Published: 11 Sep 2025

From the Previous Chapter:

Ken Thomas reviewed the week in his mind, as he sat on the edge of his king-sized bed before laying down for the night. It had been a hectic week, and he was glad it was over.

But he still had to drive his son to visit with his mother, and then drive his foster son to his band’s gig on Sunday. So, he knew that his hectic week wasn’t over, just yet.

After turning off the light and laying down, sleep didn’t take long to overtake the owner of The Cove and before long The Cove household was quiet throughout.

Ken Thomas was rudely awakened with the crack of the loud thunder just outside of his bedroom that Saturday morning. When he looked at his alarm clock it told him it was only 6:35; twenty-five minutes before he had set his alarm to wake him. The man lay there trying to decide if he wanted to get out of bed now, or wait until the alarm went off.

When the thunder roared once more and the lightning came flashing through his window blinds and curtains, it essentially made the decision for him. He knew he’d need to run outside to get his newspaper before it got too drenched, so he quickly put on his nylon shorts, t-shirt and slipped into his Crocks and rushed out of his retreat to retrieve the morning newspaper. And even though it was in a double protective sleeve, he knew it could still get water inside, especially if it was lying wrong on the grass.

The man opened the Foyer Door, and while trying to run between the raindrops, he rushed outside to grab the newspaper and then rushed back inside without getting too soaked. He wasn’t too successful. But he told himself that was why he did that before he took his shower.

The owner of The Cove walked the newspaper to the Kitchen Nook, saw that the coffee maker hadn’t started yet, and then headed back to his retreat to get ready for the day. He knew by the time he got back to the Nook the coffee should be just about ready.

It was a little past seven o’clock when the man of the house returned to the Kitchen Nook to check on his freshly brewed coffee, and to see how badly the newspaper had gotten wet. He saw that the coffee maker was still making the coffee, and would soon finish, so he started taking the paper out of the double protective sleeves.

He found that the newspaper wasn’t too wet and he attributed that to his quick thinking to go outside, as soon as it began to rain, and retrieve it. He soon separated it into the different sections, as was his way, and by the time he’d done that his coffee was ready.

The man went over to the cupboard, took out his favorite cup, and then filled it with the freshly made hot brew. He fixed it the way he liked it, took it over to the table, and then sat down to read the paper.

As the man began to read the newspaper, it dawned on him that this rain would put a damper on what the boys might have planned for their day. So, he got up and turned on the television to check what the local news and weather stations were reporting about the storm which was raging outside.

The one good thing about storms in that central area of Texas, Ken Thomas knew from experience, was that they didn’t seem to linger, and once they dropped their load of rain they moved east. He was hoping that was going to be the case today, because Phillip needed his band to practice, and this was the first time Darrin was having his friends over.

The weatherman came on the screen at twenty past the hour to give the weather report and his forecast was that the storm front should move through around noon time, but it would also bring windy and cooler conditions for the remainder of the weekend.

When Robert and Billy came into the Nook, around 7:40, they were dressed and ready for their day. They both quickly asked if there were any breakfast tacos waiting for them. ‘Dad’ Ken apologized for not putting any into the convection oven, but used the excuse of the storm waking him and throwing off what he had planned to do after he got up. He then told the boys that they would just have to stop along the way for breakfast, once they got on the road.

Just then Mr. Dennis came into the Nook. He said good morning to everyone, got himself a cup of coffee and a Momma sweet cake, and then sat down at the table. That was when Mr. Ken told him that he would have to stop along the way to get Bill some breakfast, as the storm threw off his plan for them to have some breakfast there.

Mr. Dennis told his boss that was alright with him, as he was planning on doing that anyway. That put a smile on Billy’s face. The teenager then asked if the rain would slow their travel time to the holding facility.

Mr. Florkert told the teen that it might add a half-hour to forty-minutes, if it continued to rain all day. That’s when Mr. Ken told everyone that the weatherman indicated that the storm should move through by noon time.

