Published: 1 Jan 2026

From the Previous Chapter:

Tonight, as he sat on the edge of his bed, after getting ready to go to sleep, he again, thought about what Darrin had to say during the meeting. He didn’t think that what the teen said was earth shattering, but what caught him was the fact that none of the other boys had ever said anything remotely close to what this new foster has had to say.

The other thing that caused him to wonder about the teen was that the boy was looking at previous fires. He didn’t know which fires he was looking at, but he knew he could look at his search history tomorrow after the teen leaves for school. He also decided that he would again call Doctor Jennings in the morning.

The owner of The Cove then turned off the lights in his bedroom, slipped under the blankets and got comfortable so he could fall asleep. It wasn’t long before the residents in the house were all asleep.

Wednesday morning turned out to be drab and cool, when Mr. Ken awoke that morning. He saw that the sun was trying to shine through the clouds, but there were a lot more clouds in the sky than the sun could find openings to shine through, and until the wind blew them away the day would probably stay the way it looked, at least for now.

The owner of The Cove greeted Momma Maria as he entered the Kitchen Nook and the woman immediately brought the man’s favorite coffee cup over to him filled to the brim with the hot brew that he loved to drink first thing in the morning. And true to his habit, Mr. Ken took a sip from the cup and then raised it to Momma, as a salute to her for being such a great asset to him and The Cove.

The morning newspaper was waiting for him at his place at the table, so after he took a second sip from his coffee cup, Mr. Ken began his second ritual which was preparing the paper in order for him to begin reading it. Today, he checked the front pages of both Section A, World News, and Section B, Local News, for any eye-raising headlines that he might want to peruse first. But, after not finding any, he started his reading with Section A.

Darrin, Matthew and Phillip came into the Nook at the same time and Darrin and Matthew immediately went to prepare Chief and Sarge’s first meal of the day, along with fresh cold water. The two boys discarded yesterday’s leftovers, rinsed out the bowls and then filled one with fresh kibble and the other with water and some ice cubes. The two resident pets went right to their bowls as soon as they were placed down on the Kitchen Nook’s floor.

“Well, boy, you made it. Today’s ‘hump day’,” teased ‘dad’ Ken.

The three boys looked back and forth to one another, but it was Darrin who told his ‘brothers’ that the term ‘hump day’ meant that they made it through to the middle of the week, or to Wednesday. Darrin continued and told them that he heard that Monday was called Howl Day, because the weekend is over and people howled because it was over and they had to go back to work. That Tuesday didn’t have a special name for it other than being called Day Two.

“Where’d you learn this stuff?” asked a puzzled Phillip.

“Let me finish, will ya,” quickly spoke Darrin. “Oh, and Wednesday, beside making it to the middle of the week. It’s also because you’re sliding down into the weekend from here. As for Thursday, it’s called Thirst Day because you’re craving the weekend and can’t wait to begin drinking again. Well, that’s what the adults say. And Friday … well it was once called Fried Day which had something to do about you still being at work before the weekend, or something like that. But today the term Friyay is used as an informal synonym for Friday expressing joy that it’s Friday and the beginning of the weekend.”

“That’s impressive Darrin. And where did you learn that?” now asked the teen’s foster dad

Darrin smiled and told his foster dad, and ‘brothers’ that at his old school someone had mentioned ‘hump day’ one Wednesday and their teacher had them all research it as a class project. The teen told them he thought it was funny that people had other names for the other weekdays, as well.

When the teens came down for breakfast, and after they had said good morning to their ‘dad’ and Momma Maria, ‘dad’ Ken asked them if they knew what today was called.

The three teenagers were perplexed by the question, until, that is, ‘dad’ Ken told them that Wednesday was called ‘hump day’. The boys all smiled and said that they had heard that term, but they didn’t know that was what he meant.

The man then asked them if they knew what names the other days of the week had besides their normal Monday, Tuesday, etc.

The boys, again, were taken by surprise at the question and they gave up almost immediately. So, ‘dad’ Ken explained that he mentioned to their ‘brothers’ about today being ‘hump day’ and that only Darrin knew what he meant. But the man continued and he repeated what his foster son had told him, and his ‘brothers’, that morning during breakfast.

