Published: 28 Mar 2024
From Previous Chapter:
“And that Nicholas Crown is being held, with no bail, on those same charges, but also with one additional charge of attempted murder. Matthias also said they are talking to Morris about charging Leah Hoalmes with conspiracy with planning the assault and aiding and abetting Nicholas after the fight. Brandt said that this can of worms has been opened and there is now way that it will ever be closed or end well for those who were involved in this fight.”
The men talked about what Dan just told them, and everything they learned about the fight and what this all meant for Richard. Mr. Ken wondered out loud if he should tell Charles about any of this, or should he just let it all come out naturally. The discussion continued between the four men until the two limos stopped for the group to eat.
The limos arrived at The Cove close to 3:00 that Wednesday afternoon due to their stopping to have lunch along the way. Chief wasn’t there to greet them, as she was still with Ms. Judy at her work, and would be brought over there when Ms. Judy leaves to pick up her son, Eric.
Mr. Ken told Wayne and Dennis they could head on home and he’ll take care of the boys for the rest of the day. He did tell them that he needed to head to the office tomorrow, so he would need one of them there to be with the boys.
Dennis spoke up right then and asked if Chris was going to be there, and if so, if he couldn’t watch over them, as the boys all are well behaved and so were their friends. The Assistant Estate Master added that what better way to show him how much you trust them.
Mr. Ken stood there and thought to himself about what Dennis just said. He thought that Billy was sixteen and Robert was fifteen and that they should be trusted enough to watch over the large group of friends, even with Mr. Chris down in his office.
So, the owner of The Cove agreed that both men could take the next day off, and possibly Friday, as well, unless any of the boys had an appointment. Mr. Wayne checked his phone calendar and said nothing was on the schedule until Saturday, when Mr. Bindy would arrive for Phillip’s guitar lesson. The men said they’d see him eventually, and then laughed.
Dan Fischer thanked Ken for the great trip and the opportunity to check out the rest of his amusement parks. He told his friend that he could be available when he goes back, as he has lots of leave time built up, and this was a great way to use it up. The two shook hands and Dan was soon driving off the estate grounds.
‘Dad’ Ken reminded the boys to take their dirty clothes up to their hampers and to check out their new room paint jobs. He told them that he’d be up there as soon as he took care of his own dirty clothes.
As the boys walked up the stairs, they could smell the freshness of the new paint in the hallway. They also noticed that the carpet looked nice and clean. Phillip, along with Mark, was the first Cover to check out his newly painted bedroom.
The youngest Cover loved that the room looked so bright in there now. He couldn’t tell why, but he figured it was because of the new paint color. After he put all of his dirty clothes in the hamper and hung up and put away any clean clothes, he and Mark walked down to the bathrooms to check out what the painters did in there.
The other Cover boys checked their rooms and they had the same reaction. They were all glad that they finally had their rooms painted with their new colors, and they liked that the bright white ceiling helped with the added brightness in the room.
The boys all checked out the two bathrooms to see what the painters did in them. They saw the bright white ceiling and a lighter color on the walls with some accent color on the door frames. They were glad they checked the two toilet stalls to see what the painters did in there as they noticed neither one had any toilet paper, which would have been a terrible thing to find out at the wrong time. Phillip was sent to get rolls plus one extra one for each stall.
The boys then headed down to the Kitchen Nook to see what the painters did there, as Momma Maria wanted her area painted too. Mr. Chris and ‘dad’ Ken were talking when they arrived.
“We thought you were going to meet us upstairs, dad?” asked Phillip.
“Well, I was, but I got to talking to Mr. Chris here and … well, time got away from me. So, how do you like your new painted rooms?” answered ‘dad’ Ken
The boys told their ‘dad’ how much they love the brightness in their rooms, but especially the new colors they have. Robert then told his dad they needed new drapes and bed covers to match their rooms, now. The other boys hadn’t thought it through, but now that Robert mentioned it, they all joined in with their need for new stuff.
‘Dad’ Ken laughed at what he heard and he told the boys that he will consider it, but for now there is a lot to get done between now and the 4th of July Carnival. He then told the boys that Mr. Chris will be in charge tomorrow, while Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis take some well-deserved time off.
“Time off? We were just on vacation,” announced Charles.
“Yes, you were ALL on vacation, but they were working! They now need the time to take care of their homes, bills, laundry and take time to just relax and decompress after being with all of you for eleven straight days,” chuckled ‘dad’ Ken.
