Published: 9 Mar 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

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 next morning, Mr. Ken got up as he usually did on a Saturday, used the facilities, dressed in his usual nylon running shorts, t-shirt and Crocs, with his new Jabbitz Charms in place, and went out to get the newspaper. When he came into the Kitchen Nook, he took out eighteen breakfast tacos and put them into the convection oven and set it to be done just about when he expected the boys to be down for breakfast.

The man got his first cup of coffee and then set about to separate his paper into sections, as he usually did, and then began to read. And just like clockwork, the boys began to arrive in the Kitchen Nook, including Phillip around nine o’clock.

Phillip began to sit down with the other boys, but Chief barked. Mr. Ken told Phillip he needed to take care of his responsibility before he ate and the breakfast tacos weren’t ready yet, so he had time. Phillip got up and went to Chief’s bowls, rinsed them and then filled one with fresh water and the other one with fresh kibble.

Phillip went to sit down, but Chief barked at him. Charles told the boy that Chief wanted to thank him, so he needed to go back to her and let her give him a few doggie kisses and he should scratch behind her ears, which she loved. Phillip did just that, but not with any enthusiasm.

By then the timer had rung, and Matthew took three breakfast tacos over to his new ‘brother’ and placed them in front of him. He asked him if he wanted milk or orange juice. The new Cover asked for orange juice. Matthew told him to follow him, so he knew where it was. Phillip slipped out of his chair and went with Matthew and then came back with a glass of OJ.

The boys talked as they ate. Billy told Phillip that they only had bacon, egg and cheese tacos now, but they used to have a bunch of different ones. The teen told the new Cover that everybody voted to ask Momma to only make these because they tasted the best of them all.

As the boys cleaned up after they ate, and were headed up to get their showers, Mr. Ken asked Phillip to stay back for a few minutes. When the boy came over to the man, he asked the boy to come to his Study when he was ready as he had a few more things he needed to talk to him about before they got busy. Phillip said he would and then sauntered away to get ready for the day. Mr. Ken saw there was something not right with the boy.

When Phillip came to the Study, Mr. Ken asked him to come in and take a seat. He wanted to ask the boy about what he perceived, but he didn’t have anything but a feeling. He knew the boy had been whisked away from his school and for the past 36 hours, or so, he’s been in a whirlwind of change, and he was not yet acclimated to it. So, he decided just to talk to him about some of the other Rules at The Cove.

“Phillip, I told you about not talking to anyone about what you may learn about why your ‘brothers’ are living here at The Cove. Just like I am sure you don’t want people to know why you are living here.

“I also told you about the Three Knock Rule which can come in handy if you and your ‘brothers’ have a disagreement, or two. There are a few other things I do need to tell you about, though.

“One thing I ask … is never ask me something in front of your friends, or in front of any of the other boys. You should pull me aside to ask me. For example, you want Preston to spend the night. But you don’t ask him before you ask me if you can.

“You will find, after you’ve been to more of our nightly meetings, that there is a lot going on here and, although I mention many things, I may not have mentioned everything. So, by asking me alone I may know something that may not be good timing to do so. One way to get on my bad side is to ask me something like that in front of a bunch of the boys, or your ‘brothers’.

“Another thing you need to know about is that you can invite your friends over to The Cove, but I need to know who they are, and I also want a home phone number for them, not a cell phone number, and not the day before you want them to come over. If you give me the information by Wednesday night, I should be able to text you by lunch on Friday,” said Mr. Ken, but was stopped when Phillip interrupted him.

“But … I don’t have a cell phone. My mom said I didn’t need one, so how would you be able to tell me?” asked the new foster son.

“I guess I’ll have to text either Matthew or Charles and have them tell you, until I get you your own cell phone,” said a smiling Mr. Ken.

Phillip heard what the man said, but he had to ask him if he heard him right. “Did you say you’re … you’re going to get me my own cell phone?”

