Published: 16 Jul 2026
From the Previous Chapter:
Once down in his own special place, Ken Thomas went and got ready for bed and then sat on the edge of his king-sized bed and thought about the day and what was in-store for him that coming week.
He knew tomorrow he would finish out three more lawsuits, which would take a lot off his plate. On Thursday he hopes that the judge will agree to strip Grace’s parental rights away from her to free Matthew up for adoption. In between, he knows little things will crop up, and he’ll attack them as they arise.
The owner of The Cove saw that it was getting late and he knew he needed his sleep, so the owner of The Cove turned off the lights and got under the covers. It wasn’t long before everyone in the home was soundly asleep.
It was a typical morning at The Cove that Tuesday. Ken Thomas woke up at his usual school day time, did what he needed to do to get ready for his day, then he headed out to the Kitchen Nook for his first cup of coffee and to read the morning newspaper.
Momma Maria was waiting for her employer to arrive and as soon as he did, she brought his favorite cup and a carafe of coffee over to him and poured the man’s first cup of the hot brew.
Mr. Ken watched as Momma did her usual morning coffee magic and as soon as he took that first sip, he lifted the cup to salute her for making a great cup of coffee. The man then turned to begin reading the newspaper.
It wasn’t long before the first three boys came down for breakfast before heading up to go outside the Main Gate to catch the school bus. Darrin and Matthew first fixed Chief and Sarge’s fresh ice-cold water and kibble and then washed their hands before sitting down to a hot Momma breakfast.
The boys joked with one another and their silliness caught ‘dad’ Ken’s attention. He asked them what got them so hyper, and Phillip told him that Santa would soon be on his way. That caused the boys to laugh some more, and then, they went on to finish their breakfast. ‘Dad’ Ken just shook his head and went back to reading the newspaper.
After the first three boys left for school, it wasn’t long before the three teenagers came down for breakfast and then they would soon be headed off to school, too. Those three weren’t as boisterous as their younger ‘brothers’ were, but they were talkative enough in their own right.
‘Dad’ Ken listened to the older teens as they talked about the coming Holiday parties and then their trips. Robert wondered if he’d get any more driving in over the Holidays. Billy told him to concentrate on the other things he needs to do besides the driving, because before he knew it, he’ll be wanting to take his driver’s test and he’ll still need to do the on-line stuff. The man thought that it was good advice from the oldest teenager.
When Ken Thomas arrived at the office, Rosemary had his messages and his coffee ready for him. The message from Stewart Russell was a reminder for him that the first signing was set for ten o’clock, with another to follow at eleven and then another at twelve.
Mr. Ken went to his executive secretary and asked her if she had him scheduled to be gone until at least one o’clock, or maybe later because he would then go to lunch. Rosemary said that she did. He then told her that he had a court hearing with one of his ‘boys’ on Thursday, but he didn’t know the time as of yet.
He also mentioned to her that Bill Jackson should be calling with that information and she should plan for him to be gone for the entire day, as he was also having a staff Christmas at his estate that afternoon.
Rosemary then mentioned to him that the multi-office Christmas Party was scheduled for Friday afternoon to begin at twelve noon, and she asked if he was going to be there. She continued and said that everyone from all the groups would be looking to see him there to wish him a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ken Thomas had totally forgotten about the Group’s Christmas Party, with everything that he had on his mind, and he was grateful that Rosemary had reminded him. He told her that he had company arriving Thursday evening, but he would try to be there for a little while, and for her not to plan on him coming in to the office until the time for the party. He told her to call him at home if something extraordinary arises.
At school that morning, Darrin and his friends talked about what they intended to do over the two and a half week Holiday. Darrin reminded them that on Friday and Saturday they had to leave The Cove by three o’clock because of the Holiday parties those nights. He also recapped for his friends they would be gone for a four-day trip beginning the 26th of December and then on the 2nd of January for another three days for their second.
