Published: 21 May 2026

From the Previous Chapter:

Down in his own retreat, Ken Thomas got ready for bed and then sat on the edge of his bed, as he had begun to do, as of late. He sat there thinking. He thought of what tomorrow might bring, and what was in store for the love of his life, Kate, at the end of the week.

He knew that there wasn’t anything that he could about either of them, other than to be there and encourage the courts to do what was in the best interests of his foster son, in one case, and to be there, in the other case, and offer his encouragement to his fiancé and hope and pray that the judge would award most of the money to Kate, as child support for Jessie.

The owner of The Cove then turned off the lights in his bedroom and then crawled under the blankets and went to sleep. Before long everyone in the Cover household was fast asleep and The Cove was, again, peaceful and quiet for another night.

When Ken Thomas woke up that Tuesday morning, he told himself that he really wasn’t ready for what was in store for him that morning. He knew that the court hearing could mean a big change in Darrin’s life, which he didn’t think the teenager was ready for so soon after losing his entire family. But the man knew he needed to get cleaned up, dressed and out for his morning coffee, so he went into his en suite and started that process.

Twenty-five minutes later, Mr. Ken walked into the Kitchen Nook to a smiling Momma Maria who had his newspaper and coffee ready and waiting for him. The man no sooner sat down in his chair, when Momma brought over his favorite coffee cup and then filed it with the hot brew he loved so much.

A sip of the hot liquid and a salute of the cup lifted into the air completed the ritual the two had come accustomed to doing over the years. Mr. Ken then slipped the newspaper out of its protective plastic sleeve, separated it and then began reading from Section A, World News.

It wasn’t too long after that the three younger Cover boys came down to the Kitchen Nook for breakfast before heading off to school. Darrin and Matthew fed Chief and Sarge before sitting down with Phillip to a wonderful Momma breakfast.

Before Matthew and Phillip walked out of the Kitchen Nook, they wished their ‘brother’, ‘Good Luck at the courthouse’, and then they left for school. Darrin thanked them for that and then sat down at the Nook’s table and scratched behind Chief’s ears. But, of course, Sarge wanted a belly run and the teen gave the young pet one of those, too.

The three teenaged Covers came down for breakfast about thirty minutes after their younger ‘brothers’ left for school. They greeted their ‘dad’, Momma and Darrin and the resident pets weren’t going to be left out, so they went to each of the teens for some needed attention.

‘Dad’ Ken saw what Chief and Sarge did and smiled that the teens didn’t immediately recognize them when they entered the Nook, and then they had to pay the price. And that price was that Momma sent them to go and wash their hands before she would feed them their breakfast.

Mr. Ken and Darrin needed to be at the courthouse for a nine o’clock hearing, so it wasn’t too long after the teenagers left for their high school that they headed out to the garage to load into the Optima and head there. This was the first time Darrin was ever in that vehicle, so he looked all around to see what it had. He even envisioned himself driving it one day.

Mr. Ken didn’t use that car often and he loved how it drove. He did remember that he would need to purchase another vehicle, once Robert begins driving, and would probably do that after the Holidays were over. He also told himself that he’ll need a car for Kate, once she begins living there and he told himself that he needs a new car just for him, too. A smile came across his face when that thought came to him.

When the two Covers arrived at the courthouse, they went inside and looked for Bill Jackson. They found him talking to another lawyer and when he saw them, he excused himself and the three when into a vacant room and talked about their strategy for the upcoming hearing.

The lawyer told Darrin that he would be seated at their table and he asked him not to speak unless the judge asks him a question. The man also told the teen that he should stand before answering any of the judge’s questions, and for him to be courteous when he answers him.

Bill Jackson also told his client, Ken Thomas, to also remain seated unless the judge asks him any questions. Ken Thomas told his lawyer that he wanted to ask the judge to have the uncle’s background, finances and work history checked before he awards the man any of the insurance monies, or has his ward sent to live with the man, since Darrin hasn’t had much, if any, contact with the uncle for quite some time.

The lawyer said that he would see what he could do to get that entered into the record, before the court adjourned. The lawyer then looked at the time and saw that they should use the restroom, if needed, and then head to the courtroom indicated for that hearing.

