Mike woke up to the smell of breakfast cooking. Mike had slept well last night. He thought it must be the sun and fresh air. Mike got out of bed and headed for the closed door. When Mike’s hand touched the door knob he felt the note that was on the handle. Mike blinked his eyes a few times to help them focus on the note. It said "Come as you are to breakfast. The boys have been taken care of this morning. Love Helen."

Mike went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He was still not fully awake, when Ken showed up at the bathroom door.

Ken said that breakfast was on and to come on down.

Mike went downstairs and into the kitchen to get some coffee to help wake him up. Helen asked him how he slept last night. Mike said, "like a baby." "I hope not," Helen said with a smile. Mike missed the joke in that statement. She told every one to sit down at the table and that breakfast was served.

Helen had cooked for a small army. It was a full country breakfast. The boys finished everything and still said they were hungry after thirds.

Helen asked the boys to clear the table and when they were done to go outside and play. The three adults sat at the table sipping their second cup of coffee. When the boys left the house, Paul said that he wanted to talk to Mike in private and Helen got up and took her coffee to the kitchen to start cleaning up the breakfast things.

Paul told Mike about his problem and something that Helen did not know, that the country place would have to be sold. "Why?" Mike asked. "Because," Paul said, "I no longer have any hospitalization insurance to speak of, and the pension fund is out of money." The firm that Paul had worked at for thirty years had filed chapter 7 in bankruptcy court. The pension fund was used to pay off the creditors before the court knew that it was the pension fund. So the former employees were left with only social security and that would not cover the bills.

Paul had saved money, but the wedding of their only child used most of that up. Mike asked if Paul knew how much he wanted for the place. It had been in the family for six generations, and Mike and Pam would have made it seven. Paul said that he did not know the true value of the land, and a real-estate agent was checking that for him. Mike knew that he could not buy the place on the open market. The country place had 225 acres of land and land in this area went for $20,000 to $40,000 per acre.

What Paul and Mike did not know was that Helen had come back into the room to get the coffee mugs and had heard what Paul said. Helen made her presence known by telling Paul that the place was NOT for sale and that he was to cancel the real-estate person from coming out. They would get by without selling the place. "If it would help any, I could pay the taxes or a part of them," Mike said. Helen gave him a look that should have killed him. Mike said, "I am only trying to help." "They would not need his help just yet." Helen stated. Then Helen asked Mike if he was planning to spend all day in his PJ’s.

Mike said no and left the table to take a shower and get dressed. Mike packed his overnight bag after he was dressed and carried it downstairs with him. Helen asked if he was in a rush to leave? Mike stated that he was not. Helen and Paul both asked if he and the boys could stay until Sunday. Mike said they would like to, but they only packed for an overnight. Paul’s and Helen’s faces told the whole story they really wanted them to stay. "OK, we will stay," Mike said. "I will go home after lunch pickup some extra clothing for us and come back." They both said, "Great." Mike said that he would let the boys know that they would be staying until Sunday. Helen started laughing and said, "they already know. We talked about it this morning." Helen then told Paul and Mike to go outside and play.

Mike placed the bag in the back seat of the car and then he and Paul went looking for the boys.

The air smelled clean and fresh even though most of the trees between the house and the pond were pine trees. Mike stopped at a white ash and found the mark that he and Pam carved into the tree the night they created Ken. Mike ran his fingers over the marks remembering that night. Paul asked if this is where Mike had asked Pam to marry him. "No, this is the spot where we started our family," Mike said. "If the trees could only talk, and remind us of all the good times we have here," Paul said. Mike just smiled and asked Paul if he remembered the late August night that the four of them went skinny dipping in the pond. "Yes, I do," said Paul.

Greg came running through the spot with Ken close behind. The boys were playing a game of tag and Mike was now it. Mike yelled to the boys that they were staying until Sunday. They were gone as fast as they came.

Paul and Mike started walking again deeper into the woods, remembering the times that were and the time that is now. After some time they came upon the path that lead to the play area and back to the house. Paul stopped and asked Mike "Is this your way of telling us that you found an another woman to marry?" Mike was shocked by what Paul just asked him. Mike said, "No, I have not even dated since the accident. Because I don’t want the pain of loosing a wife and mother, and ... the child ... she was pregnant when it happened. I found out a week after her death." Mike had not told any one that, Paul now missed his daughter and the baby he never knew. "Why did you not tell us?" Paul asked. Mike just looked at Paul with a face that spoke more than just words it showed that Pam was his one and only, and what good would it have done. The two of them walked back to the house via the path in total silence.