The teens then began talking about Thursday being Thirst Day because the adults couldn’t wait to begin drinking again. And they all said that they had heard Friday being called Friyay as a joyous way to celebrate that it was the last day of the week.

After the three teenagers left for school, Mr. Ken made his way up to Darrin’s room. He turned on the teen’s computer and after it booted up it asked for a password. But with Mr. Ken’s computer training and because the computer was connected to The Cove’s mainframe, he was able to get into his foster son’s system.

As the foster dad was looking into Darrin’s computer’s search history, Mr. Wayne came into the room. The entrance of his Estate Master startled Mr. Ken, but he continued looking at what the teen had been searching for on the internet.

When the foster dad found what he was looking for he copied the web sites to a flash drive he’d brought with him. He then shut down the computer and walked out of the room indicting to Wayne that he should follow.

“Wayne … you are wondering what I was doing checking Darrin’s web search history. Well, yesterday, when I went to say goodnight to him, he quickly shut down the search page he was looking at when I got there. He didn’t know that I saw what he was looking at, but I saw that he was looking at the fires that had happened in his area before his own house caught on fire.

“Wayne … for the past week, or so, I’ve been watching what the boy says or does. Nothing that he’s done or said, like yesterday, amounts to anything, but … but when I look at everything together it tells me that the boy … they he might be experiencing emotional stresses and they seem to be coming to the surface. Let me give you the examples that I’ve keyed on,” offered Mr. Ken.

Ken Thomas then went through the three instances that he keyed on, that Darrin had looked at, that showed him that something was beginning to surface now that he was getting comfortable in his surroundings. Wayne sat there listening to what his employer had to say, and then he understood why he was asked about what he thought about what the teen had said at yesterday’s meeting.

The two talked a little more about Darrin and then Wayne agreed to continue to watch and listen to what the teen did and said and that he’d let Mr. Ken know what he found.

Mr. Ken then changed subjects and asked Mr. Wayne to work with Robert in getting the teenager his driver’s permit. The dad explained how Robert ambushed him last night about him getting his driver’s permit and when he asked his son for the two of them to talk about it, Robert brought up that he would be busy for the next two weeks.

Wayne chuckled as Mr. Ken explained his conundrum and told him that he’d look up what Robert would need to do and that he’d talk to the teenager, and then they’d get everything together in order for Robert to start the process.

Chris Dominions came into the Study as the two men were talking. The Estate Manager told Mr. Ken that he was glad he hadn’t left for the office yet, as he not only had the color of Eleanor’s matron of honor’s dress, that he wanted, but he had a swatch of the material. Chris then brought out the piece of material and pronounced that the color was called caramel.

The owner of the Cove took a look at the material and then told the men to find a few nearby suit and tuxedo rental places to see if they have that color. He told them that when they find one, they are to call the parents of the band members and have them take their son and go there and get measured, so they all can be dressed in sharp looking suits or tuxedos for the reception. He told the men that he was paying the bill.

Then changing subject, again, Mr. Ken asked Wayne if he was taking Matthew out after he has his afterschool snack to get him some doggie treats and a special leash to use when he trains Bruce Price’s two pups that coming weekend.

The Estate Master confirmed that he was and then he added that what Matthew doesn’t get they should consider getting the boy as Christmas presents that year. The man continued and mentioned that he has the full list, since he took Matthew to visit those dog training places a few weeks back.

Mr. Ken agreed with that idea as he was coming up short as to what he should buy all of the boys that year. He asked the men to help him come up with some unique suggestions that he could buy them. The owner of The Cove, and the men’s employer,said that he was late going to the office and he needed to head there.

It was close to nine o’clock when Ken Thomas arrived at his office. He knew it was too late to call Doug Jennings, but he made a note and placed it on his phone to try to call the man right after lunch. He then looked at the phone messages that Rosemary gave him, as he entered the outer office, and he prioritized them as to which person he would call first, second, and so forth.

Mr. Ken’s work day was proving to be just as busy as the two previous ones.

After lunch, Mr. Ken did call Doug Jennings and he reported what Darrin had said the night before during the nightly meeting. Ken Thomas also asked the doctor if he was being paranoid about the teenager because of what was reported to him by the fire marshal concerning the recent fires in the teen’s local area and the boy and his older brother being suspects in starting them.

