Published: 2 Mar 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

Mr. Ken told all the boys to head to their rooms and that he would be right there. He then told Phillip to try to settle down some and to use either bathroom to drain his dragon before going to bed. The boy laughed and then Mr. Ken had to explain what ‘drain his dragon’ meant.

Mr. Ken made sure he put all of Phillip’s clothes in the dryers before he went to bed himself. He made a note to himself to get the clothes out of the dryers in the morning and put them on hangers so the boys could take them up to his room in order for Phillip to have something clean to wear to school.

After a long day, The Cove was quiet the whole night.

The next morning after Charles and Matthew released the pressure in their bladders, they put on their nylon gym shorts and went downstairs to get Phillip’s new clothes and put them in his room before they took their showers. When they did the Three Knock Rule on the boy’s bedroom door and Phillip didn’t answer they went right in.

They saw their newest foster ‘brother’ was still fast asleep, so they hung up his clothes and put his underwear and socks in a drawer in the chest of drawers; leaving one of each on the top so he could see them. The two Covers them slipped out and went to take their morning showers and head down for breakfast.

At breakfast they told their ‘dad’ what they did with Phillip’s clothes, and the man thanked them for doing that for him. They also told him that the boy was fast asleep when they went into his room and that he never stirred, so he had to have been really worn out to sleep that deep.

Mr. Ken told the boys that he’d have their older ‘brothers’ wake him before they head up to catch their school bus, and then he’d take their new ‘brother’ over to the school near lunch time and then have Bryson and Preston come to the office to show him around. He told Matthew to make sure the boy got on the right bus to come home when school was over.

Billy and Robert got up for school about the time their younger ‘brothers’ were leaving to catch their school bus. The two teenagers got ready and then headed down to the Kitchen Nook for breakfast. Momma fixed them the same breakfast she had for Charles and Matthew.

‘Dad’ Ken asked the boys to wake their newest ‘brother’ before they go off to catch the school bus. He told them Charles and Matthew took all of his clean clothes up to his room, but he was still fast asleep, so he had to be really tired from everything he experienced yesterday.

The man asked them to show Phillip how to use the showers in the other boys’ bathroom and to let him use that one for the time being. He added they also needed to make sure he had a clean towel and then to leave him alone as might be embarrassed to be seen without any clothes on.

The teen’s agreed to do that and about ten minutes before they were to leave for their school bus, they headed upstairs to wake up their newest ‘brother’.

“Phil,” called out Billy, as he opened the door after doing the Three Knock Rule.

“Phil, it is time to get up,” said Billy, a bit louder as he shook the boy.

Phillip stretched and then opened his eyes. “Oh, is it morning already?”

“Yes, it is and you need to get up. We also need to show you how to use the showers as we need to hurry up and catch our school bus,” said Billy.

Phillip got out of bed, and as he did, he held his hands in front of himself. The teens knew why he was doing that, as they used to do the same thing when they were his age. They knew not to say anything, or make fun of him, so they walked in front of him and took him to what was previously known as the girl’s bathroom.

Billy showed the boy how the shower controls worked and Robert showed him there were fresh towels on the towel rack when he was finished. Billy then told him his other ‘brothers’ brought his clean clothes up to his room, and they were hanging in his closet. The teen added there were a pair of underwear and some socks sitting on the dresser for him to use.

The teens then said they had to hurry to catch their bus and when he was dressed, he should head down to the Kitchen Nook and Momma Maria would fix him some breakfast. Phillip thanked them as the two teens walked out of the bathroom.

Phillip went over to the urinal and relieved the pressure in his bladder and as he did his morning friend began to deflate. He was relieved it did that. The boy then took off his underwear, got into one of the showers and turned the handles to get the water to the temperature he liked, then he began to wash himself.

The new foster boy was still feeling unsettled about the way he was taken away from his school and in particular his mom. He thought about it as he showered and he knew Mr. Ken and his ‘brothers’ tried to make his coming there as easy as they could. They bought him all new clothes and introduced him to two boys his age that he would be going to school with, so he would know someone later today when Mr. Ken registered him there.

