasn’t there.

While the boys were out in the courthouse hallway talking, Kaden and his mother were talking with his lawyer about what to expect when he is called before the judge. The lawyer told Kaden, and his mom, that he would not be standing in front of Judge Adam Richards, as he is the Presiding County Juvenile Court Judge. But that his case was forwarded to the State District Juvenile Court, and that he would be standing in front of an assigned district juvenile court judge instead.

As he sat in the interview room talking to his lawyer, Kaden Stylers was the most scared he’d ever been in his life. His lawyer told him that even though his case was being brought into the juvenile court system, that it did not mean that the judge couldn’t still send him to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for incarceration. The teen was extremely scared that it would happen to him.

When Kaden and his mom entered the courtroom, the teenager didn’t immediately see his classmates, with their parents, seated at the back of the courtroom. It wasn’t until his mom asked him if he saw his friends at the back of the room, that the teen turned to look.

When Kaden turned and saw his five former friends at the back of the courtroom, it put a big smile on his face. He had only asked Billy to be there, but here his former friend had somehow gotten the rest of the teen’s former friends to show up, too. Kaden now felt some sort of relief inside of him that he had at least someone ‘in his corner’. Little did he know that they were there more in support of his mom, than him.

When the judge called his case, he and his lawyer stood and the teen had to plead guilty to the charges that the District Attorney filed against him. The sixteen-year-old was lucky he was only being charged with trespassing, simple assault and battery and the delivery of drugs, as compared to what his two accomplices were charged and recently convicted of.

When the judge accepted Kaden Stylers’ guilty plea, he told the teen that he was thoroughly familiar with the whole case, and asked if he was ready to receive his sentence. Kaden’s lawyer said that they were ready.

The judge told Kaden that the District Attorney must have had a very warm heart that day when he filed these charges, as he should have been tried in adult court and not in the juvenile court system. The judge then went on to berate Kaden for his actions that night of the home invasion, which almost resulted in the death of at least two more people, besides one of the invaders.

The judge continued to criticize the now convicted teenager for his choosing those three adults as his friends, and for doing their bidding, as he delivered their drugs to his high school classmates in exchange for money.

The judge continued to reprimand the teen for his failure, for not talking to his mother and trusting her to help him obtain the things he wanted, versus getting involved with those drug dealers. And then, on top of that, helping them determine where they would conduct a home invasion where three people were severely injured and could have been killed, if the homeowner hadn’t gotten free and shot and killed one invader and defended himself and his wife.

The judge ended his scolding of Kaden by saying that if he hadn’t been shot himself and had to endure not only the physical and mental pain of it, and having to fight off one of his supposed adult friends, who was trying to kill him, in his hospital room, he would be sending him to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, where he would be spending the rest of his days until he turned eighteen.

The five teenagers, sitting in the back of the courtroom, were listening to what the judge was saying, and they heard how disgusted he sounded at the light charges the District Attorney filed against Kaden and now how he lambasted their former friend for what he did the night he helped the Golderson’s home be invaded. They were all extremely happy it was none of them standing here in front of the judge.

Once the judge was finished reprimanding Kaden, he began to read his sentence. “Kaden Stylers … for the charges you pleaded guilty of … I sentence you to probation until your nineteenth birthday. You will have a curfew of no-later-than eleven o’clock at night, unless you are in the company of your mother, or an adult known by her. You will also be tested for drug use at unspecified intervals during your probation, so do not get caught using illegal drugs.

“Kaden Stylers … you are also required to stay in school and maintain good grades in order to get into college, and since you are old enough, you will get a job and are required to pay $1000.00 for the repair of the damages done to the Golderson’s home. And lastly, you will report to your probation officer, at regular intervals, as determined by him, to verify that you are meeting the terms of this probation.

“Keep in mind Mr. Stylers … that any violation of this probation can result in your immediate removal from your home, and your being placed in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department system, where you will remain until you turn eighteen years of age. Do you have any questions Mr. Stylers?” finished the judge.

Kaden’s lawyer turned and asked Kaden if he had any questions. Upon hearing that the teen had none, the lawyer turned back to the judge and replied that they understood the sentence that he imposed and that they had no questions. The judge gaveled the proceedings at an end and he left the courtroom.

Kaden’s mom rushed to her son and hugged him as she cried. Her son would not be sent away from her; she would still have him at home. She was so happy. The two hugged for quite some time, as the five teens in the back looked on.

Eventually, Kaden broke their hug. He looked to the back of the courtroom and he waved to his former friends. His mother saw what her son had done, and she decided to walk back to thank them for being there for her son.