“Yes, all the boys have a cell phone. They’re not the best ones on the market, but they’ve worked for the boys for almost two years now. When you get yours, I’ll explain it to you and then I’ll have one of your ‘brothers’ help you set it up. Will that work for you?” asked the foster dad.

Phillip got the biggest smile on his face that Mr. Ken had seen since the boy arrived at The Cove. He hoped that was a portend for the future.

“Continuing, you’re going to find a lot of kids at school are going to want to be your friend, just because you live here at The Cove. How did it go at school yesterday?” asked Mr. Ken.

“Well, at lunch everybody … they wanted to sit with me, but … well, there were only ten seats and Preston and Bryson were already sitting with me. Bryson and Preston … they tried to explain it to me, but I didn’t understand. So, Bryson … he tried to explain it to me but … but, he told me I needed to talk to Matthew or Charles to get a better understanding and to see all of the things I have here to do,” answered Phillip.

“Yes, after we get back later today your new friends can show you around, so you can see all of the things you will be able to do here, especially when the weather gets warmer,” offered the owner of The Cove.

“We’re going … we’re going somewhere?” surprisingly asked the boy.

“Yes. When Preston and Bryson get here, we’re going over to the skateboard shop and I’m buying you a new skateboard, and I want your two friends to help you. All of your ‘brothers’ got one for Christmas, so you should have a new one, too,” said a smiling Mr. Ken.

Phillip got another big smile on his face upon hearing that.

“OK, getting back to inviting your new friends over to The Cove, I am going to ask you to make sure they are indeed your friend before you ask to invite them over here. Mark … he selected Bryson and Preston, out of all your classmates, which was why I introduced them to you.

“You can keep them, if you want, and you can add to them. But you can only add two boys, or girls, at a time. I would ask you to keep the total number of friends to eight, but six is a good number for a while and then you can add to it. OK?” finished Mr. Ken.

Phillip said he thought he understood, but if he had a question, he could ask his ‘brothers’ or him.

Mr. Ken had one more Rule he wanted to talk to his new foster son about. “Phillip … one thing I do not subscribe to is … is illegal drugs. That said … I want you to know that if any of your friends … if you know or think they are using illegal drugs you are not to invite them to The Cove.

“If after you have invited them here and you learn afterwards that they use them, then you need to let me know and I’ll disinvite them. If you bring illegal drugs onto The Cove and I find them that will be the last day you will spend here.

“I hope you won’t go out and get some drugs thinking you’ll be able to go back to your mom. It doesn’t work that way. You could find yourself in Juvie, or one of the foster homes that Robert or Charles found themselves at before coming here. They were not anything like what you have here. Just ask them.”

Mr. Ken asked his new foster son if he had any questions.

“Geez, where I lived people were always smoking weed. You could smell it everywhere especially on the weekend. My mom told me to stay away from it because I was too young and it would stunt my growth. I see how people act after they use it, and I sure don’t want to act that way,” offered Phillip.

Changing the subject, Mr. Ken asked the boy if he used the deodorant, he bought him. The boy said he forgot. He added he’s not used to putting it on. Mr. Ken told him that as he gets older, he’ll begin to need it and he should put it on after he showers now, so his underarms won’t begin to stink at the wrong time. Phillip said he’d try to remember.

Chief was there and she nudged the boy’s hand to get him to pet her and maybe scratch behind her ears. The boy started to pet the resident pet, and then Mr. Ken told him to scratch behind her ears and that she also likes to wrestle on the floor sometimes.

The boy got on the floor and Chief pushed him over. Phillip got up and she pushed him over again. He laughed and then grabbed her around her neck and the two tussled some. Chief gave up and gave the boy some doggie kisses and Phillip scratched behind her ears and smiled as he did it.

“Come on, let’s go out to the garage and get you your own Cove Skate Park helmet and pads. You’re going to need them so you can use your new skateboard when we get back home, later,” offered Mr. Ken. The two Covers then headed out to the garage.

