Published: 15 Oct 2026

From the Previous Chapter:

“Ladies and gentlemen, as many of you know, this is the third year that I am sponsoring a contest for the vocational students at the nearby high schools to compete against one another at building a Christmas decoration of my choosing.

“The first year I asked them to build a Toy Soldier, and last year I asked them to build a Christmas present. And, as you all had seen and had the opportunity to vote on this year’s decoration that I chose being the Gingerbread House.

“And now it is time that I announce the winner of the Gingerbread House competition that I sponsored this year. But before I announce the winners, how about we give all of these talented high school students a round of applause for their hard work and wonderful creations.

“I have in my hands the final count of the votes from my first two Holiday parties and from tonight’s voting, and thus the winner of the competition. What I am going to do is announce the 2^nd Place winner first. I need to build up some suspense, here don’t I. And, the Texas State Attorney General, Leo Henderson, and Senator, Marco Garcia, have both agreed to pass out the awards.

“OK. I know the students and their advisors are waiting on pins and needles, so let me open the envelope and announced the 2nd Place Runner-up. …

“And the winner of a $750.00 scholarship, to the vocational training school, or college, of their choice, for each and every member of the team is … Alvin York High School,” announced Ken Thomas. And, as he did all the guests applauded loudly.

The team’s teacher and lead builder approached the stage and the Attorney General handed them their 2^nd Place Plaque, while the State Senator presented them their trophy. Pictures were taken with the men and Mr. Thomas. Then, Mr. Ken invited the entire team to come up and have their picture taken with the three men.

After several pictures were taken and hands shook, Mr. Chris handed Mr. Ken the 1^st Place winner’s envelope and the 3^rd Place runner’s up envelope.

“Before I announce the 1^st Place winner, I want to tell you that all of the members of the 3^rd Place team in addition to a plaque and trophy will each receive a $500.00 scholarship, to the vocational training school, or college, of their choice.

“The 1^st Place team’s members will each receive, beside a personal trophy, a $1000.00 scholarship, to the vocational training school, or college, of their choice. They will also have possession of a Traveling Trophy that will stay with the winning school until next year’s competition.

“All of these boys and girls have done a tremendous job this year. And so, for the high schools to know, I’ll announce next year’s decoration contest as soon as school starts in the fall and that should give the schools vocational wings a good start on it.

“Now … let me open the envelope and tell you who the 1^st Place winner is. And the recipient of the $1000.00 scholarship for each and every team member is … … Blessed Water Academy High School.” announced Mr. Ken Thomas, the sponsor of the Gingerbread House competition.

The girls on the team screamed when they heard they’d won. The entire team rushed to the stage and surrounded the Attorney General, the Senator and Mr. Thomas. The applause was almost deafening inside The Cove when the overall winner was announced.

Senator Garcia handed the teacher/advisor the very tall Traveling Trophy, while the attorney general gave out the individual trophies and Mr. Ken gave them their certificates.

Pictures were taken with all three men and hands were shaken all around. And as they did that Archbishop Martinez came up the stage to also congratulate his team’s accomplishment and more pictures were taken with him in them.

The Archbishop then took the microphone from Mr. Ken, as he wanted to say something.

“Ladies and gentlemen … for those who do not know me, I am Edwardo Martinez, the Archbishop for the Catholic Churches in this area. I am new to the area … and I only met Mr. Thomas during one of his picnics this past summer.

“What I would like to say to everyone is … is that this man, Mr. Ken Thomas, that he has a heart of gold. He personally led the effort this summer to build a new vocational facility at the Blessed Water Academy High School. He not only provided for the building, but other local merchants and manufacturers joined him in totally outfitting the new facility.

“And now, tonight, this man … he has shown not only how much he cares and supports the vocational students in our area, by sponsoring this decorating contest, he also provides to them a prize that they can use to further their education in a vocational field of their choosing, or if they chose to go on to college.