The Cover’s friends asked him why he had to be gone so much. Darrin told him that with Mr. Ken having five amusement parks they can’t visit them all between Christmas and the New Year because his foster dad needs to be home one full day, before the New Year’s Eve party, to ensure everything is ready for his biggest party of the year.
The Cover also summarized for them, that he’d only just arrived at The Cove two months ago, that he’s never been to any of Mr. Ken’s amusement parks, that he was looking forward to seeing them and riding all the rides that he could.
The teen Cover also told them that he’s never flown before and his ‘brothers’ told him that the pilots let them fly the plane when they know there is a new boy on the plane. The teen Cover excitedly told his friends that this would probably be the best Christmas ever, if it weren’t that he’d lost his entire family three months ago.
That somber thought caught everyone off guard and the boys saw a few tears fall from Darrin’s eyes, and the teen stopped talking for a few moments, as if he was in deep thought. Then when the Cover spoke again, the teen explained that Mr. Ken has all of his most important business and government contacts invited to the New Year’s Eve party, and that everything had to be perfect for that night, which, again, was why they would only visit three parks the first week, and then then the last two the next week.
The teen Cover also explained that Mr. Ken would also announce the winner of the vocational high school display decoration contest and his ‘brothers’ told him that one of the important government officials would be the one who announced it and got to give the winners their plaque and get their picture taken with them.
Darrin told his friends that the governor did the honors the first year and the lieutenant-governor did it the second year. He added that they will all have to wait and see who it is that gets to do the honors this New Year’s Eve.
Before he had to leave to get to the lawyer’s office, Mr. Ken and Ben talked about how they wanted to plan the meetings with the companies they talked with at the IAAPA Expo. They agreed that the coaster companies were the more important ones to get in first and the flat rides companies in next. They felt that talking to the ride theming and park mascot representatives weren’t a priority at this time, but that they would still like to talk with them for future reference.
They felt that theming any new ride sounded doable and that’s when they should talk with them in earnest. And as for creating a Three Finger Entertainment mascot, Mr. Ken said he liked the idea and that after the Holidays they should sit down with the boys and get their perspective. Mr. Ken then left to go to Bill Jackson’s office.
Upon his arrival at the law offices, Mr. Ken observed that there were three groups of men and women in the outer waiting area. The receptionist knew who he was and immediately ushered him back to Stewart’s office, where he and the lawyer would handle the paperwork, for Bill Jackson, and then Stewart Russell went out and brought back the first company.
Three hours later and after a large number of handshakes and a huge amount of paper that needed to be signed, Stewart Russell had a total of six nice sized checks. Three of them were for Ken Thomas, and three were for William Dirketson.
The lawyer would then deposit them in the law firms holding account from where they would then issue a final check after taking out their fees for services rendered. Mr. Russell and Mr. Thomas agreed that the checks would be delivered on Friday to The Cove.
It was well after one o’clock when the last settlement was completed and Mr. Ken and Stewart Russell had completed their conversations as to when and where the final checks would be delivered. At that time Ken Thomas had to decide where he was going to go for lunch. He wound up at the Lakeside Hotel, which was right next door to his office building.
Once Ken Thomas returned to the office, he told his executive secretary that he was going down to the Architect Groups office to look over the plans for the new Four Corners operations building. He wanted to see what the small working group had come up with by using the plans from the other amusement parks and the directions he’d given them about making the building at least two stories high.
When he arrived at the Architect’s office, he told them what he was interested in seeing. They pulled out the preliminary plans and he looked them over. He then asked to see the plat where they had intended to place the building. That was one thing that the architect didn’t have as the land was not yet theirs and they didn’t have the drilling reports as to how stable the land was, which would dictate where they could place it and or how the foundation would have to be constructed.
Ken Thomas now knew what Ben meant when he told him that one of the biggest hurdles to getting this building built would be getting the drilling samples and they couldn’t get that done until they owned the land.
He then remembered that they also have to get the design reviewed, and then get the planning and zoning commission’s approval, plus the county commissioners to sign off on their desire to not only build the building, but the parking garage as well.
