The talk at the younger Covers' school on Monday, was what they and their friends did over the weekend. Their classmates heard about the locker build and that the boys not only got to build the lockers, but also were allowed to drill the holes into the block walls and fasten them to the Pavilion wall.
The boys' classmates wanted to know more about what they did and how hard it was. Even Max, Jonathan, Greg, and Damian received some special attention when it was learned Mr. Ken singled them out to add the bottom plates to all the lockers, when they were overlooked during the initial build.
The Cover boys made it a point to thank their friends, for helping with the locker build and how much their 'dad' appreciated their help. They also told their friends, to remind their parents, to bring lawn chairs to the Memorial Day Picnic, as the only seating would be the benches under the Pavilion
When Billy arrived at the high school, his friends met up with him and the six of them went to their usual place to talk about the weekend. As they talked about building the lockers and working with the younger boys, some of their classmates overheard them and asked the group to tell them more about what they'd done.
That telling caused more students to stop by and more questions to be asked. That brought about the question of when will more students get invites to The Cove. Billy told the questioners that The Cove was getting ready for a big Memorial Day Picnic and then as soon as school was over his foster dad was taking them all on a ten-day trip, so he couldn't invite anyone over right now.
That didn't satisfy some of the students and Billy was going to respond, but Brett beat him to it. The Cover's friend told them that if they had made even the slightest effort to be friends with Billy, he'd take their phone number and maybe call them later in the summer. But since most of them never tried to be his friend, the freshman asked why Billy should invite them over. That shut them up.
Later, Billy did get the phone numbers of a few students that did talk with him and also stood by him, especially after his run-in with Mr. Stanley and the bullies, a few weeks back. He told them he wasn't promising them anything, but if the opportunity presented itself, he'd give them a call. The classmates thanked him, especially the girls.
Bill Jackson, Mr. Ken's lawyer, called him that morning. The phone call was concerning their litigation against Houston's International Airport after the way they were treated last December after their inflight emergency. Bill told Ken Thomas the airport offered each of the boys a ten-thousand-dollar settlement and each of the adults a twenty-five-thousand-dollar settlement for their inconvenience and delays
Mr. Ken laughed at the numbers and reminded Bill that the lawsuit was for no less than ten million dollars each for unlawful confinement and detention, failure to offer or provide any emergency medical assistance to them, providing no sustenance, and much more.
Mr. Ken told Bill Jackson to go back to the airport's lawyers, tell them to rethink their settlement figures, and come back with something more in line with what they did to the nine of them. Bill asked his client and friend if he had a dollar figure, he would be comfortable with.
Mr. Ken told his lawyer the airport lawyers know they offered a lowball figure to see if we would bite and go away. He added he was to remind them he had all the time in the world and the money to take them to court and would make sure the media followed the seven youngsters' story, the entire time.
Mr. Ken then remembered Collin was on the flight and being the owner of CWE Inc. he could enter into his own litigation and cause even more headaches for the airport. Mr. Ken asked Bill to explain to them who Collin Wilkinson was, the companies he owns, and the number of people he employs. Bill Jackson understood Ken Thomas was playing hardball.
Later that morning, while Mr. Ken and Wayne were talking about the Cove Skate Park and Pavilion, Mr. Chris stopped by the Study. The Estate Manager wanted to tell Mr. Ken that the insurance company representative would be stopping by that Wednesday to look over the new skate park and other recreational activities he has for his sons and foster boys and their friends.
Mr. Ken reminded Chris that he would have to show the person around as he and four of the boys would be at the courthouse that morning and potentially all day due to the start of the trial for Julian Hankers and Danny Zackerson. Mr. Ken added that they were two of the men who tried to kidnap the nine boys who were out Trick-or-Treating last October.
Mr. Ken then asked Mr. Chris when the golf carts would arrive. The man said they were still slated to arrive at the beginning of the following week, but he would call the company to see if they could be delivered sooner. Mr. Chris then mentioned they would have to purchase additional five-gallon gas cans to keep the golf carts fueled.