“Mark … have you called your parents to let them know you’re back at The Cove, so they can make plans to pick you up?” asked Mr. Ken.
Mark told the man that he hadn’t, but that they wouldn’t be able to come to pick him up until later, as his dad was working at the bank, and his mom was teaching at the community college.
“Ahh, Mr. Ken… do you think that I could get ahh … get some more driving time in before I ahh … go for my driving test in a couple of weeks? I haven’t been driving all that much and I would like to get some more practice in before I go for my driver’s test,” implored Billy.
“Yes, I think that can be arranged. Tonight, when we go out for dinner, I’ll let you drive both to and from. Will that work for you?” asked Mr. Ken.
“Yes, sir, but … well, I need more than just a few minutes of driving. I would like to drive more every day. Maybe when Momma goes and does her grocery shopping, I … well, maybe I could drive her there, and do the heavy lifting, too?” suggested Billy.
“Billy, you know, that’s not a bad idea! Come Monday, I’ll tell Momma to make sure you drive her wherever she needs to go. That will give you plenty of chances to drive and that will also take the ‘heavy lifting’ off her shoulders. And, I am sure she will like that,” commented Mr. Ken.
“Boys … I want you to relax now that we’re home. Call your friends and tell them that they can come over for noon tomorrow. I’ll have Mr. Chris call the lifeguards to be here as well. Robert, Billy and Charles … you might want to check out the PWCs to make sure they are ready to go.
“Matthew … maybe you and Charles … you two could take a sailboat out and refresh your sailing skills. And Charles … maybe you could take Phillip out and give him a taste of what it’s like to be out on the lake in the sailboats. Just a few suggestions boys to give you something to do before your friends arrive tomorrow,” mentioned ‘dad’ Ken, before he went to check any messages at his desk.
Once Ken Thomas got to his desk, he saw the headline on the front page of the day’s newspaper.
Mr. Ken sat down to read what the article had to say. He found it pretty straight forward with the fact that six older teens attacked two younger boys in the Men’s Restroom at The Mall’s Food Court, and when their friends came looking for them, they tried to get the older teenagers off them.
The article went on to say that it was during that ensuing scuffle that one of the younger boys was stabbed and taken to the hospital and that he needed emergency surgery and was expected to survive. And that one other boy was also injured and taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries, but was later released to his parents.
The article didn’t name any of the teens involved because they weren’t known at the time, but it did say that four teenagers were being held overnight, and that two teens were being sought for the stabbing. It did say that the three other boys were charged with fighting and disturbing the peace and given a summons to appear in court later in the week.
The article went on to say that Sheriff Detectives Lt Brandt Matthias and Sgt William Roberts would be working the case and that they would be talking to the parents and friends of all those involved and that this senseless crime will not go unpunished. It asked that anyone who knew the whereabouts of the two missing teenagers to call the Sheriff’s Department.
Of course, the radio and TV newscasts, by now, had the names of the teens who attacked Richard and David. The newscasts were also reporting that the teens were all now being held without bail, and would be treated as adults. They added that the charges were planning the assault, stalking the boys along with the assault and battery resulting in a serious bodily injury to a minor child. Their big announcement was that Nicholas Crown was being charged with the additional count of attempted murder.
While ‘dad’ Ken got himself organized and caught up on messages and returned phone calls. The one phone call he did make was to Doctor Doug. When the receptionist answered he told her who he was and then asked her for the soonest appointment for one of his sons. She was able to give him one for next Tuesday morning at ten, as she had a cancellation at that time.
The boys called their friends and talked about the stabbing and of course invited them to come over beginning tomorrow at twelve, noon. Charles did try to call his friend David, but he still wasn’t answering his phone.
The teen Cover did call and talk to Dylan and Tyler and they told him what they could about the fight and what happened at the Sheriff’s Department when they were taken there afterwards. They both told him that everyone had been calling them and asking them questions and they said they would talk to everyone tomorrow at The Cove, if he was there, and Charles said that would be best, so they all agreed to meet at the Pavilion.
Billy called Lonnie to tell him he was back and that they could start up their pressure washing job tomorrow. Lonnie was happy his Cover friend was finally back, as he was anxious to start working as a few of their friends had already found jobs and were working. Lonnie told Billy that it might just be the two of them there tomorrow.