He thought to himself that if they started in late spring to get the construction started, it meant to him that it would be the fall or winter before both projects could be finished, meaning that the expansion of Four Corners could now be one year away. The man shook his head and then thanked the architect for helping him.
As soon as Phillip returned home from school that Tuesday, instead of going straight to the Kitchen Nook for his afterschool snack, he went to the Study looking for Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis.
“Knock, knock, knock,” announced Phillip, as he knocked on the Study’s door frame.
“What can we help you with?” asked Mr. Wayne.
“Mr. Wayne … on Saturday, after we went to the bank, I asked ‘dad’ if he’d help me buy some Christmas gifts for my mom and grandmother. Well, he told me to ask either you or Mr. Dennis to help me, you know, take me out to buy them something. I have the money, it’s just … well, I don’t know what to get them,” explained the youngest Cover.
The two men looked at one another, and then Mr. Dennis spoke up and told the young Cover that he’d bet Momma might have a good idea of what to buy his mother and grandmother. The man added that once he had an idea of what to get them, then either one of them could take him out to buy those things.
Phillip thanked Mr. Dennis for his idea and he hurried to the Kitchen Nook for his afterschool snack and to talk to Momma Maria about what he could possibly buy his mother and grandmother for Christmas.
“Sorry for being late Momma,” offered Phillip, as he entered the Kitchen Noon, “but I needed to ask Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis a question, and they told me that I should talk to you.”
“Well, youse justs sists rights down and eats yours afterschools snacks and talks to Momma about what’s botherin youse,” spoke up Momma Maria.
Phillip told Momma about wanting to buy Christmas presents for his mom and grandmother, but he didn’t know what to get them. He explained that he has the money from his playing at Four Corners, but he needs some ideas and then for someone to take him out shopping.
Momma told him that she likes scented candles to burn in her home and that she also likes to go to the Spa to enjoy being pampered. The older woman then told the young Cover that his mother might like perfume, or a piece of jewelry, like a broach, or a pin. She added that his mother might also like a scarf and that it should be something personal for her.
And as for his grandmother, Momma told the boy that she might also like going to the spa, or a nice scented candle to burn at night, while she is home alone, and again Momma told Phillip that the gift should be something that is for her and not for the house.
Phillip thanked Momma for the ideas, and on his way up to his room after finishing his snack, the boy stopped by the Study and told the two men that Momma gave him some ideas and now all he needed was someone to take him shopping. Mr. Dennis volunteered to take him and suggested that they go late Thursday morning.
The high school boys came home just about the time their younger ‘brothers’ were headed up to their rooms to do any homework they had. The older boys headed straight to the Kitchen Nook for their afterschool snack. When they finished, as they headed up to their rooms, Robert stopped by the Study and asked Mr. Wayne if he could take him out driving before dinner.
The newly permitted teenager explained that with Ms. Kate arriving on Thursday, and the two trips scheduled over the Holidays there will probably be very little time for him to get any driving time, so he’d like to get some in while he can.
Mr. Wayne smiled and told the teen to get the keys and that he’d meet them in the garage. Robert walked out of the Study with a smile on his face. Mr. Dennis also smiled, as he got up to go home.
Robert was still smiling as he and Mr. Wayne drove out the Main Gate just as the teen’s dad was driving in. The two beeped horns at one another and they each continued in the direction they were going.
Robert was still a novice driver, as he’d only gotten his driver’s permit two weeks ago, and was cautious as he drove throughout the subdivision adjoining the Three Finger Cove estate. Mr. Wayne didn’t say anything to the teen driver. The man just allowed Robert to drive and get used to the narrow streets with cars on either side and approaching cars he had to pull over for.
After driving around the subdivision a while, Mr. Wayne had Robert drive over to the Four Corners area so the teenager would, get some experience driving with heavier traffic. Robert did much better there, as he felt he had more space to deal with. The new driver drove for an hour that evening, and he and his observer were back in time for dinner.