Mr. Wayne then told Mr. Chris that the restaurant supply company would deliver the cooking utensils, holding pans, deep freezer, refrigerator, ice maker, stainless steel shelves, hand soap, restroom hand towels, and toilet tissue the following week.
Mr. Ken then asked Chris about the television for the Pavilion.
That question surprised Wayne Mitchell, so he had to ask about it.
"Yes, Wayne, I am buying the boys an 82-inch Samsung Q8DR QLED TV for the back end of the Pavilion. The company I buy all my electronics from will deliver and install it the week before the Memorial Day Picnic. They will hook up a cable box like we have in the house and there will be a Blu-ray player also out there so the boys can play movies. That will be a surprise for them," explained the owner of The Cove.
"Wayne, I also need you to get with the contractor to learn his schedule for the landscaping, lighting, installation of the tables and benches, and the bike racks, trash cans, and shade sails. I kept talking about having bleachers out on the skate park for the boys to sit on when they are resting or just want to relax and talk. That is something we need to research.
"Wayne, get with Robert and Charles when they get home from school and ask them to do the research. Ask them to find what they think everyone would like to have. They might just want regular park benches with backrests instead of three or four-seat high metal bleachers. Guys ... are we missing anything else?" asked Mr. Ken.
Mr. Chris spoke up and asked, "You mentioned something about a ribbon-cutting. Have you decided who and how you are going to do that? And are you having a big decorated cake?"
"Great question. Chris, go out to Hobby Lobby or Michaels, or some other craft store, and get a roll of at least four-inch wide red ribbon, a huge bow, and some large scissors. Wayne, have your camera ready for the ceremony. I want all of the boys and myself holding the ribbon as we cut it," announced Mr. Ken.
"Then, should I get seven pairs of scissors, so you each can cut the ribbon?" asked Mr. Chris.
Mr. Ken thought that was a great idea and told Mr. Chris to go ahead and do just that. Mr. Wayne then asked who was going to hold the ribbon. Mr. Ken said he'd ask some of the women to do that. All he wanted was a picture of him and the boys doing a ceremonial cutting, first thing Saturday at twelve noon so the boys could start using the park.
"Now as for the cake, my caterer will supply a double-sized sheet cake all decorated for the occasion. She'll also supply all the burgers, hot dogs, fixings, potato salad, baked beans, sodas, beer, chips, pretzels, and whatever else people have at picnics. She'll even bring her large trash cans because, with almost two hundred people, there will be lots of trash," answered Mr. Ken, to the question about a cake.
Mr. Wayne asked his boss if he had sent out the invitations yet and Mr. Ken said he had. The Cove's owner told the two men he also invited, besides the usual additional adults, Judge Richards and his wife, Doctor Powers, Doctor Jennings, Jules Diamond, Mrs. Eleanor Whittier with her grandsons Luke and Toby and their parents. The man had to explain who those last people were and how he met them and why he invited them.
Mr. Ken also added, he invited Sheriff Barnes and told him to have the deputies on duty that day to stop by for a bite to eat during the day up to about 7 p.m. Chris and Wayne looked back and forth to one another and smiled at hearing that announcement.
At lunch, Billy remembered about the sleepover and he told his friends about it. The Cover explained that no date had been set, but said it would be after they returned from their amusement park trip, and that it would be before the 4th of July. He also told them Mr. Ken had planned to show an outdoor movie.
Billy's friends asked him what that meant and all Billy could tell them was last summer when Robert had some friends spend the night Mr. Ken brought out his video projector and projected a movie on the big wall under the garage.
Billy added that over the Holidays the boys had a sleepover and Mr. Ken had used that same projector and showed a movie in the indoor pool area and they called it a Dive-In Movie. The Cover said the boys lined the pool edge or laid on the pool floats they all saw there. The teenagers were now getting enthused about the upcoming sleepover.
At the other Covers' school, the boys' friends were also happy they'd have a big sleepover and an outdoor movie. But they all couldn't wait until Memorial Day when they'd all get to use the new skate park.