“And now … I would ask all of you … to join me in offering a round of applause for what this man has done for these students, as well as the ones before them.” And with that said the Archbishop began to clap and was immediately joined by everyone in the Great Room that night.

Ken shook the archbishop’s hand and the two smiled at one another, and the archbishop handed over the microphone.

Now, with a smile on his face, Ken Thomas spoke into the microphone and said, “Ladies and gentlemen … let us not forget or minimize what the Buddy Holly High School team did. They too deserve to be recognized and receive their 3^rd place prize. Would those team members please come up to the stage and be acknowledged,” announced Mr. Ken.

The 3^rd Place team came forward to a very loud applause. The teacher accepted the Plaque from the senator while the attorney general handed him the trophy. The students each got their certificate from Mr. Ken and they all got to shake hands with all, three men. Pictures were then taken and when the ceremony was over the attorney general asked if he could say a few words.

“Archbishop, senator, ladies, gentlemen and students … what you saw here tonight … was one man’s way of continuing to contribute to the community that he lives in. Mr. Ken Thomas … he’s seen an opportunity to encourage vocational training in the local high schools … and … using his own initiative and money has created this competition. And with this being the third time he has done this competition I do believe he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.”

After the applause died down, the man continued. “And, we all know what Mr. Thomas has done with so many other worthwhile causes. He also sponsored the “Rally 4 Rodney” campaign as well as the “Stop Violence Against Students” movement six years ago. I understand they are still operating and doing a great job.

“And how many of you know that it was Mr. Ken who put up the money to build the Lakeside Water Park and personally pay to build and outfit the Lake Water Safety and Rescue Team Headquarters?

“And, I bet many of you don’t know this. Your host for tonight … he paid for the infrastructure out at Four Corners that has now grown in leaps and bounds and now there is a marina and a new amusement park there for all the people to enjoy.

“Your Mr. Ken is an asset to this community … and he leads by example. He had adopted two sons and he is also the foster dad to four more well deserving boys. And on top of all that he is now engaged to the very beautiful Kate Partlunds with a spring wedding being planned.

“I think we all owe Mr. Ken Thomas a huge round of applause for what he’s done for you and what he’ll most likely do for you in the future,” was how Attorney General Leo Henderson ended his little speech.

The crowd erupted in a spontaneous round of applause and those close to Mr. Ken began shaking his hand and patting him on his back. The photographer took many shots of the man and his well-wishers. It was then the band came back to resume their playing.

With the ceremonies completed, the students went up to their host for the night and personally thanked him for their scholarships. They told him how much their scholarships will help them their furthering their education.

By then Kate had come over to her fiancé and she heard all of the thanks the high school students gave her intended. She was over-the-top with pride for what Ken had done, and was doing for the high schools and the local community.

Archbishop Menendez came over to Ken and Kate and thanked him for his hospitality. The holy man told Ken that he hoped he didn’t do the unthinkable by taking the microphone and saying what he did.

The Archbishop then told the couple that he was going to leave as he had to get up and say mass in the morning. The three shook hands, and then the Archbishop blessed the couple before heading up the stairs and out to his vehicle.

Loads more people came over their host to congratulate him on his engagement and for continuing to sponsor the decoration contest for the local vocational high schools.

While all that was ongoing, the time didn’t slow down or stop and when the couple looked at the time it was now fifteen minutes to the New Year. So, they both grabbed a glass of champagne and headed out to the Patio where they would celebrate the New Year.

The Cover boys, and their honorary little ‘brothers’, all went looking for the couple and when they found them outside, they all hugged their ‘dad’ and future ‘mom’.

Inside the Great Room, as it got closer to the magic hour, the bandleader told everyone to charge their glasses and to find their special someone to share the dawn of a New Year. Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis also went looking for the Covers, so they all could share the midnight hour.

As midnight got closer, Mr. Ken saw that the champagne was ready for pouring and the glasses were ready, too. In the past, the host would walk around making sure the countdown would go as planned, and on time. But this time he allowed the caterer to perform that duty, as he shared the coming New Year with his intended and his boys out on the Patio.

