Published: 23 May 2024

From The Previous Chapter:

Wayne then told Ken that Phillip agreed to go and see his mother on Thursday, since he wanted tomorrow to practice with his band for tomorrow night’s gig at Collin’s party with his friends. The Estate Master then mentioned that the carnival would arrive on Saturday to begin setting up. He added that he had heard from Reynolds, who told him that they should be there Sunday late afternoon.

After the two made small talk about what was happening tomorrow around the estate and possibly at the courthouse, they decided to end their conversation. ‘Dad’ Ken then decided not to call any of the boys that night.

Ken Thomas had set his hotel alarm for 7:30 that Wednesday morning. After he took his shower and got dressed for the day, he wanted to eat breakfast down in the hotel buffet, before heading over to the courthouse to meet up with Amy and Kate. He told Kate that he would meet her there at 9:30.

As the three, Amy, Kate and Ken were talking in the hallway of the courthouse, about how Kate’s lawyer, Amy Ozarker, had planned to confront Lane in front of the judge, if she got the chance, Lane and his mother came walking by. And as Lane walked by, he made a snarling noise as he looked directly at Ken.

“Did you see that, Ken?” asked Kate, after the two had passed.

“Yes, I saw it, and it was directed at me. That proves that Lane only took you to court because of me, and that is going to be his downfall,” commented back Ken.

The three talked some more and, after looking at the time, decided to head into the courtroom. Amy and Kate took their seats behind the complainants table, while Ken Thomas sat in the back in the observers, or gallery seats.

It was going on nine o’clock when the Cover boys began arriving in the Kitchen Nook for breakfast. Mr. Wayne was already there reading the morning newspaper, and drinking his morning coffee, just as if ‘dad’ Ken was there.

The boys said good morning to the Estate Master and Phillip went and took care of fixing Chief her fresh water and special kibble. Momma had their breakfast just about ready and when Phillip sat down with his ‘brothers’ she served them their breakfasts.

As the boys were eating, Matthew remarked, “I wonder why ‘dad’ didn’t call us last night?”

“I’m sure he was extremely busy, boys, and probably tired, too, after getting up so early yesterday for that early morning flight,” spoke up Mr. Wayne, who went back to reading the morning newspaper.

“I wonder if we should call him?” continued Matthew.

Upon hearing what the boy said, Mr. Wayne quickly pulled the newspaper away from his face and told the pre-teen that he was not to call his ‘dad’. And when Matthew asked why he shouldn’t, the Estate Master told him that it was after ten o’clock back east, and his ‘dad’ was going to the courthouse with Kate at ten, and that he would be busy supporting her against that man Lane, who is causing trouble for her right now.

Billy told Matthew that if he wanted to call anyone,he should call Charles to see how his day went at Edgewood, and to see how he and Mr. Jason were getting along. Matthew agreed with that idea and said that after he finishes eating, he’ll call and talk to him. The four boys went back to eating their breakfast, and Mr. Wayne was happy he averted a problem with Mr. Ken’s phone ringing in the courtroom.

When the judge entered the courtroom, everyone stood until the bailiff told them they could be seated. The judge then asked if everyone associated with the matter at hand was present. The proceedings went as such:

JUDGE: This hearing is to ascertain the requirement that Lane Blankenhart pay child support for the children he has supposedly fathered, and secondarily to determine paternity of one said child known as Russell.

The judge then looked over to the defendant’s table and asked Lane where his lawyer was. The judge said that he had one when he filed the motion to have his boys to begin spending time with him, and he wanted to know where he was now. Lane, being seated, began to answer when the judge banged his gavel and lashed out and told Lane that he was to stand when he spoke to him.

Lane Blankenhart quickly stood and said, “I apologize, your honor. My lawyer … when he learned that this had turned into a paternity thing, he … he, ahh, bowed out. He told me that he only did the first filing as a favor to my mother. He told me that he wasn’t going to get mixed up in any legal wranglings over a paternity issue that he hadn’t the time, or inclination to get involved in, since he wasn’t involved with it from the beginning.”

JUDGE: Mr. Blankenhart, the complainant, a Kate Partlunds, contends that you have yet to pay any child support for any of the children that you have supposedly fathered. Is that the case, sir?