As Phillip stood under the shower, he told himself that he already liked Billy. He wasn’t sure why, but he believed it was because the older boy knew what he was going through and he hugged him and made him feel safe.

Chief’s barking made the boy come out of his thoughts and he quickly finished washing himself, rinsed off, turned off the shower and then began to dry himself off. The boy then wrapped the towel around himself and carrying his dirty underwear he walked down to his bedroom to get dressed for the day.

Chief met him out in the hallway and followed him into the bedroom, where Phillip finished drying himself off and began to get dressed. One thing he didn’t get to do was brush his teeth nor comb his hair. He told himself he needed to tell Mr. Ken he needed those things when he saw him.

Chief led Phillip down to the Kitchen Nook. Mr. Ken heard the resident pet’s paws tapping on the tile, so he knew the two were coming.

“Good morning, Phillip. I hope you slept well,” announced Mr. Ken.

“Yes, sir, I think I did. I slept until Billy came to wake me. If he hadn’t, I think I still would be up there. That bed sure felt good,” answered the newest foster son.

“OK, let me show you how you need to take care of Chief every morning, before you sit down to breakfast. First, get her bowls. Go ahead and get them,” directed Mr. Ken, and Phillip did that.

Mr. Ken had the boy rinse them and then fill one with water and place it where he got it from. The man then showed the boy where the kibble was kept and had the boy fill one bowl to about two-thirds of the way full and then place it next to the other bowl. Mr. Ken then showed Phillip that in the cupboard there were also treats he could use to give Chief when they played, or if he was going to try to teach her a new trick. Phillip smiled when he heard that.

Momma called the boy over to the breakfast table, but Mr. Ken told him to wash his hands first. Then, when the boy sat down, Momma brought him scrambled eggs, crisp bacon and two pancakes. She then asked him if he wanted milk or orange juice. The boy asked for the orange juice.

As the boy ate, he wasn’t sure when he should tell his foster dad that he needed a toothbrush and a comb, but the more he thought about it the more he wanted to tell him and his inner voice got the better of him.

“Mr. Ken … I … I couldn’t brush my teeth this morning because … because I didn’t have my toothbrush. And … and I didn’t have my comb,” said a now scared Phillip, not sure if he should have said anything.

“Oh, I didn’t even think about those things, Phillip. I’m sorry about that. I’ll tell you what. When we head out to register you at the school, we’ll stop at one of the stores and buy you everything you need. Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, nail clipper set, alarm clock and anything else you think you need.

“By the way, how’d the shower work out for you? Did the boys explain it to you and then leave you alone, and did you put your dirty clothes in the hamper? On Friday the cleaning company comes in and makes the beds and washes the clothes. Oh, I guess I didn’t explain all that to you, did I? OK, when you’re finished eating, we’ll go up to your room and I’ll explain a few more things to you. OK?” finished Mr. Ken.

Phillip smiled and after he swallowed what was in his mouth, he told Mr. Ken he was OK with that. The boy then went back to eating.

By then, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Chris had come to work and were sitting in the Kitchen Nook drinking their first cups of coffee. They heard the conversation and they both came to understand that when a new boy arrives there are some things that get overlooked. Chris mentioned to Wayne that their boss needed a checklist to work from and that way it could reduce or eliminate those oversights.

Mr. Ken smiled from behind his newspaper as he heard what the ex-Army officer said. He figured the Estate Manager used lots of checklists while in the U.S. Army, so he decided he’d give him the task of making one for him.

When Phillip was finished eating, he told Mr. Ken that he was ready to go up to his room. The owner of The Cove put his paper down and said he’d meet him up there. So, the boy and his dog headed in that direction.

“Oh, Chris, I like your idea of a checklist,” began the man’s employer. “How about you get with the boys and get them to help you create one for me. That way I won’t overlook things like toothbrushes, toothpastes, combs and alarm clocks when the next foster boy arrives,” laughed Mr. Ken. “Oh, and while you’re at it, how about ordering Phillip a computer like the other boys have.”

Mr. Ken was heard still laughing as he walked out of the Kitchen Nook.