Later that afternoon, when Robert and Charles came home after school, Mr. Wayne talked to them about the added seating around the skate park. He told them what their dad said about it and asked them to decide if they wanted just regular park-like benches or if they wanted bleachers. The boys said they'd look at some ideas on the web and talk to their friends.
After dinner, Mr. Ken told Robert, Charles, Kevin, and Kyle to check their suits and make sure they weren't dirty. He told them to bring them down to him if they were and he'd have them sent to the dry cleaners in the morning. He told the boys he wanted them to wear their suits to the courthouse on Wednesday.
Kevin and Kyle were a bit sullen that evening. Mr. Ken noticed it so he sat down and talked with them. He figured they were thinking about the trial and what they would have to do. 'Dad' Ken tried to calm them down by reminding them about what they and Doctor Doug talked about and that Julian could no longer hurt them.
After a few minutes, the twins thanked their 'dad' for talking to them and helping them understand they needed to do this to move forward with their lives.
Billy knew Mr. Ken was talking to the twins so he asked Robert why. Robert explained that Julian had once tried to use fake documents to take them away, before he tried to kidnap them, him, Charles, and five other boys. Billy wanted to know more, but Robert told his older 'brother' that it was part of why the twins were living there and it was up to them to tell him that part.
Billy was disappointed at hearing that, but he also understood. Mr. Ken told him when he first arrived that they all had a reason they were living there, and he would never know the story unless the boys told him. He knew parts of the story for some of the boys, but he didn't know the whole story. He wondered if he would ever learn the full truth of all his 'brothers'.
At school the next day the nine boys gathered together in the schoolyard. They talked about having to be at the courthouse the following morning and what they would be wearing. The Cover boys told their friends their 'dad' was making them wear their suits. Some of the other boys said they were wearing their suit pants, long-sleeved shirt, and tie, but no coat.
Some of the other students overheard the boys talking and told their friends. That brought out the naysayers and of course people like Joanna Schwimminger, Kaelyn Farlow, and Leah Hoalmes who had to stop by the boys and make comments to them.
"So, I hear you all have to go to court. How sad!" started Joanna Schwimminger. "I hope they don't send you away for too long. Just long enough so we don't have you in class ... until after we graduate." Then she and Kaelyn Farlow laughed as they walked away.
Leah Hoalmes also sauntered by and called out to Charles, "I always knew you'd get caught doing something stupid one day. So now you'll have to plead on the mercy of the courts, and hope they don't send you away for ... life." Leah continued on with her posse and laughed the whole time.
The nine boys and their friends all knew the girls were trying to get them to react to their taunts and say something so they'd get into trouble. But the ever-vigilant Mr. Chassen, who heard from Abigail Chadwick that those nine students would be gone that Wednesday, and possibly the rest of the week, watched as the boys gathered.
The teacher also saw the girls go by the gathered boys and heard their taunts. He knew there was 'bad blood' between some of the boys and girls and knew there could be trouble brewing if he didn't pay attention. He was happy nothing happened before the first bell rang.
When Billy arrived at his school that Tuesday, it was like any other school day. He met his friends as he always did and they talked. That day, Billy told them about his 'brothers' and five of their friends having to go to court the next day. That caused the teens to ask why.
All Billy could tell them was about the attempted kidnapping last October and that now the men were going on trial and the boys had to testify. Billy told them they could Google it and get more information if they wanted. He added that was what Mr. Ken told him when he asked him to tell him about it. All the teens laughed at what Billy just told them.
That morning Mr. Wayne got with Mr. Ken about what the skate park contractor had planned to do to complete the project. The Estate Master told his employer that week the Pavilion tables and benches would be installed, the restrooms would be completed and the large grill and double sink will also be installed.
When Mr. Ken asked about the landscaping, lighting, and sunshade sails, Mr. Wayne told the man the landscaping would begin towards the end of the week and be finished by the end of the following week, the lights should be installed that Thursday or Friday and then sun shade sails will be measured for installation, so they don't interfere with the light poles.
Mr. Wayne also told his boss that the bike racks and trash cans would be installed after the tables and benches were. The Estate Master did add, the work trailer wouldn't be removed until after the punch list was completed, the area cleaned of debris, the dumpster removed and the final acceptance was signed.