LANE BLANKENHART: (Who had sat down after he had answered the judge was seated when he began to speak, but quickly stood up when he remembered what happened just a few moments ago.) Well, you honor, that is true. I have not paid any child support. But in my defense, Kate … Ms. Partlunds, she has never asked me for any, as she has a very good job, as a real estate agent, and she makes very good money.

JUDGE: Don’t you think that if you claim to be the father of her children, and you want to start having contact with them, that you have a responsibility and a duty to help support them, no matter that she has a well-paying job?

LANE: Yes, your honor, but … well, I don’t have a full-time job. You see … I live with my mom, ahh my mother, and I can barely get by with the small jobs that I pick up here and there.

JUDGE: And why is it that you can’t find a full-time position? Aren’t you a high school graduate? Are you disabled? Do you have a condition that precludes you from working?

LANE: Yes, your honor, I did graduate from high school. And no, I am not disabled. But, your honor, I think the reason I can’t find a regular full-time job is … well, your honor … it is because … I have a record.

JUDGE: A record? What kind of record?

LANE: Your honor … I’ve been arrested and … well, I’ve spent time in jail. And no employer wants to hire me because of that.

JUDGE: How old are you, and how many times have you been arrested? And tell me, what were you arrested for and how much time have you spent in jail? And, are you now on probation?

LANE: Your honor, I am 28 and I’ve been arrested three times and I’ve spent almost a total of six years in jail for different drug offenses. And, yes, your honor, I am now on three years’ probation.

JUDGE: My, my. … Now, Ms. Ozarker … when you were here last, filing your motion for child support and a paternity test to prove that Lane Blankenhart is the father of one of your client’s children, she stated that Lane … Mr. Blankenhart, that he had had been demanding money from her ever since he got out of jail this last time. Is that true and can you prove it?

Lane immediately stood up and yelled, “That’s a lie, your honor!”

The judge quickly banged his gavel and told Lane to sit down and not speak unless he is spoken to. The judge told Lane that if he does it again, he will be held in contempt of court and he’ll see more time behind bars. Lane apologized and sat right down.

JUDGE: Ms. Ozarker, before we were so rudely interrupted. Can you tell this court how much money your client supposedly gave Lane Blankenhart? And, can you prove that your client gave that money to him?

AMY OZARKER: Yes, your honor, we can prove my client gave money to Lane Blankenhart. We have photo copies of the canceled checks, with his endorsement on the back, in the amount of five thousand dollars.

JUDGE: Can I see those canceled checks? (Amy took the photo copies of the checks up to the judge for him to look over.)

JUDGE: Mr. Blankenhart … is this your signature on the backs on these canceled checks?

LANE: Ahh, yes, you honor. But I didn’t demand that money from her, your honor. Honest! She … she gave it to me. She gave it to me because … well, because she knew that I was hurting for money, since I couldn’t get a job. And …and, that’s the truth, you honor!

JUDGE: Ms. Ozarker … and your client contend that she was bullied into giving Lane that money because?

AMY: Yes, your honor, my client contends that Lane Blankenhart … that he told her that if she didn’t give him that money … that he would tell everyone that they both knew in their area, and anyone else who would listen, that she slept around during the time that their first son was conceived, and that he had proof. And that, your honor, is the reason why we are requesting the paternity test.

JUDGE: And when was this first child conceived?”

AMY: While they were still in high school, your honor.

JUDGE: And how old is the boy now?

AMY: He is eight, your honor.

JUDGE: So, I take it the two were high school sweethearts, and the boy was born after they graduated.

AMY: Your honor, Lane … he had just graduated, but my client … she was a junior when the boy was conceived. She did go on and finish her senior year, and then she went on to college and received a degree.

JUGE: I understand there is a second child. And is there any question about the paternity of that child?

AMY: Yes, your honor, there is a second child, and there is no question about the paternity. My client agrees that Lane is the father of the second child, Jesse. But with what Lane has used to extract money from my client, my client is now questioning that Lane might not be the father of her first child.

JUDGE: And what is that?

AMY: My client contends … that she never slept with anyone other than Lane. But that she did remember that after that tryst … that the next morning she was extremely sore in her … ahh, nether regions, and that she had a tremendous headache.

AMY: So, now with Lane saying that he has proof that she slept with other men during the time Rusty, I mean Russell, was conceived, my client wants to ensure Lane is the father and that if he is not, then something else happened that night they slept together.

JUDGE: Mr. Blankenhart … why is it that after eight years you have suddenly decided to ask to have visitation rights with your children?