Doctor Jennings assured Mr. Ken that he wasn’t being mistrustful of the boy, but was probably concerned because the teen had exhibited outward behaviors that the previous eight boys had never displayed, or presented, in all the days, weeks, months and years they had lived with him. Doctor Doug asked the man to continue to monitor Darrin’s actions and the way he conducts and expresses himself. The foster dad agreed to continue to do so.

When the three younger Cover boys returned home from school that Wednesday, Phillip immediately asked Mr. Wayne if it was true that his ‘dad’ was renting suits or tuxedos for the band to wear at the wedding reception.

That was the first that Matthew and Darrin were hearing that news, so they were interested in hearing the answer. Of Course, the Estate Master explained how Mr. Ken had asked Mr. Chris to find out what color Ms. Eleanor’s matron of honor’s dress was and with that information he decided that he wanted to surprise the newly wedded couple, with the band wearing a nice outfit as they played during the reception. Sure, Mr. Wayne had embellished the truth some, but the boys didn’t need to know that.

Then, after the boys finished their afterschool snack, Mr. Wayne and Matthew went out to purchase the doggie treats the soon-to-be teen would use that coming weekend to train Bruce Price’s two pups and a four- or six-foot nylon leash, which was easy to fold and store on Matthew’s body when he didn’t need it.

When the Cover youngster was at the pet store, he tried both leash sizes by folding them up and putting them in his pocket, as he wanted to know how cumbersome they would be. After careful consideration, Matthew chose the four-foot leash. He also picked up two bags of the puppy treats that he was going to use. He told Mr. Wayne that if he doesn’t use them all he’d have some for the next puppy or small dog he gets to train.

After dinner that evening, ‘dad’ Ken reiterated what he’d told the boys the previous nights about the upcoming trips and goings on at The Cove over the next two and a half weeks.

The man then asked the boys if they had anything they wanted to discuss. The only item that was brought up was the boys asking about Phillip’s band going and getting measured for suits to wear for the wedding reception. ‘Dad’ Ken told the boys that it was going to be one of his gifts to the married couple and besides, he told the boys, the band would look a lot better if they wore something matching Mrs. Diamond’s matron of honor’s dress.

There were no other issues to discuss, so ‘dad’ Ken sent the boys up to their rooms to finish any homework they hadn’t completed yet, or to read and get settled down before going to bed.

Wayne discussed how Chief and Sully played that day and told Mr. Ken that Bruce Price agreed to let the two dogs have some time off and to let nature take its course. The Estate Master figured that within ten days from now the veterinarian would be able to determine if Chief was heavy with her second litter of pups.

The man also told his employer that he researched what Robert needed to do to get his leaner’s permit, but he hadn’t talked to him about it yet. Wayne indicated that he was busy with Matthew and when they got home it was almost dinner time. He stated that he’d sit down with the teenager tomorrow after he returns home from school and talk it over with him. Mr. Ken thanked Wayne for doing that for him, since he’ll be out-of-pocket for the next ten days, or so.

Mr. Ken then asked Wayne to see if Dennis could take Phillip to the store to get him measured for his suit for the wedding reception. He reasoned that the sooner that is done the less stress he and the boy would have come closer to the wedding reception date, which was only ten days away. Wayne said that the man should be able to do that once the boy had his afterschool snack.

With all the issues they needed to discuss over, the two men then went up to say goodnight to the boys.

The owner of The Cove woke up that Thursday morning hoping and praying that this day will be less hectic and even uneventful as compared to the previous three days. With that on his mind, Ken Thomas got out of bed and went to get ready for his day.

Once he was ready for the day, Mr. Ken went out to the Kitchen Nook, where he and Momma Maria went through their usual morning ritual of one serving a cup of hot coffee and getting a salute from the other with the same. Mr. Ken then unwrapped his morning newspaper, separated it and then began to read it from Section A, World News.

The three younger Cover boys came down together, as usual, and Darrin and Matthew took care of fixing Chief and Sarge’s first meal of the day by cleaning their bowls and then filing them with fresh kibble and the water bowl with ice cubes in it. The two boys then joined Phillip at the breakfast table and began eating their Momma breakfast.

As the boys ate, ‘dad’ Ken asked, “Phillip … have you set aside all of the clothes you want to take with you tomorrow? Remember, you need to pack for four days, even though we are only going for three. And when you come home today, after you have your afterschool snack, go up to your room and begin packing and then when you’re finished ask Mr. Wayne or Mr. Dennis to check how you did and to see if you forgot anything,” finished the foster dad.