When the two Covers met upstairs, Mr. Ken explained to Phillip how he should put his dirty clothes in the hamper and on Friday he should strip his bed and the cleaning company will come in and make it with clean bed sheets. The man also explained his Three Knock Rule to him.

Phillip didn’t understand why he would have his foster dad wait to be asked into his room since he owned the house. But Mr. Ken told his newest foster son that he wanted to give him some privacy and the opportunity to keep people out of his personal space.

He told Phillip that his ‘brothers’ should respect his decision to not allow them into his room, just as he should respect their choice not to allow him into theirs. Mr. Ken then told the boy that a few times the boys had disagreements and they would use that Rule against their ‘brothers’ to get back at them. The man then chuckled.

On their way to the school to register Phillip Girroads into the 5^th Grade, they stopped at a big corner pharmacy store that would have everything the boy told Mr. Ken that he needed. They walked in and the boy got a trolley and they walked over to the pharmacy area. Phillip picked up a standard toothbrush, but Mr. Ken told him to pick one of the battery-operated ones. The boy selected a cheap brand of toothpaste, but his foster dad told him to take the brand the boys all used.

Mr. Ken asked Phillip if he used dental floss and when was the last time, he went to see the dentist. The boy said he usually used toothpicks when he had something stuck between his teeth and it had been a long time since he saw a dentist. Mr. Ken had the boy pick up a pack of waxed dental floss and he also made a mental note to make a dental appointment for the boy.

They walked over to the combs and again Phillip picked the cheapest one. Mr. Ken told his newest member of The Cove that he could afford to buy him higher-end things and the boy should pick something that would last. Phillip said that he was only getting what his mom taught him to get.

Mr. Ken then helped Phillip get the rest of the things he needed. After getting a better comb, the man also picked up a hair brush and then the two went over and looked at the deodorants. Phillip said he didn’t use it, but his foster dad told him that with him being almost eleven that he needed to start getting used to putting it on every day. So, the man had the boy smell the different ones and to select the one he liked the best.

Mr. Ken then took him over to the men’s manicure sets and had the boy select one. The boy told his foster dad that his mom always cut his finger and toe nails. Mr. Ken told him that he was old enough now to start doing that himself, and that either he or his older ‘brothers’ would teach him when and how to do it.

They then walked over to where the alarm clocks were. Mr. Ken had the boy look over the large selection and then pick the one that he liked. The shoe department was next. Mr. Ken wanted to see if they had Croc’s, but they didn’t. He then knew they needed to make a trip out to the Outlet Mall, so he could get the boy a pair and maybe some nice running shorts and maybe get the boy some Nike or Under Armour shirts like the other boys had.

On their continued drive to the school, Mr. Ken asked Phillip if there was anything else that the boy needed. Phillip told his foster dad that he wished he had his skateboard and guitar and he wanted to know what he should do with his school books from his other school.

Mr. Ken told the boy he’d get with Ms. Judy to see if they could go by his home to retrieve those things later today or early next week. Phillip then asked if he could go by his home, so he could get some of his old clothes to play in. He told Mr. Ken he didn’t want to ruin the new clothes he just bought him.

After all the things they did and talked about, the two Covers arrived at the school at around 10:30. Mr. Ken and Phillip walked into the office and Liliana Dillows, the school secretary, hired after Ms. Andrews retired, greeted them and asked them what she could do for them.

Mr. Ken presented her with his guardianship papers for Phillip and said he needed to register his new foster son. That was when Ms. Dillows recognized the man and asked if the boy would be with them for a few weeks or a longer period. She then looked at Mr. Ken with a knowing smile. Mr. Ken said he was hoping for a longer term this time around and then smiled right back. The two adults then burst out laughing with Phillip not understanding the joke between them.

Dan Chassen heard the laughter out in the office, so he went out to see what that was all about.

“Oh, Mr. Ken … brought us another boy I see,” smiled the acting principal. Again, Phillip wondered what the inside joke was all about.

While Ms. Dillows got some information from Phillip about his old school, Mr. Ken asked Dan if he could get Bryson Walshton and Preston Divardly to the office. He explained that he introduced the two boys to Phillip last night and that he told them he would ask them to show his new foster son around the school, and introduce him around to the other students.

