Published: 14 Dec 2023
From The Previous Chapter:
Big Bro Ken said his goodnights to Collin before he went downstairs to his own retreat. Collin again thanked him for making the appointment for him with Doctor Doug. The two shared a hug, and as Mr. Ken walked out of the bedroom suite, Chief came walking down the hallway. He laughed as Collin would have a guest staying with him that night.
Mr. Ken was a happy man that Collin was in the house. His first foster son had had a rough life and he has made a great recovery from what those men did to him. But the loss of his Grammy caused a big void to occur inside of him. He was very hopeful that Doctor Doug would be able to show the young man a way towards a mental balance, and to focus on his future.
The Covers all slept well that night now that Collin was with them.
Ken Thomas got up at his usual school day time, did his bathroom routine, dressed in his t-shirt, nylon shorts and Crocs, and headed out to the Kitchen Nook to read his morning newspaper, while the three youngest Cove boys got themselves ready for school, and then down for a Momma Maria breakfast.
The owner of The Cove was surprised when Collin came into the Nook. The man thought that the college boy, err man, would have enjoyed sleeping in.
“Good morning, “Lil Bro’,” offered Big Bro Ken.
“Good morning, Bro,” returned Collin, who then sat down at the table and, as soon as he did, Momma Maria brought him over a cup of hot coffee. The young man smiled at the woman who then asked him what he’d like for breakfast. Collin told her to fix him whatever she was fixing for his ‘brothers’.
Momma smiled at the reply, and went over to the prep table and started to make some additional breakfast foods, so Collin could eat.
When Phillip came into the Kitchen Nook, he hugged Chief, scratched behind her ears while telling her he missed her last night. The boy then went over and rinsed out the resident pet’s two bowls and fixed the resident pet fresh kibble and water. The youngster then washed his hands and sat down at the breakfast table.
The boys talked with Collin and their ‘dad’, while they waited for Momma to set their breakfast down in front of them. When the woman did that, the conversation at the table practically ceased. When the younger boys finished their breakfast, they said goodbye to their ‘dad’ and Collin, and then headed up the rise to catch the school bus.
Collin thanked Momma for the best breakfast he’s had in the longest time. The woman smiled as she refilled his coffee cup. The young man then asked his Big Bro when he wanted to review the latest plan of the redesign of Wilkinson.
Mr. Ken said he’d wait until the other two boys ate their breakfast, and were out of the house. He told Collin he probably should take that time to get ready for his day, so he doesn’t have to hurry to get to his appointment. The college student thought about the suggestion for a few seconds, and then decided it was a good idea and headed up to his room to get showered and dressed for the day.
Billy and Robert came into the Kitchen Nook and said good morning to their ‘dad’ and told him they saw Collin, as they came down the stairs. The man smiled back and it was then that Momma Maria placed their breakfast in front of the two teenagers.
Between bites, Robert asked his dad what was Collin doing up so early. The teen said he thought that his older ‘brother’ would want to sleep in. The teen’s dad said that when you’re used to getting up at a certain time every day that it was difficult to change overnight. The teen went back to eating his breakfast.
When Billy and Robert had finished their meal, they both thanked Momma for fixing them their breakfast, they then washed their hands, then said goodbye to their ‘dad’. They then headed up the rise to catch the school bus, just outside the Main Gate.
Mr. Ken knew Collin would want him to review the Wilkinson blueprints with him, so he headed to his own retreat to get ready for his day, so when Collin left to go Doctor Doug’s, he’d head off to the office.
Collin was waiting in the Study with Wayne and Chris when Mr. Ken came in. The man smiled when he saw the three men sitting in his Study talking and looking at the blueprints.
“Good morning, boss,” offered Mr. Chris. “The caterer is all set for tomorrow and should be here by ten to begin setting up. I do have the 4th of July invitations ready to send out to the local residents as well as the wrist bands. We just need to figure out when and how we intend to pass them out,” finished the Estate Manager.