After Charles talked to Dylan and Tyler and got the word out that they and the rest of his friends could come back to The Cove beginning tomorrow, the teen went to his computer and downloaded all of his Go-Pro and quadcopter videos and pictures. He wanted to create a park-by-park presentation that he could show his friends tomorrow up at the Pavilion.
As the Cover teen did that project, he didn’t realize how many pictures and videos he took. He worked at his computer for over two hours just to get all of the images into their appropriate folders before he could then begin to create a presentation. But he knew he needed his dad’s help in crafting something that would play as soon as he put it into the video player at the Pavilion.
When Charles went looking for his dad, he learned it was almost time to go out for dinner. Ms. Judy was also there with Chief, who jumped up on him, greeting him home. The teen hugged the resident pet and then scratched behind her ears, which she loved so much. Charles was then told to go wash up, all the way to his elbows, and join everyone in the Kitchen Nook in ten minutes.
Billy was driving and he made sure everyone had their seatbelt on before he put the van in reverse to back it out of the garage. Once out of the garage, the teen pushed the remote to close the garage door and as soon as the door was closed, the still learning to drive teen, put the Sprinter van in drive. The teenager then drove the van out of the Main Gate, stopping to let the gate guard know that they would be back later. Ms. Judy and Eric followed behind them.
Ed Henry, the manager at the Four Corners Restaurant, knew that the owner and his entourage would be there tonight. He set aside the corner tables for them, as there would be eleven for dinner. Mark’s parents were invited as well as Ms. Judy and Eric.
When they all met outside the Four Corners Restaurant, Miriam and Levi asked what all the construction was about. Mr. Ken told them that he was installing some rides between the Go-Kart Track and the Miniature Golf Course and that eventually there would be a train that went around both of them.
He told them that he hoped that the new park would be open around the first of July and that it would have a number of children’s rides and a few of the family type rides. He added that there would also be carnival type games to play, food kiosks and restrooms, as well.
When they went inside, they had two round tables for six and at Mr. Ken’s table, besides himself, were Levi, Miriam and Mark Golderson and Phillip, with Ms. Judy, Eric, Billy, Robert, Charles and Matthew making up the second table.
Both tables were lively in conversation that evening with the two boys at Mr. Ken’s table talking about their trip to Levi and Miriam. But it was Phillip’s telling of his first trip out of the area, first airplane flight, first time to sit in the co-pilot’s seat, first time staying in hotels and his first-time riding on those big amusement park rides that took center stage at the table.
Levi knew what Phillip was talking about, when it came to riding in that wonderful air charter airplane and staying in those nice hotels, but especially riding those amazing amusement park rides Mr. Ken had at his parks.
Miriam only had to listen to what her son, Mark, and Phillip had to say about their just completed trip and especially the new park, Edgewood, that they got to help at while they were there and that will probably have a new name when Mr. Ken goes back in about two weeks.
Miriam told Ken that she would just have to visit one day herself, so that she knew what her men were talking about. He told her that they were going back just before school started and that if she wanted to be a chaperone, to let him know.
Levi spoke up and surprisingly said, “I thought you were going to ask me to go along?”
“Well, Levi, if Miriam wants to go … don’t you think she should get the chance to see what you and Mark have already experienced? It would only be fair? Right?” Then Mr. Ken laughed.
“He got you there, dad!” spoke up Mark. The whole table laughed.
Ms. Judy got up from her table and asked, “What’s got this table laughing so much, if I may be so bold as to ask?” Then she smiled.
Phillip spoke up and said, “My ‘dad’ just invited Ms. Miriam to go visit the parks before we go back to school. But Mr. Levi said he thought he was getting to go. But ‘dad’ told Mr. Levi that it would be fair to let Ms. Miriam go, now that he and Mark have gone.”
Ms. Judy smiled and offered, “Miriam, I was on the first part of this trip and I saw three of the parks and it was wonderful. You should go if you can fit it into your class schedule. Ken … he treats you like you’re on a First-Class excursion. The only exception is the boys … they always want to eat at fast-food restaurants, so be prepared for those times when you stop for burgers and fries, but you will get great meals, too!”
When everyone was finished with dinner, the boys asked if they could go and drive the Go-Karts. Mr. Ken told Mark and Eric that it was up to their parents if they could stay long enough to do that. Mark looked to his parents and Eric looked to his mom and they both somewhat begged to let them stay and drive the Go-Karts.