At nine o’clock, the bailiff called everyone in the courtroom to stand and the judge entered and sat behind the bench. He then read through some papers before asking if all concerned parties were present. With the formalities over with, the judge began the hearing.

It didn’t take long for the two insurance companies to state why they were there and the reason they asked for that hearing. The life insurance company explained that neither of the beneficiaries of both the parent’s and older brother’s life insurance policies survived the catastrophic fire, and they wanted the court to approve their awarding the surviving son the proceeds from all three policies.

The same was said by the insurance company that held the policy on the dwelling and its contents. They had funds remaining after they paid for the removal of the remains of the structure and the trucking in of fill dirt and the leveling of the property. And they, too, wanted the court to approve their delivering the remaining funds to the surviving son, Darrin Rossman.

At the mention of the property, Darrin whispered to his foster dad, Mr. Ken, “Who now owns the property? Will I get to own it now that my parents are gone?”

Mr. Ken whispered back, “We’ll have to asked Mr. Jackson that question when there is a break. OK?”

The judge asked if there were any other known relatives of the deceased. None of the insurance company attorneys stood to answer that question. But Judy Turner did stand.

“Your honor, I am Judy Turner, Director of Children’s Protective Services. I have been in contact with Darrin Rossman’s uncle, a Mr. Mitchell Rossman, who has expressed some interest in raising Darrin. But he feels that he does not earn, or have sufficient funds at this time to continue to support his family, and to also add a growing teenager,” was how Ms. Judy replied to the judge’s question.

Bill Jackson stood and asked the judge how much life and house insurance money was involved. And asked by the judge why he was so concerned about how much money was being dispersed, the lawyer explained that he felt that the majority of those monies should be devoted to the surviving son’s future college education and establishing a living.

Bill Jackson went on to ask that before he considers awarding any of the insurance money to the uncle, Mitchell Rossman, that he conducts a background check on the man to ensure he is a man of upstanding character, has a solid work history, and had no financial hardships that might indicate that he would squander the funds sent to be used to raise his nephew, and thus place the nephew back into the situation he finds himself in right now, as a foster son.

“And who is this boy’s, I mean teenagers, foster parents?” now asked the judge.

Ken Thomas now stood up and said, “I am judge, Ken Thomas.”

“Ahhh, Mr. Thomas … yes, your name is well known in these parts. So, tell me … what would you do if your charge was awarded all of these funds?” asked the judge.

The question was a soft ball question that Mr. Ken was well prepared for. So, he told the judge that he would place the funds in a Trust Fund Account that would have two trustees to administer the account. He added that the needed funds would become available to the teen when he went off to college, or a trade school, and that if he did neither then he could get a monthly stipend until he turned twenty-one, at which time he could receive the entire account.

“Ms. Turner … what are your feelings about having the uncle investigated before I award him any of the insurance money?” now asked the judge.

“Your honor … I think it is prudent to know everything we can know about the man and his family before … before we would give him what truly should be Darrin’s,” began Ms. Judy.

“Granted, he might need some of those funds to help raise his nephew. But … I believe the majority, maybe sixty to seventy percent, of the money should be for Darrin’s future, and placed in some sort of fenced Trust Fund Account that the uncle could not have access to.”

The judge then asked the insurance company how much money were they proposing to present to Darrin Rossman. The attorney stood and told the judge that there was a combined total from the father, Archer, mother, Sylvia, and brother, Dawson, $350,000.00 to deliver to Darrin Rossman.

The judge then asked the insurance company that held the dwelling and contents policy how much was remaining after they paid the costs of cleaning up the property. The insurance company attorney stood up and told the judge that there was $185,657.00, for them to give to the son, with the court’s approval.

After hearing how much money there was, Darrin had a big grin on his face. He couldn’t believe that he could have access to over a half a million dollars when he turned twenty-one.

The judge looked at the two figures and then down at the teenager.

The judge then said, “Darrin … please stand. (When Darrin stood, the judge continued.) Young man … please tell this court what are your thoughts about having to go and live with your uncle.”