Acting Principal Dan Chassen used the intercom system and asked the two boys to come to the office. The other students teased the boys by asking them what they had done wrong this time that the principal himself as calling them to the office.

Since the boys are in different classrooms, they met in the hallway on their way to the office. Neither of them had any idea why they were being called to the office, but when they entered the room and saw Phillip and Mr. Ken there, they relaxed. They both then figured they were called to the office to show their new friend around the school.

Mr. Chassen saw the two boys enter the office. He called them over to him and Mr. Ken and said to them, “Boys, Mr. Ken asked me to call you here so you could show his newest foster son around the school. I understand you met him last night, so he at least knows you two. After Mr. Ken gets Phillip his lunch pass, I would appreciate it if you would introduce him to your classmates, show him how to go through the lunch line, use his pass, and then show him the ropes. Can you do that for me?”

Both boys said they would. They then asked Mr. Ken if twelve noon was still on for tomorrow. The owner of The Cove said for them to come over rain or shine, as he needed to take Phillip and get him a new skateboard and he needed them to help him get the boy a good one. The boys smiled at hearing that.

Before he left the office to get his foster son his lunch pass, Mr. Ken made sure the secretary had Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis on Phillip’s approved pick-up list when the boy had appointments that he had to be taken out of school for.

Ms. Dillows made sure their names were in the folder, and as she did that, Mr. Ken mentioned to the secretary that all of his new ‘boys’ get a medical physical to establish a baseline to let him know if the boy has any underlying medical problems. He told the woman that he was giving her a heads-up because it takes most of the day and Phillip will have one scheduled for some time next week.

The Covers, with Preston and Bryson tagging along, went to the dietitian’s office to get Phillip his lunch pass. Mr. Ken paid for the remainder of the school year and told the boy that, like his ‘brothers’, he put some extra money on his card in case he knew a student who forgot his lunch or needed an extra milk. But he told his new ‘son’ he couldn’t feed the entire school. Phillip thanked his foster dad for doing that for him, and said he understood what he was saying.

Mr. Ken told Phillip to find Matthew at the end of the school day, so he knew which bus to get on, otherwise he would be stuck there all weekend. Mr. Ken then hugged the boy and told him he would see him at home at dinner time.

Phillip was going to be in Preston’s classroom, so the three boys went to that classroom to introduce the new student to his teacher and the students there. It was close to lunchtime, so the teacher didn’t mind the interruption.

After the introductions in that classroom, the three boys went to Bryson’s classroom and did the same thing. The teacher was happy to know there was a new Cover in the mix after Kevin and Kyle were taken away by their aunt and uncle. And it wasn’t long before the lunch bell rang.

After Phillip went through the lunch line, he told his new friends that it wasn’t any different than his old school. The problem Phillip had was that everyone wanted to sit with him at the lunch table, but it only held ten people and Bryson and Preston were already there.

The new Cover asked his two friends why everyone wanted to sit with him. Bryson told him it was because he lived at The Cove, and they all wanted to be his friend and be invited over to use the Cove Skate Park and then swim in the indoor pool and use the other things Mr. Ken has for him to use there.

Phillip told Bryson he didn’t understand what was so unique about where he lived. Preston told the Cover that he obviously hadn’t been shown everything, or his ‘brothers’ hadn’t talked to him yet, and that he needed to ask them to explain to him why everyone wants to be his friend and come to The Cove. Phillip said he’d look for Matthew outside after lunch and ask him then.

When Mr. Ken arrived at his office, his secretary told him that DA George Morris had called and wanted to talk to him whenever he got there. Even though it was close to lunch time, when the man arrived at his office, Ken Thomas went into his office and called the District Attorney.

When the two men finished talking, Ken Thomas sat back and thought through what he just learned. He hadn’t realized it had been almost nine months since Bennett Grafflers, Weston Thrumble, Santiago Sanchez, now deceased, and Kaden Stylers had invaded the Goldersons home. And now it was time for Bennett Grafflers and Weston Thrumble to go on trial.