Miriam told Mark that he’d been gone for twelve days and she wanted him home. Mark said that today was the twelfth day and it wasn’t over yet, and he wanted to drive the Go-Karts. He added that they don’t bring him over this way often enough, and that he wanted to drive the karts. So, he appealed to his dad for help.
By this time, the boys had already begun walking towards the Go-Kart Track and without asking if he could or not, Mark ran to catch up with the other boys. Miriam now appealed to her husband, Levi, to go and get their son. Levi told his wife to just let their son have one more day of fun, as he was with his ‘brothers’ and wouldn’t be after they left later that night.
Judy went over to Miriam and told her that she was in a sea of male hormones and in a losing battle right now. She told her that if there was a bar close by, she’d buy her a drink. The two women laughed and decided to go and watch the boys drive the Go-Karts.
The boys had to stand in line like the rest of the people, even though they all knew Mr. Ken owned the Go-Kart Track. They talked about their recent trip and some of the boys and girls in line knew them and asked them what they were talking about.
The boys told their classmates about their trip and that helped pass the time, as they stood in line. Some of Phillips classmates were also there and they were surprised at what the young Cover told them that he’d gotten to do. They even asked the older Covers if some of what he told them was true. They were totally surprised when they learned that Phillip did sit in the co-pilot’s seat and got to touch the controls.
The four adults were standing along the outside fence talking when it was finally their boys turn to drive the Go-Karts. Mr. Ken whispered to the other three that the race usually consists of ten laps, but that he told the track manager to let the boys have a few extra laps. He told them they needed to watch Phillip to see how much better he’s gotten against his older ‘brothers’.
Miriam wondered how well Mark was going to do. Mr. Ken told her that Mark probably hadn’t driven the karts since he was there last summer, so he might be a bit rusty. Levi laughed and told his wife that they need to bring him over there more often.
Mr. Ken said that when the new Four Corners Amusement Park opens, they will have to come over and try it out. The man then told the three to watch the race track, as the boys were ready to start their race.
The seven Cover boys were the first ones out of the starting gate and they all sped down the course fighting for position. Phillip was holding his own against Billy, Robert and Charles, while Eric, Matthew and Mark were trying to keep up and stop being passed by the other drivers on the course.
But Mark had the more difficult time since he hadn’t driven the karts in quite some time and soon the other drivers began to pass him, and he wound up being last. Billy had told Phillip how to drive, so he knew how to avoid being passed by the youngest Cover, but he had to worry about Robert and Charles as they had driven the karts many more times than he and had the experience advantage over him.
What the Covers didn’t count on were the other drivers on the course at the time being as good or even better than they. And after they’d gotten past Mark, Matthew and then Eric the four lead Covers now had to contend with the three other drivers.
The four adults watched the race unfold and with the extra laps being added to the race the Covers could very well be skunked out of the Win. The three other drivers focused on the three older Cover drivers, as they discounted Phillip because he looked too young to know what he was doing out there.
But they soon learned that once the younger boy had passed Charles, they now had to get not only past Charles, but now the younger boy, too. But Phillip wasn’t giving Robert or Billy any free passes out there, as he put pressure on them on every turn which in-turn made them make mistakes on each other, because Robert and Billy were also racing against one another.
‘Dad’ Ken was enjoying what he was seeing with Phillip, the novice, pressuring his older ‘brothers’ for the lead and the ultimate win. The other three adults were impressed that the eleven-year-old was doing so well against the older boys.
The laps were counting down and Phillip needed to make his move or Billy or Robert would win. Then Robert went wide on a curve and Phillip went underneath him and then caught up with Billy. But one of the other drives also took advantage of that move and was now third.
Billy not only heard Phillip behind him, but he knew that Robert wasn’t there anymore because he heard a new kart’s motor back there and it was catching up. He wished that the yellow light would come on telling them they had one lap left to go.
The other driver pressured Phillip to move out of the way, but he wouldn’t give up his position. At the same time, Phillip was giving Billy a run for his money and was hoping for the yellow light, as well.
Then as the three front runners passed the Start/Finish Line the yellow light did come on and now it was ‘go for broke’ time on the course. Billy had the lead, but he knew he could lose it at any corner if he took it too wide. The same went for Phillip as he had to keep the third-place kart from passing him.
Then it happened. The third-place kart’s driver right front wheel tried to run over Phillip’s left rear wheel and when that happened it threw Phillip’s kart into a spin and out of the running for the win. But the poor move by the driver didn’t do him any good, as it also slowed him down, and Billy easily won the race. Phillip came in last due to the spin.