The band leader was watching the official time on his tablet and when it was time he began the countdown.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and with that he yelled “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” and the band immediately had his bandmates play, Auld Lang Syne.

The people, there in the Great Room and the students and their dates out in the garage began to hug and kiss their significant other, spouse or date and then they began to sing:

People never get further than the first stanza and Chorus. They were never made to learn the entire song growing up, and even if they did, they’d stop then anyways as they’re more interested in kissing or getting kissed and then recharging their drink.

Ken and Kate weren’t any different than the couples were as they hugged one another and then shared a loving kiss. The two then hugged the boys while Rusty and Jessy hugged and kissed their mom.

Edith had also joined them out on the Patio and she was included in the hugs and kisses that were freely shared.

At the stroke of midnight, the barge, out in the middle of the lake, lit up its fireworks that Ken Thomas had contracted for. The twelve Covers, as well as Edith, Wayne and Dennis headed over to the Patio banister that the dock and they enjoyed the fireworks show together from there.

The high school students, teachers and dates saw the fireworks show from the top of the Parking Corral. It overlooked the lake and Patio and they had a straight on view of the event. The security guards, Sheriff’s Deputies and Police Explorers were up at the Main Gate, and they too had a grand view of the awesome fireworks display.

The fireworks show lasted a good thirty-five minutes and when it was over all of the guests applauded loudly. It was then, that people began to head out from the Party. Most of them sought out their host to thank him for a wonderful evening before heading home. That told Mr. Ken that he needed to get up to the Foyer to thank the rest of his guests for coming, so, he and Kate quickly went there.

The students and their teachers and dates again thanked him for inviting them to a very special New Year’s Eve Party. They hoped he would invite next year’s team to the same awesome experience.

It was just after 1 AM when the last guest left the house and headed to their vehicle. The caterer decided not to take down the tent. She knew she would be back at 1 PM to serve the leftovers from tonight’s menu to his New Year’s Day Swim Party.

Ken and Kate gathered all the boys together and thanked them for being such great kids. Kate thanked her boys big ‘brothers’ for watching over Rusty and Jessy and keeping them safe and also letting them enjoy the party, and of course the fireworks.

‘Dad’ Ken told the boys that it was very late and that they all needed to get to bed. He sent all of the boys up to their rooms and he told them that he’d be up there in less than five minutes.

Collin looked to his Big Bro with a smile and asked if that applied to him. The young man’s Big Bro smiled back at the college junior and told him, “Yes!” All of them laughed and then Collin headed up to where he was staying in Billy’s room.

Ken and Kate took a slow walk up the stairs and at the top Ken walked his fiancée to her room. The two hugged one another and they shared a kiss or two. After the kiss, as she put her hand on the diamond necklace she wore at the New Year’s Eve Party, Kate then thanked Ken for such a wonderful evening. She then gave him a light kiss and then went into her room.

‘Dad’ Ken did visit all of the boy’s bedrooms, but only Collin, Billy and Robert were still awake when he went to their doors. He told them to get a good night’s sleep and that he’d see them in the Nook later that morning.

The Covers fought to stay in bed for as long as they could, they all lost that effort.

Mr. Ken did get up later than was his usual wake up time, but it was still 8:25. He’d only gotten something like 6 ½ hours of sleep after his mind finally shut down and allowed him to sleep.

When he was fully awake, he did his usual bathroom visit to relieve the pressure in his bladder, brush his teeth, shave and shower and then he put on something comfortable that he’d want to be in when the boy’s friends and his other guests arrived for the New Year’s Day Swim.

The owner of The Cove then went outside to grab the morning newspaper before getting his first cup of coffee. Once back inside, Mr. Ken put the paper at his usual place at the Nook’s table and then he went to pour his first cup of the hot brew he loved to have every morning.

With the cup of very hot coffee in hand, Mr. Ken went over to his seat, sat down and began taking the newspaper out of the protective sleeve it came in every morning. With that done, he picked up the cup of coffee and blew across the top before taking his first sip.