“Your trip sounds so awesome, Phil,” began Darrin, “I can’t wait until I get my chance to go on my three-day trip.”

“Darrin, I’ve been here since April and I’m now just getting to go. ‘Dad’ … he gets really busy at times, so when an opportunity comes along you better take it. Check the school calendar to see when the next three-day weekend is and start planning where you want to go in Texas and what you want to do there and do it now,” recommended the youngest Cover.

Matthew spoke up and told Darrin that he thought that there were three-day weekends in January and February and he should talk to him and his ‘brothers’ as to where they went and what they did, so he knew what was available for him to do and where he could go.

Then before the boys left for school, ‘dad’ Ken asked Darrin to plan to give Chief a bath either after he got home from school or later on tonight, as she probably needs it after she and Sully have been cavorting the past three days.

The teen commented, “Oh, is that what I smell?” And his two ‘brothers’ laughed and Phillip told him that was what happened the last time Chief was going to have a litter of puppies.

When the three older teens came down for breakfast, ‘dad’ Ken told Robert that Mr. Wayne would talk to him after he gets home from school about what he needs to do in order for him to get his learner’s permit. The teen’s dad reminded him that the Estate Master did that for his ‘brother’ Bill, so he knew what was needed and everything he’d have to do, so for him to listen closely and then to remember to keep track of his requirements before he could test.

Robert thanked his dad for getting Mr. Wayne to help him get everything started. The teen then went back to eating his Momma Maria breakfast.

“And boys … I asked Darrin to give Chief a bath later today. And since this will probably be the first time that he’s ever done it, you might want to give him a hand in getting that chore done. And you all know how much Chief loves to get a bath,” teased the man.

The three teens laughed at their ‘dad’s intended joke and they all agreed that they’d help Darrin with giving Chief a bath later tonight.

The excitement of his going to the shooting range had worn off by Thursday, and all of Darrin’s friends were now talking about what they were going to do over the three-day weekend. Darrin had forgotten that he could invite one of his friends to spend either Friday, Saturday or Sunday night and he began thinking which one he’d like to ask.

While his friends were all talking about the coming weekend, they all noticed that their Cover friend wasn’t paying attention. So, they asked him what was he thinking about. Darrin, not really thinking about his answer told them that he could invite just one of them to spend one night that weekend, and he was trying to decide which one he should ask.

When the boys heard that, they all began inundating him with, “Pick me,”, “No, pick, me,” “No, I knew you first, pick me,” comment that he didn’t realize what a problem he had just initiated for himself.

“Guys, look I probably shouldn’t have told you that,” began the Cover. “Maybe I won’t invite anybody by the way you’re all acting right now.” And with that said Darrin walked away from all of his friends.

Charles had finally decided who he was going to invite to spend one night at The Cove over the three-day weekend. So, when he got to school that morning, he went to Cooper and pulled him aside and asked him if he thought his parents would allow him to spend either Friday, Saturday or Sunday night at The Cove. Charles explained that it wasn’t a sleepover, per se, but that each of them were allowed to invite just one friend for one night.

Cooper thanked Charles and told him that he’d let him know tonight after dinner time what his parents say. The Cover then asked Coop not to say anything to the other guys as this was just a one guy; one night thing. Cooper said that he understood.

When Mr. Ken arrived at his office that Thursday morning, things were normal. Ben wasn’t there waiting on him and he didn’t have to make any special phone calls. He felt relieved that maybe all of the hubbub of the last three days had passed and he could now move on towards the three-day trip with Phillip and the IAAPA trip with Ben that coming Monday.

Then his phone rang. It was his secretary, Rosemary Martin, telling him that his lawyer, Bill Jackson, was calling to talk to him. Ken Thomas knew that it could only be one of two things. Either good news or bad news. He picked up the phone.

“Yes, Bill, what do you have for me?” asked Mr. Ken, in a jovial manner.

Bill Jackson went on to tell him that their lawsuits against the six media companies had been consolidated into one by the Court system and they have set a tentative trial start date of the eighth of January. Bill went on to tell his client that the trial judge, in the meantime, has asked all of the litigants to try to come to a meaningful resolution before then.