When Billy got out of his kart he went over to the other driver and got in his face. “What were you trying to do to my ‘brother’ back there, you jerk? There was no way you could have got around him other than by spinning him out and you knew it!”
The track manager had to get between the two drivers, one of which was someone who looked to be eighteen or nineteen years old. Mr. Ken made his way into the track and heard the older man get back into Billy’s face and tell the teen Cover, “That young prick didn’t know what he was doing out there; let alone be second the whole race! He should have let me pass him when I tried a few laps before.”
Robert came up and told the older teenager and said, “My ‘brother’ ran a good race and he did the blocking the right way, and if you were any good you would have found a way to get around him, without deliberately putting your wheel onto his and spinning him out and almost causing him to wreck. The only prick out here is YOU!”
“That’ll be enough boys,” stepped in Mr. Ken. “You young man, if you can’t stand being beaten by an eleven-year-old, then I suggest that you not drive these Go-Karts anymore!”
“Who are you,” snickered the young man, “to tell me if I can or can’t drive these karts. They’re open to the public, and I happen to be one of the public!” yelled back the older teenager.
“I, if you really need to know, … I am the owner of this Go-Kart Track; that is WHO I AM, MISTER! And with that type of attitude, I don’t need YOUR business. So, I don’t want to see you, or your friends faces, around here anymore. That is until you can behave like the young gentlemen you are supposed to be, and be a good sport at whether you’re winning or losing. Now get out of here!”
Loud clapping was heard when Mr. Ken told the young man and his friends to get out of there. The man didn’t respond to the applause. All he did was ignore it and then to tell his boys to help get the karts back in place and that he’ll meet them at the van.
The Go-Karts’ owner talked with the Goldersons and Ms. Judy and told them that Kevin and Kyle and their aunt, uncle and cousins would be visiting sometime around the 4th of July and encouraged them to visit them while they were there.
He also reminded Levi and Miriam that Chief would probably have her pups around the end of July and their puppy should be available around the end of September to the beginning of October, so they should start thinking of a name.
Mariam asked if they would be getting a male or female. Mr. Ken told them that he wouldn’t know until the litter was delivered, and that the sire’s master took his share of the puppies as agreed upon. He then told them that he was keeping a male puppy for The Cove, and that they would get the first pick of the litter after that.
Ms. Judy then asked if she could get a puppy. Mr. Ken was surprised at the request. He told her he didn’t think she was interested, since she works and Eric would be at school most of the day. Judy said that with her keeping Chief, so often, that she kind of got used to the idea of having a dog like Chief, and that it was also nice having her at work, too
Mr. Ken then told her that Chris and his family were next in line for a puppy and he had Ben and Jackie from work who were also interested in taking a puppy, so she would have to see if there were enough to go around after that. Judy said she understood, but would be hopeful that she could get one and she didn’t care if it were a male or female. Eric had a big smile on his face that they might get a dog.
After the Goldersons and Ms. Judy and Eric left to go home. Mr. Ken took the boys down to his ice cream shop for a dish of hand dipped ice cream. They all got two scoop sundaes with their favorite toppings.
It was while they were enjoying their treats that Charles told his dad about his project and asked him for his help in getting it started. The teen’s dad told his son that it was an ambitious undertaking, and to do all five parks in one night would have him burning the midnight oil, so to speak.
Dad Ken told Charles he’d get him started when they got back home, but after they had a quick meeting in the study to discuss what the next few weeks would be like around The Cove. Charles thanked his dad for agreeing to get him started.
Billy drove the Sprinter van back to The Cove and Mr. Ken told the teenager that he did a good job, but he did agree that getting more and more behind the wheel experience before he took his driver’s test would be the best thing for him.
Chief was waiting for her men to come home and she greeted them enthusiastically as they entered the Kitchen Nook. They all took time to scratch behind her ears and they all told her that because she was going to have puppies in a few weeks they didn’t bring her any ice cream, because they wanted her and her pups to be healthy.
Chief so loved her ice-cold treat, and she has missed it these past three weeks. But she knew that they were doing it for her and her litter of puppies that would be born in about six more weeks. They explained to her before and now they reminded her again that they are doing it because they loved her.
The Covers all headed to the Study so ‘dad’ Ken could talk to them about what he felt was going to happen during the next few weeks around The Cove.