Kate slept in until 9 AM. She got cleaned up before going down to the Kitchen Nook. When she arrived, she went right to her intended and gave him a kiss, which he readily gave back. She smiled at him and then went to get out a clean coffee cup, filled it up from the pot of fresh coffee Ken had made with his automatic coffee maker and then sat down.

“I love your coffee maker,” offered Kate, to the man she would marry in a few months, while he was reading his morning newspaper. It had been a slow night and all the paper was talking the owner of The Cove about was what the New Year should bring to the area in jobs and new businesses.

“Yes, that coffee maker has been a morning life-saver when Momma isn’t going to be here when we wake up,” replied Ken.

“Ken, I love the way you put on parties. That was my third one and it sure was the best one of them all. But you know what? I am very happy that they are all done for this Holiday. These last two weeks have been an eye-opener for me for sure, as it gave me a good idea of what I am getting myself into when I marry you,” offered a smiling Kate Partlunds.

Ken smiled as he put down his newspaper. He told Kate that those parties were the climax of all his yearly parties. He then told her that he holds a number of picnics during the summer and she only participated at the 4^th of July one. Her fiancé then mentioned that he also holds a Memorial Day and Labor Day picnic that many of the people who were at the last three parties will also attend, along with their families.

Kate smiled back at Ken and said with a smile, “Thanks for warning me.” The two then had a good laugh over that.

Edith and Collin came down about the time the couple were talking about the parties and picnics. They both went and got themselves their first cup of coffee, and then they joined the couple at the table.

The two newly arrived people at the table then started the conversation that centered around last night’s New Year’s Eve Party, and the people that Edith and Collin got to talk with.

Edith told her future son-in-law that she met many interesting people who have known him for at least five or six years. She went on to say they told her many stories about their host that she wasn’t fully aware of, like his saving a boy’s life when he was out on the lake, and that there had been another shootout at The Cove while he was away.

Ken smiled at the telling and he explained what happened on the lake when he helped save a teenager and then he told the woman, Kate and Collin about the second shooting at The Cove, while he and the boys were on one of their summer trips to visit all of his amusement parks.

The Cover boys and their two new little ‘brothers’ remained in their beds until their bladders won out. They all hurried to the bathrooms to relieve that pressure and then brush their teeth.

They discussed getting their showers and hoping they could go out for breakfast, or just going down to see what they could get from the freezer. The showers won out, with Rusty and Jessy having to wait their three old ‘brothers’ were finished.

It was 9:30 by the time all of the boys went downstairs. When they entered the Kitchen Nook, they saw their ‘dad’ was dressed for the day, and that he was talking with his fiancée, Edith and Collin.

“Dad, will you take us out for breakfast?” asked, Charles, the man’s son who always wanted to go out for breakfast any time he could convince his dad to do that.

“Dad … our friends … they aren’t coming over until twelve, so we have lots of time to go, eat and return,” added Charles.

“So, ‘dad’, will you?” simply asked Matthew.

‘Dad’ Ken smiled and told Charles, and thus the rest of the boys, that he already told them that they would be on their own for breakfast, and he wasn’t about to take them out to breakfast as it was close to ten o’clock and two hours would not be long enough to go, eat and return to meet their guests which were not only their friends.

The caterer arrived at 11:30. They had left their tent setup during the night, and all that was needed to be done now was setup their buffet and await the guests.

The day’s guests began arriving at 11:50. The Main Gate guard knew about the New Year’s Day Swim Party and was told to allow the people to park their cars inside the estate. As their friends arrived, they walked through the Foyer Door where Mr. Ken was waiting for them.

The Cove’s owner wished them all a Happy New Year and invited them into his home. And while the Cover’s friends were arriving, so were ‘Dad’ Ken’s special invited friends.