Bryson and Preston arrived at twelve noon, and as soon as they were there, Mr. Ken had the three boys jump into the F-150 truck and they headed out to the skateboard store. When the boys walked into the store, Phillip couldn’t believe all the styles they had for him to pick from.

The man who waited on Mr. Ken every time he’s been in for new skateboards, saw him walk in and immediately went over to him and asked him how he could help. Mr. Ken told him Phillip needed a new skateboard, and for him to set one up for him for his size and for use on his Cove Skate Park.

The man had the boy look over the array of skateboard designs first, and knowing the boy would be using the board on a smooth concrete surface knew which type of trucks, bearings and wheels to give the boy.

Phillip saw the prices of the skateboard decks and began to shy away from some of the designs he liked because of the high prices. His mom taught him to always look for the lowest prices and that you’d still get a good product.

Mr. Ken saw what the boy was doing, so he went over to him and asked him which designs he really liked. When the boy showed him the higher priced ones, Mr. Ken told him to choose one of those, but the boy balked and told his foster dad that they were too expensive and his mom would never allow him to buy something that expensive.

Mr. Ken told him, “You’re not buying; I am! So, get the one you really like. The salesman will then build you the skateboard that will fit you for your height and foot size and because you’ll be using it on my smooth concrete skate park. Now pick one!”

Preston and Bryson nudged him to pick one, so Phillip picked the skateboard with the guitar on it. The salesman then asked the boy how tall he was and what size shoe he wore and from there he began to put the skateboard together. It took another forty minutes for the man to complete the skateboard and then he had Phillip try out the board there in the store.

The smile on the boy ‘s face told Mr. Ken he had done a good job in getting the boy something he really needed. He asked the boy if he was satisfied and Phillip said he was. He then told his friends he couldn’t believe he was getting a custom skateboard that had to cost close to $250.00.

Phillip hugged onto the board all the way back to The Cove, as if it was a cherished possession. His friends were obviously jealous, as their skateboards didn’t cost but a quarter of what his just did.

When the four returned to The Cove, Mr. Ken let them out at the Main Gate so they could all go over to the Cove Skate Park, so Phillip cold try out his new skateboard. When the three boys got over to the Skate Park, Preston and Bryson were surprised when they saw Mark there.

“Mark, what brings you here?” asked a surprised Preston.

“I came to meet my new ‘brother,” answered Mark

Mark then went over to his new ‘brother’ and introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Mark. I’m a Cover, too, and your ‘brother’. I used to live here, but right after Labor Day last year, when my parents were well enough to take care of themselves and me, we moved back into our house. You are going to love living here; believe me!”

“Oh, hi. I’m Phil. I only just got here last Thursday and I’m … well, I’m still learning my way around. Mr. Ken … he introduced me to your friends, Preston and Bryson. We just came back from the skateboard shop. Mr. Ken bought me this awesome skateboard. I was just going to try it out,” replied the newest Cover.

Phillip put his new skateboard down, put on his new Cove Skate Park helmet and pads on and then got on his new skateboard on the smooth concrete course and pushed off. The boy wasn’t very good, but he did stay up and he was able to use a few of the smaller obstacles on the upper portion of the Cove Skate Park.

Billy saw his newest ‘brother’ talking to Mark and then trying out his new skateboard, so he went over to him. He told his new ‘brother’ that he needed somebody to help him learn and with all the boys there they would love to give him some pointers and teach him how to ride that new skateboard of his, better.

Mark then told his new ’brother’ how he wasn’t very good until he came there and after eight weeks of getting help from Billy, and all the older boys, he feels he is pretty good, now. Mark then put his skateboard down and showed Phil what he could do.

Inside the house, Mr. Ken was surprised to see Levi in his Study and his question to who belonged to the strange car outside was answered. The man said his son had heard he had a new ‘brother’, and he wanted to come over and meet him, so here he was. Levi told Ken he was surprised that Wayne wasn’t there. Ken told the man that he’s been giving the boys a bit more latitude and responsibility and of course the guards are here if they ever decide to rebel, laughed the man.