‘Boys … Momma will be gone until next Monday. That means that we all have to make our own breakfasts until she returns. I believe that there are enough breakfast tacos in the freezer to hold us over until then. And if there aren’t, you’ll just have to eat cereal, or toast and jelly, or talk me into going out to the store to get something different.
“You’ll all eat lunch as you usually do when your friends are here, so I don’t think you’ll starve. But you’ll have to let me know about the stock levels. I think Mr. Wayne will be back by Saturday. So, if you need items, he and Billy can go the big box store and get what’s needed. But after this meeting, why don’t some of you go up there and check to see if you at least need buns. If you do, I’ll have to make a run to the store and get them.
“And boys … I’ll be pretty busy at the office working on getting the Edgewood Re-Opening figured out and seeing what needs to be done to get the Four Corners Amusement Park opened on time, too.
“Besides that … you all know that Kevin and Kyle … they will be coming to visit their mom, at least, and I have invited them and their aunt and uncle and their cousins to stay with us during that time. Reynolds and Sylvia and their two children will stay out in the guest house. I do believe that Kevin and Kyle will want to join you guys here in the house, so we’ll keep one of the bedrooms open for them.
“I’ve also invited Kate and her boys and her mom, Edith, to also stay with us. And I do believe when I go to the Grand Re-Opening of Edgewood, they will be returning with me. They will be staying in the two guest suites and the boys will either stay with Kate, using the sleeping bags, or I’ve told Kate that her boys could use the empty beds in Phillip and Matthew’s rooms. Stay tuned for further announcements with that.
“Since I will be gone from about the Wednesday before the Grand Re-Opening until late at night on the first of July, I won’t ask the Parchsons to arrive before that Saturday the second of July. That way you won’t have to play the host while I’m gone. You’ll just have to help Mr. Chris get the estate, the Cove Skate Park and the Pavilion and its restrooms ready for the carnival.
“And speaking of the 4th of July Carnival, Mr. Chris … he has sent out invitations to all of our neighbors for them to come to the estate beginning this weekend to collect their free pass wrist bands for their family and their free food coupons. And I want you all to help distribute them. Mr. Chris will explain what you will need to do. The distribution will take place over this coming weekend and the next one.
“Boys … this is the last year that the carnival will be held here on the estate. And this year, anyone who does not have a wrist band will have to pay ten dollars ($10.00) to enter, and it will be good for both days.
“And … and they will also have to pay for any of the foods and soft drinks they want. The drink machines at the Pavilion will be set with a cost, or they will be shut off. I need to talk to Mr. Dennis about that, since he knows the machines. I think.
“Mr. Chris will be placing a full-page ad in the local newspapers and Rene Vaughn will be coming by to interview me about the change of venue. Starting next year, the carnival will be moved to the Four Corners Amusement Park. The local residents will again be given wrist bands and food coupons and the local churches … they will be allowed to place their food booths there to sell their wonderful foods to earn money for their church communities.
“Now, as for Doctor Doug appointments. Charles … I made one for you for next Tuesday morning at ten o’clock. I want you to talk to him about what happened to your friends. It has also been a while since any of you have talked to Doctor Doug. If you think you need to talk to him, or you just want to go in and talk, let me or Mr. Wayne know, and we’ll get you an appointment. There is no shame in talking to the man. Sometimes it is good to get things off your chest that you don’t want to talk to me, or Mr. Wayne, or even your ‘brothers’ about.
“Phillip … you have Mr. Bindy coming at nine o’clock this Saturday, so be ready for him.
Robert … you and Eric … you two need to get out on that field. Enough said. Billy … you and Lonnie … you can get started on your job tomorrow. The one that Mr. Wayne had hired you both for. And, as I mentioned earlier, you all should check out the PWCs and the sailboats as your friends will undoubtedly want to begin using them now that the weather has turned nice.
“I’m sure there will be more tomorrow, but those are the highlights. I’m going to help Charles get started with a project he’s working on to show all your friends. Let me know about the buns when you can. OK? Now, do you have anything for me, before we break this confab up?” finished ‘dad’ Ken.
The boys, once again, thanked their ‘dad’ for taking them on that awesome trip, and they said they’d get out and see what the barbeque needed, while he and Charles worked on his Go-Pro and quadcopter videos.
Dad and son went up to the teen’s bedroom to work on one of the amusement parks collection of pictures and videos. When Mr. Ken saw how much Charles had for just the first park, Fantasy Fun Park, he was flabbergasted. Then when Charles told him he wanted to add titles, the dad knew the teen had taken on an immense undertaking that would take him all night and possibly into the morning, and still not have it all done.