“Good work, Chris. Let me ask you, are the transportation and accommodation arrangements made for our trip? Remember, Ms. Judy … she is going and she will need a separate room, and she will not have any of the boys staying with her. And she’ll only be with us for the first five days. Also, did you reserve a separate room for the older boys, as we’ve had the past two times?
“And Dan, I’m going to ask him to stay here at The Cove beginning next Thursday, and he’ll be Chief’s companion during that time until Ms. Judy returns to take her home with her. Oh, if Dan works days, you’ll be here with Chief to keep her company. Dan will then catch up with us and he’ll be staying with us for the remainder of the trip,” finished Mr. Ken.
“Whose staying with Chief if Dan works nights?” asked Chris.
“Well, I guess she’s on her own, then. If that’s the case, just make sure she has fresh kibble and water before you leave, Chris,” answered the owner of The Cove.
“Bro … can I join you guys when you go visit your amusement parks?” asked Collin, from out of the blue. “I can make my own arrangements, just as I have when I joined you the past two years. And the boys … some of them can stay in my room, too,” offered Collin, in the hopes that his Big Bro would allow him to come along on their trip to all five amusement parks.
“Whoa, Collin … I thought you were going to visit your manufacturing plants,” asked Collin’s Big Bro.
“Yea, I was, but I’d rather do something more fun than talk to a bunch of plant managers who can’t care less that I own the plants, but can’t yet make any decisions about the places. Come on, Bro. Let me go along with my ‘brothers’. I can have my travel people get with Mr. Chris to find out the particulars, and they can change my transportation and hotel arrangements. What do you say Bro?” somewhat pleaded Collin.
“Hmmm, let me think this through, Collin. OK? I don’t see a problem on the surface, but I still need to think about this some, before I agree. In the meantime, let’s look at the plans. You have an appointment at eleven, and I need to get to the office,” offered the young man’s Big Bro.
Mr. Ken liked what he saw about the Wilkinson redesign plans, but he made a few suggestions that he told Collin to think about. The young man’s Big Bro explained that after living in his big house for more than five years, he’s seen where he could have made some changes, but at the time he didn’t realize he’d want, or even need, to do them. Collin wrote the suggested changes down and told his Big Bro he’d think about them.
When it came time for Collin to head to Doctor Doug’s, he excused himself and headed off to his appointment. Mr. Ken also headed off to his office and, before doing so, he told Chris to expect a phone call from the travel people at Wilkinson. Chris and Wayne both smiled knowing that their boss would have eventually let Collin join them on their amusement park trip.
Collin and Doctor Doug Jennings had a good discussion during the appointment. They then went to lunch together, and their talk continued there. Collin was happy the doctor did that for him. He needed someone he truly trusted to talk with about losing his Grammy, and now being all alone. Doctor Doug reminded him that he had his Big Bro he could rely on. But Collin disputed that because his Big Brother now had five other boys, he now took care of, two of which were now his sons, and he didn’t have the time to be there for him.
Hearing what Collin just said to him told Doctor Doug a whole lot about what the young man was mentally experiencing. He told himself that he needed to get Ken Thomas aside tomorrow, at the Picnic, and casually mention to him that his first foster son is in need of some TLC. The doctor also felt that the man may be needing to do one, or two, of those private talks in his Theater chair to give the young man some feeling of ‘family’, something that he desperately needs right now.
Collin returned to The Cove upbeat. Wayne saw it immediately and he was happy for the young man. The Estate Master sat down with the college student and he and Mr. Dennis filled him in on what was happening around The Cove.
Collin was surprised to hear that Chief was possibly on her way to having her first litter of puppies. Collin wanted to know more and Wayne told him about Sully and their rendezvous during the mornings at The Cove. Collin laughed at what the resident pet was doing during those romps on the estate. He was also scratching behind her ears as he did.
Wayne also told him about Phillip and how he came to live with them. Dennis jumped in and told him about their trip to get the boys clothes. and then being followed by some gang bangers, as they traveled back to The Cove. The man then told how Lieutenant Fischer got involved and made a few calls and the Sheriff Deputies pulled them over for not using their turn signals, and then ultimately arresting them for carrying illegal guns.