As the four talked about their upcoming trip, they all heard the tapping of the two-resident pets’ paws on the floor tiles, announcing the arrival of at least two of the other Cover boys. Then Matthew, Darrin, Charles and Phillip, along with Chief and Sarge, walked into the Kitchen Nook.

“Boy, that storm … it sure was loud this morning,” announced Phillip, to no one in particular.

“I’ll say,” began Darrin, “someone … who I won’t name … came jumping into my bed. Didn’t you Chief?” teased the teen, as he ruffled Chief’s coat, while he fixed the resident pet’s morning meal.

“Woof, woof, woof,” replied the resident pet, who then gave Darrin some doggy kisses.

“Yea, and Sarge … he did the same thing with me,” spoke up Matthew, as he too, was fixing Sarge’s fresh kibble and ice-cold water.

‘Dad’ Ken laughed at what he heard, then he commented that the crack of thunder must have been directly over the house, as it woke him right up, too. He added that it reminded him of when they had that storm when they were building the skate park.

“Yea, ‘dad’, do you think you could show us the rest of the security videos from the storm?” asked Matthew.

Mr. Dennis quickly asked, “From which storm and what security videos? Is this something that I would want to see, too?”

Matthew immediately told the Assistant Estate Master how when they were building the skate park how this huge storm came out of nowhere, and almost ruined the skate park. Phillip told the man how their ‘dad’ showed them video of how the water filled the skate bowls with dirty water, and how the back Patio was almost destroyed from the high winds.

Charles added that his dad sort of promised that he would show the videos of them and their friends using the power washer and other things to clean up the concrete from the skate park, and how their friends straightened up the Patio by collecting the debris, that was strewn all over the Patio, and picking up the broken tables and stuff.

Mr. Dennis proclaimed that when they showed those videos that he’d like to be invited, so he could see what had happened after the storm and what all of the boys did to get things back in order.

As the eight sat there, Mr. Dennis heard some more of what had happened when the storm came up and he was now even more interested in watching all the videos of the storm as well.

Their talking got them so engrossed in discussing the storm that they forgot to watch the time and if Mr. Wayne hadn’t come to The Cove, when he did, the travelers would have really been far behind their schedule start time of nine o’clock.

It was still raining at nine-fifteen when the four finally left the house, climbed into their vehicles and began their drive to visit the teens’ mothers. The remaining Covers waved to them as they drove out the driveway, and then headed back into the house to find something to eat for breakfast.

Charles threw twelve breakfast tacos into the microwave oven for the four boys, who were staying at The Cove that morning, to have for breakfast. While the boys waited for the tacos to reheat, they told Mr. Wayne about the conversation they were having about the security videos concerning the storm, and that Mr. Dennis hadn’t seen them and was wanting to be invited when ‘dad’ showed the videos of them cleaning everything up.

When the timer rang, Charles got the breakfast tacos out and handed three each to his ‘brothers’. They all had gotten something to drink, and then they all began to eat.

It was while they were eating that Mr. Wayne had left them and then brought back a colorful box and gave it to Darrin.

“What’s this?” asked the new foster.

“I know what that is,” spoke up, Phillip. “Look at it. Read what it says.”

After a few seconds, Darrin asked excitedly, “Is this … is this my … is this cell phone for me?”

“Yes. We all have one similar to it. Yours is probably newer than the rest of ours. When you get it set up, you’ll need to program a whole bunch of numbers into it. I know that’s what I had to do when I got mine,” offered Phillip.

Mr. Wayne told the teen that Mr. Ken had meant to give it to him yesterday, but with everything that happened that he just plain forgot. The Estate Master then told the teen that his foster dad had asked him to give it to him that morning after he’d left. The man told the teen that Charles should be able to help him set it up after he charges the phone.

Phillip joined in the conversation and told his ‘brother’ that it was easy, but that his older ‘brothers’ would need to help him connect to The Cove’s WiFi system. Mr. Wayne told Darrin that if Charles can’t do that then to come to him, as he knows the passcodes to gain him access.