LANE: Well, your honor, I felt that I should finally get to know them. I spent their formative years in jail and my mother … well, she also wanted to get to know her grandchildren.

JUDGE: I see this as an easy fix. Lane Blankenhart contends that he is the father of one Russell Partlunds and Kate … she is questioning that claim, because of his demanding money from her, by saying he has proof that she slept around during the time that Russell was conceived. So … since paternity tests are not all that expensive and can be purchased at many local national drug stores, I am ordering that Lane Blankenhart … that he purchase one of those paternity tests. As, he surely has enough money that was provided by Ms. Partlunds.

JUDGE: Also, because this is a classic, he said; she said; this Friday’s court hearing to decide if Lane Blankenhart will have visitation rights is hereby canceled. Everything may very well be resolved when the paternity test result is revealed.

JUDGE: As this is Wednesday, I am also ordering that the test be administered before noon Friday, of this week, and it is to be supervised by both Mr. Blankenhart’s mother and Kate Partlunds. You two should get together today and make arrangements to have the test administered quickly and sent off on the day it is performed, but not later than Friday, noon.

JUDGE: The test cost is the sole responsibility of Lane Blankenhart, and he is to ensure that it is performed according to my directions. And the results of said test is to be brought back to this court, unopened, two weeks hence. Ahh, wait a moment. (The judge then looked at his calendar and then corrected himself.)

JUDGE: As I am on vacation next week, myself, and I have already pushed too many court hearings into that second week. I am changing your return to my court until the third week. So, I will see you all here on the nineteenth of July, with the results of that paternity test, remember, unopened. And, for your sake, Mr. Blankenhart, I hope you are the father. Because if that test comes back that you are not, well, let’s just wait until, then, shall we? And make sure you have a lawyer when you appear in my court the next time. This court is now adjourned.

After the judge exited the courtroom, Kate and Amy hugged. Lane looked over to them and to Kate said, “You’re going to pay for this! Just you wait and see!”

Ken heard what Lane said to Kate and he rushed up to the table. Ken Thomas then told Lane that he’s already threatened her enough, with his blackmailing her for all that money he received from her. Ken then added that Lane better be prepared to go back behind bars, and this time it won’t be for a few years, but for a very long time, after the DA issues an arrest warrant for him because of his blackmailing Kate and he’s convicted of the crime.

Lane started to lunge for Ken, but his mother pulled him back. She told her son that he was only baiting him and that if he hit him, he’d be back in jail, and he’d never get to see his sons’. Lane then told Ken that he better watch his back too, as he could slip and fall. Lane then laughed while he walked out of the courtroom.

Matthew did call Charles right after he and his ‘brothers’ had finished their breakfast. When the phone rang, Matthew learned that his ‘brother’ was already out at Edgewood and had been there since nine o’clock that morning. Billy, Robert and Phillip all yelled, “Hi!”, to him.

Matthew asked Charles what he’d been doing, and how he liked staying with Mr. Jason. The teenager told his Cover ‘brothers’ all about his being shown how all the major rides operate and just being made to feel just like he was one of the team members of the park.

Charles told his ‘brothers’ that today he was helping with getting the grandstand ready for the Grand Re-Opening on Saturday. He explained there was going to be balloons and streamers and red, white and blue bunting hung on the grandstand and along the front entrance to the park and that there was a lot of it. The teen Cover added that Jason wanted that much done by the time Mr. Ben arrived later today.

Charles then told his ‘brothers’ he was hoping that he’d get a chance to ride Patches. He told them that yesterday he was wearing a park uniform, so he couldn’t ride any of the rides, due to that. The teen Cover also told the boys back at The Cove that the park was having a ‘soft’ opening to let the ride operators and food service people get used to having people in the park again, and preparing for when the park really has lots of attendees.

Phillip reminded Charles that later tonight Collin was having his party for the classmates he went to school with and his band was playing. He also told Charles that his mom was being released from the rehabilitation center on Friday, and that they would soon be living together again.

Charles told his younger ‘brother’ that he was happy for him, but until that happens, he should continue to have fun with everything they have at The Cove, and not to look back. Phillip thanked his older ‘brother’ for saying that, and added that was what Doctor Doug told him. The two laughed.