Mr. Ken wasn't especially happy to hear about the work trailer, but understood that eyesore would eventually be gone. The owner of The Cove was happy to hear the other information which meant to him that the Cove Skate Park would be ready for the Memorial Day Picnic and its Grand Opening.
Mr. Wayne then asked Mr. Ken what he planned to do with the old ramps. Mr. Ken told the man he hadn't thought that far in advance, but that maybe he could donate them to someone. Mr. Wayne asked his employer if he was opening himself up to liability if someone was hurt if the ramps were weakened when moved.
Mr. Ken took a few moments to think about that prospect. Then he said he'd have the boys take them apart and save what parts and pieces were salvageable and discard what was not. The owner of The Cove said the boys might enjoy doing that over time as an additional project they got to do using tools. Mr. Wayne just smiled at the thought.
During lunch, Robert and Charles talked to their friends about what type of seating they thought would be good to have around the skate park. The Covers explained their dad always talked about having bleachers, but they thought they would look tacky around the new park.
The Covers' friends said they'd look on the net that night and talk to them tomorrow at school. Then they realized their friends might not be there, so they said they'd text them what they thought would be best or tell them on Saturday. Everyone was OK with that.
That afternoon, Mr. Chris stopped by the Study with good News. He told his boss that all three golf carts will be delivered that Friday afternoon. The Estate Manager explained the holdup was the windshields, but the dealership decided to take them off carts he had in stock and just replace those with the ones he had on order, which should be in early next week.
Mr. Ken was happy to hear that news. That was one less item for him to stress over. He internally told himself that during the summer he needed to search for that special someone to turn his vast holdings over to, so he could focus himself on his 'boys'.
Mr. Chris and Mr. Wayne saw their employer sitting there with his mind elsewhere. They both knew the man had way too many fires going and they each wondered when the man would have had enough and throw in the towel with either the boys or his ventures losing.
Mr. Wayne looked at the time and said he needed to leave to pick Charles up to take him to Doctor Doug's.
Dinner that night was a bit subdued, but that was because four of the boys were going to the courthouse in the morning. Billy tried to liven them up by telling them they'd done nothing wrong and that hopefully when the men see all of them willing to testify against them, they'll accept the plea bargain the DA offered them and it will be all over.
Kevin countered by saying it was easy for him to say, because he wasn't going to be there. Billy told all the boys that after his stepdad was killed and his mom was arrested, he had to go to court when his mom was placed on trial.
Billy told them he too was initially scared because he didn't know what would happen to him. But explained that when the DA told him he wasn't going to have any drug charges against him, he felt more at ease in court and he wasn't scared to testify.
The boys' older 'brother' encouraged them to stand tall as they were now like him, with no charges to worry about. Billy told them to go in there tomorrow with their heads held high and show the men they were not afraid. The teen said that if they show they are afraid the men's lawyers would use that against them as they questioned them on the stand.
Mr. Ken listened to what the teenager had to say. He was glad the boy had spoken up and used his own experiences to encourage the boys. Bill had an experience, as a young boy, he never had, so with Bill counseling his 'brothers' to stand tall, and not be afraid, Mr. Ken was not going to dissuade him from doing so.
As a matter of fact, the foster dad was proud the teenager had taken the lead on that subject. The teen was doing what an older 'brother' would do in cases like that, and with his first-hand knowledge, the boys might be more apt to accept his counsel, because of that experience.
After dinner, the Covers went to the Study to talk, as they always do. As soon as they sat down Kyle asked his 'dad' if what Billy said was true.
"Boys ... Bill's been there, done that, and he's got the t-shirt!" replied 'dad' Ken.
"What does that mean?" asked Kevin.
"It means that Billy's been where we're going to be," began Robert. "That he's had to testify in court and he survived. And, we will too! Billy got through answering the lawyer's questions because he went in there with ... with a positive attitude and showed them ... he showed them he wasn't afraid. That's what he was trying to tell us during dinner."