When they got to the house Helen said that lunch was ready and the boys were taken care of. Lunch was sandwiches. Helen had cut the boys’ sandwiches into different shapes just the way she did when the boys were three or four years old. In front of Ken’s and Greg’s place at the table were two glasses one filled with milk the other with a juice. The adults had ice tea to go with the lunch. Also on the table was a big bowl of fruit for dessert.

After lunch Mike said that he was off and he would be back for dinner. He also told the boys to be good and do what grandma or grandpa say. Helen said that the boys would be going upstairs for their nap when Mike left. With that said, Mike headed out the door for his trip to home and back.

When Mike got home a police car was parked in the driveway and an officer was at his front door. Mike pulled the car into the driveway and the officer walk towards him. Mike got out of his car and asked the officer if he could help him. The office asked Mike for some identification and Mike got out his driver’s license.

J. Smith was the name on the name tag that the officer was wearing. Officer Smith asked Mike if he knew the ware-a-bouts of Ken and Greg. Mike said that they were with their grandparents and gave the officer the address and phone number of the country place. The officer asked when the boys were taken to that location. Mike said that they went yesterday morning.

Mike asked the officer why the questions? Office Smith said that a group of boys did some damage up at the mall yesterday afternoon. One of the boys was caught and stated that his sons were involved. Mike said, "You can use my phone, if you want to call my in-laws at that number." Officer Smith said, "No not at this time, but we will if any of the others say that your kids were there. Have a good day."

Officer Smith then went to his police car. Mike was glad that Ken and Greg were not involved and that they had gone to the country place.

Mike stopped at the mail box on his way to the front door. In the mail were two report cards, lots of bills and a letter from the school addressed to Mike. Mike opened the report cards and found just passing marks for both boys. Mike then opened the letter from the school. The letter stated that if the grades did not come to a C or better that the boys should take summer school or get a tutor for the summer. The boys would be tested in the fall and if they failed to get a C or better on the test, they would be held back a grade. Mike looked at the two report cards again a saw that the last quarter both boy's grades had slipped way down and failed most subjects.

Mike called the phone number on the letter to set-up summer school classes. Mike found out that the person answering the phone was one of Greg’s teachers. Mike asked the teacher what happened and why were the grades so low. The teachers answer shocked Mike. A group of boys were cutting class and creating problems at the local mall, but he was sent a letter telling him that. Mike thanked the teacher for the information and said he would set-up schooling for the boys with a tutor.

Mike then packed a suitcase with clothing for the three of them for the next three days. Mike also packed the report cards and the letter from the school. Mike went to pack more diapers but only found the baby diapers that he was using inside their other diapers. Mike made a note to pick up more diapers on his way back to the country place.

Before Mike left he set the weekly trash out. Four bags of trash this week. Four very smelly bags of trash.

As Mike was just about ready to leave, the phone rang and he answered it. On the phone was Paul checking to see if Mike was OK. Mike asked why Paul had called. Paul told him that the police had just called checking on the boys and what time they had seen them yesterday, but would not say why. Paul and Helen feared that maybe something had happened to Mike, but were glad to head his voice on the phone. Mike told them that some kids got into trouble at the mall, and named his kids as part of the group. Mike asked if they needed any thing from the store. Helen said no and for him to drive safely. Mike said that he would, and he would see them in about two hours. Mike hung up the phone, then pick up the locked suitcase and headed for the car locking the front door behind him.

Mike placed the suitcase in the trunk of the car.

On his way he stopped at drug store and pickup more diapers, lotion and powder and placed the bags also in the trunk. One more stop for gas and Mike was on his way back to the country place.

From start to finish Mike was gone for five hours that was not bad.

As Mike pulled the car up to the house, Paul and the boys appeared from the back of the house. The boys had no shirts on and the tops of their plastic pants showed above the waist band of the shorts. Mike opened the trunk from inside the car before getting out. By this time Paul and the boys were at the driver’s door. The boys did not look real happy, Mike told them to take the things out of the trunk, and take them upstairs and wait for him there. By this time Helen was standing in the door way checking to make sure Mike was OK.