Wayne then told Collin how Phillip was holding a gun for a Rafael Ruiz, and it was his henchmen who were following them. The Estate Master then told how Rafael and two more of his men were at the Easter Egg Roll, and that Phillip recognized him. Wayne then continued the story about how the security guards apprehended the two henchmen and, with the Sheriff’s Deputies, helped put Rafael in handcuffs.
Dennis told the young man about their taking the boys out shooting. That piqued the young college student’s interest, and he asked if he could go out shooting with them the next time they did go. Dennis looked to Wayne to see what he would say. All Wayne said was that if he was there that he didn’t see any reason why he couldn’t go. That put a big smile on Collin’s face.
The two men took the rest of the afternoon to tell Collin about what was happening around the estate, and what was planned for the summer. They told him how Billy was using the Taurus to learn how to drive. Collin was surprised that the 2000 Taurus was still there. He asked how soon the teenager would get his license. Mr. Wayne told him that sometime in the middle of July the teenager should be ready to take his driving test.
The three were still talking in the conversation area between the Pavilion and the Cove Skate Park, when the three younger Cove boys came home from school. Charles, Matthew and Phillip saw the three sitting there, and they headed over there before going into the house. Mr. Wayne warned them not to delay too long or else Momma would get the ‘spoon’ out after them. Everyone had a big laugh. They then had to tell Mr. Dennis what getting the ‘spoon’ out meant.
Collin decided to accompany his ‘brothers’ down to the house and have some of Momma’s afterschool snacks with them. He knew they all liked being around him, and he wanted to know more about what they were into. He also wanted to spend some time with Phillip, if he could get him away from his other ‘brothers’.
When the boys finished their snack, the boys headed up to their rooms to do any homework they had, and Collin took advantage of that time to go to Phillip’s room to talk to him about his time with Mr. Ken.
Phillip immediately asked him why he was living with Mr. Ken. Collin told him all about his parents being killed in front of him, and then being kidnapped. The young man didn’t tell the boy about his torture, but he did tell him about his swimming to the lights, and how Chief found him out on the Patio during the storm.
Collin then told the youngest Cover about how his Big Bro nurtured him to good health and then treated him more like they were big and little brothers. The college student told Phillip about the trips he took, the parties at The Cove, his best friend Ryan and how Eric became his and Ryan’s ‘little brother’. Phillip now understood how Eric was a Cover.
Collin gave Phillip a condensed version of his time at The Cove, and for Phillip, it helped him understand that his ‘dad’, Mr. Ken, had been doing this for a very long time, and he now appreciated he was given a special opportunity at being a Cover.
When Billy and Robert came home from school, they sought out Collin. They wanted him to have an afterschool snack with them. But he told them that he’d already eaten some with their ‘brothers’, but he would sit and talk with them as they had theirs.
Dinner that night was another special one in honor of Collin being ‘home’. Momma first served a garden salad, with four different home-made salad dressings for the Covers to choose from. Momma then served a fall apart pot roast with carrots, red skinned potatoes, corn, green beans, French bread rolls with butter and a gravy to die for.
For dessert Momma Maria made her own recipe of a New York cheesecake that was sinfully rich, dense, and oh-so-decadent! She also had sweetened strawberries and whipped cream for toppings the Covers could add, if they so desired. They all did.
When Collin walked away from the dinner table that night, he was so full he just wanted to lie down. But he went over to Momma Maria and hugged her tight for making him, them, another awesome meal that night. Momma just smiled and giggled like a little girl.
The Covers walked to the Study, where they had their usual meeting. There Mr. Ken reminded the boys that they all needed to be up, fed, showered and dressed in nice school clothes by ten thirty in the morning. He reminded them to leave one of the six-seat golf carts at the house for him, if they decided to go up to the Pavilion before Owen, Nathan and their boys arrived. The boys all laughed.
‘Dad’ Ken asked the boys to talk to all of their guests, and if they didn’t know who they were they were to go up to them and introduce themselves, and welcome them to The Cove.