What he was most surprised to hear was that Kaden Stylers was going to be charged as a juvenile, even though he was fifteen at the time and individuals at that age can be charged as adults. DA Morris explained to Mr. Ken that because of the assistance Kaden had been giving him and the Sheriff’s department on the local illegal drug trade in their area, he had made that concession to the mother.

Mr. Ken asked and George Morris told him that Kaden could get anywhere from juvenile confinement until he was eighteen or probation and community service. The District Attorney said it would be up to the judge and what side of the bed he got out on that day. But the man said that since the teen had been shot in his back by his confederates, he may be lenient on the teenager, but only how the defense attorney handled the case could help determine that.

What really concerned the man was that his foster son, Bill Dirketson, would be called to testify since he was one of the people attacked during the home invasion. The DA wanted to tell Mr. Ken that the pre-trial hearings would begin at the end of April and the jury would be picked that first week of May. DA Morris wanted to know when would be a good time to sit down with Bill and get him prepared to testify at the men’s trial.

Of course, since the teen was still in school, Mr. Ken told the man that only on the weekends would the boy have unlimited time. The DA asked Ken Thomas if 29 April would work for him and the teenager. Mr. Ken told the man he’d put it on his and his foster son’s calendar and he’d see either him or his assistant there at 10 a.m. Mr. Ken quickly called Wayne to tell him about the trial and to put Bill’s appointment on the calendar for the twenty-ninth.

Mr. Ken also called Ms. Judy to ask her about gaining access to Phillip’s home, so the boy could get his skateboard and guitar and some of his old clothes to wear around The Cove. The Director of CPS told her friend she would need to get a court order and a Sheriff’s Deputy to accompany them and the earliest it could happen would be Monday. Mr. Ken asked her to see if they could do that at the end of the day, so Phillip doesn’t miss school.

Phillip did catch up with Matthew out in the school yard after lunch and he talked to him about why all of his classmates wanted to be his friend. Matthew told his newest ‘brother’ that they can only have so many friends come over to The Cove, on any one day, and all of his classmates want to be that one person who gets the invitation.

Matthew also told Phillip that he had to tell their ‘dad’ his friend’s names and home phone numbers by Wednesday, so he can decide if they can come over that weekend. The twelve-year-old said that he can only invite two people at a time to The Cove and he could probably have six but maybe as many as eight friends over at a time, eventually. Matthew said he’d have to explain it better at home.

The new Cover then asked Matthew where he should meet him to catch the school bus home. Matthew told him what the bus number was and where it was parked out front and to go there as soon as the last bell rang. The older Cover told his ‘brother’ not to be late, and then headed off with his friends.

Preston told Phillip that it will take him time to become a Cover. That’s when Phillip told his friend that that was what he didn’t understand, him being a Cover. Bryson told his new friend that everyone who lives at The Cove is called a Cover, and everyone who knows them wants to be invited there, but everybody can’t be. Preston added that it is like a status symbol and everyone wants to be a part of it. Phillip said he was still confused.

When the boys arrived home from school, Charles and Matthew took Phillip to the Kitchen Nook to get his after-school snack. Momma Maria was waiting for them and had their snack ready and all she needed to know was what they wanted to drink. Phillip asked for the vanilla milk.

The three boys talked and Phillip asked Charles to explain what being a Cover meant. Charles told his new ‘brother’ that being a Cover was like being part of something meaningful and unique. The teenager told the boy it was a feeling, an attitude, a way of presenting oneself and holding himself up to a higher standard.

Charles added that he’d been at other foster homes and this by far was the best he’d been in and couldn’t wait until his dad adopted him. The teen said that his dad was involved in a number of worthwhile endeavors in the community and they all try to do their best and not do anything to bring disgrace to their dad.

Matthew said their ‘dad’ holds a 4^th of July Carnival for the whole community and soon they’ll get the Easter Egg Roll together and have the local kids in to grab as many plastic eggs they can and they’ll get candy, and money and a few will get special prizes.

Phillip asked, “Will Mr. Ken … will he … will he want to adopt me?”