“Boys … I want to thank you for being here for my Kaden. It meant a lot to him, when he saw you all here. Thank you all … for taking the time away from school to be here for him” professed Anna Stylers.

The boys looked back and forth to one another to see who would speak up and tell her why they were actually there. It was Billy who decided to tell her why they were there.

“Mrs. Stylers … I’m Billy Dirketson. We were all once friends of Kaden’s. I don’t know if you are aware or not, but your son … he got involved with those three men and he … he started delivering drugs to the students at our high school.

“They also had him plant drugs in my room, at The Cove, where I lived, that got me sent away from there. He then helped those men find me, so they … so they could beat me up at the Golderson’s home. The home where he was shot.

“I’m sure you heard over the radio, or the television, or read in the newspapers, what happened the night of that home invasion, but I lived it. I was there! Those men … they came there looking for me, and after they got from me what they wanted they … they were going to kill us all, the Goldersons and me before they left.

“If it weren’t for Levi getting free and attacking your son … Kaden … he would be facing at least three murder charges, and a hell of a lot more. And lucky for him … that it was my foster father, Mr. Ken Thomas, who was at the hospital that day and fought Bennett Grafflers and kept that man from killing him, so he couldn’t testify against him, as he ultimately did.

“Mrs. Stylers … I am here today because Kaden … because he sent me a note asking me to be here, so here I am. But I want you to know that … that I am still bitter for what he did to me, but what I also want you to know is … is that I am not going to kick him, while he is still down, as he is today.

“And, Mrs. Stylers … we, the five of us, we are here today … not so much for Kaden, but … but we are here today … for YOU! We came here in support of you, because we all know that you … that you would be devastated if the judge had taken him away from you and we … and we wanted to be here to give you some support if that came to be,” finished explaining the Cover teenager.

Anna Stylers put her hands to her mouth, as soon as she heard what Billy had to say about the five teens being there for her. And, at the time, she also didn’t know what to say. She looked around and saw Ken Thomas standing there. She knew he was the man who saved her son at the hospital that fateful day that Grafflers tried to kill Kaden. The woman asked him if what Billy said was true.

All Mr. Ken told her was that the teen was not going to be known as someone who held a grudge, but that he also wanted her to know that he, they, supported her, too, through all she had been through.

Mrs. Stylers didn’t say anything for a few moments, as she thought through everything she just heard. She then thanked the boys for understanding what she must have been going through, and for being there in support of her. She told them that she would keep that between them and not tell her son.

The woman explained that she needed Kaden to focus on his future, and that he also needed to believe that they didn’t totally abandon him, so he would fully comply with the judge’s orders. She added that if he ever found out that they weren’t there for him that he might lose hope that he could recover from this and eventually have a productive life.

The last thing the woman did ask of the boys was that she hoped that they would, at least, one day recognize him with a nod, or a wave, to continue to give him some hope for the future. Anna Stylers then walked back to where her son, and the lawyer were standing, still talking about what the judge’s sentence meant to the teenager.

The boys walked out of the courtroom, talking about what they saw and heard there today. They all agreed not to tell anyone, but especially Kaden, what was said between them and Mrs. Stylers. The boys and their parents, and in Billy’s case, his guardian, all went out to lunch and they talked about what they saw and what Billy said to Mrs. Stylers, before taking the teenagers back to school.

At lunch, back at his school, Phillip and his friends talked some more about why his oldest ‘brother’ was at the courthouse today. Phillip had mentioned it that morning when he got to the school, but his friends wanted to know more. But the young Cover didn’t know anything other than a former friend of Billy’s had asked him to be there for him.

The boys then talked about the upcoming three-day weekend, and the following weeks ending of school. They all talked about what their parents had planned for their family vacation that summer, but all the boys were jealous that Phillip would get to go to five amusement parks right after school was finished for the year. They reminded the Cover to take lots of pictures, so he could show them when he returned.

Mr. Dennis did stop by the school that afternoon to take Matthew to his appointment with Doctor Doug. And, Mr. Wayne took Phillip over to see his mother right after he ate his afterschool snack. That gave the boy more time to spend with his mom.

On the bus ride home, Robert asked his ‘brother’ about what happened at the courthouse that morning. That was the first chance the Cover had to ask Billy that question.

Billy told the almost fifteen-year-old that it wasn’t what he expected. Billy told Robert that the judge read the charges and told Kaden that the DA must have had a warm heart the day he wrote them, because the judge said he knew what happened that night of the home invasion and he told Kaden that he should have been tried in the adult court.

