Wayne Jr had an imagination as big as the sky. He was a usually caring and loving son and always tried very hard to please his daddy and me. But one time when he was about six years old, he got upset with me for giving him a sound spanking. He told me he would just run away from home. I told him "OK, I will help you get ready." He was not expecting me to react to his statement so calmly. His eyes got as big as saucers, but how could he save face or change his mind after making such a bold statement. Most of his imagination was formed from watching TV and reading the daily comic strips.
He found an old discarded mop handle to use as his pole. I went to his daddy’s closet in search of a big red farmer's handkerchief to tie to one end. Then, I searched for things he could take along on his journey. I came up with a can of pork and beans and a can opener, I added a container I had filled with cottage cheese and some cookies. I could tell by his reluctance to help me fill his ditty bag, that he was having second thoughts. Even I wondered how far this runaway trip might take him.

I helped him secure his booty to the end of the pole. I watched him go out the kitchen door and watched him as far as I could see before he disappeared into the trees and hoped for the best.

It was not long before he returned home with a feeble excuse that he returned because he did not have something he needed. I went right along with his story, never letting him know how concerned I really was. He did eat some of his food before he returned to the house. Nothing more was mentioned about his aborted trip and as far as I know he never ran away again.