Baseball and Beer

I got a call from the school nurse today saying that my oldest son wasn't feeling well, and could I come to get him. He's been a little sick the last couple of days. On the ride home I told him I bought Pirates tickets for Sunday's game near where his best friend's family will be sitting. That cheered him up. He asked if he could get something to eat and drink at the game. I told him we would be doing a little pre-game tailgating, but I joked that I'd buy him a beer at the game.

"Dad! I can't have beer until I'm like 20 or something," he said.

"Well actually, 21. That's just about 14 years from now. When you're 21 I'll buy you a beer at the ballgame."

"Well", he said, "I might just want some ice cream then!" he laughed.

"It's a deal!" Then I said, "Do you think you'll still want to go to baseball games with me when you're 21?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe you'll say 'Sorry dad, I can't go to the game. My girlfriend wants to go dancing' or 'She says there's a sale on duvets at Pottery Barn'."

"Nooooooo!" he screamed.

"Or maybe you'll say, 'Can't go dad, I'm hanging out with my friends'."

He said, "No dad, I'll always want to go to baseball games with you. Why would I ever want to do anything else?"

I hope that in June of 2024, he and I will be sitting together in PNC Park, and I will buy him that beer... or ice cream.