Robert then asked what sort of sentence Kaden got. Billy told his ‘brother’ that the judge sounded mad as he told Kaden he was on probation until he was nineteen, that he had to get a job and pay the Goldersons $1000.00 to help pay for the damages to the house, that he had to stay in school and get good enough grades in order to go to college, that he would be drug tested and that he had to report to a probation officer as many times as the officer said and that if he failed to do anything he was told to do, he could go to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for incarceration until he was eighteen.

Once Billy returned home, Charles was the next person to ask him what happened to Kaden. Billy asked if he could tell him after dinner in the Study because Mr. Wayne might want to know, too. Charles argued that his dad will probably tell him everything, since he was there, as well. Billy relented and told him everything he told Robert.

After dinner that Wednesday, the Covers met in the Study, as they usually do, and ‘dad’ Ken reviewed what was happening around The Cove in the coming days. He reminded the boys that their older ‘brother’ Collin should be there when they all return from school tomorrow, and that he should be there all weekend.

‘Dad’ Ken also asked them if they had chosen the color for their rooms yet. None of the boys said they had. He then reminded them that he could ask Mary Taylor, when she was at the Picnic to come by and help them choose the color, and for them to let him know if he should do that.

‘Dad’ Ken also recapped that Mr. Owen, Mr. Nathan and their boys would be there starting Saturday, and that they would be spending the night. The man suggested to the boys that they plan to be up, fed, showered and dressed, in nice school clothes, Saturday morning by ten-thirty, as their guests might arrive early. He added that the Police Explorers would also be there to assist with parking, as they usually do.

When ‘dad’ Ken was finished, he asked the boys if they had anything they wanted to bring up or ask. Phillip quickly asked if someone could tell him what happened to Billy’s friend at the courthouse that morning.

Mr. Ken asked Billy if he would give everyone a quick rundown on what happened at the courthouse that morning. Billy asked if anyone else hadn’t heard what happened to Kaden. Matthew said he didn’t know what happened, and he wanted to know, too. Billy quickly recounted what happened, but he didn’t include what he said to his former friend’s mom.

When Billy finished telling what happened at the courthouse, Robert asked his dad if he thought any more about when he was taking them out to get their summer clothes. The teen’s dad said that it could happen as early as Monday, but would probably happen after school on either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

When their meeting was over, the boys headed up to their rooms to relax before going to bed. Later, only ‘dad’ Ken went up to say goodnight to them. When the boys asked why Mr. Wayne wasn’t coming up to say goodnight, ‘dad’ Ken said that the man needed to have more time to himself, as he would be with them for ten to twelve days, when they go on their trip. That satisfied the boys need to know.

When Mr. Ken talked to Billy, he told the teenager that he was proud of the way he conducted himself at the courthouse today. Billy revealed that he still wasn’t too sure that what he did was right, but that he did feel good after talking to Mrs. Stylers. Mr. Ken smiled at the teen and told him to give it time. The two hugged and then Mr. Ken went to talk to the other boys.

In Phillip’s room, the boy thanked his ‘dad’ for making it so he got to see his mom some more. Then he asked him if Billy’s friend, Kaden, actually planted drugs in his room, so he would be banned from there, and did he actually get sent away. Mr. Ken gave the boy the Reader’s Digest version of what happened, and he finished the telling by saying that was how he met Mark and his parents, and that Billy was warmly invited back to The Cove.

After hearing the story, Phillip told his foster dad that he was confused. The eleven-year-old wanted to know why would Billy go to the courthouse to support that sort of friend. Mr. Ken told the youngest Cover that Billy was being the ‘bigger man’ by showing he didn’t hold a grudge. The man also said that Bill was also there in support of the teen’s mom, as she had gone through a lot ever since her son was arrested.

Phillip thought about that for a few moments, and then he thanked his ‘dad’ for talking to him about it. ‘Dad’ Ken told him to sit down and talk to Bill about it some more to get a better perspective of the whole situation.

Just as the foster dad was ready to leave, the two shared a hug and then Phillip said he was going to drain his lizard before he went to bed. ‘Dad’ Ken smacked the boy on his butt in a playful manner, as the boy passed by him. Phillip smiled at the man and walked down the hall to the bathroom he used.

Mr. Ken had a big smile on his face as he walked down to his retreat. He commented to himself that Bill continues to show him that he is made of different stuff, and that Phillip is adjusting very well into the family. He then told himself that he will be sorry to see him leave when his mom is finished with her rehab and court ordered requirements.

Another day has passed and the Covers are closer to their older ‘brother’ Collin’s arrival, their anticipated Memorial Day Picnic, the eventual ending of the school year and their trip to visit Mr. Ken’s five amusement parks. The Covers all slept well that night.