Darrin just smiled as he ate and read some more about the cell phone that he would now have, after it was activated later that day. He couldn’t believe that his foster dad would buy him one. He hadn’t even thought about his cell phone after the fire. He wondered if he could transfer his old phone number to this one, when he activated it. He figured he could ask Mr. Wayne later.

When the boys had finished their breakfast and cleaned up the Kitchen Nook, they all headed upstairs to get their showers. Matthew and Charles used the gang shower, while Phillip and Darrin used what was becoming to be known as Phillip’s bathroom.

“Phillip,” started Darrin, as the two of them entered the bathroom, “do you mind when, you know, when I’m in here with you and …well, when I see you, ahh, without your clothes on?” asked the teen.

Phillip was taken aback by the question, but he answered his ‘brother’ by saying, “No, not really. When I first got here, I … I was ten and I never had a sleepover. So, I was, you know, I knew I was going to be embarrassed to be seen naked by my older ‘brothers’. But, Mr. Ken … he let me use this bathroom because he knew that I was ten and that … and that I had never showered with any boys before.

“But after my friends came over and we went swimming and we, ahh, we changed down in the locker room I got … well, after a time or two I sort of got used to being seen by them and, of course, I got to see them,” finished the youngest Cover.

“So, you and your friends, you got … naked in front of each other?” teased Darrin.

“Well, not at first. Bryson and Preston … they had been to The Cove before, and they knew of a simple way to change without, you know, you showing your ‘boy parts’. But over time we kind of made mistakes and we all saw one another without our clothes on. So, I guess it isn’t as big a deal, as it once was to me. What about you when you were my age, Darrin?” now asked Phillip.

Darrin smiled and told his younger ‘brother’ that he and his older brother, who was three years older than he was, had to share one bathroom, and that it was difficult for him to have to be seen by his older brother, even in his underwear. But after he’d seen his older brother naked after a shower, he saw that he had the same things he had, only they were bigger, and he had some hairs.

Darrin revealed that, over time, he got used to being seen by his older brother and the two of them would often see one another in their underwear, or naked, going into or out of the shower. The teen disclosed that it wasn’t easy at first, but over time it became natural and they never thought about it.

The two Covers then took off their clothes, got into one of the empty showers and got cleaned up. When they finished, they dried off in front of one another, put on their deodorant, their underwear and then walked to their respective rooms.

The rain had let up by the time the four Covers had come downstairs after their showers. Darrin got with Charles and asked him what he needed to do to get his cell phone activated. The older teen had Darrin plug it in to get it charged, and then when it was ready they’d go through the activation process.

Darrin asked Charles if there was a way that he could use his old cell phone number. Charles told his ‘brother’ that he didn’t even know that he had a cell phone before he came there, and that they needed to talk to Mr. Wayne, and see what he’d say.

The Estate Master told the new foster that he needed to know who was the service provider of his cell phone, so he could contact them and talk to them about it. Mr. Wayne asked the teen for his cell number.

The man then told the new foster he needed to know who was the Executor of his parent’s estate, because they will have to settle the phone bill, and that might cause a problem with his transferring the number. But the teen wasn’t sure. Darrin thanked the man and said that maybe he could wait to activate the cell phone until he had an answer. Mr. Wayne said that he would be OK with that, and would let him know if he learns something different.

The travelers headed in different directions in order for the teenagers to visit with their mothers. Once they’d been on the road for about an hour, they pulled off to eat some breakfast.

Dad Ken and Robert, when they sat down to eat their breakfasts, talked some more about what the teen was going to talk to his mom about. Robert told his dad that there really wasn’t anything exciting that he could tell her this time around.

The teen’s dad reminded the boy that he did take the career assessment and that was something that he could talk to his mother about. Robert then pulled out a piece of paper. “Yea, I brought my assessment for her to read. I forgot all about it,” offered the smiling teenager.