The two then caught up on what was happening with the partnership and the lawsuit.

“Ken, the guys can’t wait to see the preliminary plans for the light warehouse district you all talked about. They told me they feel that once you all begin to build out there the area will definitely blow-up with expansion.

“They all believe that what you did with Four Corners is what is needed out there, and once all the infrastructure is in place the business community will see the advantage and want to be the first ones to either build, or move their business out there or place a subsidiary. And, Ken, they also think other companies, once the area begins to explode, will want to build office buildings out there, too.”

Levi added they were looking forward to the marina project being completed. The banker said the more they looked at it the better they loved it because it was located at the right place at the right time. The banker also told the man they attribute the project to his foresightedness to building up Four Corners first and since there isn’t another marina close-by, they all know it will be a huge success.

After Phillip tried out his new skateboard, he asked his friends to show him around The Cove so he knew what else he had there he could use. The four boys started at the Pavilion, but Mark saw the cook team was setting up the counter and beginning to ‘burn’ the burgers, so he told the other three they needed to stick around and eat something before they explored The Cove.

Mr. Ken and Mr. Levi came up to the Pavilion to have a bite to eat. The foster dad then introduced Phillip to Mark’s dad. He then told the new foster boy something about Mark and how he got him to build the soccer pitch down in the big field. The man then told his foster son that if there was something that he enjoyed doing, that he needed to tell him and he’d see what he could do to make it happen.

After the four boys ate, Mark showed Phillip all around the Pavilion. He hadn’t seen the new storage building, so the four boys checked that out, first. Mark then told the new Cover he needed to ask Billy to get him a locker and one for Preston and Bryson, if they are going to be his friends. Mark then told the three boys that’s where they would keep their skateboards, helmets and pads and anything else they could fit in there.

After the Pavilion tour, the boys walked to the soccer field. Mark told them Billy’s friend Gus, who was a German exchange student, loved to play soccer, and he usually tried to get the boys to play. The four then headed to the back of the house where the dock was and where Phillip could see the beach, the water toys, sailboats, personal watercraft, the new Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300 PWC the boys received for Christmas and the Commander.

Mark then told Phil about the King of the Raft game the boys played on the two big water toys out in the cove. The young Cover also filled the boys in on how the older lifeguards can drive the personal watercraft and pull them riding the water tubes and that was a ton of fun.

Mark then told Phil that if he wanted to learn how to sail, he needed to talk to Charles and Matthew. He told the newest Cover that his two ‘brothers’ took sailing lessons last year and Charles was teaching him how to sail and it was fun to take one of those small sailboats out on the lake. From there, Mark showed Phil the indoor pool.

Phillip couldn’t believe how big the indoor pool was. He remembered being told there was one, but this was the first time he was seeing it, and after seeing everything that there was for him there at The Cove to do, he now understood what Bryson and Preston were trying to tell him why his classmates wanted to be his friends.

As the boys looked around, a few of the other boys came into the pool area to change to go swimming. Mark asked the boys if they had their swimsuits. Learning they did, he told them to go get them and then they could all go swimming.

Phillip said he had his up in his room and he’d put it on up there and meet them down here. Hearing that told Mark that Phillip wasn’t used to letting anyone see him without his clothes on. He wondered if he could help him get over his shyness, but he didn’t know how he could do that. He was going to suggest something to the newest Cover, but he had already gone up to his room.

Preston and Bryson returned with their swimsuits. They met Mark and the three went into the Women’s Locker Room to change. When they came out, Phillip was out on the pool deck. Mark told the new Cover that after they change, they placed their clothes in a locker, lock it and then place the rubber key band around their ankle.

Phillip was ready to get into the water, when Mark told him to wait.

“Phil, you have to pass Mr. Ken’s Swim Test before you can swim in the pool,” announced Mark.

Phillip didn’t believe him, but Preston and Bryson told him there was such a thing and everyone who ever swam in Mr. Ken’s indoor pool had to take it, even the adults. They told him he needed to swim across the width of the pool without stopping, otherwise he would have to stay in the shallow end.