Matthew asked Charles if he had heard from their ‘dad’. Charles told him that their ‘dad’ was busy with Ms. Kate, and that he wasn’t going to bother him unless there was an emergency. Charles reminded his ‘brothers’ that their ‘dad’ really likes Ms. Kate, and his mind is focused on helping her get through the problems that guy Lane is causing her.

After the Cover boys hung up, they all went up to get ready for their day. But Matthew needed to hurry, as he had his appointment with Doctor Doug and was running late because of the phone call.

Ken, Kate and Amy went out for an early lunch to discuss what the judge had ordered. Kate told them that she wasn’t looking forward to having to be with Lane and his mother at the same time, especially after the phone call from the other night.

Ken told her that he could go with her to give her some support, and to keep Lane from causing any more trouble for her. Kate told him that it might not be a good idea after what happened in the courtroom. But Ken told her that Lane knows that any major trouble from him would put him back in jail, and for the rest of his probation.

The three, while eating lunch, discussed what Kate would do to coordinate the paternity test with Evelyn. Kate knew that it was going to be a contentious time, especially with Rusty there. She told her companions she hoped that Lane would be civil, but she knew better. She figured that Lane would use that time, in front of Rusty, to make a scene and cause problems between her and her son.

Kate also opined that since Lane had to purchase the test kit, she would have no idea when they would get together to actually perform the actual cheek swabs. Amy recommended that Kate call Evelyn later that afternoon to set up a time before noon Friday. The lawyer told Kate to remind Lane’s mother that they should do it well before then, so Lane doesn’t miss that deadline, as it seemed that the judge was looking for something to hold against him.

Kate smiled when she heard that. She didn’t particularly like Evelyn, due to her refusal to ever have anything to do with either of the boys, and her attitude over the phone the other night telling her she would lose custody of both boys. Kate said that she’d call Evelyn later this afternoon after they leave the restaurant to see when they could meet. Ken suggested that she call her now.

But Kate said that they needed to give them time to buy the test. Then she chuckled that Lane probably would need to borrow the money from his mom to actually purchase the test kit because he probably spent all the money that she gave him on drugs. Kate then told her two lunch friends that she would call later this afternoon, as it would be better to show them that they weren’t in too much of a hurry to get the test down and over with.

The lawyer, Amy Ozarker, recommended to Kate that either she or Ken should go with her and Rusty when they do the test. Amy counseled that she needed someone there who could also witness the test and testify if anything happens, in case Lane tries something underhanded. Kate said that she would make sure that one of them went with her. The three then finished their lunch.

Phillip and his band-mates played before the barbeque was served that afternoon that Wednesday. They were playing hard because they knew they were going to be on the spotlight later that night playing before Collin’s classmates, and they wanted to be as perfect as possible.

The rest of the boys were enjoying the sound of the young band playing every day. Over time they could tell that the young boys were getting better, and they were happy for them, that they were being given the chance to play later tonight for Collin and his classmates.

When it came time to eat, the cooks rang the farmhouse dinner bell, so the boys out in the cove swimming, and the lifeguards, could hear it and know it was time to eat. It took the boys and lifeguards an extra ten minutes to get out of the water, dried off and for them to walk up to the Pavilion. That allowed the band and the skaters to go first and that way there was no crowding on the serving line.

While Phillip and his friends ate, Jeff asked Phillip if he knew when he and his mom would get to live together again. Phillip told him and his other friends that his mom had to attend some training courses first and that they probably wouldn’t begin until after the 4th of July week.

The young Cover then told them that she had to take at least two courses that he knew of, but there might be three, and so he suggested that he could still be living at The Cove when school starts, so he was just going to enjoy living there until his mom tells him when they would be living together again.

The rest of the band-mates all talked about how much fun they were all having playing together. The one thing that they couldn’t believe was that at the beginning of the summer they could never have thought they could have come together and formed their band.

Westin then spoke up and said, “Guys … if it wasn’t for Phil … we probably wouldn’t have a band. He was the one who started taking guitar lessons, and if he hadn’t then there was no way we would have come together. So, I say, we owe it all to Phil.”

The boys all talked about what Westin said. Jeff added that if Phil hadn’t invited him over to The Cove and that he and Westin hadn’t started to play on their guitars and he hadn’t begun drumming along, he’d never have been able to bring his entire drum set over there. After what Jeff said, all of the boys added something about how they saw the band coming together.

When the band finished eating, they all agreed to go swimming. They knew they needed to take a break from playing and relax some, so they all headed to the Men’s Locker Room to change. They’ve all changed a few times together, so this time there was no giggling when they dropped their shorts and underwear.