The man was glad his son had brought that piece of paper. He told the teen that it was important that he let his mom know what the assessment revealed and that he now has some idea of what he wants to be when he grows up.

Hearing that put a smile on Robert’s face and so he began thinking of other things like going to the football games and having the girls from his class over to skate. The teen thanked his dad for making him think of those things that he should talk to his mom about.

Mr. Dennis and Billy were having the same sort of discussion when they stopped for breakfast along the way to visit Amelia Franks, Billy’s mother. But in Billy’ case, the teen was primed with what he was going to tell his mom.

Mr. Dennis asked the teen what he had on his mind to tell his mother, since he hadn’t seen her since August, almost three months ago. Billy immediately told the man that he was going to tell her about the career assessment he took and about the accident he and Phil were in.

The teen then added that Mr. Ken just told him that the lawsuit from the Taurus accident should soon be over, and that he would be receiving a nice sum from that. Billy also mentioned that his lawsuits against the news media for the way they treated him after the accident will also be concluded, and he will also be receiving an amount of money to add to his $1.3 million he had gotten from the alarm company.

This was the first time Mr. Dennis learned the amount of money Billy received from the alarm company, because they failed to return to the Goldersons and repair the known broken panic button. He also just found out something that even Wayne didn’t know about, which was that the lawsuits against the construction company and the news media were also almost completed, and the sixteen-year-old was going to become richer than ever before.

“Billy … I am happy for you. You’ve had a tough young life, but now … now, even though you’ve had to endure some horrendous treatment, you will surely have enough money at your disposal to have a comfortable life,” offered Mr. Dennis.

“Oh, yea, I guess I will. Oh, oh … I guess I shouldn’t have told you about the lawsuits. At least not yet. Mr. Ken … he just told me about them last night, and told me not to tell my ‘brothers’ about them. But I was relating to you what I was going to tell my mom, so you would have heard about them either way. So, please don’t say anything that I told you,” implored the teenager.

Mr. Chris Dominion, The Cove’s Estate Manager, and his two children, Hailey and Chris Jr, and their new puppy, Lance, arrived around 10:30 that Saturday morning due to the rain in the area.

Lance and Sarge greeted one another and began to playfully play with one another, until Matthew told them, ‘Sit’. Both puppies immediately sat down, while Mr. Chris, Hailey and Chris Jr. stood there with their mouths wide open, at what they just heard and saw. Mr. Wayne just smiled that the pre-teen had that commanding type of voice that the pups knew he was the Alpha.

The two adults talked while Matthew talked to Hailey and Chris Jr. about what they needed to do with Lance every day to get him to listen to them. The pre-teen reminded them that he taught Lance to ‘Sit’ and ‘Lay Down’, and they needed to do that with him each and every day.

Matthew then called out, “Lance (who was still sitting), to get his attention, ‘Lay Down’”

Lance slowly laid down. But so did Sarge. The three children laughed.

“Sarge … come!” Sarge came over to Matthew and then the pre-teen gave the command, ‘Sit’, which the pup did. Lance didn’t move. Matthew gave Sarge a treat.

Hailey and Chris Jr. smiled that the resident pup did what he was trained to do.

“Lance … come!” Lance stayed where he was. “Lance … come!” commanded Matthew. This time he snapped his fingers and the pup came to him. Matthew then gave the ‘Sit’ command and the pup sat down and the puppy received two treats. The two Dominion children were awestruck at what they just saw.

Hailey told the Cover, “But you have this voice that the dogs listen to. We’re just young kids. Lance … he won’t listen to us,” bemoaned the girl.

“That might be because he thinks you’re playing with him, and not trying to train him at the time. And … you need to have some treats to give him when you are training him. Your dad wants me to train him this weekend. And when I do, I will teach him the commands and all of you will have to reinforce them each and every day, so that your pup knows them. He is still young, and he can forget them if he isn’t given the chance to remember them. Watch.