After dinner, ‘dad’ Ken didn’t hold a very long meeting, as he knew the boys were well aware of what was going to happen over the rest of the week. The one item that he did impart on them was that he needed to attend the Groups Christmas Party on Friday for an hour or two, and he was going to ask Kate to go with him. The boys told their ‘dad’ that they understood and then they teasingly told him that he needed to rest before their Friday night Holiday party. Everyone had a good laugh over that.
The boys then went up to their rooms to relax before going to bed, while Mr. Ken and Wayne talked.
The Estate Master told Mr. Ken how his son came to him and asked him to take him out driving, and why. Mr. Ken told the man that he was happy that Wayne had taken his son out, as Robert was probably right, as with the Holidays here, and Kate and her family, he might not have much time to take him out driving.
Wayne then told his boss how cautious Robert was with his driving that evening. Wayne added that it could have been because of them driving in the subdivision, as once they were out in the Four Corners area the teenager did drive more relaxed as the road was wider.
Wayne then told Mr. Ken about Phillip coming to him and Mr. Dennis and asking one of them to take him out shopping for Christmas presents for his mom and grandmother. He explained that they suggested to the youngster, that he talk to Momma Maria to get some ideas.
Wayne then mentioned that Phillip came back, and told them that Momma gave him some ideas and all he needed was a driver and that Dennis told him he’d take him out late Thursday morning.
Mr. Ken smiled that the young Cover had done that. He explained to Wayne that Phillip had asked him, but he had no idea what to buy the two women and had told him to ask them. Now Wayne knew why the boy came to him and Dennis. Mr. Ken was glad they had sent the boy to Momma, as she would definitely would know what a woman would want.
Wayne then told the owner of The Cove that Chief and Sarge got good health reports from their vet. He also told Mr. Ken that it appeared that Chief is holding at least seven pups but that it might be up to nine as the ultrasound was having a difficult time depicting whether or not there were another two pups in her womb or not. Wayne told his employer that the vet told them to plan on nine.
Mr. Ken was pleased with the report. Now he knew that when he went to the office tomorrow, he could stop and talk to the people who had indicated that they would like a puppy from Chief’s next litter and to see if they were still on board. He hoped to high heaven that they were, as he had no intentions of keeping another puppy around The Cove.
When ‘dad’ Ken went up to say good night to the boys he didn’t linger to talk with each of them as was his habit. He did stay a little longer in Bill’s room to tell him that they did settle with two radio and one television station earlier today and that there would be three more checks to be deposited on Saturday.
Bill was speechless that he would be getting another large sum of money all because of what his foster dad was able to do in conjunction with the law firm he uses. He couldn’t thank the man enough for all that he’s done for him ever since he brought him back to live at The Cove, after sending him away because someone had framed him.
“Dad’ Ken did share a hug with each of the boys and he told them all to have a good night’s sleep and that he’d see them in the morning. He also gave Chief some behind the ear scratches and for Sarge he gave the resident pet a belly rub.
After getting ready for bed, as he sat on the edge of his bed, Ken Thomas was happy that the week was almost over and that his fiancée would soon be there. Yes, he knew he had a few important issues to tend to during the rest of the week, and one of them was the Groups Christmas Party.
For that he was hopeful that he could convince Kate to accompany him, as there she could meet many of people that he works with, so she would know who they are as she would invariably come in contact with them after they get married.
Ken kept that thought on his mind as he turned off the lights in his big master bedroom and then crawled under the covers. It wasn’t long before the owner of The Cove was fast asleep as was everyone else in the home.
Wednesday morning Ken Thomas woke up refreshed and in a very joyful mood. He quickly got ready for his day and then he went out to the Kitchen Nook. Of course, Momma Maria had his favorite coffee cup and the hot coffee ready for when her employer appeared in the Nook and when Mr. Ken sat at his chair at the table the woman brought both over to him and poured that first cup of the hot brew for him.
Mr. Ken blew on the hot coffee before taking his first sip and, as he always did, he lifted the cup in salute to Momma for taking such good care of him. The man then went to unwrapping the morning newspaper and then he began reading from Section A, World News.