Paul’s face showed questions that needed answers. The first question had not jelled into words yet. Mike asked for fifteen minutes and then a family meeting at the dinner table. Helen and Paul shook their heads to say OK. This was the way that Pam had come up with to deal with questions and problems as a family. The method worked well, and this was a family problem.

Mike went into the house and up the stairs. Mike did not ask if the boys needed their diapers changed. He checked as any parent would a small child that could not speak. Mike then sent the boys down stairs to wait for the family meeting.

When the boys had left, Mike unlocked the suitcase and removed the report cards and the letter from the school. Then Mike made a quick stop in the bathroom. As Mike was washing his hands he wondered if he had done the right thing with the boys. Mike sighed, "How could I have missed this," looking into the mirror over the sink. Mike picked up the papers and headed to his place at the table.

Mike was the last one to be seated, but the first one to talk. Mike reminded the boys to tell the truth. A look of fear came across the faces of the boys for only a split second. Mike started by asking about the kids that came to door on Wednesday. Ken and Greg said that they were just friends, real cool friends. Mike asked how long they knew them. The answer was three months or so. Mike then asked if the boys cut any classes at school. They both said no. Mike asked if they remembered the taste of the bar of soap? They both said yes they did. Mike again asked if they cut any classes? This time the answer was yes. Mike reminded them that lying got them this punishment, and if they lied again he would have no choice. He would treat every thing they do and say as a lie. Mike asked if the boys understood what he said. They said yes.

Mike told them that the police were looking for them for the trouble that they were involved in at the mall yesterday afternoon. Ken and Greg said that they were not at the mall yesterday afternoon because they were here fishing and playing. Mike said, "See what lying does, your ‘cool’ friends said that you were with them." Both boys and grandparents sat there looking at each other.

Mike set the two report cards and the letter on the table and said, "second point is. You both failed to take a test to pass to the next grade level. Your grade point average is under a C." Mike pointed to the letter and stated that the boys would need summer school or a private tutor to get to the next grade level. Helen was mad, Pam had been a very good student, so had the boys up until now. Mike said he knew now, that he knew things that he wished he didn’t know.

Maybe he was a bad parent, and he should not have punished them with diapers and other baby things. After, all it is their lives and their choices. Why should he care if they want to wear diapers, create trouble and end up in jail, or flunk out of school? Mike got up from the table and headed for the door.

Paul had some questions that he wanted answers to. Very hard questions that started with why.

About twenty minutes later Helen came outside. Mike was sitting on the old tractor with his back to the house. Helen asked Mike to come back in and take his place at the table. Mike came back in slowly, like a man that would not see this path again.

Mike sat at his place at the table, fearing that he and his sons would be told to leave. That was not yet the case. Helen, with the wisdom of motherhood, spoke. "The boys at heart are good, with souls that are torn between childhood and adulthood, with fears that we did not have to face at their age. Mike you are wanting to protect them from harm is noble. You found them acting as babies, and you showed them that you are willing to care for them, and love them unconditionally as if they were only a day old. However they are not. They will do things to test that love. It's a hard job to raise a child with two parents, and a harder job to raise a child with one parent. But you already know this."

As Helen spoke the soft words of wisdom, Mike knew that he stepped over the line. Yes, he was the adult and his boys are entering manhood and not babyhood. Helen also stated that she was wrong in taking care of the boys because they did not ask for her help, just her understanding.

After a few seconds that felt like a few minutes, Greg said, "Grandma and grandpa are willing to help us study for the test if you can get them the list of books that are needed. It would be after the 4th of July and we would like to study here."

Ken sat looking at his father with eyes that seemed to question if he heard the words and feeling that were being spoken to him.