At breakfast that Thursday morning, the three younger Cove boys were animated as they talked and ate their Momma breakfast. Their discussion centered around Collin’s arrival and their having him around for more than one day.

It was the same when Robert and Billy came down for breakfast. The two older boys were actually looking forward to Collin being there and, hopefully, when they returned home from school. They were both anxious to talk to him about different things.

When Phillip got off the bus at school that Thursday morning, his friends asked him if he knew anything more about why his older ‘brother’ had to go to the courthouse. Phillip said they talked about it some at their meeting last night, but he said it sounded complicated to him. The Cover told his friends that he wasn’t around when that teen was there, so he didn’t know the full story, and he didn’t want to talk about it and get it wrong and cause trouble for Billy.

At the high school, Billy saw Kaden there and the teen did raise his hand to wave at the Cover. All Billy did was nod his head back at his former friend. He did not make any other effort to make any contact with his former friend.

When Billy caught up with his other friends, he told them about his seeing Kaden, and he told them that all he did was nod back to him when he waved. They told him that they saw the teenager, as well, and all they sort of did the same thing, nod back to him. They all talked about how disingenuous it felt to them to do that knowing that they would probably never be Kaden’s friend ever again.

While the Cover boys were at school, Mr. Wayne remembered that he needed to go out and get the smaller, lighter surface cleaners for Bill and Lonnie to use to clean the estate walls. He was also going to get some additional cleaning solutions for any hard to clean areas, like the five years’ worth of splashed up dirt and the dark mold that had been accumulating over that same time.

Mr. Chris was finalizing the menu and arrival plans with the caterer for Saturday, and then he called the Police Explorers Coordinator to ensure the teenagers would be there by eleven o’clock on Saturday. The last phone call the Estate Manager made that morning was to the local Fire Chief who conducted the fire drills at The Cove.

Mr. Chris wanted to invite the local fire station to stop by the Cove’s Memorial Day Picnic late Saturday afternoon for a bite to eat. The Fire Chief told Chris he appreciated the invitation, as that would fill in for the station’s evening meal. The Chief added that it would give the men a night off from having to eat their own cooking. Mr. Chris then heard the Chief laughing as he hung up.

Mr. Ken took care of his usual meetings that morning and he caught up on the phone calls he put off from Wednesday. When that was all taken care of, the man called Kate. The two talked about the upcoming Holiday weekend, that Collin would be there, and that Ken and the boys would be visiting Chrystal Lake in about two and a half weeks.

Kate Partlunds told him she was looking forward to his and the boys’ visit. Ken Thomas then asked her if she and her boys had decided to visit The Cove for the Fourth of July. Kate told him she would know when they saw one another in a few weeks. Ken Thomas had a big smile on his face when he got off the phone.

Other than what happened at the courthouse on Wednesday, the week was a typical week for the Covers. The only difference this week was that big ‘brother’ Collin was going to arrive, and all the boys were excited that he’d be staying for a few days, instead of just the one day as he usually did.

And Mr. Ken’s first foster son did arrive at The Cove about the same time the younger Cover boys arrived home from school. The boys watched as Collin drove into the estate, just as their school bus dropped them off at the bus stop. They called out to him, but he’d already gotten too far down the drive, so the boys had to walk down to the house.

“Collin,” called out Charles, as he walked into the house from the garage, where the boys usually entered the house from.

Collin, with Chief at his heels, was in the Kitchen Nook talking to Momma Maria and he yelled back to Charles that he was talking to Momma. Charles, Matthew and Phillip quickly headed there to greet the soon to be college junior.

The boys all hugged their older ‘brother’ and they asked him to have their afterschool snack with them. Even Momma Maria told him to have a seat, so he could sit and talk with the boys before the two older boys arrived and hogged all of his attention.

Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis saw the college student drive into the estate from the Study, and they headed to the Kitchen Nook to also say a hello to the oldest Cover ‘son’. It was like a big reunion in the Nook, with everyone talking and sharing Momma’s sweets she always had prepared for the boys for when they returned home from school.

Wayne called his boss to let him know that Collin had arrived, so he could decide to leave the office early, if there was nothing pressing. Mr. Ken said he’d be there as soon as he could, and he arrived just as Billy and Robert arrived home from school.

When the last three Covers entered the Kitchen Nook, the room really took on a celebratory type atmosphere, and the conversation was loud and happy. It took Momma’s telling them she would get out the ‘spoon’ if they didn’t leave, so she could get the dinner table set and the evening’s meal finished.

The Covers took the hint and they moved their reunion to the Study. It was there that ‘dad’ Ken asked the boys if they had any homework to do and, if they did, they needed to head up to their rooms to get it started. He reminded them that Collin would be there through the weekend so they had loads of time to talk to him. The boys weren’t happy, but they knew not to argue, so they hugged Collin, as they left the Study, and told him they’d see him at dinner.