Dad Ken showed Charles how to add the titles to the pictures and then had the teen do a number of them, so he understood the concept and how easy, but time consuming, it would be to do all of the pictures. Dad Ken recommended that his son only use the best pictures that told the story and not every one of them, so as to save himself time.
Mr. Ken then took over Charles’ computer. He called up a program he had in the main frame that only he could access. He set it up so that Charles could use it to create the continuous running picture and the video show he wanted to set up on the TV up at the Pavilion. He wanted to be able to show all of their Cover friends what all five of the amusement parks looked like and how much fun they had at each of the parks.
Dad Ken showed Charles how to place the items in the program by doing the first half-dozen and then he had Charles do the next six. Mr. Ken then ran the program to make sure it did what his son had envisioned. He then showed the teen how to change what they just did. But he explained that it would be better to have a list, an outline of sorts, in front of him, of what he wanted to show, so that he wouldn’t have to go back.
Mr. Ken then left the teen on his own to create the picture/video show he had imagined and left to go back to his office to catch up on messages and phone calls.
About thirty minutes later, Billy and Phillip came into the Study and told Mr. Ken that the hamburger and hot dog buns were all stale and beginning to get mold on them and that the tomatoes and lettuce were all rotten. They also said that they could use some pre-cooked bacon and some more cheese, as they both went over well when they had all those new classmates over the last time.
“But ‘dad’ … you should see all the bullet holes. They’re all over the new storage garage and the Pavilion, and they’re even in some of the lockers,” excitedly exclaimed Phillip.
“Yes, Mr. Ken, there are lots of them and I wonder if any of the skateboards in the lockers were hit?” asked Billy. “I think those lockers might be Robert’s and Charles’. So, I guess when our friends arrive tomorrow, we’ll find out.”
Mr. Ken thought about what the boys told him and then he said to them, “Well, there isn’t anything we can do about them right now. And I won’t be here and neither will Mr. Wayne or Mr. Dennis tomorrow. Just tell any boy with a broken or destroyed skateboard that I’ll replace them. OK?”
Billy and Phillip said that they understood and that they’d tell them. Robert and Charles were going to go up and check their lockers, but their dad asked them to do that in the morning.
Mr. Ken then looked at the time and saw that it was way too late to head out to the big box store to get the needed barbeque supplies. So, he told them that he’d call Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis tomorrow to see if one of them would come in and go over there and get what they needed, otherwise he’d come home at lunchtime and take them. The boys were happy to hear that.
Since it was getting late, Mr. Ken asked the boys to head up to their rooms and to try to relax and settle down before going to bed. He told them that he’d probably be gone when they wake up in the morning, and if they wanted breakfast tacos, they should put them in the refrigerator now, so they won’t take too long to reheat in the morning.
Mr. Ken went up to visit with the boys around nine o’clock to see how they were doing and to say goodnight to them. He started with Billy and then he went to Robert’s, Matthew’s and then Phillip’s rooms. He waited to stop at Charles’ room last to see how far along he was on his project and to make sure he didn’t stay up all night.
“Charles … how is your project coming along?” asked the teen’s dad.
“Weelll … it started slow, but the more I’ve done the easier it’s getting. But I know I’ll never get it all done tonight. So … well, I decided that I’ll show them one park a day. That way they can ask me questions and then I can rewind and show them and talk about it. This way I think I it won’t confuse them. What do you think, dad?” asked Charles, as he finished his answer.
“Son, I think you’re doing it the right way. Breaking it down into five different shows will definitely keep them from getting the five parks confused and … and you also won’t spend all night trying to get it all done. Now, don’t forget to occasionally save your work. You don’t want to lose your hard work because you made a ‘fat finger error’ and you lose it all,” teased he teen’s dad, as he ruffled the teen’s hair.
The two hugged and as dad Ken left the teen’s room, he told the boy not to stay up too late and that he’ll see him later tomorrow.
The Covers had a very busy day with the long airplane ride, the limousine ride and the stress of the previous day’s fight their friends were involved in and the aftermath on their minds. When they all finally laid down it didn’t take them long to fall asleep.
Chief was also happy to be home with her men. She watched over Phillip as he slept that night and when she knew he was fast asleep, she relaxed enough to allow herself to sleep and dream of her litter of puppies she would soon have.
The Cove was quiet the whole night through.
The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com
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