"Boys, I never had to testify in court ... well, when I was your age. So, I was glad that Bill ... that he gave you his first-hand knowledge about his turn in court. Listen to him. Take his advice. Remember ... none of you did anything wrong!" spoke up Mr. Ken.
"But ... but ..." stammered out Kevin.
"No buts, Kevin," said Mr. Ken. "Stay positive; look confident!"
All the boys looked around at one another. It was Billy who stood up and said, "Group hug!" and held out his arms.
None of the boys got out of their chairs and joined him. They all looked around at one another. But then, Charles got up and went to the teen who knew who he was when he arrived there over two months ago, but never said anything.
Robert got up next and went to the hug. Matthew quickly followed and then Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne joined in. Kyle and Kevin did their 'twin talk' and a few moments later, with smiles on their faces, they ran to the group hug.
Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne went up to the boys' rooms to say goodnight to them later that evening. The four boys going to the courthouse in the morning were all in good spirits and 'dad' Ken told them they could sleep in an extra hour as they weren't going to school. Matthew, on the other hand, had to wake himself up and get off to school.
Mr. Ken did ask Bill to wake his 'brothers' up when he got up for school.
Matthew was up bright and early Wednesday morning. He had the entire bathroom to himself and it felt wonderful. When he got down to the Kitchen Nook, Momma Maria was ready for him and placed his breakfast in front of him. When he was finished, he hugged the woman and then left for the school bus. He felt strange going up to the bus stop all by himself.
When Billy got up that morning, he found his four 'brothers' coming out of their bedrooms, so he didn't have to go and wake them up. The five boys all used the showers at the same time with the twins sharing one shower head. When they were all dressed and ready, they headed down to the Kitchen Nook together.
"Good morning, boys," said Mr. Ken, as the boys entered the Nook.
"Good morning, 'dad'" replied the boys, with a "Good Morning, Mr. Ken," added in the mix from Billy.
"Bill, since we have no idea how long the boys will be needed at the courthouse, Mr. Wayne will pick you up this afternoon and take you for your visit with Doctor Doug. That way we won't waste the doctor's time and my money," chuckled Mr. Ken.
The boys ate and talked as they normally would do at breakfast. It was a bit strange though as Billy was in the mix that morning. Momma Maria knew the boys were going to the courthouse that morning, so she didn't make a heavy meal for them.
When Billy left the table to get ready for school, 'dad' Ken asked the remaining four boys to take their plates to the sink, rinse them and then get ready to leave for the courthouse in fifteen minutes.
Robert had the boys get cleaned up using their bathroom because they all had to go upstairs and get their suit coats anyway. He checked them all over and if they needed their hair combed, he sent them to the bathroom to fix it. When they were all ready, they all walked down the stairs together.
'Dad' Ken smiled at the boys as they all filed down the stairs, and hugged them for being good sports about having to go to the courthouse. The Covers loaded into the van and Mr. Ken drove over to the courthouse, where Bill Jackson and Stewart Russell were waiting for them.
At the high school, Billy's friends saw that he wasn't his usual self. Lonnie immediately picked up on the fact that his 'brothers' were going to that trial that morning and he asked the other teens to give their friend some space.
Kaden went over to his friend and said, "Hey, Bill, sort of bummed out because of your 'brothers', huh? So, why the long face?"
"It's the twins. One of the men, who's on trial ... he ... he tried to use some fake papers to get them a few weeks before ... before he tried to kidnap them," replied Billy.
"So, what you're saying is the twins ...they ... they knew the men ... before they tried to kidnap them?" asked an incredulous Kaden.
"Hey, guys, I shouldn't have said that. Mr. Ken ... he has this rule that we aren't supposed to talk about what has us kids in the system, and ...and I kinda just broke that rule. Robert ... he let that slip last night when we talked and I forgot just now, myself.
"Look ... the twins ... I really don't know the full story about those men and them. I guess ... I guess that's what has me so bummed out. Maybe ... maybe when this is all over, I'll find out, but then again ... I might not.