The clicking of Chief and Sarge’s paws on the floor tiles announced the arrival of the three youngest Cover boys. The boys said good morning the their ‘dad’ and Momma Maria and then Darrin and Matthew went right to fixing the resident pets’ first meal of the day. The two teens then washed their hands before sitting down to a Momma breakfast.
When the boys looked over to their ‘dad’ they saw that he sort of looked different. They didn’t know what it was that was changed about the man, but they could tell that there was something definitely different about the way he sat there reading the newspaper.
Phillip whispered to Matthew that he should ask their ‘dad what was different about him. But the teen told his younger ‘brother’ that he wasn’t going to do that and get into trouble with their ‘dad’ this close to Christmas. Darrin heard what Matthew said and he chuckled to himself.
The three Cover teenagers come down to breakfast about thirty minutes after their three younger ‘brothers’ head off to school. They all said good morning to their ‘dad’ and Momma Maria and the two resident pets.
As they ate their Momma breakfast, the teens noticed something different about their ‘dad’. He was humming to himself, which was something they never remember him ever doing in the morning. The teens whisper talked amongst themselves, wondering what was going on with their ‘dad’.
Charles told his ‘brothers’ the only thing that he could think of was that Ms. Kate would be there tomorrow and he was just happy that he’ll be seeing her again and that she will be here with him for the Holidays.
“I heard that,” said a smiling ‘dad’ Ken, as he put down the newspaper. “And, son, you’re right. I am very happy that Kate will be here tomorrow, and that she’ll be here with us for the Holidays. This will be one of the best Holidays on record for me. You can count on that!” And with that said, ‘dad’ Ken went right back to reading his paper.
The three teens looked at one another after what their ‘dad’ had said to them and then they all laughed. They then looked at the time, and hurried to finish eating their breakfast, as they had to leave for school soon.
When Darrin arrived at his school, his friends met him and they walked to the area that they claimed for themselves to hang out before the first bell. They all talked about what they were looking forward to during the next two and half weeks off from school.
Landon told the group he was looking forward to spending some time at The Cove, but with Darrin going to be gone so much he’ll now have to make other plans. All the boys laughed, but then they realized that they were all in that same boat.
It was Jody who asked Darrin, “Darr, tell us again why you’re going to be gone so much.”
“Well, you all know that I’m new at The Cove,” began the Cover teen, “and, my ‘brothers’ … they’ve told me so much about Mr. Ken’s amusement parks and that during the Holidays they always go to them.
“And this year, because he has five parks and my foster dad wants to be home one full day before his New Year’s Eve Party … we can’t do all five in one trip. And I am so looking forward to visiting all of Mr. Ken’s parks and riding all of those rides.
“That’s why we are doing two trips with us visiting three parks right after Christmas and the other two after the New Year. Plus, because Mr. Ken … you know he is having Holiday parties on Friday and Saturday this week, you guys … you can only stay until three on those days, as Mr. Ken wants us to relax some before the parties. Oh, and he wants us to take showers before we get dressed up in out suit pants, shirt and tie and either a red or green vest.”
The boys all laughed when the Cover told them that he’d have to take a shower before the Holiday party. It was Sam who then spoke up and told everyone that’s the way he remembers it being ever since Robert began living at The Cove.
He said that it might not have been all that busy, because Mr. Ken didn’t have five parks back then, but then again, the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion hadn’t been built yet, either, and all they had were the ramps they built.
The boys then began talking about the ramps that Sam and Terran helped build, along with their older brother and dads, but the first bell rang and the boys said that they’d have to finish that conversation during lunch, so Darrin could hear more about what happened at The Cove, before he came to live there.
At the office, Mr. Ken called Ben and asked him to come to his office. And once the President of TFE was there and the two men each had a fresh cup of coffee, they sat at his conversation pit and talked about Four Corners and its future.
The thing that the owner of the Four Corners Amusement Park had on his mind, that he wanted to talk Ben about, was the order of events that would dictate how they would be able to expand the amusement park next year.
