Birthday to Remember
Dave Mason graduated from high school back in June like the rest of his senior class. His mom Ruth age 40 and sister Shelly age 21 attended the ceremony. It is now July 1, 2015 and today is Dave’s birthday. Ruth Mason who divorced her husband years ago is throwing a birthday party for Dave at 8 pm this evening.
“You have done well graduating in the top 10% of your senior class,” mom said, “I could not be prouder of your achievements.” “Your birthday party is after supper at 8 pm,” mom continued, “I do have a few surprises for you tonight.”
“Yes Dave you will be surprised by a few of your gifts,” Shelly spoke up, “you are fortunate only our family will be attending.”
Dave Mason is happy to be 18 today and is looking forward to his party. Dave asked for a laptop computer of his own since the whole family uses the desktop. Dave is a small 18 year old at just 5’ tall and weighing only 80 lbs. He is thin but healthy, Dave has brown hair that goes just past his shirt collar.
Ruth Mason is a big woman, Frank the deadbeat dad is short like his son. Ruth is exactly 6’ tall and weighs 180 lbs. Shelly Mason takes after her mother, she is 5’ 10” tall and weighs 160. Dave started wetting the bed again for the first time since he was 7. Mom often diapered Dave before bed up to age 7.
Attempts to stop Dave from wetting the bed have failed. Doctor Beverly Haines could not find anything wrong with Dave that would explain bedwetting. She told Ruth recently to consider putting Dave back in overnight diapers. Dave does not know this, his sheets have to be washed at least 3 times a week.
“I am looking forward to my party after supper,” Dave told mom, “did you make my favorite meal and favorite cake?”
“Yes baby I made you southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans,” mom answered, “I made a yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting.”
“Mom bought vanilla ice cream to go with the cake,” Shelly added with a smile.
The family lives in Lakeland, Florida, an average size town but not real large. Today is rather sunny being July 1 and summer time. During the afternoons and evening it rains just about every day. It is Saturday, dinner is served at 6 pm.
The Mason’s live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath single story home located in a subdivision called Sunny Living. They are not rich but manage a good standard of living. Ruth works P/T as an Executive Secretary for a local data processing firm. Shelly works as a P/T barmaid at the Steakhouse. Dave has not started his first regular job, he mows lawns in the neighborhood for spending money.
The divorce 5 years ago left Ruth with the family home which is paid for. She kept custody of her children Dave and Shelly. The family car is hers too, at the time it was a brand new Oldsmobile Cutlass. Life is good for the single parent family.
“Go and wash up for supper,” mom said, “I will have it on the table in 5 minutes.”
Dave and Shelly wash up in the hall bathroom and take a seat at the dining room table. There is a basket of fried chicken, a large bowl of mashed potatoes, and a bowl of green beans. Canned sodas are served with a glass of ice cubes.
“Wow mom the dinner smells delicious,” Dave comments, “I am hungry too.”
“You always do a wonderful job of cooking,” Shelly said, “I will do the dishes.”
Everyone fills their plate and enjoys the delicious dinner. There is not much talk since mom thinks it is not polite to talk with your mouth full. The cake and ice cream will be served during the birthday party. Upon finishing dinner Dave takes out the trash and Shelly does the dishes.
“I am going to take my shower and dress for the party,” Dave said, “while you 2 finish up cleaning the kitchen.”
While Dave is in the shower some red, white, and blue streamers are hung in the dining room along with a few balloons. A Happy Birthday sign in hung over the archway going into the dining room. The cake is put in the center of the table with 18 candles to light later.
After a long hot shower Dave dresses in a pair of dark blue shorts and a light blue t-shirt. Shelly and Ruth usually take their bathes before they go to bed at around 10 pm. Dave is pleased to see the dining room decorations and cake. He is really hoping to get that laptop computer.
There are many gifts on the dining room table waiting to be opened. It is now 8 pm, Dave walks into the dining room. The 18 candles are lit on his cake.
“Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Dave, happy birthday to you,” mom and Shelly sing. Everyone takes a seat and Dave blows out all the candles at once.
“Open your presents first,” mom insisted, “we can have ice cream and cake later.”
The first present is heavy and about 12” square and 4” thick. Dave rips the paper off to reveal a Dell Laptop still in the box. He opens the box and finds the laptop in a black leather carrying case.
“Wow! This is exactly what I wanted mom,” Dave said with a big smile.
“I was sure that you would like this gift,” mom said, “it will come in handy if you attend any college classes or just use it as you wish.”
Shelly hands Dave a present from her. This present is small but was not cheap. Dave opens this gift to find a Microsoft Office 2013 student edition program disk. Dave is pleased with this gift that goes with his new laptop. He thanks both mom and Shelly and smiles brightly.
“We have several more gifts for you to open Dave,” mom said handing him a box.
The box is big and very solid, it is wrapped nicely with a ribbon around it. “I have no idea what this could be,” Dave said looking puzzled.
He rips the paper off to reveal a plain brown box with very little writing on it. All Dave sees is the words Abena and a code number and a large S for small. He stands up to cut the tape on the box and open it. Dave is surprised to pull out a package wrapped in red plastic. There are 3 more just like it inside.
Dave opens the plastic package and thick white plastic diapers fall out on the table. Dave looks at both mom and Shelly, he is very surprised and turns red faced. He soon realizes these are small adult diapers with a plastic outside.
“You bought me diapers!” exclaimed Dave, “I do not need diapers at my age!”
“Who has been wetting the bed again for the last few months?” mom asked. “You have and we are tired of washing your smelly sheets and pajamas.”
“You may have a plastic cover to protect your mattress,” Shelly added, “but you still get your sheets and pajamas wet.” “Mom and I both work P/T and we are not doing laundry 3 or 4 times a week anymore.”