By then Billy had come into the pool area and saw the four boys talking, so he went over to them. He heard them talking about the Swim Test, and he told his new ‘brother’ that Mr. Ken did require everyone to swim across the width of the pool before they could swim in it.

“Phil, how good can you swim?” asked the oldest Cover.

“Well, I can swim, but I’m not all that good, because I don’t get to swim that often. Why?” asked Phillip

“Let me go change and then I’ll give you the swim test,” replied Billy, who then walked away and went into the Men’s Locker Room to put his swimsuit on

Ten minutes later, Billy came out onto the pool deck, placed his clothes in a locker and put the locker key around his ankle. The teen then told Phillip to get into the water and do his best to swim across the pool.

The teen told his ‘brother’ that if he didn’t make it this time, he would help him every night to learn to swim better. Phillip saw that his older ‘brother’ really cared about him, so he got into the water and began to swim across the pool.

Billy walked along side as the boy swam on. The teenager kept encouraging his youngest ‘brother’ to keep swimming and not to worry about how far he had to go. Phillip kept at it because his older ‘brother’ was there encouraging him on, even though he could feel himself getting tired.

Billy saw Phillip was tiring, but he didn’t have too far to go, so he yelled to him, “Don’t you give up yet! You only have a few more strokes and you’re there!”

The other three boys also began to yell to him to encourage him to keep going. And, Phillip, hearing all that encouragement, gave the newest Cover some renewed energy to push through and he made it to the other end.

All the boys cheered when Phillip reached the other end. Even Billy jumped in and grabbed his ‘brother’ and raised him up in triumph. Phillip never felt so relieved, but also so warm and ‘loved’ right then, as his friends and older ‘brother’ were there congratulating him on his achievement.

Jordan and Gavin were the lifeguards and even they were subconsciously cheering the new boy on and hoped he would get to the other end, so he could participate in all the games. And that was what they decided to do as soon as the newest Cover made it to the other end of the pool.

The two lifeguards called the boys over and asked them if they were ready to play the games. Phillip had no idea of what they were talking about, so Mark told him to just play and have fun, which was what the games were all about.

Where Phillip lived, he never had as much fun playing with a bunch of different aged kids, ever. Here he was playing games with 10 through 16-year-olds and everyone was having fun and not getting pissed because their team lost. Doing that made him forget why he was living there, instead of with his mom in their two-bedroom apartment.

Being it was a Saturday, the boys all knew they had to leave by six o’clock. It was about 5:45 when the boys began changing into their street clothes and taking their wet swimsuits and towels to the industrial dryer.

Phillip asked Matthew what they were doing, so the Cover took his ‘brother’ to where the dryer was so he knew, and then he explained that their friends left their wet swimsuits and towels there and they dried them, so they wouldn’t mold or stink up the locker room.

Matthew told his ‘brother’ to go and quickly change and bring his swimsuit back. But Phillip told Matthew he had changed up in his room. Matthew told him to hurry and bring his swimsuit back and he’ll show him how to set and start the dryer. Phillip was back in seven minutes.

Mark and Mr. Levi said their goodbyes to Phillip and told them they were happy to have met him, and they hoped he would enjoy living at The Cove as much as they had. Phillip shook hands with the Goldersons before they got into their car and drove out the Main Gate.

Phillip then walked his friends up to the Main Gate where their parents should be waiting. But when he got up there, the parents who didn’t know there was a new boy and hadn’t met him stopped and wanted to meet him. Luckily Billy was there and ran interference for his new ‘brother’. He told the parents who Phillip was and he’d only arrived on Thursday and they didn’t have any more time to talk, as they were headed out to dinner. The two Covers then hurried back to the house.

The Covers went to the Four Corners Diner for dinner. The boys liked eating there because they didn’t have to get too dressed up. When Matthew asked Phillip what he was going to order and learned he was looking at the cheapest items, he told him he could order anything he wanted and not to worry about the cost.