Ken Thomas told Ben what he learned the previous day about the operations building delay until they actually owned the 8+ acres adjoining the Four Corners Amusement Park and they could get the drilling samples which would help them determine the type of foundation and when they could begin construction.
Mr. Ken wanted advice from Ben on how he felt they should proceed with the expansion of Four Corners. He asked the President of TFE if they should delay the installation of the new rides until the addition of the parking garage.
Ben was surprised at the cautious stance his boss was taking, but was glad he was at least seeking his advice and asking the right questions. The two men started with discussing the drilling samples and Mr. Ken asked if the samples from when they initially drilled where the Miniature Golf Course was could be used to determine the foundation requirements for the new property.
All Ben Walthers could say is they would need to talk to the architects and the engineer to see if they could extrapolate that data to the adjoining property to design the foundation for the new operations building. Mr. Ken suggested that they walk down and talk to them and start that conversation.
During lunch, Darrin asked Sam and Terran to tell him more about what they remembered when they were at The Cove. He told them that he was always interested in knowing what happened there, as the place was so interesting and had such history.
The two teens told the Cover that they weren’t at The Cove all that much until Kevin and Kyle came there to live. Then they told Darrin about Kyle’s broken arm and when Mr. Ken bought the big water toys for the cove. They told Darrin about the big sleepovers, the Holiday parties, when Mr. Ken built the Cove Skate Park and the Pavilion and many more little things that went on when they were at The Cove.
Darrin enjoyed hearing those stories, as it put a better perspective on the place where he now lived. He couldn’t believe people lived like that. He’d seen it shown in the movies and on television, but he never thought that he’d be exposed to what he has right now. The young Cover was thoroughly loving hearing what happened at The Cove.
After lunch, Ken Thomas and Ben Walthers continued their discussion about the future of the Four Corners Amusement Park. The architect and engineers told the owner of the park that they could engineer the ops building with a strengthened foundation, but it would cost the man. But as for the parking garage they told Mr. Ken they would have to have the drilling samples in order to properly site the supports for such a large structure.
Mr. Ken and Ben talked about the operations building and what it should contain. Ben argued that having the Development, Enhancement, Repair, and Restoration (DERR) Work Center, where the multiple shops – electrical, mechanical, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping could be found within the main ops building, wasn’t wise.
The President of TFE explained that with all of the volatile fluids, paints, lubrication oils along with gas for the mowers, trimmers and golf carts plus the chemicals for the lawns and plants was not a good idea to have all of that in the same building in case of an accidental spill or a fire. Ben stressed the safety factor of having a separate facility to house the DERR Work Center and to minimize collateral damage if there was an accident or fire.
Mr. Ken listened to what Ben had to say and then explained that he was wanting to reserve space for the employees parking back in the 1+ acres so there would be more parking for their guests. Ben argued that safety had to come first and that if they had to minimize the front parking, then so be it.
Mr. Ken pondered what the man he hired to run his amusement park had just told him. Ben had the experience and he knew he needed to follow his advice, even if it went contrary to his vision. So, the owner of the park looked to Ben and asked him what size building would he recommend for the DERR Work Center.
When the three younger Cover boys returned home from school that Wednesday, they were greeted by Chief and Sarge. The boys then went to the Kitchen Nook for their afterschool snack, and as they waited for Momma to get it for them, Darrin and Matthew got the resident pets some treats for them to enjoy, as well.
As the boys ate their snack, Phillip told his ‘brothers’ that tomorrow morning, Mr. Dennis was going to take him out shopping for Christmas presents, for his mom and grandmother. Matthew told his ‘brothers’ that he and ‘dad’ had to go to court on his mother’s parental rights hearing. The teen added that if she has them taken away, he hopes that Mr. Ken would then adopt him as he did Robert and Charles.
Momma was listening to the boys’ talk, as she always did, to learn what was happening at The Cove, and hearing what Matthew had to say was truly big news to her. She always knew that Matthew wanted to be adopted by Mr. Ken, but she never knew why he never did and now she understood the reason behind it.