“Sarge … ‘Fetch’,” and Matthew threw the ball about twenty feet away.

Sarge immediately went for the ball, and brought it back to Matthew. The pre-teen rolled it away again and the young pup went for it, and so did Lance. But Sarge beat him to it.

Matthew thought he’d try something. So, he announced, “Sarge, ‘Sit’,” which the young pup did. Then he announced, “Lance … ‘Fetch’,” and he rolled the ball about twenty feet away. The young pup went for the ball, but he kept it.

“Well, that’s half the battle,” offered a smiling Matthew. “Now, I will need to get him to bring the ball back to me. Let me see if I can coax him with a treat. Lance … bring the ball,” announced Matthew, and at the same time showed the treat.

Lance saw the treat, but he dropped the ball when he came for the treat. The three children laughed. But Matthew would not give Lance the treat. “Lance … bring the ball,” again commanded the pre-teen. Lance just sat there. “Lance … the ball. Go, ‘Fetch’.”

Lance continued to sit there wanting the treat. Chris Jr. went to get the ball. Matthew then had the boy tell the boy to use the commands. So, Chris Jr. said, “Lance … ‘Fetch’,” and then threw the ball, but he also showed the pup the treat. But Lance was focused on the treat.

Matthew asked Chris Jr. to try that with Sarge. “Sarge … ‘Fetch’,” commanded the boy, and the resident pup went for the ball and brought it back and got the treat.

Chris Jr. thought he’d try something with Sarge, and then he said, “‘Sit’”, and the pup did. The boy and the girl smiled as The Cove’s pup listened to the boy.

Mr. Chris and Mr. Wayne had come out of the Study by then and were watching the three working with the two pups. “You make that look so easy, Matthew,” spoke up Mr. Chris.

“Thank you sir. I think Lance will get the idea. It took Daisy and Riley a few tries, too, before they caught on to the concept. Are we ready to go, Mr. Wayne?” now asked the pre-teen.

Mr. Wayne and Matthew were a little late in driving off to their first stop of the pre-teen’s scheduled watching of a dog training school going through their motions of training dogs of different sizes.

Phillip and Darrin had already gone up to the Pavilion and Cove Skate Park, with Phillip opening the garage and turning on the Portable Pro DJ System, and speakers on so they were warmed up for when his band arrived.

It was while the two Covers were up at the Pavilion when they saw Mr. Chris and his two children arrive. They also saw Mr. Wayne and Matthew leaving and no sooner had the two Covers left, than the UPS driver arrived with a delivery. They watched the van drive down to the house and Mr. Chris helped the man unload a number of boxes into the Foyer.

A few moments later Phillips’ cell phone rang. It was Mr. Chris asking him to tell Darrin to come on down to the house, as his computer had arrived. Phillip was excited for his ‘brother’ and the two hurried down to the house to see the teen’s new computer.

“All of this … this is my new computer!” exclaimed an unbelieving Darrin Rossman.

“Yes, this is all yours, Darrin. Mr. Ken had me buy this for you. It is exactly what I bought for Phillip. Now, you have to wait for Mr. Ken to be here to help you install it,” advised the Estate Manager.

“Why’s that Mr. Chris?” asked the teen.

“Mr. Ken … he wants to ensure you have it all connected correctly, and then he’ll connect you to The Cove’s master computer system. The Cove has one system for the residents and one for its guests. One thing you need to remember is that you never allow your friends to access the family’s WiFi connection, or computer system,” cautioned Mr. Chris.

“Can I ask why there are two separate systems; one for us and one for everyone else?” the teen wanted to know.

Mr. Chris told the new foster that was the way Mr. Ken had set the computer and WiFi systems up, and because he is the owner and the boss, and no one has challenged him on that decision. Mr. Chris then advised Darrin not to either.

Since the rains had essentially stopped, Mr. Chris asked the boys to take Hailey and Chris Jr. up to the Pavilion when they went, so his kids could use the skate park. Sarge and Lance also jumped into the golf cart, when the four drove up to the Pavilion.