The young boys had all taken their shoes and socks off and then turned and faced the wall as they dropped their shorts and underwear before putting on their swimsuits. They then took off their shirts and headed out to the pool deck to put their clothes into a locker. Then it was out to the life vest rack to get a vest as the insurance company required anyone twelve and under to wear one before swimming in the cove.

The six boys swam out to the water toys and began playing on them. The older boys called them over to play King of the Raft, but they all said they didn’t want to get too tired before their gig later tonight. All they wanted to do was get cooled off and relax some before their parents came and picked them up.

The six band-mates climbed on the Jungle Joe II, slid down the slide a few times and then they all sat in the warm waters in the middle of the raft and talked about how they were going to play later tonight.

It was Jeff who told all of his friends that they needed to play just like they do during the afternoons. He explained that if they overthink this, they were sure to mess up. Westin spoke up and agreed with Jeff. He added that they should just go out there tonight and have fun playing, and not overthink who was there. They all agreed that if they get scared over who they are playing for tonight, they will always have trouble playing together as a band.

Ben Walthers and his son, Rylan, arrived at Edgewood around 3 p.m. after checking into their hotel. Jason, Braxton, Tucker and Charles greeted Ben and Rylan at the operations building and showed them inside. Jason asked Mr. Ben if it was OK for Charles to take Rylan out into the park and show him around and let them ride some rides, while they talked about the Grand Re-Opening Ceremonies

Mr. Ben said that sounded like a good idea and then he asked if the boys could have Fastest Passes, so they didn’t have to wait in line. Tucker spoke right up and said he’d take care of it and that he’d be right back. Both boys smiled, as they followed the man out of the building.

Fastest Passes in hand, Charles took Rylan directly over to Patches. The Cover teen had been wanting to ride that coaster ever since he’d seen it when he was there a few weeks ago, with his dad and ‘brothers’. He first made sure that Rylan wouldn’t have any problems riding the revamped wooden coaster. Rylan said he was all for it.

When the ride operator saw Charles come up the Exit, and not in a park uniform, and with another teen, he wondered what that was all about. It was then he saw that both teens had Fastest Passes. When the teens were let in and they were headed to the first car first seats, the operator called Charles over and asked him what was up.

Charles told him that Rylan was Mr. Ben’s son. The ride operator asked him who Mr. Ben was. Charles told the older teen that Mr. Ben was the President of Three Finger Entertainment and was here for the Grand Re-Opening on Saturday and that his dad would also be here. Then Charles, without being asked, told the ride operator that it was his dad who owned the park and Three Finger Entertainment. Charles then went to the waiting coaster train and took his seat.

When the ride operator released the brakes, the coaster train rolled down the slight hill to the lift chain, which caught the train and pulled it to the top of the 110-foot first hill. As the two teens rode the coaster train to the top of the hill, Charles explained to Rylan that he rode that coaster last year when it was known as The Wooden Coaster.

The Cover then added that a few weeks ago, when the I&R company made a lot of changes to the wood structure, the employees began referring to it as ‘Patches’, when they had to go over that way, which was how the coaster got its new name.

Rylan began to ask Charles a question, but he didn’t get to ask it, as the coaster train arrived at the top of the first hill and it began its downhill run before leveling off and racing up the next hill. The two teens laughed as the coaster had speed that they could feel, as it went up and down the hills. Rylan was also surprised at the few times the track leaned to one side or the other giving the rider an even better thrill.

At the end of the ride, both teens were ecstatic and they thanked the ride attendants and then headed to the other rides at the park. And since Charles had been there last year, and knew his way around, Rylan told him to, “Lead the way.”

Kate waited until after 3 p.m. to call Evelyn to find out what time they wanted to set as a good time to meet and do the paternity test. Evelyn was vague as to what would be a good time. Kate reminded her that if the test isn’t accomplished by twelve noon Friday, and the test sent off that day, the judge will not be pleased, as he had put the onus on Lane and her to make it happen.

Evelyn asked if tomorrow at two o’clock would be okay with her. Kate said it would and then she asked where would they meet. Evelyn said at her home. Kate told her that her place would not be acceptable, that they should pick a more neutral site. Evelyn then asked if she knew of a better place. Kate suggested either her lawyer’s office, or maybe at her real estate office, if her Realtor would allow them to use one of the interview rooms.