When Mr. Ken finished talking, Phillip raised his hand and asked, “Do we … do we have to?”
The boy’s ‘brothers’ laughed, but Collin told them, “Hush, if he isn’t used to meeting strangers this can be very intimidating to someone like him. Phillip, I haven’t met most of my Big Bro’s friends, either, so you come and find me, and we’ll both go up and meet all these new people together, OK?”
Hearing what Collin said put a big smile on Phillip’s face. Even ‘dad’ Ken smiled at Collin’s taking that ‘bull’ by the horns, and essentially putting the rest of the boys in their place. But the man knew he needed to say something, so he told the boys that they all will probably see a few new faces there tomorrow, and it might be easier if they go up to them in pairs and introduce themselves, like Collin and Phillip will do.
When the meeting ended, the boys asked if they could go swimming. They said they rarely get to swim anymore and now, with Collin there, it would be fun if they all swam for a few hours. Collin said that he’d like to swim, and he reminded his Big Bro that they used to swim a lot when he lived there. Mr. Ken got the hint and told them that he would be down there in a few minutes. Mr. Wayne begged off by saying he had laundry to do.
The Covers swam until eleven o’clock. They played a few of the games the lifeguards had devised, jumped off the rock ledge to see who could make the biggest splash, and they just swam and talked to catch up. But eventually ‘dad’ Ken made them all get out, change and get off to bed.
Phillip was a bit concerned about changing in the locker room with all his ‘brothers’ and especially his ‘dad’ and Collin. But when those two men headed up to their bedrooms to change, the youngest Cover didn’t feel he would be as embarrassed, and he just changed as he and his friends do, putting on his shirt and then facing the wall before dropping his swimsuit.
Philip’s ‘brothers’ saw what he’d done, but they didn’t say anything. They all knew that was what the younger boys usually did, and they figured he would eventually not be too embarrassed to let others see him naked.
Matthew took all of the swimsuits to the dryer. It was Robert who went up and got his dad’s and Collin’s swimsuits to add to it, so all of their bathing suits and towels would be dry the next time they decided to use them.
‘Dad’ Ken did go up and say goodnight to all the boys, but he didn’t linger. They were all tired from their swim, and they all had a good talk as they swam, so there was nothing more to talk about. Collin enjoyed that his Big Brother stopped by his room to say goodnight. The young man didn’t have anyone remaining in his immediate family, and this small gesture meant a whole lot to him.
Ken Thomas knew that Collin needed him in his life right now, knowing that his Grammy was gone. The man told himself that he would do as much as he could for him, as long as it doesn’t interfere with his taking care of his sons and foster sons.
The two hugged, as the Big Bro was saying his goodnight. The man could see the tears forming in his ‘little bros’ eyes and he hoped that Collin’s talk with Doctor Doug helped him put some perspective on how to deal with his new life’s direction.
As Ken Thomas walked down the stairs to his own retreat, he passed Chief as she was coming up those same stairs. He stopped to see which way she would turn. He bet she would go to Collin’s room and she did. Chief loved that boy and, any time he was there, she would gravitate to him.
As the owner of The Cove got ready for bed, he knew tomorrow marked the beginning of the summer for him and his ‘boys’. The Picnic was his way of renewing his contacts and hopefully making new ones and giving his friends an opportunity to network themselves if they were looking for a better job or way of life.
After a late evening of swimming, all of the Covers slept very well that Friday night.
Ken Thomas got up earlier than he usually would that Saturday. He wanted to have some time to read his morning newspaper, before the day ruled his time. He did his usual morning ablutions, dressed in his typical morning gear and then went out to get his morning newspaper.
His coffee was ready, hot and waiting for him when he entered the Kitchen Nook. All he needed to do was take his cup out of the cupboard, fill it and then take it over to the kitchen table. Then he took out the fourteen breakfast tacos from the refrigerator that he had put in there last night before he went swimming with the boys.