The lawyer and Mr. Ken talked about what they were going to do in the meantime, in case any of the media representatives came to Bill to try to find a resolution to this whole thing. Mr. Ken was adamant, though, that he wouldn’t take anything lower than what he’d already gotten from the first newspaper statement.

He told his lawyer that it should be at least ten to twenty percent higher for their stupidity in not settling in the first place. Bill Jackson laughed at the way his client had wanted to make them compensate them for all the time and headache he and Bill have gone through.

After his telephone conversation with his lawyer, Ken took time out to call Kate. It was already late morning and he wasn’t sure how long his girlfriend would be able to talk, but at least they would have a chance to talk some.

The two lovebirds did get the chance to talk for about forty minutes before they decided that they better get something accomplished today. Before they ended their call, Ken told his girlfriend that he was really looking forward to seeing her again over that coming Thanksgiving week.

Ken did remind Kate that he was taking Phillip on his three-day trip beginning tomorrow afternoon and they would be attending a Dallas Mavericks basketball game and that the boy had filled both Saturday and Sunday with places for them to go, so he might not be able to call or talk as long as they had been able to.

Kate laughed and told her boyfriend to have fun with Phillip where ever they may be going. They then sent kisses over the phone before ending the call.

By lunchtime, Darrin had eliminated the names of his friends he wanted to invite to spend one night at The Cove down to either Terran or Sam. He realized that those two individuals knew the most about The Cove and he figured by inviting one of them he might find out more about what happened there before he arrived. But he just didn’t know which one he should ask.

The teen searched out Matthew during the lunch break to ask him which one he would ask. Matthew told his ‘brother’ that he really didn’t know the boys all that well, because they always hung out with Kevin and Kyle and that group of friends.

The soon-to-be-teenager recommended to his ‘brother’ that he talk with Robert because he knew the boy’s older brothers and that might help him decided. All Darrin could now do was wait until he got home from school and Robert did, as well, and sit down and talk to his older teenaged ‘brother’.

When the three younger boys arrived home, Mr. Dennis told Phillip that when he finished his afterschool snack, he was going to take him to where he could get him measured for his suit for the wedding reception, since he was going away for three days and Monday might be too late for them to do that. Phillip told the man that he’d come and find him in the Study when he was finished.

As the three boys were eating their afterschool Momma snack, Darrin asked Matthew if he could help him give Chief her bath. The boy told his ‘brother’ that the last time they gave Chief a bath both Billy and Charles did it and Chief wasn’t too happy about it.

Matthew suggested that he wait until their older ‘brothers’ got home from school and he should ask them to help him because they knew how to do it. The teen said that he’d do that and went back to finishing his snack.

When Phillip finished his snack, he went to wash his hands and visit the half bath just off the Study before knocking on the Study doorframe to tell Mr. Dennis that he was ready. The two Covers then headed to Mr. Dennis’ car and soon they were headed off to the rental store to get Phillip measured for his suit for the wedding reception.

The three Cover teenagers get home from school about forty minutes, or so, after their younger ‘brothers’ do and they of course stop and get their afterschool snack before they do anything else.

Mr. Wayne could see them walking down the slight rise from the Study window and he waited until Robert was finished with his Momma Snack before he went looking to talk to the teenager about his getting his leaner’s permit.

Darrin could also see his older ‘brothers’ coming home from school from his bedroom window and when he did notice them, he went down to the Kitchen Nook to ask them if they would help him give Chief her bath later. He explained that Mr. Ken told him to give her one since she and some dog named Sully had been cavorting the past three days and she was beginning to smell.

The three teenagers began to laugh, because they remembered that time from last year that Chief had that same smell from her trysts with Sully, and they had to give her a bath. Billy told Darrin that he’d help him, but he needs to be ready to get wet, so he should put his swimsuit on. The three teens laughed some more knowing what would happen later.

When Robert finished his afterschool snack, he went to the Study to talk to Mr. Wayne about what he needed to do to get his learner’s permit. Mr. Wayne invited the teen into the Study and they sat in the leather chairs so the Estate Master could tell and show the teen what he needed in order to start the process.

As the two sat there, Mr. Wayne began to explain to Robert that he must be enrolled in a state-approved driver’s education course and complete at least the first 6 hours of a 32-hour Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) approved Texas driver’s course before he could apply for the permit.

