The Love of Diapers
Characters:
Sam Burns, Age 27, Son
Donna Burns, Age 52, Mother
Jack Burns, Age 51, Father
Mary Burns, Age 47, Aunt
Fred Burns, Age 45, Uncle
Sally Burns, Age 25, Cousin
Background: This story is about 2 families with the last name Burns. Jack and Donna Burns live with their son Sam. He is back home after being laid off of his job at Walmart. It was full time with fairly good pay. Jack his father still works for IBM making good money. Donna his mother works as a Secretary at the same company IBM.
The family lives in an average town called Macon, which is in Georgia. The year is 1990, they live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath single story home on a half-acre lot. The parents welcomed Sam back home but in reality he is often by himself with both parents working.
Mary and Fred Burns live alone. Their one daughter Sally has a good job at Publix as a Deli Manager. Sally has a nice 2 bedroom, 1 bath condominium in Griffin, Georgia. Mary and Fred live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home also in Griffin. They live 100 miles north of Macon.
Sam was a sporting goods assistant manager at Walmart. He did not get rich but has a car that is paid for. Sam drives a 1985 Toyota Corolla that is a like new. He is having trouble finding a job because the local economy is slow. Sam is kind of short at 5’ 4” tall and about 120 Lbs. He has collar length brown hair and is a polite young man.
Scene One: The date is June 1, 1990 and we are in Macon, Georgia. Sam has been at home all day as usual while his parents work at IBM. It is 6 pm on Friday and the family is having supper at the dining room table. A call came today for Sam from Walmart. He can come back to work in 3 months when the store will need him once again.
“I received good news today from Walmart mom and dad,” Sam said smiling, “they want me to come back to work full time in 3 months.”
“That is very good news,” dad replied, “What will you do until the first of September?” “You can’t do nothing for 3 months.”
Sam anticipated dad would say something like this. He explains that he cannot help the fact the economy is slow. Mom speaks up and tells Sam how happy she is for him. Dad knows not to blame Sam for the layoff.
“I think it is wonderful that you are getting your old job back,” mom spoke up, “Walmart is a big company and you worked there 5 years.”
Things get quiet for a while as the family eats dinner. They are having leftover ham with peas and microwave baked potatoes. Mom agrees Sam should not sit around the home alone for 3 months waiting to return to work. She has an idea and has been talking to her sister.
“I talked to your aunt Mary recently and she would like you to spend some time there over the summer,” mom explained.
Uncle Fred still works full time as a parts manager for NAPA. Aunt Mary retired from her part time job when she turned 45 two years ago. Cousin Sally moved into her own place four years ago when she was 21. A lot of her old clothing she outgrew was left in her bedroom. Mom hated to pack it all away in boxes so she left Sally’s room as it was.
“That sounds like a good idea to me,” dad said after eating. “Aunt Mary is home all day and could use the company.”
“This is rather sudden expecting me to move 100 miles away,” Sam suggested, “I would prefer to stay at home after my good news.”
“What can you do sitting at home all day by yourself?” dad asked. “Your aunt Mary is good company and can use help around the house.”
“Your father is right sweetie,” mom added, “you like her and Uncle Fred is going out of town for a month with NAPA so Aunt Mary will be alone.”
Dinner is finished so mom fixes a piece of cherry pie with vanilla ice cream for everyone. Sam has time to think and concludes the parents want him at his Aunt Mary’s place so she is not alone.
“I suppose I could move for a few months if you insist on this,” Sam said, “I have always liked Aunt Mary.”
Dad speaks up and says that this would be the mature thing for Sam to do. They were going to send him there anyway so Aunt Mary is not alone for a month or longer. Mom agrees and it is decided that Sam will leave Sunday morning. This gives Sam a day to pack and get his car ready for the road trip.
“Ok mom and dad I will do as you ask,” Sam replied, “tomorrow is Saturday and I will take my car in for an oil change and tune up.”
“I will do all your laundry tomorrow and help you pack,” mom replied.
Aunt Mary is not alone yet, Uncle Fred is going out of town with NAPA starting on Monday morning. Mom phoned her sister after dinner and told her about all the good news. As usual since being unemployed Sam does the dinner dishes and takes out the trash.
Aunt Mary is a strong women who takes care of the house and fixes all the meals. She is a clean person and she does all the laundry and takes care of her husband. Her daughter Sally occasionally stops by to visit. Uncle Fred is also a hard worker who loves his job.
Unknown to Sam is the fact that his cousin Sally wet the bed up to age 16. She always slept in her own room when Sam and the parents came to visit. The third bedroom was made a storage room after Sally moved out. Her room is occasionally used as the guest room.
That evening the family watches television and goes to bed around 11 pm. A busy day is planned for Saturday to get Sam ready to move. The home is quiet and dark at night until they get up at 8 am.
“I will eat breakfast while my car is being worked on,” Sam said after getting dressed. “Be back in a couple of hours.”
“Ok sweetie, I will have laundry finished by time you return,” mom said.
Dad likes to work in the yard on Saturday and will do this without Sam’s help for a few months. He has a nice riding lawn mower, gas edger, and electric blower. The home always looks good outside.
Everything goes as planned on Saturday. Sam gets maintenance on his car and returns home before lunch. Dad has the yard work done by 1 pm which is lunch time. Mom has done all the laundry and put it away.
Lunch is something simple for Donna to cook, she makes hot dogs with beans. Jack showers first after working in the hot sun. After lunch mom assists Sam in packing one large suitcase and an overnight bag. He brings clothes, toothbrush, deodorant, and a few other things needed.
“I called your aunt Mary again to let her know to expect you on Sunday by noon,” Donna said after they packed.
“I know you are 27 Sam,” dad lectured, “make sure to obey your aunt Mary and help out as much as possible around the house.”
Sam knows this and assures dad everything will be just fine. He is known as a polite and obedient young man who helps out around the house. On Saturday night the family goes to bed at midnight.