The boy’s friends began to arrive around twelve noon. Phillip’s friends all told him they were afraid that the rains would stay around all day and they wouldn’t get the chance to practice before tomorrow’s gig.

Phillip then told them that they all knew the songs, as they’ve been playing them all summer. The Cover told them that starting next weekend they needed to practice hard on the wedding reception music. He then told them that he had a few more songs that he wanted them to learn to play for the newlyweds, as a surprise for them for choosing them to be their band.

Charles came up to the Pavilion in a separate golf cart and joined his friends. The skate park was wet, but the boys still got out on it and tried their best to perform their tricks. Charles did remind them that there were two fairly new skaters out on the park and for them not to bowl them over.

Some of the boys took out the large games and played them with the hopes that the skate park would dry more, while they played. Darrin and his friends talked some and they looked Darrin’s new skateboard over, before they all got out on the concrete surface.

The boys all wanted to see how well Darrin rode his skateboard, and they were all pleasantly surprised that he could hold his own out on the challenging elements. And the boys, being of about the same age, began to dare one another to try things on the skate park’s elements to see who does it better.

Darrin was having fun with his new friends, especially on this wonderfully smooth concrete surface. As the new Cover and his friends were challenging one another Darrin began to think back to where he used to live, because this was something that he and his friends there would do, as well. He wondered if Mr. Ken would ever allow them to come over and enjoy this unique one-of-a-kind facility.

The first dog training school that the two Covers visited offered a huge number of services to the person who wanted specific behaviors for his dog. One area that this facility offered what was called Board and Train for busy owners. It was designed to allow the facility to work with their dog, while they were out of the area, to train their dog with obedience, socialization, behavioral modification, and sports training.

The facility offered 10-, 15- and 30-day Board and Train programs that also included an at home private session. Matthew watched the trainers work with individual dogs, and he saw how they kept the dog focused on them throughout the training. He learned that was necessary in order for the dog to not become distracted, or interested in other things.

Matthew also saw that they too use treats to reward the dog, when they did the behavior correctly. The young Cover also learned the golden rules for dog training are for him to go at your dog’s pace; to be consist and patient; make the reward worthwhile; set the dog up for success and finally never to punish.

At the second dog training school, Matthew learned that managing the threshold was important, but oftentimes an overlooked area of training for the pet. The idea of threshold training was so a dog did NOT move through a threshold unless invited to do so, because it could be lifesaving. Often a pet escaping through a door could get lost, or worse, hit by a car or get engaged in dog fights.

The pre-teen Cover learned that you started by having your dog on a leash and having them sit, or be away, or a short distance from the door, or particular space, like a car door, when you take them out or in. That you be closest to the door, not your dog. And if they attempt to move out of position before you indicated to them that they could go, you can pop back on their leash as you quickly close the door. Repeat the process over and over until they don’t move, while you are opening the door.

Matthew also learned that he should have certain equipment, or tools, at his disposal, as he trains the pups. The first was either a four-foot or a six-foot nylon leash, which was easy to fold and store on his body. The second was a martingale dog collar, which slightly tightens when there is tension put on the leash, so your dog will be less likely to try to twist or back out of their collars. The martingale dog collar will eventually teach the dog not to tug or pull.

The third piece of equipment was a crate that the dog could stand up in, turn around in and lay down in. The crate should only be big enough so that a dog doesn’t want to go potty and sleep in it. The fourth piece of equipment Matthew found out he needed was a harness. That was to allow the puppy to build confidence and know the difference between it and a leash. The Cover also learned that the harness also allows you to train the pup to walk properly, without the physical discomfort on the throat that pulling with a collar can cause.

Another tool Matthew learned he needs are some toys for the puppy. He learned that not all dogs want treats all the time and that a favorite toy that they want to play with is just as good. He also learned that he shouldn’t let the toys lay around when they aren’t used for training.