The first to arrive were Todd and his mother, Emma Foster. Mr. Ken warmly greeted the woman and told her that he was very happy that she accepted his invitation because they hadn’t seen or talked to one another in a very long time. The day’s host then introduced her to his fiancée, Kate and her mother, Edith.

Even though Emma wasn’t an older woman, she was happy to know that there were women that she would be able to talk with during the day. And she really wanted to talk with Kate about her wedding and other things womanly.

It wasn’t too long after the Foster’s arrived that Judy Turner and her son, Eric, arrived. And quickly on their heels was Mary Turner and her son, Ryan, a junior in college.

Ryan quickly went to his best friend, Collin, who was also a junior in college, and the two went somewhere to talk, while the adults made small talk, as the owner of The Cove waited for a few more invitees.

Jules Diamond and his new bride Eleanor arrived sometime after twelve, noon. Ken and Kate smiled at their arrival and they both greeted the newlywed couple to The Cove, with handshakes and hugs along with a wish for a Happy New Year.

And shortly behind them were Eleanor’s son, Drew, and his two sons, twelve-year-old Luke and almost eleven-year-old Toby. And before handshakes and hugs could be exchanged, the man’s sons asked if Rusty and Jessy were still there, so they would have someone around their age to swim with.

The adults all laughed, and Kate told the boys that her sons were probably already in the pool swimming and they should run there and get changed. But that comment caused the two young boys to hesitate to go to the Men’ Locker Room without their dad, as they weren’t used to changing in front of anyone but him.

Drew told them that he’d take them down there in a few moments, after he greets his host and his bride-to-be. He was also introduced to Edith, whom he hadn’t met back at Thanksgiving. Now there were two more women for the small group of ladies with which they could converse.

Drew did take his boys down to the locker room, so they could get into their swimsuits. He had them then go out to the lockers to place their clothes in and then slip the key band around their ankle, so they knew where it was.

Rusty and Jessy were now really happy that their two new friends had arrived and they could all swim in that great big pool. The four boys went to the beach entrance, where the water began at virtually nothing and sloped down to where it dropped off at four-feet. Drew told his sons to have fun, but not to go where they knew it was too deep for them.

Billy’s friends Brett, Lonnie, Gabriel (Gabe) and Jamie arrived around the time when his ‘brothers’ friend arrived. The four teenagers quickly changed into their swimsuits and got into the pool water and they got caught up with what they’d been doing ever since school let out for the Holidays.

The three lifeguards, Jordan, Gavin and Karson, intently watched the swimmers, as they haven’t had that many people in the pool for quite some time. And with the four youngest boys now in the pool, Jordan, the senior guard, assigned Karson to watch over them, while he also watched the boys in their immediate area.

With thirty plus boys swimming in the indoor pool the noise from all their frolicking, loud talking and other noises they made as they jumped off the rock ledge, did have a tendency to waffle into the Great Room, where the owner of The Cove and his guests were seated.

The adults were served cold soft drinks or beer that was left over from last night’s Party. The Cove’s owner told them to drink up, but not so they couldn’t drive home. Everyone had a laugh.

As the adults sat and talked, Mr. Ken told them that he had three lifeguards to watch over the indoor pool: He mentioned that senior guard Jordan, Gavin and Karson were on duty when the boys had their sleepovers and swam and knew the boys pretty well and how good a swimmer they were.

Kate was still a bit apprehensive about Jessy and his swimming ability. But Ken told her that he’d bet that one of the guards was watching over the four young boys to keep them safe from harm, and the older boys.

The main topic of discussion that afternoon was Kate and Ken’s upcoming wedding. The couple told everyone that they had selected the Saturday after Easter and that once Kate got the church and banquet hall arranged, they would send out the wedding invitations.

Emma Foster was enjoying the gab fest as there were women close to her age, which allowed her to be more relaxed in the group. That was one of the reasons she didn’t usually attend any of Mr. Ken’s parties, or picnics, because she didn’t feel there would be women she could relate with or to.

Edith loved the afternoon talk as there was Eleanor and Emma who were close to her age and that let her relax, as Emma had, because she was around women she could relate with.