Darrin swallowed hard and told the judge that he felt that he had found a good home living with Mr. Ken and his ‘brothers’. At the mention of ‘brothers’, the judge asked the teen if he hadn’t lost his brother in the fire. Darrin had to then explain that Mr. Ken had adopted two boys and was fostering three other boys, and that they all called one another ‘brother’. The judge was satisfied with the teen’s answer.

Darrin continued and told the judge that he was happy living at The Cove, that he didn’t know his uncle very well and hadn’t seen him since he was little. The teen added that he really didn’t want to have to move across the country, start in a new school, make new friends and get settled all over again, if he didn’t have to.

Darrin also told the judge that Mr. Ken treated all of the boys equally and even though he had adopted two of the boys, that he had no favorites and he has more opportunities to travel and things to do living at The Cove than he ever had and will if he is made to live with his uncle.

Then after thinking for a few moments of contemplation, the judge addressed the group.

“Since the uncle is not here to answer any questions about his work history, or his finances, and since his nephew says that he has not seen the man in many, many years, I believe that it is in the best interests of the court, and the teen, that we do some due diligence and check this uncle’s ability to properly raise his nephew.

“So, with that, I’ll asked the Children’s Protective Services to obtain the uncle’s work history and his financial statements going back at least five years, while I’ll ask our Sheriff’s Department to do a thorough background check on the man.

“Seeing this is the fifth of December … let me see … I’ll set Friday, the fifth of January, as when we’ll continue this hearing. The insurance companies are hereby directed to ensure those insurance monies acquire interest in the meantime, and Ms. Turner, see if you can have the uncle here. This hearing is hereby adjourned,” gaveled the judge, who then got up and walked out of the courtroom.

Darrin was all smiles as he knew he was staying at The Cove for at least another month. Ms. Judy came over to their group and congratulated Ken on a well-played gambit to possibly keep the uncle from getting Darrin to raise.

Ken reminded Judy that the judge will use whatever the findings are to make the decision of where the money will go and, possibly, if Darrin will go with the uncle. And he then remarked that he’s not Judge Richards. Judy saw the sly look on her friend’s face as he said that knowing that he’d contest this judge’s order if he sent Darrin away.

Darrin then asked Mr. Ken about his parent’s property and who it now belongs to. Mr. Ken directed the question to his lawyer who said that he’d have to have his research team look into that and he’d have to get back to him.

Before the group left the courthouse, Ken Thomas talked to his lawyer, Bill Jackson, about Darrin making a will. The question surprised the lawyer, and Mr. Ken saw that. So, the foster dad told Mr. Jackson that with that amount of money in play, he felt that Darrin should create a last will and testament so the money won’t automatically go to the uncle if something happened to the teen after he might go and live with the man and his family.

Bill Jackson understood the concern that his client had, so he told him to call Stewart and make an appointment and get it done before the Holidays. Darrin smiled at what his foster dad was wanting to do to protect his inheritance.

That morning, Dennis Florkert, the Assistant Estate Master, who had been given the task of getting bids to install two concrete slabs for the storage buildings had contacted three companies to stop by that morning to give him cost estimates on those two concrete slabs.

The slab for Matthew’s building would be sixteen-feet by eighteen-feet and have electricity brought over from the Guest House. The second building, which would house the lawn equipment and other items stored in the shed on the Parking Corral, would only be as big as the building, which was twelve-feet by fourteen-feet and would have no electricity added.

Mr. Dennis walked around the project site with all three company representatives who told him that the job was a simple one. They explained that it would only take one day to excavate and level the two sites and then install the forms and rebar and run the electrical conduit to the first concrete slab.

All the representatives then assured Dennis that with good weather, on the second day, they would pour a little over 3.5 cubic yards of concrete in the larger slab and then a little over 2 cubic yards in the second concrete slab and have them both leveled, floated, and troweled properly into a smooth, glossy finish before it hardens. They also explained that they would be back on the third day to remove the forms and clean up and level the work site.

Mr. Dennis was satisfied with what all three agents told him. They each gave him essentially the same information. Their calculations were almost exactly alike and their prices were close to one another. Now he had to decide which company would be best to work at The Cove.