‘Dad’ Ken knew the boys would want something to eat when they came down before getting ready for the long day ahead of them. He only took out two tacos for each of them, as he didn’t want to over fill their stomachs, knowing what the caterer would have ready by one o’clock for all of his guests and of course the boys to eat.
Satisfied that he had everything being heated, Mr. Ken finally sat down to read his newspaper. He took it out of its protective sleeve and broke up it into its sections, as he was prone to do. When he was ready, he took the front page and staring at him was the headline:
HOME INVADERS SENTENCED
75 YEARS EACH – PAROLE IN 40
Ken Thomas whistled when he saw the headline and then he quickly read the article. With Collin’s arrival, the man had totally forgotten that Bennett Grafflers and Weston Thrumble were to be sentenced yesterday. The article went on to say what the judge ordered the two convicted felons to spend for their multiple charges stemming from the home invasion of last summer.
As he was reading the article, the boys began to filter into the Nook. They could smell the breakfast tacos heating, so they got themselves something to drink with them, when the timer sounded. ‘Dad’ Ken told them that there were only two tacos each because there would be the brisket, pulled pork, chicken breasts, baked beans, and all the other picnic type foods for them to eat later, and he wanted them to eat lots of that.
While the boys were eating, Mr. Ken told Billy that Grafflers and Thrumble were sentenced to 75-years in prison, with the chance of parole in forty. Collin asked them to remind him what that was all about. Billy spoke up and told him about the home invasion at the Goldersons, where he was living, at the time, because his former friend had planted drugs in his room, and Mr. Ken had sent him away.
Collin said that he now remembered. He then asked Billy what had happened to his former friend. Billy told Collin that Kaden, the name of his former friend, was sent to juvenile court, where the judge sentenced him to probation, until he was nineteen, that he had to get good grades in school, be drug tested, get a job and pay the Goldersons $1000.00 to help pay for the repairs to their home and report to his probation officer. The Cover teen chuckled as he added that if he fails to do any of that he’ll be sent to juvenile prison.
Robert and Charles added their own take on what Kaden got and they both agreed that it wasn’t enough for what Billy had to endure from those three men, who had invaded the Goldersons home.
But before Collin could ask more questions about the home invasion, Mr. Ken asked Collin to talk to Bill later and get the full unadulterated story. The man then told the boys they all needed to get upstairs and get showered and dressed for the day. He also reminded them that their guests would be there between ten and eleven and they wouldn’t have time to get ready after that.
Looking at the time, all the Covers, Mr. Ken included, headed to their respective areas to get cleaned up for the day. Phillip still used his bathroom, but he was no longer embarrassed to walk down the hallway in his underwear. And he did remember to use the deodorant, after his shower, that Mr. Ken had continued to buy for him.
The Covers were all dressed and downstairs by 10:30 and sitting in the Study with Mr. Ken. They could see from the room that the caterer had already arrived and had begun to set up on the new concrete pad. They also saw they did move the conversation area over by the new storage garage, so that way they would have more serving space available to them on the new concrete pad.
Just then the phone on Mr. Ken’s desk rang. It was the security guard at the Main Gate telling him that Owen, Nathan and their boys had just arrived, and were being signed in.
In a few minutes, the Cover’s weekend guests were at the Foyer Door and the Covers were there to greet them. After the greetings were done and everyone met Phillip, Mr. Ken asked his guests to take their things up to the appropriate room, then to come on down and they’d all head up to the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion and catch up on what they’d all been doing.
It was when they were all ready to head out to jump into the golf carts and head up to the Pavilion, that Mr. Ken’s desk phone rang. The man excused himself to answer the phone call to see who it could be. It was Sylvia Parchsons, Kevin and Kyle’s aunt, with whom they now lived.
“Hello, Sylvia, is there anything wrong with the twins? We haven’t talked in so long, which is why I asked,” quickly got out Mr. Ken.
“Yes, yes, Ken, they are doing very well. And … and I am sorry for us not calling more often, but … well, you know we … we were trying to keep their focus on our family, and … well, you understand,” offered Sylvia Parchsons.