One of the things that Ken wanted to broach with the small group of women and men, as Wayne and Dennis were also there, was what did they think about the Four Corners Amusement Park and his thoughts of building a five-story parking garage.

The mention of a parking garage caught most of the attendees off guard. That was besides Wayne and Dennis who knew that was what their employer wanted the 8+ acres next door lot for.

The discussion started off with them talking about the current shortage of parking at the park, and what would the parking garage do for them. Jules was the one who brought up the cost aspect and asked if it was going to be an asset to the park, or would it be an albatross that he would have a difficult time paying off.

Ken told the group that Jules had the right idea and what he needed was to get some discussion with people outside of the people he interacts with on a regular basis, to see if what he was thinking of doing was the right thing to do.

Ken Thomas told the group what the problems, besides the parking, were that included the expansion of the park and the building of an operations building, which he desperately needed because the main processes of the park are spread out. So, he asked them to brainstorm with him so he would know he made the right decision about the garage.

By two o’clock, Mr. Ken went out to the pool and mentioned to the gaggle of boys that the caterer was ready to serve last evening’s leftovers. He mentioned to them that they would love what was out there as she had roast beef, lean brisket, stuffed chicken breasts, as well as vegetables they all needed for their growing bodies.

The boys booed him, but they also laughed and thanked Mr. Ken for telling them about the food as they were hungry. There was a large throng of boys who hurried at the same time to go both locker rooms to change, as there were no girls swimming that day.

But there were four boys, Rusty, Luke, Toby and Jessy, who weren’t in such a hurry to change right then. And it wasn’t until Phillip came out of the locker room with his friends that he saw the four boys sitting around and he wondered why they weren’t in changing

The young Cover asked the boys why they weren’t changing and Luke told the Cover that they weren’t used to changing in front of anyone but their dad. Phillip knew exactly what the four young boys were going through. So, what he did was take all four into the Woman’s Locker Room and explain to them how they could change without being too embarrassed.

Toby began to complain that he would see them. But Phillip told them that he just turned eleven and he and his friends change in front of one another, and if they were going to be friends when Rusty and Jessy began to live there, they needed to get past this embarrassment.

Rusty told his two new friends that he and Jessy saw their older ‘brothers’ without their clothes on and that they didn’t care that they saw them. Jessy spoke up and added that their dangling parts were just bigger and Matthew had hairs above his. That made all five boys laugh.

Phillip them told them to put their shirts on and then place their underwear on the bench. When they had done that, he made them look at how long the shirts were and that when they did the next thing, they wouldn’t show one another what they had unless they hurried and fell over.

So, Phillip had them face the wall and then slip their swimsuit off and then put on their underwear. Toby almost fell over and the four boys began to giggle, but he recovered without falling over and when he put his underwear on, he laughed, too.

With the four young boys now standing in their underwear they all smiled at one another as they put on their pants, or shorts, their socks and then their shoes.

Phillip’s friends were out on the pool deck calling for him to hurry up. But the Cover called back that he was helping his ‘brothers’, and their friends, get over what they had to do many, many months ago.

The Cover’s friends waited for him and the four young boys, so they all could go out to get something to eat.

By that time, Drew came looking for Luke and Toby wondering why they didn’t come to get him to help them change. But he was surprised to see that they and Kate’s boys were already changed and heading out to the tent to get something to eat. He just shook his head and told himself that he’d have to talk to the boys later about how they changed.

While everyone was eating. Todd went over to Mr. Ken to ask if he could talk to him later. The owner of The Cove was curious as to why his Beach Master wanted to talk to him.

So, Mr. Ken pulled the teenage aside and after they had a short talk, he learned that Todd wanted to know if he could still work for him after he graduated. Todd told Mr. Ken that he plans to attend the local community college and if he could still work for him, while he did that it would greatly help him and his mother.