So, he decided to show Wayne and Chris what bids he had gotten and tell them what each spokesperson had said and how he felt the company rep presented their company to him as to how they would do the job. He hoped the other two men would help him decide which company to choose to do the work.

After Ms. Judy left to go back to work, Bill pulled Ken aside and told him that the television company they were talking with was ready to settle their lawsuit and would meet his demands., which was $1 Million for him and $350,000.00 for Bill.

Bill Jackson continued and told his client that he also had a call from another of the television stations that they had a lawsuit against. The lawyer stated that the television executive said that he had talked to the one they were now working with and had told him that they would like to settle their differences with them, too.

Bill asked Mr. Ken if he wanted to give that station the same opportunity as the other TV station or increase them as he had indicated to him previously. Mr. Ken thought about it for a few moments and then told Bill to give them until the close of business on Friday to complete the paperwork and turn over the two checks, in the same amounts the first television station was paying, or they would have to meet a 25 percent increase.

Bill Jackson thanked his client and indicated that it shouldn’t be a problem. The lawyer then told Mr. Ken that Stewart Russell had heard from the linear park construction company’s insurance policy holder and that he should call the man when he arrived at his office.

Mr. Ken thanked Bill for all the hard work with those two television stations and suggested that he contact the other TV and two radio stations and explain how those two had settled and try to get them to bite the bullet and settle as well. Mr. Ken then reminded Bill that he would be gone from about ten o’clock tomorrow until late Friday night and for him to hold any checks for him and Bill, until he returns.

When the lawyer left the courthouse, Mr. Ken asked Darrin if he wanted to go out for lunch with him before he took him back to school. Darrin asked if he had to go to school, and the foster dad said that the he did. The question now was where to go to eat.

Darrin kiddingly suggested that they go to the Lakeside Hotel and before he knew it that was where his foster dad took them for lunch. The teen was really taken aback at how everyone at the hotel reacted, as soon as the two entered the hotel lobby.

They were immediately seated at a corner table in the restaurant and the waitress was there with ice cold water along with the menus. Mr. Ken suggested they order something simple, so it didn’t take too much time to cook and for them to eat, so he could get his back to school. Darrin asked him if a bacon cheeseburger, onion rings and a drink would be OK. Mr. Ken told him that’s what he was going to order.

As the two Covers ate, Darrin asked his foster dad what the hearing really meant. But all Mr. Ken could tell the teen was that he would remain at The Cove until at least the fifth of January, and possibly longer, as that judge doesn’t have the authority to send him to live with his uncle.

Mr. Ken continued and told Darrin that Judge Adam Richards was the Presiding County Juvenile Court Judge, who dealt with situations like his, and that he would be the one who should decide where he would eventually live.

Darrin then asked Mr. Ken if that meant that he could stay at The Cove even longer, like until the end of January. Mr. Ken smiled and told the teen that if the hearing Judge orders him to go with his uncle, he would immediately ask Bill to file a stay until Judge Adam Richards had a chance to review the case, since he is the County Juvenile Judge. The foster dad said that Judge Richards could hear the case the next week and make the same decision, so for him not to get his hopes up to high just yet.

After the two had eaten, Mr. Ken took the teen Cover back to his school, and then he drove back to his office in order to take care of whatever he can before leaving to help Kate.

Mr. Ken couldn’t wait to call Stewart Russell to learn what he heard from the construction company’s insurance company. When the two men did talk, attorney Russell told his client that the insurance would agree to pay Phillip the $1.25 million, but will only pay Bill $100,000.00.

Stewart told Mr. Ken that he mentioned to the insurance adjuster that he was prepared to file lawsuits in the amounts of $5 million for Phillip and $1 million for Bill if the insurance company wasn’t prepared to pay what they felt was a fair settlement for both boys. The attorney continued and revealed that the insurance representative was adamant that what they were offering was fair for all sides and that they would drag the lawsuits on and on if necessary.

