Part 1: Tony lives with his mother at age 21. He is a small adult due to an unknown reason. Tony grew up very little, medical tests could not determine why. Fully grown at 21 Tony is just 52 pounds and 4 feet tall. His mother is Grace who is wealthy.
After a long period of raising Tony and giving him special care mother is ready for a vacation. Her sister Sally lives a few hundred miles away. Aunt Sally has agreed to look after Tony while his mother gets a break.
Tony and Grace live in a small town called Lake Placid in Florida. A few hundred miles north is Ocala a larger town just outside the Ocala National Forest. Aunt Sally has been warned that Tony for some reason started wetting the bed. She has stocked up on the Gerber diapers and Gerber plastic pants.
Today is June 1st in the year 1975 on a Friday morning. Grace just got Tony out of bed and he wet again last night. This must be handled delicately since bedwetting is embarrassing. Aunt Sally has the needed night diapers but won’t rush into anything after Tony arrives today.
“I don’t know why you are wetting the bed again,” mother said, “I warned Aunt Sally to put a plastic cover on your mattress.”
“Ok mom, that’s not a bad idea although I don’t expect the wetting to continue,” Tony said having been dry for years.
The family leaves Lake Placid at 10 am hoping to arrive in Ocala in about 3 hours. Tony knows mother is heading to Daytona Beach after that. She has a motel reservation for 2 weeks. This will be Grace’s first vacation in many years.
“I expect you to behave for your Aunt Sally,” Grace said driving.
“Sure mother I behave for you and will behave for Aunt Sally,” Tony assured Grace. “I may be little but I’m a 21 year old adult.”
Aunt Sally lives outside of Ocala in the country. The family car pulls up the long winding driveway to arrive on time at 1 pm. Aunt Sally is thrilled to see her family. She has been divorced a few years now and lives alone. Grace is 40 and Sally is just 35 without any children.
“Hello Grace and Tony,” Sally said greeting them outside. “I am happy you arrived safely.” “I have you for 2 weeks Tony so make yourself at home.”
“Thank you so much for offering to watch Tony while I enjoy the beach,” Grace said, “I will head for Daytona after lunch.”
“Hello Aunt Sally, I am happy to be here,” Tony said looking around the property. “Are there trails thru the woods?”
“Yes sweetie but I don’t want you going off on your own,” Aunt Sally warned, “you are little and the woods are dangerous.”
Mother agrees as they go inside to have lunch. Sally made a tray of roast beef and turkey sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and Swiss cheese. She fills 3 glasses with ice and root beer. The family eats and talks about what is new. Tony’s bedwetting is not talked about during lunch.
Tony is in the spare room which has a twin bed, dresser, and a small color TV to watch. Aunt Sally did cover his mattress with plastic as advised. She washed 15 Gerber cloth prefold diapers and stacked them on a shelf in Tony’s room. The diapers are 6 ply making them thick and absorbent for an X-large toddler.
Eight pairs of Gerber plastic pants are washed and ready to wear. They are also for an X-large toddler. These are on the shelf too.
After lunch Grace makes sure Tony’s luggage is put inside. She hugs her son and sister then leaves for Daytona Beach. Aunt Sally takes Tony to his room after that. She assures him the mattress has a plastic cover in case he wets the bed.
“I don’t expect to keep wetting the bed,” Tony said, “It happened a few times in the past 2 weeks.”
“It is better to be safe than sorry,” Aunt Sally said with a smile.
Tony looks around his room before unpacking his luggage. He can’t help but notice the cloth diapers and plastic pants. Tony ignores this and puts his clothes in the dresser.
“I noticed you look at those diapers and plastic pants,” Aunt Sally said, “I have them left from a toddler girl I was babysitting.”
That is a relief for Tony hearing this. He was sure they could not be for him to wear at age 21. The truth is the diapers are just the right size for Tony and were bought for Tony. On top of the dresser is a jar of pink head Gerber locking diaper pins. There is also Desitin for diaper rash and Johnson’s baby powder.
“I have dishes to do in the kitchen and a few other chores,” Aunt Sally said leaving Tony in his room.
Tony finishes unpacking and puts a few things in the bathroom across the hallway. Back in his room he can’t help but look at the cloth diapers. Tony unfolds one and it appears it will fit him. He puts it back and checks out the plastic pants. They look like his size too. The toddler girl must have been about Tony’s size.
After an hour or so Tony goes outside to look around. He does not go off in the woods staying close to home. Dinner is served at 6 pm, Aunt Sally made fried chicken. Tony loves this with baked beans and cole slaw. This is a traditional southern dinner.