Ken pulled the teen to him and hugged him and told the teenager that he would have no problem with him doing that. The man mentioned that he now didn’t have to figure out who would replace him, when he went off to college. The two smiled at one another and this time Todd hugged Mr. Ken, before going over to his mom to tell her the good news.

Kate was interested as to why Todd needed to talk to him. She was relieved to hear that it wasn’t anything serious, and that her fiancé would have a trusted employee for at least the next two and a half years.

Everyone was enjoying what was left over from last evening’s New Year’s Eve Party. The adults especially loved the roast beef and the brisket, while the boys ate what was left of the roast beef, and the lean brisket, as well as the stuffed chicken breasts.

Most of the invitees ate the meats versus putting vegetables on their plate. Of course, Kate and Drew made their own boys eat a few green beans and some salad. Of course, the boys complained that none of the other boys had to eat some salad and the green beans, making both parents smile back at them and then inwardly laugh as they walked away.

There was no real rush for the people to leave and after the boys ate, they all went back swimming. The four younger boys waited until the Women’s Locker Room was empty and then they went in and did the reverse of what Phillip had them do earlier. They all had big smiles on their faces when exited to place their clothes in the lockers.

The adults talked some more, while the boys swam, but they didn’t talk about the amusement park. They talked about when Kate and her boys would move into the house. They also asked Edith if she was going to move into the area.

Edith was caught off guard with that question and she told them honestly that she hadn’t thought about doing that. She mentioned that she is settled where she is and either she or her daughter will have to visit the other. No one had any argument with her reasoning.

It was Drew who mentioned that the four boys had changed together before going out to eat. He explained that when he went looking for Luke and Toby, he was surprised that they had found a way to change together.

Kate was surprised that her sons had done that, as well, and she made a mental note to talk to the boys at some time what that was all about.

As the day moved on the adults decided to go out to the pool area to see what the boys were doing. When they got there, they saw that the lifeguards had gotten the boys to play a few of the games that were devised back when Russell was a lifeguard there.

The walking backwards game was in progress and they laughed as much as the boys did when the person walking backwards went off course and their teammates were trying to get him back on course.

When that game was over, the guards asked the boys to jump off the rock ledge to see who could make the biggest splash. Everyone got in line, including Luke, Rusty, Toby and Jessy. Kate was surprised that her boys would do something like that. Drew wasn’t too concerned because his boys were a bit older.

As the boys jumped off and made their splash, the boys all applauded. Then, when it was time for the four youngest to jump, everyone watched to see what they would do. Luke was the oldest and he didn’t hesitate. Rusty and Toby were both going on ten-years-old at the time and they did Rock-Paper-Scissors to see who would go first. Rusty lost and he had to jump.

Kate watched as her son, Rusty stood at the end of the rock kedge and looked down. All of the boys kept yelling to him to jump. But he wouldn’t. Phillip went up to his younger ‘brother’ and told him to sit down and then push off as it wouldn’t look as high that way.

Rusty did what his older ‘brother’ suggested and sat down on the ledge. He then looked over to his mother and without fanfare he slipped off and made a small splash. But when he came to the surface the boys were all clapping and whistling that he’d done it. Rusty got out of the water with a big smile on his face, and he went to his mother who hugged the wet boy to tell him how proud she was of him.

Now it was Toby’s turn. The youngster felt everyone was looking at him and as he got to the ledge end, he too sat down and then pushed off. He didn’t receive as big as applause as Rusty had, but his dad was just as proud of him as Kate was of Rusty.

The last jumper was going to be Jessy. He was truly scared to jump. But Phillip was still up on the jumping rock with him and he told the boy to sit down on the edge and that he would too and that they would jump together.

Jessy was still scared to do that, but he felt that if he jumped holding-hands with Phillip he’d be OK. So, the two boys sat on the edge and Jessy grabbed for Phillip’s hand and on the count of three the two fell off the ledge end.

Jessy let out a mild scream as he fell, but it didn’t last long as he was in the water before he knew it. When he and Phillip came to the top of the water, everyone was clapping and laughing at the same time, because to them Jessy was funny, but at the same time, he was brave.