Mr. Ken thought about what Russell was telling him. He also thought about how much money Bill was going to receive from the newspapers, television and radio stations and felt he wasn’t going to miss the extra $25,000.00. So, Mr. Ken told Stewart Russell to go ahead and finalize the negotiations and he would be back next Monday to sign any papers to accept the settlement.

It was a hard-fought win, the man felt, and at least now it was over. He could now tell Phillip and Bill that, hopefully, by sometime next week they would have a check they could deposit in their bank accounts and/or add to their Trust Funds. And in Phillip’s case, he would start a Trust Fund.

He would also pull Bill aside and tell him about the two television stations coming to settlement on their libel lawsuits and that he should receive two more checks sometime later next week. Ken Thomas was beginning the week on a high note and he felt good.

With things going well for the man, Ken Thomas asked Rosemary to hold his calls, while he called Kate. Ken told his fiancé about the three lawsuit settlements that he approved today for himself, Phillip and Bill. Kate was happy for him, but more so for the two boys, as the money would mean a lot for them, and their families, going forward.

The couple also talked about Kate’s upcoming court hearing on Thursday, but they then focused on going out to dinner Wednesday evening without the boys. Kate told Ken that they needed to discuss wedding arrangements, while he was there. Ken then mentioned to Kate that they needed to discuss if her family was coming to The Cove for the Holidays.

The phone line went silent for a few seconds after what each person had told the other. Then they both laughed at what the other wanted to do. With that they decided to discuss other things and leave those two items for later.

When they hung up, Kate was really happy that her fiancé would be there tomorrow night and they would be going out to dinner. She was also grateful that he would also be with her at the courthouse on Thursday. Overall, she still couldn’t believe how a spilled soda set in motion the opportunity for her to meet the kind of a man that she had always dreamed of, and before long she would marry him.

When Darrin, Matthew and Phillip were having their afterschool snack, they talked about Darrin’s hearing that morning. Phillip was interested in knowing about whether or not he was going to be sent away to live with his uncle, since they never got to talk during lunch, as ‘dad’ Ken had taken the teen to the Lakeside Hotel for lunch.

Darrin told his ‘brothers’ that the hearing was continued to the fifth of January, so he would be staying at The Cove at least until then. The teen also mentioned to them that Mr. Ken told him that the judge wasn’t the one who could send him away, but that a Judge Richards was the one who would have to decide where he would live.

Matthew then asked his ‘brother’ if the judge was going to give any of the insurance money to his uncle. Darrin smiled and told his ‘brothers’ that the judge told the insurance companies to make sure the money was earning interest, until the next hearing. The teen then told them that Mr. Ken asked the judge to do a background check of his uncle and to check his work history and his finances to make sure he can take care of him.

Hearing that, Matthew made a comment that he wished they had done that on his dad before they made him go with him last year. That remark caused his ‘brothers’ to ask him why he’d say such a thing like that. Matthew had forgotten that both Phillip and Darrin weren’t living at The Cove last year when he was sent to live with his biological father.

But both boys asked him to tell them more about how he was sent to live with his dad, and then how he was brought back to The Cove. Matthew had opened the door for that type of question and knew that with Darrin facing the same sort of situation, the new teenager, as of today, the fifth of December, began to tell them some of what happened to him.

As Matthew told his ‘brothers’ his abbreviated story, Momma Maria listened in too. She liked to know what was going on at The Cove, and she never knew the full story about Matthew’s leaving and then his sudden return. She hoped that she’d hear a few more details

Matthew was still telling his story when the three high schoolers came home. They came into the Kitchen Nook and, of course, Robert and Charles knew their ‘brother’s story, but Billy didn’t. So, the older teen asked Matthew to start all over and tell him about why he went to live with his biological dad, and then came back to live at The Cove.

Since the boys were spending so much time in the Kitchen Nook, Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis took notice and they went to see why the younger boys were still there. When they arrived, they heard Matthew telling his story about his going to live with his biological dad, and then coming back to live at The Cove.

Mr. Dennis never knew the full story, and just like Billy, he wanted to hear the whole story, too. So, he too, grabbed a chair and began listening as well. And just like Billy, he asked some questions and the new teenager added some details that he hadn’t told Darrin and Phillip, but now told Billy and Mr. Dennis, too.