Darrin wondered to himself if he could go with either of his ‘brothers’ tomorrow just to have something different to do instead of sitting around the house, until his friends came over. He figured he’d have to asked Mr. Ken later if that was possible.
The older teens came home very joyous that afternoon, and the two resident pets came looking for them. The teens talked about having no school for the next two and a half weeks as they ate their afterschool snacks. Of course, they got Chief and Sarge a treat out, so they could have something to eat, as they watched the Covers eat.
The older boys didn’t have anything to reveal, as the younger boys had earlier, so Momma was a little disappointed that she didn’t learn anything new from them. But she was happy to learn that Matthew could one day become Mr. Ken’s son, as Robert and Charles were.
Then as soon as Robert finished his snack, he went to the Study to see if either Mr. Wayne or Mr. Dennis would take him out driving. And this time Mr. Dennis took the newly permitted driver out.
When Ken Thomas arrived home it was then he learned that Mr. Dennis had taken Robert for a driving lesson. Again, he was happy that the guys did that for him, as he was mentally swamped with what was happening with the Four Cornersoperations building and parking garage.
Once in the Study, he told Wayne about the logistical problems of not yet owning the 8+ acres next to Four Corners and what delays it will mean to their expansion of the park. Wayne sat there,listening to his employer explain all the nuances of the drilling samples for the ops building foundation, and Ben’s desire for a separate building for the DERR Work Center. He also listened as he told how Ben was thinking long term, and wanting to add a sit-down restaurant in the park.
But Mr. Ken told the Estate Master that he was totally against that, as it would take space away from adding a ride somewhere that could entice people to come to the park. The man explained that there was the Four Corners Diner and Restaurant for people to eat at, if they were so inclined. All Wayne did was nod his head and continue to listen.
While the two men were talking, Darrin came to the Study and knocked at the doorframe.
“Mr. Ken … can I can talk to you about something?” began the teen, when he was asked into the Study.
When given the go ahead, the teen asked, “Mr. Ken … Phillip … he is going to go out Christmas shopping tomorrow morning with Mr. Dennis and I understand that Matthew … that he and you are going to the courthouse for something that has to do with his mother’s parental rights. Well, I was wondering if … well, I was wondering if I could maybe go with either Phillip and Mr. Dennis, or maybe with you and Matthew.
“The reason I am asking is so … well, so I won’t be sitting around the house all morning waiting for my friends to arrive. It would give me something different to do, as … well, I don’t really get away from The Cove all that often,” reasoned Darrin.
Mr. Ken looked over to Wayne and then at Darrin. “Well, Darrin … it would really be up to Mr. Dennis if you were to go along with them. And as for going with Matthew and I, well … the court hearing … it could be an all-day affair. It could be just as boring sitting in the courtroom, as it was when we were there last week.
“I have no problem with you doing either. So, I will leave it up to you to decide which you would rather do. Mr. Dennis will be back with Robert a little later and you can ask him then, or you can decide to go with Matthew and I. But if you go with us, you have to be dressed as you were last week when we were at the courthouse. OK?”
The teen thanked his foster dad for talking with him and giving him the option. He then told the man that he’d wait for Mr. Dennis and ask him if he could tag along. And with that the teen walked out of the Study.
Robert drove for an hour and when he and Mr. Dennis returned, Wayne went to Dennis and asked him if he wanted to stay for dinner. The man quickly accepted the invitation.
Darrin then went to the Assistant Estate Master and asked him if he could go along with him and Phillip, while he took his ‘brother’ out Christmas shopping. The teen explained that he doesn’t get out and away from The Cove all that much, other than going to school, and that he’d like to see what else it out there.
Mr. Dennis thought about it for a few moments and then told the teen that he had no problem with him going along. He did say that it could be boring, as they were looking at womanly things and nothing else.
Darrin replied that it might be better than going to the courthouse and listening to what is being said about Matthew’s mother’s parental rights. The two had a chuckle over that.