Paul was the last one to speak, "Mike, you stated that the choices the boys make are theirs, and that it is their life. But you made this choice and it was not to keep it in the dark, or yell at them, but to embarrass them. Right or wrong. We know that you were only trying to help. ... Some times we try so hard to do the correct thing that we fail, and do more harm than good. I, too, am at fault for doing it, we as parents try so hard but some times doing nothing or saying nothing works better. This end my speech to you Mike. Ken and Greg, you both know that cutting class and going to the mall would one day catch up to you. That was your choice. We are willing to help you both if and only if you want it. This, too, is your choice. I, too, made the choice to wear diapers at night, because of need and not want. You boys opted for want, again your choice. When your father found out, you choice was to lie. A lie that was not to hurt any one just cover up the truth. A lie to give you time to find the reason, but all things in life do not have clear reasons. Your father may have gone to far, but he has, for the most part, treated you at your current age barring the diapers. Is this not true? Helen..." Paul’s voice fell silent. The looks that passed between them said more than words would ever say. The look of disappointment in Paul’s eyes has he looked at Helen and then Mike then each of the boys. The room was quiet as each person thought over what had been said.

Ken was the first to get up from the table, and he walked over to his grandpa and gave him a hug. Ken turned and gave his grandma a hug and a kiss then left the room. Greg followed Ken out of the room. Helen and Paul left as Mike sat at the table feeling that the world had stopped again on him.

After about twenty minutes, Mike got up from the table and found some paper and a pen. With the needed items Mike wrote three apology letters, One to both Helen and Paul, and one each to his sons. Mike left the folded letters on the table with the names facing up.

He went upstairs to the boy’s room and pickup his clothing. The room was a mess, and on the floor were the plastic pants and the diapers that the boy’s had been wearing at the end of the family meeting. Mike went to his room and put his things away. The house had the silence of loss. The type of silence that forces one to look back and see only sad times.

Mike decided to take a walk in the wood to help try to put this behind him, and to start looking forward. Mike ended up at the play area. He sat on one of the tire swings looking over what had been a fun place. "Just yesterday the boys played here, they even built a sand castle. Was I wrong in doing it?" Mike said aloud for the trees to hear. Mike started walking again, only his feet knew where they were going as they went deeper into the woods.

The full moon was up by the time Mike got back to the house and dinner had been served. Mike apologized for being so late to dinner and took his place at the table. Not a lot was said at the table.

After the meal was over, Ken asked to be excused from the table. Helen gave him the OK to leave the table. When Ken stood up the front of his trousers were wet. Ken blushed with embarrassment as he ran upstairs. Helen got a towel to dry up the wet mess in the seat of the wooden chair.

Mike waited for a moment before going upstairs. He found that the door to the boy’s bedroom was closed so he knocked. "Who is there?" Ken asked. "Your father, can I come in?" Mike asked. Mike waited for an answer. Ken did not answer.

After a short moment Mike opened the bedroom door. Ken said that he did not want his father there and for him to get out. Mike entered the room any way and shut the door behind him. Ken was mad at himself and mad that his father did not go away. Ken said, "I didn’t want you, leave, just leave me alone. You created this mess, are you happy? Just get out of my life." Mike let Ken say what was on his mind in his fit of anger, hoping he would calm down.

Mike grabbed Ken by the arms and pulled him close to his chest and hugged him until he stopped fighting him. Mike said that he was sorry for the way things turned out, that he was wrong in treat his sons this way. That he does love them no matter what they say or do, he is their father and because of that fact, nothing they do will break that love.

Mike let Ken go and said, "You know what you need to do so go do it." Ken headed for the bathroom to get cleaned up. Mike left the room behind Ken and went downstairs.

Paul gave Mike a look that questioned what he had just done. Mike stated that Ken was getting cleaned up and would be down later.

Mike went to help Helen in the kitchen with the dishes.

After the dishes were done, Helen poured coffee into the three mugs. Mike carried a mug of coffee for Paul into the family room.

Paul and the boys had found a game that they all would play tonight. Mike picked up on the scent of baby powder. When Ken moved the soft noise of plastic back sheet of the disposable diaper could be heard. No one said a word about it.

The game ended at around ten o’clock that night and with that every one said goodnight and went to bed.

Mike was the last one through the bathroom that night because he needed to take a shower.

When Mike was done in the bathroom he headed for his room passing by the half closed door of he boy’s room. Mike stopped and looked in on his two sons that were a sleep. Mike very softly said, "Goodnight guys, pleasant dreams." Mike closed the bedroom door and went to his room and went to bed.