Bob adopted Gary soon after they were married. This was his wife's son

by a previous marriage. Bob became quite close to his adopted son,

taking him along on a few business trips with him. Gary adored his new

daddy, following him around like a little puppy. Bob discovered his son

had a natural love of working with his mind and hands, it would be a

perfect profession for him, so he began giving him more responsibility,

teaching him how to work the trade.

Bob and Kim were celebrating Gary's 8th birthday when Bob's pager went

off. This was supposed to one of his rare days off during the week, so

he was concerned when he felt the vibration alerting him to the call.

The call was from his dispatcher telling him he had several machines

down in a Government Office. This was not in his normal district, but

being in such a need and because his area was under control they decided

to use him for this special job.

He would have to drive a little over 100 miles, would have to stay at

least one night, maybe two. The Corporation always paid extra for such

jobs and would pay for his night's stay.

"Daddy, can I go too?" Bob looked over at his wife who was smiling with

approval. "Sure, I need a good pair of hands, sure, son, go get a change

of cloths so we can get on the road." After the boy ran off to his room

to pack, Kim gave her husband a hug and kiss.

"Thank you, he really needs to be with you more." Kim was pleased Bob

took such an interest in her son. Bob was wondering if the boy wouldn't

slow him down, but agreed to take him. His Corporation did not encourage

their repairmen to take riders along with them, but if he had to stay

overnight they would allow a family member time to time.

"Is it my imagination or has Gary been in a mood swing lately?" Bob

asked.

"Yes he has been moody lately I think he has a reason to be..... you'll

have to talk with him about it, I'm sure you can help him." Kim turned

to go into the boy's room to help him pack. She turned back towards Bob.

"I need to tell you something, Bob...." She hesitated, "I found his bed

wet yesterday morning. I think something is really bothering him, maybe

you could talk with him and find out what it is."

Bob told her he would do his best. "I use to wet the bed when something

was bothering me, too. I often wished I had someone to talk to about it.

Yes, I think I can help him."

Kim looked as if she wanted to say something else but bit her lip to

silence. Bob, picking up on this behavior, knew something was bothering

her also. "What is it?" he asked as he gave her one last kiss.

"I put him in diapers last night," Kim looked Bob into the eyes as she

raised her eyebrows up and down. Bob broke out into a wide grin, "All

right! Better than a wet bed. How did he take it?"

"Better then I thought, at first he looked at me as if I was kidding,

but I convinced him that it would be better then sleeping in a cold, wet

bed. He just said, 'Yea, but what will daddy think?' so I told him that

you had to wear them at his age, too. He said "OH SURE!" as if he did

not believe me, but he let me put them on. However, when I got him up

this morning he had already taken them off. I found them on the floor

between the bed and wall."

"Soaked?" Bob asked.

"Very!" she answered.

"Poor kid, he must feel confused about it all, I'll give him a hand with

it." Bob gave his wife another knock out kiss, grabbed his overnight

bag, calling to Gary, "Let's go buddy!"

Once on the highway, Bob began to talk with Gray to see if he would like

to talk about any problems. "How do you like your summer vacation by

now?"

"Great, I like summers."

"Me too," Bob agreed.

After more small talk, Bob came to the point. "Honey, I know you have

been wetting your pants lately and mom tells me you are wetting the bed

some nights, too."

Gary grew tense and tears were forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I won't

do it again, I promise I will try not to."

"Sweetheart, I am not upset about it at all and you should not feel bad

about it, I know it is not your fault, I know it happens." Bob was being

as gentle with the boy as he could be. "Wetting the bed or your pants is

not the important thing, what is important is.... YOU!" Bob reached out

and poked a finger into Gary's belly causing the boy to giggle behind

his tears.

Gary wiped the tears from his eyes while curling up his legs onto the

seat. The look on his face told the story of shame and embarrassment the

little boy was suffering. He did not want to make his daddy unhappy with

him.

Bob quickly picked up on the boy's distress. For just a moment Bob had a

flashback from his own childhood. Bob took one hand and brushed the

locks of hair on the boy's light brown head.

"Gary, I love you more then anything else, you're really important to

me. Your going to grow up into a mighty fine man, I will always be so

proud of you. No matter what ever happens, I will always love you."

The child brightened up, lifted his head high and looked out the side

window. Bob could see his reflection from the window and noticed tears,

but best of all saw the smile of joy. Gary turned back to his daddy,

grabbed hold of his hand, kissing the wrist. "I love you too, daddy, I

love you!"

By this time they just drove into the parking lot of Mr. Beebe's

favorite restaurant. Turning the engine off, Bob unbuckled his seat belt

then leaned over to his son, taking him into his arms, gave him a long

hug while kissing him on the cheek.

Before going into the restaurant Bob asked his son, "Did you bring any

diapers, didn't mom lay some out for you?"

"Yes, but I forgot them, I think!"

"I bet you were just too embarrassed to pack them, I know that is how I

use to feel sometimes." Bob was so sensitive to the boy's feelings that

he actually felt his distress.

Ducking his head, Gary confessed that he really did not forget them, but

was indeed fearful of bringing them.

"That's all right, sweetheart, I understand." Bob patted him lightly on

his head, then taking Gary's outstretched hand, they went in the

restaurant.

While in the restaurant they laughed and joked with each other, talking

about this and that. The boy was getting to know his daddy in a big way.

Mr. Beebe enjoyed this close relationship with his son. The waitress,

noticing their close relationship, gave them extra service. Life could

not be better, Bob thought to himself.