Lastly, the pre-teen Cover heard he should have a climbing bed, or elevated bed to improve the health of the dog. Matthew learned that by providing a comfortable sleeping space, that it prevents back injuries and other problems caused by sleeping on the ground. He also heard that it could be considered a safe space for the dog to go to, and it could also keep the pet cool all day long, so they will be less likely to overheat during the hot summer months.

When Robert finally got to visit with his mom again, it was another tear-filled moment. The two hugged until the guard motioned for them to take their seats. And as they did, Angela thanked Mr. Ken for bringing her son to see her again.

Angela told Robert not to waste any time and for him to tell her everything that he’s done, or that has happened to him since they last saw one another, back in August.

Robert smiled at the question and he began by telling his mother all about the picnics his dad had held at The Cove and he included the trips to his dad’s amusement parks, and, lastly, the new Four Corners Amusement Park his dad built around the corner from where they live.

Robert told his mom about his new ‘brother’ Mark who lived with them for about three months and that his parents then lived with them too, as they recovered from their gunshot wounds.

Angela wanted to know more, so Mr. Ken gave her a condensed version of the home invasion, where he took Mark home and the parents went to the hospital. That was until they were going to be released to a rehab facility, and he offered for them to stay at The Cove with their son. Angela knew in her heart, after hearing what he did for the boy’s parents, that Ken Thomas was the right man to raise her son to adulthood.

Robert then told his mom some more about Phillip and how his own mother has left him in the CPS system until she gets herself back on her feet. The teen Cover also told his mom how the boy has formed a band of about nine boys, and they have a gig tomorrow and next Sunday to play at a Halloween event. Robert also mentioned that the band will also play at a wedding reception the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Robert then told his mother that his dad had all of the teens take a career assessment test. Angela quickly asked her son what his told him. Robert pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and gave it to his mother to read.

She read aloud, “Robert Arthur Thomas, your assessment determined that you are best at expressive and creative tasks. How wonderful Angela added. You are someone who is very visual, a little spontaneous, and often labeled as emotional. Are you really that way, Robert?

“You would be best at a profession that combines your artistic strengths and talents, with your technological expertise, such as graphic design, web design, art directing, entertainment software development, layout design and digital illustrating. That is very descriptive, son and I hope it is something that you mainly agree with,” commented the teen’s mother.

“Mom, dad … he is going to let us take that test again next year to see if our focus has changed any. I’m only a sophomore, so things could change as I mature some more and gain more experience working. And speaking of working. I’m trying to talk my dad into letting me work at the Four Corners Amusement Park that he owns. He won’t let me work there yet,” bemoaned the teenaged Cover.

Mr. Ken explained to Angela that because they travel so much, that was why he doesn’t want his ‘sons’ working at the park, until they turn at least sixteen and, even then, he really doesn’t want them working, as he can provide for them.

Robert spoke right then and told his dad that he has this internal need and desire to work and, besides, all his friends are working there and he feels left out. Hearing that made his mother laugh and dad Ken chuckle and comment that he’ll think about it.

Amelia Franks was overjoyed that her son was there again to visit with her. She was surprised that there was someone new with Billy and was concerned that he had been moved again, so she asked.

“Mom, this is Mr. Dennis. He works for Mr. Ken and the way I heard it he lost the coin flip to see who was going to bring me this time,” announced the woman’s teen son, who sort of giggled as he told the story.

“I’m sorry ma’am, that’s not exactly how it went. There were two tasks for today. Either bring Bill here to visit you, or take Matthew to visit dog training schools. I chose to bring Billy here, and of course get to meet you, since Mr. Ken and Wayne have both met you,” offered Dennis Faulkner.

“Well, Mr. Dennis … It is good to meet another man who is helping lead my son into adulthood, and watching over him. I hope you haven’t had to box his ears. That always helped me keep him in line,” spoke Amelia.