Billy heard what Matthew told his new ‘brother’, so he asked the twelve-year-old to switch seats with him. Billy then told his new ‘brother’ that he had a hard time adjusting to how Mr. Ken pays for good quality just as he did for the clothes the other day and the skateboard he bought Phillip today.

Billy told Phillip to just go along with what his ‘brothers’ were ordering and enjoy having a good home, clothes and food now that he was living at The Cove. The teen told the new Cover that it will feel strange for a while, but as he sees what they do and where they go, he will thoroughly enjoy being a Cover.

The new Cover said it was hard because his mom taught him to buy inexpensive things, as they were just as good as McDonalds or Burger King and they filled you up and it was cheaper than what they were going to pay there.

Mr. Ken heard the two talking and he couldn’t fault the boy for defending his mom and how she was raising him to be frugal. He knew the boy never had good things before and living at The Cove had to be difficult for him. Getting all new clothes, a new skateboard and now what he considers expensive food was playing against all of his upbringing. He knew the boy was difficult and he was getting another indication of what he was up against.

After they ate dinner, the boys wanted to drive the Go-Karts. Phillip had never driven anything like them before, and he was a bit apprehensive about doing so. Billy did what he’d done for Mark, and told his ‘brother’ to take a kart in the last row and just drive around the course and he would stay with him. The teen told the boy to let the other racers pass him, as he was out there to have fun and learn how to drive the karts.

When it came time to race, Phillip was a bit skittish to press down on the gas pedal. Billy told him to just push it and go steady. By the time the boy left the starting gate, the first cars were almost around the course. Billy told his ‘brother’ not to let the other racers intimidate him and to just go slow and steady.

Phillip did what Billy told him to do, as the teen followed along with him to run interference and keep the other drivers away. At the end of the race, Phillip was all smiles, even if he only got around the course about six times.

“So, Phillip, how was your first time in the Go-Karts?’ asked Mr. Ken.

“I was so scared I’d crash, Mr. Ken. But, Billy … he kept up with me and … and he kept telling me to drive steady and not worry about the other racers. He made them drive around me, so he kept me safe. But now that I drove them, it was fun. I can’t wait until I get to do that again,” said the boy with a big smile.

The Covers stopped at DQ for soft serve ice cream. Again, Phillip was surprised that he could get something as big as a banana split. After seeing the size of the banana split, he told Mr. Ken he didn’t think he could eat something that big. Mr. Ken told the boy he could get a sundae, or a big ice cream cone, or dish of ice cream. The new Cover got a strawberry sundae.

After eating his banana split, Mr. Wayne said good night to all the boys and told them he would see them on Monday, and then headed home. The boys said good night to their Estate Master and then they all headed home, too.

When the Covers returned home, Phillip was to give Chief her cup of ice cream. But he remembered how she acted that first time, so when he entered the Kitchen Nook, he quickly put the cup on the table, as soon as he entered.

Chief saw the boy had something in his hands, but had put it down. She didn’t know if it was her ice cream, or what it was. She also knew that they sometimes tricked her by letting someone else give her the treat. So, she kept waiting for someone to call her.

“Phillip… aren’t you going to give Chief her treat?’ asked Mr. Ken.

“Yes, but I didn’t want her to do to me what she did the other day, so I put it on the table first,” explained Phillip.

“Then, why don’t you go ahead and put it on the floor and call her over. Then tell her why you didn’t give it to her right away. I think she’ll understand. Just give it a try. Will you do that for me? For her?” gently asked Mr. Ken.

Phillip took the cup of ice cream off the table and put it on the floor. As he did that he called out, “Chief … I have your ice cream.”

When Chief came to the cup, Phillip said, “Chief … I didn’t give you your treat right away because … because of what you did to me the other day. You almost knocked me over to get the ice cream and then … and then when you were finished you … you did knock me to the floor. I didn’t like that.”

Chief looked stunned at first. Then she bowed her head and walked to Phillip as if she was apologizing to him for doing that. The boy was confused.