Momma Maria was now getting the full story of how Matthew’s dad wanted access to his Trust Fund, and when he learned that there was no way he could ever get it, he attacked his son. Those injuries, which included a dislocated shoulder, a slight concussion and a bruised hip, were severe enough, which ultimately put his son in the hospital.

All of them heard how Matthew had used his coin that ultimately brought Mr. Ken out to Colorado where he worked some magic with a local lawyer. And the two of them took on the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), the Division of Child Welfare, during a time that was close to the Christmas Holidays.

Matthew told how one day he was able to talk to his other ‘brothers’ during the Holiday Party that Friday night and then the next day he had been taken out of the hospital and that ‘dad’s’ lawyer couldn’t find out where he was taken.

Matthew said that three days later he was taken to a courthouse where his ‘dad’ was and when he saw him, he ran to him and hugged him. But the caseworker grabbed him on his injured shoulder and pulled him away and that it hurt really badly.

The new teenager continued his story and told how then this older lady made sure that he and ‘dad’ Ken were now kept apart. And then a few minutes later a judge called him into her office where she talked to him about what happened to him and told him why he was there.

Matthew explained how he told the judge everything about how his biological dad had come to Texas, had taken him to Colorado and then wanted his Trust Fund that his foster dad, Mr. Ken, had set up. But when he couldn’t get any of it, he beat him up and put him in the hospital. Continuing his story, he said he told the judge how the caseworker pulled on his injured shoulder to keep him and Mr. Ken from talking out in the courtroom.

Matthew then told everyone that when he and the judge went back into the courtroom, the judge was not happy. The new teen explained that the judge had the Child Welfare Director stand in front of her bench and she asked her why she had him removed from the hospital, and had his cellphone confiscated.

Matthew told the group that the Director argued that hospital costs were mounting, and she did not have an unlimited budget to keep him there, and then added that she didn’t order that his cell phone should be taken away. He continued and said that the judge wanted to know where the cell phone was and then all of a sudden, his cell phone began to ring.

It was while the new teenager was talking that Mr. Ken came into the Kitchen Nook.

“So, you’re telling everyone about your Colorado adventure are you, Matthew,” teased Mr. Ken.

“Well, ‘dad’, Darrin and Phillip … they never knew about me being taken away by my biological dad and then … and then you coming and bringing me back home. So, well, I’m telling them a shortened version of what happened.”

“But aren’t you boys supposed to be up in your rooms doing your homework before dinner?” now asked the boy’s ‘dad’, with a smile.

“I’m almost finished ‘dad’,” argued Matthew.

“Can’t you let him finish, ‘dad’?” asked Phillip. “We’ll get our homework done. It’s just that … we don’t want to forget what he told us and then have him start all over again,” reasoned the youngest Cover.

Mr. Ken thought about what the boy had asked, and seeing that Wayne, Dennis and Momma were all listening to the tale, he told Matthew to go ahead and finish telling his story. The man then told the boys that after dinner there wouldn’t be the usual meeting in the Study, as they all know that he was leaving tomorrow at ten o’clock and wouldn’t return until late Friday night. ‘Dad’ Ken then added that they would use the time after dinner to finish up any homework they didn’t get done.

Hearing that he could finish his story, Matthew told them that the judge demanded to know whose phone was ringing. He told them that the caseworker apologized for the errant phone and opened her purse to silent the phone. But Mr. Ken’s lawyer stood up and said that the cell phone was probably Matthew’s, but the caseworker argued it wasn’t, but the judge had her bring it to the bench.

“Guys, the judge … she looked the cell phone over and then handed it to me and I used my passcode to open it. I checked my contacts list and messages and I told the judge that it was mine. And boy was she ever pissed now.

“The judge … she had the caseworker stand in front of her and demanded to know who authorized her to take my cell phone away from me. She then wanted to know why she assaulted me when she pulled me away from talking to Mr. Ken. The Director then jumped up to defend the caseworker, but the judge told her to sit down. Boy was that ever funny.