Evelyn asked Kate to call her Realtor and ask him if they could use one of his rooms. Then she told Kate not to bring ‘that man’ with her. Kate told the woman that she will bring with her whomever she wants, and that Lane had better be there and not cause any trouble. Kate then told the woman that she would call her back in a few minutes to let her know if the real estate office would be okay.

As Charles took Rylan around Edgewood, he explained what the amusement park used to look like before Jason and his team began rejuvenating it almost two months ago. The Cover told Ben’s son how the men’s restrooms smelled so bad that you didn’t want to spend any more time in them than you had to. Rylan agreed that he’d been in some that were like that and they were at his old school. The two teens laughed.

Charles then took Rylan into one and let the young teen see and smell how much better these were after they’d been pressure washed, painted and some of the fixtures changed out. Rylan was now a believer.

After that side detour, Charles and Rylan used their Fastest Passes to ride the Whip, Scrambler, Swinging Boat, Himalaya, Octopus and the Ferris wheel. But the one ride that Rylan said that he’d never seen before was the Head-Over-Heels and that he wanted to try it.

Charles warned him that if he was prone to getting dizzy easily, then this was not a ride that he wanted to go on. The Cover teen told Rylan that he better watch it go through its ride cycle a few times before deciding to go on it.

So, Rylan watched the ride spin on a central spindle, while the rider controlled the gondola and made them turn either 360 degrees forwards or backwards, on its own axis. The teen saw that the ride car turned completely around all the while the ride was spinning on the central axle. After watching it twice, Rylan said he wanted to try it.

Charles and Rylan then went up the Exit to activate their Fastest Passes and before long they were on the ride facing one another in the wheel like gondola. Charles told Rylan that he could control their circular ride car and make it go around forward or backwards as much as he wanted. When the ride attendants made sure all the riders were firmly fastened into their seats the ride was spun up and away the two teens went.

Rylan, at first, was a bit hesitant to make the gondola go back and forth too much. But as the ride went along, the young teen became more and more adventurous and he began making the ride car go over the top. First, he made the car go around forward and then backward and then he made it do it twice each way. He was really enjoying himself when the ride was over.

“So, you really liked that ride, did you?” teased Charles.

“Yea, I’ve never ridden anything like that before, and I thought it was a lot of fun. I hope we can do it again before we leave,” enthusiastically answered Rylan.

The two teens then went over to the Roll-O-Plane. This was another ride that Rylan had never seen before, let alone ridden, but he was all for riding it. Charles recommended that he watch it a few times, but this time, Rylan said they could watch it while they were in line.

Charles then reminded the young teen that they had Fastest Passes. The teen smiled and said he wanted to ride it and went towards the Exit. Charles followed right behind him and before long the two were riding the Roll-O-Plane.

The ride had twin opposite facing cockpits on long arms that had two enclosed cars (one at the top and one at the bottom of the arm) and that spun around 360 degrees. Each car held four riders seated in pairs facing opposite directions making the maximum capacity of eight riders.

The long rotating arm was mounted to a pivoting hinge on a central support column and as the ride went through its paces the arm was slowly moved from vertical and turned parallel to the ground. The ride was spun both forwards and backwards, so the riders in the facing cars got the thrill of seeing the ground coming at them as the arm spun them 360 degrees around. Rylan loved the ride.

The Twister Coaster, a Wild Mouse type coaster, was now online after the painting contractor had completed painting it. The two teens went over there, activated their Fastest Passes and took their seats, when they were motioned onto the ride. Both teens enjoyed the simplistic layout, which didn’t have a lot of twists and turns at the top, but it did have tight turns and what felt like tight clearances as it traveled through the support structure, as well as loads of hills and valleys as the coaster car worked its way to the station.

The two teens made their way back to the operations building by six o’clock, after riding a few more rides. Ben asked his son how he liked the park, and the teen couldn’t thank his dad enough for bringing him. It was then decided that Ben Walthers and his son and Jason and Charles would go out to dinner that evening.

Kate and Ken also went out to dinner that evening. Kate told Ken about her telephone conversation with Evelyn about where to have the paternity test done and how she didn’t want him there. Kate then asked her boyfriend to be there tomorrow, at her real estate office, after her Realtor said they could use one of the interview rooms as a neutral place to do the test. Ken laughed at the telling. The two had a nice dinner together.

