Who is Doug from The Illustrated Man and what is their importance?

Doug is the son of Lily and the Rocket Man. He is fourteen-years-old, and although he admires his father..... he also misses having him in his life for great periods of time. Doug is also well aware of the torment his mother experiences every time his father leaves, and thus, takes on many of the roles his father should be responsible for..... the chores and looking out for his mother. After his father's death, Doug becomes his mother's caregiver for real.