“You should have heard how the judge told the Director that she was not happy that they kept me away from the hearing, which delayed it and also took my cell phone from me without authorization, which kept me from contacting my former foster dad, Mr. Ken.

“The judge then came down hard on them and told them that they put something like their personal opposition to Mr. Thomas ahead of my well-being and that they put their own interests ahead of my needs. Boy was she ever building up steam.

“Then the judge … she raked the Director over the coals. She told her that if she cared so much about her budget, she would have been thrilled to have Mr. Thomas come and take me off her hands. But, instead, she spent more money and time playing games, with me, as what she called the proverbial ‘ball’.

“Then you should have heard her when she came down hard on the Director. She told her that because of her pride and being spiteful towards ‘dad’, she was to give all authority over me to ‘dad’ and give him full guardianship of me and let him to take me back home.

“She then told the woman to have all the paperwork done by the end of the day and that if she wanted me back in Colorado she could come to Texas and fight to bring me back there. The judge then asked ‘dad’ to stay in the state until he had all the paperwork to take me home. And here I am,” finished Matthew, the newest Cover teenager.

The boys thanked Matthew for telling them about his ‘adventure’ as ‘dad’ Ken called it. They then headed up to their rooms to start their homework, but they would soon be back down for dinner.

At dinner that evening, with Mr. Dennis attending, Momma Maria had a special meal for the Covers. Since it was Matthew’s birthday, and it was too cold to have his dinner up at the Pavilion, Momma made beef brisket tacos, Mexican style, with sauteed onions and peppers and refried beans, Spanish rice, guacamole, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream and cheese.

The Covers had Momma join them for dinner and as they ate the boys asked Matthew a few more questions about his ordeal, when he went to live with his biological dad. Matthew told them that at first it was nice there, as he made lots of friends, but somehow when his dad found out about his Trust Fund it got very tense, until he took it out on him, when he learned that he couldn’t ever get access to it.

When the dinner table was cleared, Momma brought out a very large birthday cake to celebrate Matthew turning thirteen. They all sang Happy Birthday to the new teenager and after the new teen blew out the thirteen candles, Momma served them large pieces of cake and some ice cream.

Mr. Dennis then told Matthew about the contractor who will begin building the 18 by 16-foot concrete slab for his building on Thursday. The man added that they will be adding electricity to his building when it is built on the slab next week.

Mr. Wayne spoke up and told Matthew that he and Mr. Dennis had looked at his building and had ordered it and the new lawn equipment storage building to be delivered next week, after the concrete slabs are turned over to them by the contractor. Matthew thanked the two men for getting that all arranged for him, and that he couldn’t wait until he could set the building up with lights and a desk and chair. His ‘brothers’ all laughed at him like he was setting up a new business, or something.

‘Dad’ Ken spoke up in Matthew’s defense and told them all that he was setting up a business, his Puppy and Small Dog Training School. The man then sent them up to their rooms to finish their homework.

Later, after Wayne and Dennis had gone to their own homes, Mr. Ken went up to talk to the boys and say good night to them. In Billy’s room he told the teenager about the settlements with the two television stations and the linear park construction company.

“Bill, next week your bank account should get another influx of other people’s money,” laughed the man. “Two of the three television stations have come to their senses and are going to settle with us. You aren’t going to see tremendous wealth from their actions, and neither will I, but … but with close to seven-hundred-thousand-dollars, minus Stewarts fees, it is still a nice payday. Then there is the linear construction company’s settlement. There you will see $100,000.00, minus Stewarts fees.”

Bill thanked his foster dad for doing all that for him. The teenager told the man that he never, in his wildest dreams, ever thought that he would ever have that much money. The teen then told Mr. Ken that now he and his mom could have a nice home to live in when she gets out of prison. The boy then broke down and cried.

In Robert’s room, the teen asked why his older ‘brother’ was crying. His dad told him that he got some very good news, that he never thought could ever happen to him. Robert commented that he probably got some more money. All the teen’s dad did was smile.

In Charles’s room, the two talked about the coming Holidays and the teen asked what were they going to get Momma, Mr. Wayne, Mr. Chris and Mr. Dennis as Christmas presents. The teen’s dad asked him to talk to his ‘brothers’, while he was gone, and see if any of them had any ideas.