“No, Billy here … he is well liked by his ‘brothers’ and … well, I’d have to say that he is a leader amongst the six of them, and the many other boys who come to visit The Cove,” responded Mr. Dennis.

Billy then began to tell his mom about the accident that he and his younger ‘brother’ Phillip were in. Amelia was going to argue that he didn’t have any brothers, but Billy stopped her by reminding her that the boys at The Cove, all call one another ‘brother’.

The teen Cover then told her about the accident, the dash camera, how Mr. Dennis had to save it, the way the news media covered the accident by blaming him for it and then his lawsuit against all of them.

Billy then told his mother that Mr. Ken revealed to him last night that he would be receiving a settlement from the accident, and all of the news media, and he would have a lot more money in his bank and investment accounts.

Billy told his mom that when she finally gets out of where she is, he will make sure she has a nice home to live in. He added that he is also going to be sending her money to her trust fund account each month, so she has what she needs to make her life as comfortable as possible while she is there.

What the woman just heard made her cry. She grabbed his hands and she thanked her son for doing that for her. She told him that the money he had sent her initially went a long way, but when it ran out, she was afraid there might not be any more. But she said that then the next installment came just in time for her.

Amelia was all tears that her son was now taking care of her when she told Billy that it was the mother and father, who are supposed to be taking care of their sons and daughters. Even Billy had tears in his eyes.

Billy then told his mother that the career assessment results came back. He, too, pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to his mother to read.

“What is this, Billy?” asked Amelia.

“Read it mom,” replied the woman’s son.

“William Brooks Dirketson, your assessment determined that you are logical, analytical, and orderly. The assessment suggests that you would do well in careers that involve linear thinking, math, and verbal information, such as an accountant, a research scientist, or computer programmer. Billy … I never knew you had all that in you. I’m sorry for leading you in the direction Jody and I led you,” offered the teen’s mother, as tears were falling from her eyes.

The woman continued to read, “Other careers you may want to consider are as an elementary school teacher, a writer/author, industrial designer, or as a school counselor, or social worker. Criminal justice might be another avenue for you to consider, as either a police officer and/or a probation officer.

“Billy … I would never …never have encouraged you to be a policeman, or probation officer. But knowing what your Mr. Ken has done for you, and how he is encouraging you to further your education and now; after reading that, you have these … these traits inside of you I would not want to stand in your way to succeed in whatever career you want to choose.

“The police were never on Jody’s or my Christmas List. But I can see you as any one of these people this assessment mentioned that you could be. Please, please continue to do what you are doing and continue your education.

“And even though I am in here for a very long time, Mr. Ken … he told me that you will always be welcomed where you now live after you go off to college, and even when you have your own family,” divulged Amelia Franks to her son.

Billy was shocked at what his mom just told him. He knew that when he turned eighteen, he aged out of the CPS system, and that he’d have nowhere to go. Learning that Mr. Ken would still consider him welcomed at The Cove took that worry off his mind and he would hug the man right now if he was there.

The time had gotten away from them and the guard came by to tell them that their time was up and they needed to say their goodbyes. Billy was all tears, as he said goodbye to his mother. The sixteen-year-old then told her that it would probably be after the Holidays when he could get back to see her again. He explained that Mr. Ken had a whole lot of things already planned for them from now until then.

The mother and son got to hug one another, and before long Amelia was walked back to her cell, and the two Covers were headed back to The Cove.

When Mr. Wayne came back to The Cove, he looked for a box with his name on it amongst the many boxes located in the Foyer. When he found the one he was looking for, he picked it up and then got a golf cart and headed up to the pavilion.

The Estate Master took the box over to the Pavilion and then asked Phillip and his band to take a break and to come over to him.

“Boys,” began the man, “I understand that you are going to wear a white shirt and black pants tomorrow at your gig. Well, I thought that since this was a Halloween dance, you should have something more in keeping with the occasion.”

Mr. Wayne then pulled out a shirt that he offered the boys to wear.