Mr. Ken asked Dennis if he would like to stay for dinner. The man usually didn’t get invited to experience Momma Maria’s wonderful cooking, so he quickly accepted the invitation. Collin then told his Big Bro that he needed to unpack, and get cleaned up some before dinner. Wayne and Dennis told the college student they’d help him with his bags and the three left the Study leaving Mr. Ken by himself.

Dinner was a festive one that Thursday evening. Momma Maria would have normally made Spaghetti and meatballs, but Collin wasn’t the new boy coming to The Cove, he was a Cover who was returning for a few days visit. So, Momma made him a special Mexican dinner.

Momma made, for the occasion of Collin’s visit, huge amounts of steaming hot chicken and beef fajitas with fresh tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh home-made salsa, guacamole, diced tomatoes, red onions and sour cream out on the table.

The woman also made a Mexican Lasagna that included loads of ground beef, refried beans, chopped green chiles, salsa, shredded Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses, lasagna noodles, onions, and lots of other ingredients that Momma kept to herself.

Also on the table were fresh tortilla chips with salsa, and Momma told everyone to save room for dessert, which was going to be apple and cherry empanadas along with vanilla ice cream. Mr. Ken then told the woman to have a seat and to join them, as she was just as much a Cover as everyone there at the table. Momma blushed at the accolade, and agreed that she would after she had everything on the table.

The dinner lasted longer than they normally would, but the occasion of Collin coming ‘home’ had everyone in a good, talkative mood that kept everyone at the table. The boys helped clear the table, and while Momma got the adults fresh hot coffee, the boys brought out the two different empanadas and the ice cream. Everyone had at least one of each of the special treats that Momma made for the occasion.

Phillip had never seen so much food on a table at one time, let alone eat such great Mexican foods that night. His grandmother made many Mexican meals for him, but every time he had one of Momma Maria’s Mexican meals, he was amazed at how different women prepare the same meals, but they taste so different and Momma’s were always so much better.

Dennis Flockhart was also surprised at the delightful tastes he experienced that evening. He always enjoyed being invited to share a meal with the Covers, and he was very happy he was allowed to be there that evening. The meal was outstanding, as he had never tasted a Mexican meal anywhere at a Mexican restaurant that even came close.

When the table was cleared, everyone gave Momma Maria a hug for cooking them such an awesome Mexican meal. Even Mr. Dennis got in line to thank her for such a wonderful meal that he hasn’t had anywhere in the area. The Assistant Estate Master then departed The Cove as the rest of the Covers headed to the Study.

The Covers talked about anything and everything, while they were in the Study. The boys were interested in Collin’s house and how the plans to redesign it were coming along. Collin said he had the plans out in his car and he wanted his Big Brother to look them over, while he was there. He also told the boys they could look at them, when they get home from school tomorrow.

‘Dad’ Ken then sent the boys up to their rooms to finish their homework, since they had an extended dinner. The boys weren’t too happy they had to leave, but they knew they still had some homework to do for school.

When the boys had all gone, Collin’s Big Bro told his ‘Little Bro’ that he had an appointment with Doctor Doug at eleven o’clock, tomorrow. Collin thanked his Big Bro for setting that up for him. The young man said he’d been thinking of what he wanted to talk to the doctor about, and he hoped they’d have enough time.

Wayne left early again that evening. He told Mr. Ken and Collin to say goodnight to the boys together, and to tell the boys that he’d see them tomorrow. And that’s what Mr. Ken and Collin did that night.

All of the boys loved that their ‘dad’ and big ‘brother’ came and said goodnight to them. Even Phillip enjoyed the special two-fer visit. The youngest Cover did ask Collin, that if he had time, if he would tell him more about his time there at The Cove. Collin said he’d try to make the time for them to sit down and talk. Phillip hugged his oldest ‘brother’.

Big Bro Ken said his goodnights to Collin before he went downstairs to his own retreat. Collin again thanked him for making the appointment for him with Doctor Doug. The two shared a hug, and as Mr. Ken walked out of the bedroom suite, Chief came walking down the hallway. He laughed as Collin would have a guest staying with him that night.

Mr. Ken was a happy man that Collin was in the house. His first foster son had had a rough life, and he has made a great recovery from what those men did to him. But the loss of his Grammy caused a big void to occur inside of him. He was very hopeful that Doctor Doug would be able to show the young man a way towards a mental balance, and to focus on his future.

The Covers all slept well that night now that Collin was with them.

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

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