"I know some of all of my 'brothers' stories, and they know mine, but ... I do not know their full stories and I may never know them. I guess I'll just have to wait and see if they'll tell me. So, guys, please don't go around and tell anyone. And Gabe and Jamie, please don't say anything to your brothers," somewhat pleaded Billy.
"If Mr. Ken finds out what you told us will you get into trouble?" asked Lonnie?"
"I don't think I'll get into big trouble. He'll be disappointed for sure. But, after I explain myself, I think he'll understand," answered Billy.
When the Covers arrived at the courthouse, they saw multiple television station vans and many cameras set up outside the courthouse with reporters waiting to catch important people coming to the trial.
When Rene Vaughn saw Ken Thomas arrive, she immediately went over to the man and asked him if she could interview him before he went inside. Mr. Ken told her she could, but only after the boys were inside the courthouse.
When the boys and Stewart Russell were inside the building, Mr. Ken and his lawyer Bill Jackson, standing beside his client, waited for Ms. Vaughn to begin her short interview.
"This is Rene Vaughn reporting for KBLY TV from outside the courthouse where I have with me Mr. Ken Thomas whose foster boys are four of the nine boys the two men who are on trial today are accused of attempting to kidnap. Mr. Thomas, how are the boys holding up knowing that this day is now upon them?" asked Ms. Vaughn.
"Rene, the boys are well prepared for this and are anxious for this trial to be put behind them. These men have taken a part of their childhood away from them, and until these men are put away for a very long time, the boys will never be free of what they tried to do to them," replied Mr. Ken.
"Mr. Thomas how do you think the trial will affect the boys and their schooling?" was Rene Vaughn's next question.
"Ms. Vaughn, we are hoping the DA will put the boys on the witness stand early on so they can get back to school and study for their final exams and their STAAR tests. Making them wait does them no good. Now if you'll excuse me the boys are waiting on me," answered Mr. Ken, who then walked away and into the courthouse with Bill Jackson close on his heels.
Rene Vaughn made some final comments to the television audience while the camera followed the two men as they walked up the steps and into the building. Rene was pleased that Mr. Ken had given her an exclusive.
Mr. Ken Thomas had often singled her out and allowed her access to people and situations when other TV and radio station reporters weren't. She often told herself she would always give the man the benefit of the doubt if there ever was the need to do so.
When the large group walked into the courtroom, the boys saw their friends and their parents had already arrived. They also saw Gene and George Warren, the twin security guards, who were hired to protect the boys that fateful Trick-or-Treat night.
The boys greeted one another and then sat together in one area. DA Morris and his Assistant came over to the boys and told them he planned to call them to the stand after Stanley Vahnn and Jerome Bredshaws, the men who are turning state's evidence, and the Warrens, who helped apprehend the men that night.
Mr. Ken was pleased to hear that. It meant that some of the boys might get called later today and probably all by the end of Thursday. He told himself he'd keep his fingers crossed.
At nine o'clock the bailiff called the courtroom to order as the judge came in and sat behind his bench. The judge then asked the lawyers to approach the bench to talk to them about how he intended to proceed with the trial.
The defense lawyer for Julian Hankers immediately asked for a continuance because of his late appointment to be the defendant's defense counsel. The judge told the man to talk to his client as it was his jailhouse lawyering decision to fire his previous counsel in order to attempt to delay his trial.
The judge denied the defense counsel's request. The judge told him to talk to the other defendant's lawyer for his help, as he is still a part of the proceedings. The judge then sent the lawyers back to their respective areas and then called for the opening statements.
The prosecution always goes first and DA George Morris got up, addressed the jury, and began his opening statement. The man told the jury that he intended to prove that Julian Hankers and Danny Zackerson did conspire and attempt, with the help of two other men, to kidnap nine boys who were out Trick-or-Treating last October 31st.
The DA talked for about ten minutes before sitting down. It was then the two defense lawyers' turn to tell the jury how the District Attorney was mistaken and how they would prove their client's innocent. They each took about ten minutes to state their case.
It was almost 10:30 before the first witness, Stanley Vahnn, was called to the witness stand.
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