“Anyway, Ken … the reason I called was that the boys … Kevin and Kyle, they asked Reynolds and I if … if they could go and visit their mom, and … and they also want to visit their … their ‘brothers’. That is why I am calling. Ken … can … is there a way that we can visit sometime after school is out?” Sylvia wanted to know.
“Yes, there is and we’d all be happy to see the boys again. And as for you and them coming right after school is out, well, that won’t really work for us. You see, I’m taking the boys on a ten to twelve-day trip as soon as school is done for the year here.
“We actually leave that Saturday, as soon as school is over, and …and I don’t expect us to be back until around the fifteenth of June. Talk to Kevin and Kyle. They know about my taking the boys to visit my amusement parks, and now that I bought another one, well the trip will be a bit longer. This time around.
“How long do you think your trip would be when you come out this way, Sylvia?” Mr. Ken asked the twin’s aunt.
“Well, we figured we’d need at least about a week, to maybe ten-days. We, Reynolds and I, we also want to show our other children some of the area, while we’re there. We’d like to go down to San Antonio and show them the Alamo and the Riverwalk. Why do you ask?” Sylvia wanted to know.
“Well, I put on a 4th of July Carnival for my local community, the twins can tell you about it. And, I do have a guest cottage that you and your family are welcome to use. It would save you a lot of money, if you do. Oh, have you found out where Vivian is housed? You know, you can’t just walk in and ask to see her. There is a protocol the State has, so I recommend you first find out where she is, and what the State requires.
“Sylvia … I know from experience, as two of my ‘boys’ … they have their moms in prison. And in order for the twins to visit their mom they will have to have either you, or Reynolds, with them when they go and visit her. And, I’m sorry to say, that you will also need to plan a good part of the day to drive there, and go through their security,” advised Ken Thomas.
“Thank you, Ken. I am now glad that I called. It does sound like I need to do my homework before we can even make our plans for the boys to visit their mother. But you are sure it is OK with us staying with you, when we finally decide to come back to Texas?” Sylvia wanted to clarify, before they completed their call.
“Yes, Sylvia, I have the space. The cottage has an open floor plan with a kitchenette, a master bedroom and a loft for sleeping. The twins can use one of the open bedrooms in the house. I’m sure they’d want to do that, so they can catch up with their ‘brothers’.
“By the way, the 4th of July … it’s on a Tuesday this year. So, if you can get everything worked out, and you want to be here for the Carnival, you can fly in that Friday, or Saturday, before and you can plan to leave the following Sunday through Tuesday. Or, you can plan any days that will work out for you and Reynolds. Just please, let me know, as soon as you can, so I can have Momma here to cook for everyone,” advised Mr. Ken.
Just then Sylvia said that Kevin and Kyle wanted to say Hi to him. Mr. Ken smiled, as he waited for one of the twins to take the phone. Kevin went first and he was very animated as he told his former foster dad that he couldn’t wait until he could visit him and his ‘brothers’.
Kyle then got on the phone and said almost the same thing. Mr. Ken told Kyle that he bought another amusement park, and that he and the boys were headed to visit all five right after school finished. He also told the younger twin that they have a new ‘brother’, Phillip. The man told Kyle that he and his ‘brothers’ will all be happy to see them again.
When the twins were finished with their part of the call, Reynolds took the phone and thanked Ken for inviting them to stay with him and his ‘boys’. The uncle said they would work on finding where Vivian was housed, and they would be in touch and would try to come for the Carnival.
Mr. Ken told Reynolds to call Mr. Chris, his Estate Manager, on Tuesday and see if he could help them with finding where Vivian was housed, as he’d had to find the other two boys’ moms. Reynolds thanked him for that head start. Then the two hung up the call.
The group heard Mr. Ken’s part of the phone call, as they stood around outside the Study, as the man took the call. The Cover boys were stoked that Kevin and Kyle would be coming back to The Cove to visit and, hopefully, for the 4th of July Carnival.