Mr. Wayne then told the teenager that he needed to have his Social Security Card. Robert indicated that he’d have to look for it, but he thought he knew where it was. The Estate Master told the teen he needed to find it or research how to get a copy.

The Estate Master continued and strongly stressed on the Cover that he also needed to pass a 40-question, multiple-choice Department of Public Safety knowledge exam covering basic road signs and road rules and score at least 70% to pass, to be issued a learner license. The man then teased him by letting him know that Billy missed only one question when he took the test.

There were a few other requirements, like being enrolled in school, but Robert already had those met. The two then went up to teen’s bedroom where Robert turned his computer on and searched for the online driver’s ed course website. Once there Mr. Wayne used his Cove Credit Card to pay for his registration.

It was now up to Robert to complete those initial six hours of online education and gather the other things he needed before he could apply for his driver’s permit and take the test. Robert was stoked and couldn’t wait to start working on the website and telling his friends tomorrow at school that he was on his way to getting his learner’s permit.

While in Robert’s room, Mr. Wayne told Robert he would pick up a copy of the DMV handbook at the Department of Motor Vehicles office for him, so he could start studying for the test, but in the meantime, Robert could go to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and begin reading it there on line.

Phillip and Mr. Dennis returned to The Cove about the same time that Mr. Ken returned home. Phillip quickly ran up the stairs to start his homework and he had yet to pack for the start of tomorrow’s trip.

Ken Thomas looked at the time and asked Dennis to stay for dinner and then afterwards he asked one of them to help Phillip pack for his trip that started tomorrow.

As they waited for Momma to announce that dinner was ready, Mr. Ken sat in the Study with the two men and they talked about the landscapers and the work they had performed around the house and had begun up and around the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion. He told them that with the fresh mulch the grounds looked sharp.

The owner of The Cove opined that he was happy that he had them do this and that he could see that when they finish with the mulch and they add the color of the fall and winter plants next week The Cove will really look good for the wedding reception and Thanksgiving week with his company being here.

Mr. Ken then asked the two men if they had any plans for Thanksgiving dinner. And upon hearing that they didn’t, he invited them to share Thanksgiving dinner with him and his ‘family’ and some other invited guests. They both accepted.

Dinner was a lively event that evening, as the boys were telling Darrin how cooperative Chief always was when it came time to giving her a bath. But Darrin wasn’t buying it after getting a few tidbits from Matthew and Billy earlier. But Billy and Charles did tell their ‘brother’ that they would help him right after dinner, so for him to get his swimsuit on.

Of course, Robert told everyone that he was on his way to getting his learner’s permit. He added that he hoped to be done with his first six hours of the 32-hour Texas on-line driver’s course by next weekend.

Billy told him not to be in too big of a hurry, as he still needed to study the DMV handbook in order to pass the 40-question written test and that the handbook wasn’t just a couple of pages. Dad Ken agreed with his foster son and told his son to slow down, as he had loads of time before he was even sixteen. Robert took the hint and said that he’d wait and see how big the DMV handbook was before he schedules the test.

After dinner, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis both went upstairs to help Phillip pack for his long-awaited three-day trip. While those three were doing that, the rest of the Covers were down in the Men’s Locker Room. Billy, Charles and Darrin were dressed in their swimsuits and they were prepared to give Chief her bath.

Of course, the primary resident pet didn’t want anything to do with that, but Mr. Ken, using his voice, got her to go into the men’s shower room and get herself cleaned up. Billy showed Darrin what needed to be done and then let him do the ‘heavy lifting’, as in doing most of the washing of the resident pet.

While that was going on, Sarge was out there wanting to get into the shower water with his mom. Matthew knew how much his charge loved the water, so he went and got his swimsuit on and told his ‘dad’ that he’d give Sarge a bath when Chief was done.

The boys didn’t understand why Chief fought so hard not to get a bath, because she loved the pampering, she got afterwards, with the blow drying and all the brushing of her coat. The resident pet looked really good and Chief also smelled so nice and clean.

As for Sarge getting his bath, he just sat there enjoying the warm water and the light scrubbing Matthew was giving him. And while Billy was blow-drying Chief’s coat, Darrin went back into the men’s shower room to give his ‘brother’ some help, while bathing the young pup.