Mr. Ken saw that and told Phillip, “It appears Chief is trying to make amends, Phillip. You might want to get down and accept her apology by telling her you do and hugging her. Then scratch her behind her ears and wrestle with her some to show her all is forgiven. She is your responsibility and you need to be the bigger person and forgive and forget, Phillip.”

Phillip thought about what his foster dad said and then he got down on his knees and said to Chief, “Chief, thank you for being sorry for knocking me over. I accept your apology. Please don’t do that again. OK?”

Chief barked once and then Phillip hugged her and scratched the resident pet behind her ears. Then, before everyone knew it, the dog and boy were wrestling on the floor. The other boys were laughing at what they were seeing and Phillip was laughing at Chief licking him all over. Mr. Ken put a stop to it after about 90 seconds. Chief then lapped up her quickly melting ice cream.

The Covers then headed to the Study for their usual evening meeting. There, Mr. Ken quickly covered Phillip’s appointments for next week and the Easter Egg Roll schedule to fill the plastic eggs and then put them out on the lawn the day before Easter. He also reminded the boys he would be attending a groundbreaking ceremony for the new vocational educational building he was donating to Blessed Waters Academy.

Mr. Ken asked the boys if they had anything they wanted to bring up and when they didn’t, he asked them to go up to their rooms and relax before going to bed. The boys began filing out, but Billy hung back.

The teen waited until all the boys had gone upstairs before he asked Mr. Ken if he could talk to him about something he feels is better talked about there, than in his room. Mr. Ken went over and closed the Study door and then asked Bill to have a seat.

“Bill … what is it that is on your mind?” asked the foster dad.

“Mr. Ken … I know this is out of the blue …and it’s been over a year since I came to live here and I haven’t ever asked this before but … well, I … I was wondering if there was a way if … if I could go visit my … my mom,” finally got out the teen.

“Bill … I hope you didn’t wait all this time thinking we wouldn’t ever take you. Yes, yes, you can go see your mother. All we need to know is where she is and then learn the visiting hours, etc. Let me get Mr. Chris to work on that, and we’ll go when it doesn’t interfere with anything else that we have going on here. I sure hope you understand that part, Bill.”

Billy sat there with tears streaming down his face. Mr. Ken pulled him up into a hug and told the teen he hoped he told him what he wanted to hear.

Billy told the man that he was happy that he was finally going to see his mom. He told Mr. Ken he had been thinking about this for a long time, but had been afraid to ask because he wasn’t sure it would be OK. Mr. Ken told the teen that he was ‘family’, and he needed to talk about what was bothering him, so he could help him figure things out.

The two walked up the stairs together and Mr. Ken stopped at Phillip’s room first.

“Phillip, do you feel you are getting any more settled?” asked Mr. Ken.

“It is really nice here, especially with all the things to do here. And I like all the clothes and the skateboard and the great food, but … it’s really nice and all … well, I’d still rather be home with my mom and … and my friends. I miss my mom and everyone and the things we do. I guess … I guess it will take me some time to really become … a Cover,” offered Phillip.

“Phillip … yes, I understand a little about your being taken away as you were, but you and your mom … you both knew it could happen. So, please try to make the best of this. If your mom does what she needs to do, you will be reunited. But don’t ask me when because … well, because it is all up to how your mother completes the requirements, they have set out for her. I wish I could tell you more, but you just got here and it will be a few weeks before we know anything.

“Tomorrow we’ll go out for breakfast, instead of eating Momma’s breakfast tacos, so please be up, showered, dressed and downstairs by nine o’clock. Can you do that for me?” asked Mr. Ken as he ruffled the boy’s hair.

Phillip said he’d set his alarm. Mr. Ken then gave the boy a shoulder hug and then went to talk to the other four boys.

Mr. Ken told the other boys about going out for breakfast and asked them to make sure Phillip was up and ready, as well. Then the man went down to his private retreat to relax some before going to bed himself. The Cove was quite the 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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