Mr. Ken told everyone that it was definitely a surprise phone call, but that he was happy to hear from the Parchsons, and that the twins would be coming to visit sometime around the 4th of July. He then told everyone to get into the golf carts, so they could all head up to the Pavilion.
Wayne and Dennis arrived around eleven and after parking their vehicles, Billy took one of the golf carts down to the Parking Coral, and brought them up to where the other adults were sitting and talking around the conversation pit, between the Cove Skate Park and the Pavilion.
The boys took advantage of no one being there yet and got out on the Cove Skate Park. Jayden, Ryder and Chase loved the smoothness of the Cove Skate Park, and it had been quite some time since they’d been there last and they wanted to see how well they could do their new moves there.
As the adults were sitting and talking, Mr. Ken told Owen and Nathan about some of his invited guests, so they would know who they would be hobnobbing with that day. The two gay men laughed when they heard that Archbishop Martinez would be there. Mr. Ken told the men that they shouldn’t pre-judge, as the catholic church has become a bit more progressive as of late. He added that the bishop seemed to be an alright guy.
To change the subject, Mr. Ken spoke up and offered, “Guys … I can’t believe how your three … how much they have grown.”
“Yea, Jayden he is 15 now, Ryder is 14 and Chase … he’s 12. Can you believe it?” replied Owen.
“Back when we first met you, Ken, they were 13, 12 and 10 and that night, when we took a chance, it was the best thing that ever happened for us. You opened up not only your friends to our boys, that night at SeaWorld, but afterward … you welcome us into your home and treated us like … well, like family,” added Nathan.
“And that friendship … it wasn’t a one-time deal, either. You invited us to join you, your boys and your friends at Six Flags, and enjoy a day with our boys. And then you introduced us to a man who was in desperate need of a job to support his family. A family that you generously gave admission tickets to Six Flags that night, too. That man, I want you to know … he has worked out beyond my expectations,” continued Owen.
“Ken … your friendship … it has meant a lot to us, not to mention what your boys’ friendship has done for our boys. That sleepover and Dive-In-Movie, we all came to last year … the boys still talk about it to their friends, who come over,” added Nathan.
“You know at first, their friends … they didn’t believe them when they told them that they spent the day at SeaWorld with the man who took that bullet for your … your foster son. It wasn’t until we took those pictures with you and your estate, and the boys showed them to their friends, that they believed them.
“Ken … do you know that your name … it means a lot to people far and wide. But it is your friendship that means a whole lot to our boys. And, it also means a hell of a lot to Nathan and me as well. Our blended families are lucky to have you as our friend!” now spoke Owen.
Dennis Florkert, the Assistant Estate Master, was hearing all this for the first time. He didn’t know the back story of these two men, but he figured from what little he did hear that the men were partners, and they met Mr. Ken a few years back.
The man listened intently to the men talking. He was always trying to get as much information about The Cove, as he could, so he could understand what made the estate, and its owner, why everyone wanted to be invited there. He told himself he needed to talk to Wayne later to get the full back story on how their boss met the men and their boys.
It was while the five men were sitting and talking that Mr. Ken’s guests began to arrive. They noticed the Police Explorers helping park their vehicles, so Mr. Ken excused himself by saying he needed to be up at the Main Gate, for a while, to greet any special guests. Wayne decided to go with the man, as he knew most of the guests.
While the two Covers headed to the Main Gate, Dennis explained to the men who he was and how he came to work at The Cove. He then asked them if they would tell him a little more about how they all met. After a few minutes, Dennis Florkert was amazed at how the simple gesture of offering some free tickets to their boys at SeaWorld resulted in a long and strong friendship between the men and the boys.
Dennis then excused himself from the two men, as he also started to recognize some of the guests who were arriving. He knew he needed to greet them, just as Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne were doing. The Cover boys also saw the guests arriving and they, too, knew that they needed to greet their guests. And true to his word, Collin and Phillip went around and introduced themselves to the people that even Collin didn’t know.
The Cove’s Memorial Day Picnic had begun, and people were renewing old friendships.
The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com
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