“No, Phil, he won’t. You probably have your mom out there who made a mistake and when she gets things straightened out, you’ll go back to her,” was how Charles answered his new ‘brother’.

“Oh, OK. I don’t want to lose my mom. She might not be the best mom in the world, but … well … I would like to go back to living with her … one day. I just hope … I hope she would stop … would stop going out at night and leaving me … and leaving me home all alone all the time,” said Phillip, who then began to cry.

Charles quickly went over to his ‘brother’ and hugged him and began to rub his back as his dad always did to him to get him to calm down. Chief would normally go and get Mr. Ken, but he wasn’t home just yet, so she went and found Mr. Wayne and brought him to the Kitchen Nook.

“Phillip … what brought this up?” asked the Estate Master, when he went to the boy.

“My mom … she was always leaving me home alone and now she’s … she’s there and … and I’m here,” cried Phillip, who buried his head into Mr. Wayne’s chest.

Mr. Wayne walked Phillip back to the Study to talk to the boy. Charles and Matthew talked about what they saw, and they thanked Momma for their snack and then headed up to their rooms to get started on their homework.

Mr. Wayne sat down with Phillip in one of the leather chairs and tried to get the boy to talk to him. The boy was still upset over everything that had happened to him and it had only been twenty-four hours.

“Phillip … I, or Mr. Ken can … we can’t help you if you won’t talk to me, us. So, what do you say? Will you tell me what’s going through your mind right now?” softly asked the Estate Master.

Phillip remained quiet for a few more moments, but then through his tears, he began to say something.

“Why … why did it have to happen so … so fast? Why couldn’t they … why couldn’t they have told me this was going to happen?” the boy said through his tears.

Mr. Wayne, knowing the circumstances behind Phillip’s removal, asked the boy if he knew how many times his mom was talked to about leaving him home alone. Phillip said he wasn’t home all the time, but he knew strange people had stopped by at least three times. Mr. Wayne told the newest Cover that social services had talked to his mother a total of eight times, since the Holidays, and it was now only April.

The sit-in foster parent then asked the boy how many times did the ladies talk to him. The boy looked into Mr. Wayne’s eyes and told him three times. The two Covers talk then centered around when was the last time the women talked to Phillip. The boy said it was Monday.

What Mr. Wayne then did was have Phillip think back to Monday, and what the lady told him. The boy took a few moments to think about their conversation and as he did, he remembered her telling him that if his mom kept leaving him home alone, they would take him away and it would be soon.

“So … so, on Monday they … they were telling me that if my mom … that if my mom did it one more time I … that I was going to be taken away? Then why … then why didn’t they say that to me?” asked Phillip.

“My bet is … that they did say that to you, but … but it was something you didn’t want to hear, so … so you put it out of your mind,” offered the man, as he pulled the boy into his lap and let the boy cry.

“Phillip … did your mom … did she leave you home alone one night this week?” asked Mr. Wayne.

“Yes,” said a sniffling Phillip. “It was Tuesday night. She left me about seven o’clock and she told me she would be home by ten. But she wasn’t there when I woke up in the morning to go to school.”

It was then that Mr. Ken came around the corner. He saw the two sitting there, and Phillip crying, so he back-tracked and decided to let them finish their talk. The owner of The Cove decided he’d go to the Kitchen Nook and have a snack with his two ‘boys’.

During dinner that night, Mr. Ken told the boys that when they finished dinner, he and Phillip were going to the Outlet Mall to get his newest foster boy a few more things. He told the boys they could go or stay home. That it was up to them.

When dinner was over all the boys went over to Momma and hugged her. Phillip went over to her and thanked her for the good meal he just had. The boy told her that was the first time in a long time he had a hot meal two times in a row. He then hugged her and came away with tears in his eyes. Momma saw them and pulled him back and hugged him tight.

All of the boys went with their ‘dad’ to the Outlet Mall. The older boys told Mr. Ken that it was better than staying home and having nothing to do. The man did tell them they could have stayed home and done their homework. They all laughed at him.

Their first stop was the Crocs store. Phillip wasn’t sure why they stopped there, but Billy told him that they all had them, and they were good for walking around the house and outside especially if it was raining. The teen told the boy to try them on and feel how good they fit and to choose the color he liked.