After dinner, ‘dad’ Ken talked to the boys about how busy The Cove and they would begin to be beginning tomorrow. He mentioned that Phillip would be going out and doing some Christmas shopping, and how he and Matthew would be going to the courthouse by nine o’clock. He then added that the staff Christmas would happen after he and Matthew return from the courthouse.
The man then mentioned to the young teen that he needed to be showered, dressed and down in the Kitchen Nook by seven-thirty for breakfast, so they could leave for the courthouse by eight-fifteen.
‘Dad’ Ken then added that Ms. Kate and her family should arrive around five o’clock and that Momma and her amiga would be preparing a nice Mexican meal for them, and hopefully their big ‘brother’ Collin would be there. He mentioned that Jessy would bunk in with Phillip and Rusty would bunk in with Matthew, as before.
Continuing, he told the boys that on Friday, he had the Groups Christmas Party beginning at twelve noon that he needed to attend and he hoped that Kate would go with him. He reminded the boys that their friends needed to leave by three on Friday and Saturday, because they needed to be rested, showered and dressed, before their guests arrived at six o’clock.
‘Dad’ Ken then mentioned that Sunday was Christmas Eve and that they would exchange their gag gifts later in the evening before going to bed, so Santa could deliver their Christmas presents.
Phillip quickly asked if their friends could come over that day. ‘Dad’ Ken said that they could, but they had to leave by five, or maybe sooner, as he had to see what time dinner would be that evening, and then later they would exchange their gag gifts.
‘Dad’ Ken then stated that on Christmas Day they wouldn’t go down to San Antonio for a big Christmas meal, as they would need to be home packing for their first park trip beginning Tuesday morning at o’dark thirty.
‘Dad’ Ken then asked if there were any questions, or additions, to what he just mentioned. And when he got none, he asked the boys to go up and relax before going to bed.
Mr. Ken, Wayne and Dennis talked for a few minutes about the upcoming days. The owner of The Cove asked his employees to be vigilant and on top of things, as they both knew how hectic the Holiday parties would be with so many moving parts.
Mr. Ken also thanked them for taking care of Robert’s need to drive and for Dennis taking Phillip out tomorrow to shop for Christmas presents for his mom and grandmother. He said that that was something that came out of the blue, and that he was glad they could help the youngster out.
The three men talked a little more, and it was then, that Wayne asked Mr. Ken if he had talked to the prospective adoptive puppy parents yet. Mr. Ken got this ‘deer in the headlights look’ and it then dawned on him that he had totally forgotten to talk to the men and women who had said that they were willing to take a puppy, when Chief had her litter.
So, he owned up and told the men that he had forgotten to do so, but that that he should probably wait until after the pups were born and he knows how many there are before he asks the question, and with the expense of the Holiday on their minds they might not want to commit right now. Wayne and Dennis agreed with his reasoning.
Before long, Mr. Ken decided it was time to go up and say good night to the boys. Wayne and Dennis then headed to their own homes.
There wasn’t much to say to the boys that night when ‘dad’ Ken went up to say good night to them. He did stay a little longer in Matthew’s room due to them both going to an important courthouse hearing in the morning.
He wanted to make sure the teen was prepared for whatever happened there as he couldn’t promise that his mother’s parental rights would be stripped away tomorrow or at a later date. ‘Dad’ Ken did want to assure the teen that he would still fight to make it happen, if it did not happen.
Once he was down in his own retreat and ready for bed, the owner of The Cove sat on the edge of his bed and thought about the day and what was on his schedule for tomorrow.
The courthouse hearing was upmost on his mind, particularly for what it meant for Matthew. He was hopeful that the judge would see that what Grace had done to her son was shameful and letting them get back together would be a very bad decision on his part.
The other item on his mind was that Kate would soon be there, and they could spend almost two weeks together. He was really looking forward to that time together, and that he would be able to show her to all of his important contacts, and for her to meet everyone that she would eventually need to know, as to who they were.
After he’d done all the thinking he wanted to do, Ken Thomas turned off the lights in his bedroom and then got under the covers and went to sleep. It wasn’t long before the entire household was fast asleep.
The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com
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