Jessy went to his mom and asked her if she saw him jump. Kate hugged her second son and told him how brave he was to do that. She then had both sons within her grasp and he was hugging them.

The New Year’s Day Swim ended a little after six that Sunday evening. The invitees host thanked everyone for coming and enjoying themselves. He also thanked the adults for their counsel on his desire to build a parking garage at Four Corners.

As Todd was leaving with his mother, Emma, he told Mr. Ken that he’d be over tomorrow about nine o’clock and that he’d take good care of the resident pets. Sarge was there and he bugged the teenager for a belly rub, which the teen readily gave, putting a smile on the teen’s mother’s face as her son, who always wanted a dog, got to take care of his boss’s two pets for a few more days.

Drew thanked his host for allowing him and his two boys to be there, and have some fun before going back to school the following Monday. Kate told Drew that when her boys are there forever, his boys would be warmly welcomed as the four seem to have made a good friendship.

After everyone had thanked their host for having them over and departed The Cove, Ken and Kate told those remaining that they needed to get a quick bite to eat and then they had to go upstairs and pack for tomorrow’s trip.

There were still some brisket and chicken breasts left over from the caterer, so Edith helped her daughter heat them up and making sure everyone had something to eat, as that would be their last good meal until they load onto the airplanes tomorrow.

It was almost nine o’clock when ‘dad’ Ken called a quick meeting. He told who was flying with Collin tomorrow and then the rest would be with him. He reminded everyone that they were stopping at Edgewood first and then when they visit Crystal Lake Kate and her family would remain, as they would fly home on Thursday.

‘Dad’ Ken reminded them that even if it rains, they will be returning on Thursday since he and Darrin have an appointment with the judge on Friday. He then told everyone to get to bed as o’dark thirty came awfully early.

Ken walked Kate up to her room and the two shared a few hugs and kisses before Kate told her fiancé good night. The man then headed to the individual bedrooms to say good night to the boys.

In Bill’s room he said good night to both Bill and Collin and he shared a hug with both. But Bill watched as his foster dad’s hug with Collin latest a bit longer than the one he had with the man.

In Robert’s, Charles and Matthew’s rooms ’dad’ Ken said good night to the teenagers and Rusty and told them to get some sleep. He hugged each one before leaving their bedroom, and then he headed to Phillip’s room where Jessy was spending his last night of his trip.

The man heard the two playing on their guitars and it seemed like Jessy was picking up the instrument quite well. The man told them both to put the device down, drain their dragons and then get to . He hugged them both and sent them on their way.

In Darrin’s room the teen told his foster dad that he really wasn’t looking forward to their court date on Friday. He asked Mr. Ken if there was any way to stall him having to go and live with the uncle he doesn’t know and who doesn’t have much money.

‘Dad’ Ken hugged the teenager and reminded him that the charter of the DPS system was to reunite families, even if they are only aunts and uncles. The man explained that they will have to see if his uncle even shows up and what the judge has to say in his staying or going.

Ken Thomas hugged Darrin who had some tears in his eyes and he asked him to try to be strong and hope and pray for the best.

It had been a long day for the owner of The Cove. When he got to his own retreat, he quickly did what was necessary to get ready for bed and then he sat on the edge of that king-sized rest place to contemplate what was going to happen to him and his ‘family’.

He wasn’t looking forward to the next few days, as he will be leaving his intended back at her home. He was thinking about their upcoming marriage, but now he needed to decide where they would spend their honeymoon. He thought that he would ask her where she might want to go before he decides for them both.

Ken Thomas laughed at that last thought, because he knew Kate would tell him that it was his decision. And while still smiling the owner of The Cove turned off the light and then slipped under the covers and tried to fall asleep.

With the anticipation of that being their last trip of the Holiday, it took longer for many of the people in the house to fall asleep. But before long the household was quiet and everyone was fast asleep and The Cove was peaceful and 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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