The newest Cover was surprised at the number of styles and colors there were. He did what his big ‘brother’ told him and he found the size that he felt fit him well, and then he walked in a few of them. He then picked the color he liked. Then he saw these small button-like characters that you could snap into the front of the shoes. He asked Mr. Ken if he could get a few of them.

The saleslady heard the boy and told him they were called Jabbitz Charms and they came in hundreds of styles ranging from letters of the alphabet, to sports, to plants, food and cartoon characters and lots more. Phillip smiled at hearing that and began looking through all of the bins.

Mr. Ken thought the charms looked interesting and there were more than a few to choose from. So, he told his new foster boy to pick some, but not to overdo it. None of the other boys had them, and Mr. Ken figured they’d want them, too, so he told them to get some, as well.

Phillip picked up a guitar, a skateboard, and a couple of cartoon characters. The other boys picked up some too. Billy got a car, Mickey Mouse and a hamburger. Robert got a hot dog, mustard and ketchup, Charles picked out a sailboat, a hamburger and a soda can, while Matthew also picked a sailboat, a taco and a sleeping bag. Mr. Ken wasn’t going to be left out and he chose an American flag, a yellow lab and a pistol.

The woman behind the counter put the figures in the holes on the front of the Crocs where the boy wanted them. Mr. Ken and the boys watched how she did that, so they could put them in their Crocs when they got home. They were all happy with their purchase.

Their next stop was the Nike and Under Armour stores. Mr. Ken told Phillip to get a pair of nylon gym type shorts and a t-shirt to either match or contrast the shorts. The man told the foster boy he could either wear them around the house, to skate in, or even to school as he’d seen some of the boys do.

Phillip asked his foster dad if he ever found out if he could go back to his home to get his guitar and skateboard and some of his play clothes. Mr. Ken told him that Monday is the earliest they can go back there after he returned home from school. Phillip said he hoped his mom wouldn’t be there, because she would probably cause trouble. Mr. Ken told him they’d have that covered.

The other boys asked if they could get a shirt. ‘Dad’ Ken asked them if they got them for Christmas. They said they did. He then asked them if they got them for their birthdays. Billy cheekily said his birthday was next week. Charles spoke up and said his birthday was in two weeks. Robert said his birthday wasn’t until June and Matthew said his birthday was back in December. ‘Dad’ Ken laughed and told the boys they could get one shirt, too.

After Phillip got a pair of shorts and a t-shirt from both stores, Mr. Ken asked the boy if he wanted a soft pretzel. The boy said he didn’t remember ever having one and asked what they were. Mr. Ken drove over to the soft pretzel place and the Covers got out and they each got two pretzels and dipping sauces.

Phillip loved the texture and taste of the pretzel and the sauces. He shared with his ‘brothers’ and they all washed the pretzel down with a drink. It was while they ate that Matthew asked what they were going to get Chief. He told his ’dad’ that they didn’t bring her an ice cream treat last night and if they don’t tonight, she will be very disappointed.

“Boys … after having soft pretzels, a sugary dipping sauce and a soda, we are NOT stopping by DQ for an ice cream,” emphatically stated ‘dad’ Ken.

“Dad, not for us. For Chief!” simultaneously said Matthew and Robert.

“OK, we’ll stop for an ice cream for Chief. And don’t any of you ask for an ice cream when we stop there. Are we clear?” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

Phillip whispered to Billy and asked him what that was all about. The oldest teen told his newest ‘brother’ that when they go out most times, they usually stop at DQ, or Mr. Ken’s Kreamy Kone for ice cream and they usually bring Chief a cup of ice cream when they come home. The teen told the boy that he would be given the cup to give to Chief when they got home.

When the Covers arrived home, Phillip did give Chief her cup of ice cream. What they failed to tell the boy was how the resident pet would react when she knew they had it. Chief jumped on the boy, almost knocking him over to get to her ice cream. And then when she was finished, she went over to him and she jumped on him again and this time she did knock him to the floor so she could give him her cold doggie kisses. The boys laughed at what happened the whole time.