After his shower, everyone could see that Sarge had a great big smile on his muzzle. And when it came time to dry his coat, he sat there enjoying the warm air and light brushing he got all over his coat of fur.

The bathing and brushing on both resident pets did cause the boys some extra work from all the dog hair that was left in the shower stall and on the brush. But they all felt it was worth the effort because now both resident pets smelled so nice and clean and they both gave them all some good doggie kisses for treating them so well.

With both resident pets bathed and Phillip packed and ready to leave for his trip, ‘Dad’ Ken held an abbreviated meeting in the Study because of the lateness of the night.

“Boys … when you come home tomorrow, myself and Phillip … we will not be here. But I am sure that you will all get along without me. Also, please let Mr. Wayne know as soon as you can who is spending which night over the weekend.

“Phillip and I will return home late Sunday night and then I will leave again Monday afternoon for the IAAPA Expo down in Orlando. I should return late Thursday and then Ms. Kate and her family will arrive on Friday. And remember that the wedding is that Saturday morning and the reception starts around one o’clock and that your friends … they can’t come over that day.

“On Thanksgiving Day, we will have a house full for dinner. Besides us seven, there will be Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis, Ms. Kate and her mother, Edith, as well as Rusty and Jessy. Also attending the dinner will be Ms. Judy and Eric and Mr. Dan, if he doesn’t get called in to work since he is single.

“Collin will also be here and I also invited Mr. Nelson. I think that makes eighteen people around the table. And boys … that will again be a ‘family day’ and your friends will not be allowed to come over. Dinner is at two o’clock and by the time we finish it will be close to four. Plus, Rusty and Jessy … they will want to be with their big brothers, as Ms. Kate and family will be heading home on Saturday.

“Mr. Wayne has our schedule and if there are any hiccups, he’ll call me. Does anyone have anything that needs to be brought up?” asked ‘dad’ Ken.

The boys didn’t have anything to bring up, so they went up to their rooms to relax some before going to bed.

While the men talked downstairs, Darrin went to Robert’s room to ask him the question of which of his friends, Terran or Sam, should he invite to spend one night. Darrin explained that he narrowed it down to those two, but he wasn’t sure which one he should ask since they both proved to be such good friends.

Robert laughed that Darrin was having to decide which of his two friends he wanted to invite to spend the night over the weekend. Robert told his ‘brother’ that he should tell them that he could only invite one and that he’d flip a coin and one of them could come this time and the other could come the next time his dad lets them do this.

Darrin liked that idea and then he asked Robert if he had a coin he could use. It was then that the older teen realized that his new ‘brother’ didn’t have his special security coin yet. Robert just told Darrin to ask either Sam or Terran if they had a coin and to use theirs.

Dennis was invited to go with Mr. Ken and Wayne to see what they do when they say good night to the boys. The boys were surprised to see Mr. Dennis there tonight and their ‘dad’ explained that as Mr. Wayne’s alternate he needed to be aware of what goes on if he ever had to be here when he was gone and Mr. Wayne was not available for some reason.

Dennis Florkert was surprised that the two men interacted with each boy every night. He watched and listened to the small talk that went on between them. When they’d talked to all six, and the men had retreated back to the Study, Mr. Ken told Dennis that this was the time that each boy got the chance to talk to them about things that they may not want their ‘brothers’ to know about.

The man’s boss added that the boys also liked having that personal time with them, because with there being six of them, he doesn’t get a chance to spend much quality time with each boy, and this helps give them that special closeness they want.

Dennis thanked Mr. Ken for the chance to see what went on as the boys went to bed. Then he and Wayne headed home.

As Ken Thomas arrived in his retreat, he was thankful that the week was just about over. He knew that he was going to have a very busy weekend with Phillip, but he felt it should also give him some time to relax, because there were a number of fun things that the boy had selected for them to do.

After thinking about the coming weekend, the owner of The Cove went and got ready for bed. After he’d done his usual nightly ablutions, he went and sat on the edge of his king-sized bed, and reviewed his busy week. He was now looking forward to the time away from the office and having some fun with the young Cover.

Ater turning off the lights in his bedroom and getting under the covers, it didn’t take long for the dad/foster dad to fall asleep. The Cover household was exceptionally quiet throughout the night.

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

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