Phillip and his band-mates met at the Pavilion at 6:30 that Wednesday evening to get set up for their playing that evening. They didn’t begin playing until seven o’clock and by that time just about all of Collin’s friends from school had arrived.

Phillip’s ‘brothers’ did the chauffeur duties for Collin’s guests, as they arrived at The Cove and parked their vehicles on the soccer pitch. The Cover boys, dressed in their white Three Finger Entertainment polo shirts and dark shorts, also acted as servers for the get together and made the party look professional.

Phillip and his friends decided not to start out too loud, since the storage garage was located just off and away from the Pavilion, where the arriving crowd was beginning to greet one another, and talk and snack on the foods Collin was providing. The band didn’t want to be too noticeable right off from the start.

Collin was happy to again meet up with the friends he’d known when he was living at Three Finger Cove. Damon, Daniel. Conner, Teddy, Vince, Nicholas, Abby and Christy were the first ones to come up to him and hug him and welcome him back. They all enjoyed a few quick memories of their time together and the things they did for Mr. Ken.

Collin’s other classmates, Brittany, Tabatha, Ellen, Megan, Jenny, Derrick, Jacob, Isabella, Ethan, Sophia, Michael, Emma, Jayden, Olivia, William, Ava, Alexander, Emily, Noah, Abigail, Madison, Aiden, Chloe, Anthony, Mia, all eventually arrived and the get together was in full swing.

But there was one invitee that Collin was hoping would show. He was Rodney, Rodney Costa, the boy who attacked him at school and put him in the hospital, but who himself was also attacked and then left for dead.

It was that same Rodney that Collin and Ryan went to visit at the hospital and then mentioned it to their friends at school, who then went to the hospital wanting to see Rodney themselves. It was the same Rodney that the ‘Rally 4 Rodney’ fund was created to help pay the hospital bills.

And then Rodney Costa arrived. Collin saw him arrive and he took a golf cart down to where Rodney parked and chauffeured him up to the Pavilion. There he introduced his invited guest to everyone, who already knew who Rodney was, and they all shook hands.

As the evening moved along, Phillip and his band were now playing like they usually did during the day. They were belting out their songs, as they usually did, with hardly any stops in between. The Cover boys would bring them over some drinks to help them keep their mouths wet.

Collin and his classmates, including Rodney, talked about what they were studying in school and what they had planned after graduation. Collin told them that if any of them became lawyers or financial planners, or even CPAs, to look him up, because he would eventually be running CWE, INC., and he would need people he could rely on. The group chuckled at the offer.

Collin did get around to introducing his ‘brothers’ to his friends. He then introduced the band to them when Phillip and his friends took a break. The classmates told the young boys that for such a young group they sounded pretty good, and that they should try to stay together and maybe they could play at one of Mr. Ken’s New Year’s Eve parties out in the garage. Robert had to explain to them what they meant about them playing at a New Year’s Eve Party.

Ken and Kate, again, walked around after they had dinner. It was something special for them to do afterwards that they used to talk about things other than themselves.

Charles enjoyed his dinner with Mr. Ben, Mr. Jason and Rylan. The four talked about Edgewood, but the men especially liked what Rylan had to say about what he saw, with the day being his first time there. Rylan, taking center stage, told how much he loved the rides that he’d never seen before, but that he thought that the park being so clean was the best part. The two men smiled at the teen’s overall assessment of Edgewood, which would be known as something else at the beginning of the following season.

Collin’s get together with his classmates was a big success. None of the group had ever gotten together like that before, and this was the ideal time for them to catch up with one another. They loved seeing how much The Cove had changed, since they were last there, and they only wished that the Cove Skate Park had been there when they were younger.

The twenty somethings loved having the young band playing the current songs for them. They felt it was a nice touch to the night. They also loved having the conversation areas that had been built larger by bringing in more of the chairs from around the skate park area.

At ten o’clock, the band members’ parents came to take them home. Collin’s classmates were disappointed, but they understood that the ten and eleven-year-olds didn’t need to stay up so late.

Collin’s get together did break up a little after that with everyone promising to stay in touch.

Billy, Robert, Matthew and Phillip helped straighten up the Pavilion and put away all of the left-over food. Collin told his ‘brothers’ to set out the leftovers tomorrow, for their friends to eat when they came over.

The day had been a full one for all of the Covers. They all slept well, when they finally fell into their beds that night, wherever they were.

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

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