It was after nine o’clock when the Covers returned home, but ‘dad’ Ken still had the boys meet in the Study. He wanted to cover some up-coming appointments for the boys and what was happening around The Cove in the coming weeks.

“Phillip, just about every night we meet in here and talk about what’s going to happen in the coming week or weeks. You, young man, will have a physical with Doctor Powers on Wednesday. I will come to the school about nine o’clock to get you and take you there. I believe I already explained to you why I am doing this. By the way, all the boys have had one, so you are not being singled out. Ask them if you don’t believe me.

“You will also meet with Doctor Doug. He’ll be over for dinner some night next week, and you will meet with him once a week for a while and then every other week for a while. All of the boys have talked with him and some of them still do, even though they’ve been here for many months. And I did tell you that whatever you tell Doctor Doug, he will never tell me unless you tell him it is OK.

“Phillip,” chuckled Mr. Ken, “you will also have a dentist appointment after school one day, as well, besides us going to your home, hopefully on Monday to retrieve those things you want. You’re going to be a busy boy next week, I’d say.” The boys all laughed.

“OK. Easter is in two weeks, which means next Saturday I want you to ask your friends to help us fill the plastic Easter eggs as they did last year. Robert, Billy, can you two do the colored prize coupons as you did last year? Those worked out great, I do believe. The plastic eggs are due to arrive on Thursday or Friday.

“Then the following Saturday, we’ll do the Easter Egg Roll as we did last year. Again, I ask you to ask your friends to be here at 10 a.m. to help us put out the 1000 Easter Eggs. I’ll break the boys and girls down into the three groups as I did last year and at twelve noon, I’ll blow the horn and the kids will grab the eggs.

“Also, I am not sure if you know this or not, but … I am going to build Blessed Waters Academy Catholic High School a 21,000 sq ft vocational training building. The ground breaking ceremony will be at the end of next week, as the following week is Holy Week and the Archbishop wanted it to happen before then.

“That’s it for me. Do any of you have anything to bring up to the group?” asked ‘dad’ Ken.

Since there wasn’t anything brought up, Mr. Ken sent the boys up to their rooms to relax before going to bed. He asked Phillip to take the tags off his new clothes, but he could wear them over the weekend if he wanted to and put them into the hamper as they got dirty. He then told the boys he’d be upstairs to talk to them shorty.

It was about 9:45 when Mr. Ken stopped at Phillip’s bedroom. He asked the boy if he had his new alarm clock set up. Learning he hadn’t, the two set the new alarm to the correct time and to when the boy should wake up on Monday. Mr. Ken then asked the boy if what Mr. Wayne told him about the lady telling him about them getting ready to take him away if his mom didn’t buckle down sounded like something he had heard.

The boy said it had and he just didn’t think his mom would let it happen. He told Mr. Ken that they sat down after they were both talked to, and that she would stay home and be a good mom. But she obviously didn’t stay home and they found out and now he’s there.

Mr. Ken asked the boy to try to make the best of his new home. The man told Phillip to talk to his ‘brothers’ about the things they’ve gotten to do while they lived there, and that if he stays there long enough, he’ll get to go on a long trip with them after school lets out for the summer. Mr. Ken then told Phillip that if he is here even longer than that, the two of them will go on a one-on-one trip to some place in Texas.

Mr. Ken asked the boy what he liked to do before he went to bed. He asked the boy if he liked to read, or play a computer game, or do something else. Phillip said he usually played with some of his toys, or he just laid on his bed until he got tired and then decided to get under the covers. Mr. Ken then gave the boy a shoulder hug and asked him to be downstairs for breakfast before 9 a.m.

Mr. Ken told himself he had a very difficult boy on his hands and he needed to get Doctor Doug involved as soon as he could. He felt there might be more to Phillip being home sick and the sooner he knew what it was the faster he could devise some corrective action to get the boy redirected and focused.

After the owner of The Cove talked to the rest of his ‘boys’, he went to his own private retreat with the nagging thought that there was something else going on with Phillip than his being taken away from his mom. The Cove was quiet that night, but not everyone slept well.

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

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