In Matthew’s room, he wanted so badly to tell him what Bill Jackson was working on, but he knew that if it didn’t pan out it wouldn’t be fair to get the teen’s hopes up. So, all he did was wish him a Happy Birthday and he also thanked him for opening up and telling the boys his story.

Matthew told him that with Darrin facing the possibility of being sent to live with his uncle after the Holidays, he wanted him to know what it was like for him when he had to move away. The new teen asked his ‘dad’ to watch over Darrin just in case he finds himself in the same situation. Mr. Ken said that he is doing what he does best and that is watch out for all of you boys.

When Mr. Ken got to Phillip’s room, the boy was playing on his guitar as usual. He got the boy’s attention and asked the youngster to have a seat.

“Phillip … Stewart Russell, the lawyer who was working to get a settlement with the linear park construction company got some good news today. The construction company’s insurance holder is going to settle with us. And the good news is that sometime next week there will be a check with your name on it. Of course, Mr. Russell … he will take his fees out of that check, but let me assure you that you will be pleased with the amount,” counseled ‘dad’ Ken.

“‘Dad’, will it be enough that me and my mom … that we can get back together again?” quickly asked Phillip.

“Well, Phillip, that money … it will be put into a Trust Fund for your future. If you spend it all now, then there won’t be anything left for you to further your education,” advised ‘dad’ Ken.

“Oh,” was all Phillip said.

“Phillip … it is up to your mother … it is up to her to provide for you and her. It isn’t your job to do that. This money … yes it will be a lot, but once you begin to spend it … it won’t take long for it all to be gone. That is why I will have the majority of it placed in a Trust Fund for you and only you,” continued to guide ‘dad’ Ken

“You mean like you did for Matthew, and my other ‘brothers’?” asked the boy.

“Yes, like I did for Matthew, so his father couldn’t get to it. That money is set aside for your future, not for the adults in your life to spend as they want,” replied Mr. Ken.

“So, you don’t want my mother … you don’t want her to get it, because you think that she’ll spend it on her and do things like she did that put me living with you and my ‘brothers’, don’t you?” seriously asked Phillip.

Mr. Ken thought for a moment as to how he wanted to answer that question. Then he decided that he would be truthful, so he told Phillip, “Yes, ‘son’, I believe that your mother … that she would spend it recklessly and before you knew it … there would be nothing left for you to use for college. I honestly believe that, Phillip!”

“Thank you for telling me why you really want to put the money away for me,” said Phillip, who then jumped into his foster dad’s arms and lightly cried.

In Darrin’s room, Mr. Ken asked the teen what he thought about Matthew’s story. The teen told his foster dad that his bio-dad was a jerk and he was happy that he could use his coin that brought him out there to rescue him and bring his ‘brother’ back to The Cove.

The foster dad then asked the teen what he thought his chances were for going with his uncle. Darrin told Mr. Ken that he felt they were 50/50 in that it would all depend on what they learned about his uncle, and if the judge felt he could raise him properly.

Mr. Ken straight out asked the teen if he wanted to stay there at The Cove. The teen got a big smile on his face and told his foster dad that it would be the best Christmas present he’d ever get in his entire life, if he got to stay there.

Once again, after he got ready for bed, Ken Thomas sat on the edge of his king-sized bed and thought about what happened that day. He was happy that a few of the media companies have decided to settle with him and Bill and put last summer all behind him. He was also happy for Phillip that the construction company came to its senses and decided to settle, as well.

Looking ahead, Ken Thomas was going to see his fiancée to support her, as she and Amy fought against the system. He was looking forward to going out to dinner tomorrow evening with her and he hoped that he can convince her to bring the family back to The Cove for the Holidays.

Before long the man decided to stop thinking and to go to bed. He finally tuned off the lights in his bedroom, crawled under the blankets and before long he was fast asleep.

The owner of The Cove was the last person in the home to fall asleep and all night long the residents of The Cove slept soundly and the estate was quiet the whole night through.

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

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