Michael Buys His First Drink

Well, this one is a little strange. In Japan they have an alcohol called shochu. It's kind of like a vodka and can be made from potatoes, grains, etc. It's relatively inexpensive and often mixed with juice to give it a tasty flavor and make it easy to drink, kind of like a wine cooler. It's very popular with young folks because it's affordable, easy to mix, easy to drink. So, we bought some shochu the other day.

Last night I wanted some after work. We didn't have any juice to mix it with. Since 7-11 is 50 yards away, I gave Michael my wallet and told him to buy some grape juice to make a chuhai, the name they call shochu when it's mixed with something. Besides, we didn't have any dessert, so I told Michael to take Tommy and they could pick out an ice cream for dessert.

When Michael came home, he had the ice cream and a can of already mixed grape chuhai. Michael, 8, misunderstood me and went to 7-11 and asked for a grape chuhai (the name of the mixed drink) rather than buying regular grape juice so I could mix it with shochu here and make my own chuhai. Since it is common to sell the premixed drinks in a can or bottle in the store, the store clerk gave him the premixed drink in a can. They had no problem selling it to him because they asked him who it was for and he said it was for his dad. Needless to say, I was amazed, shocked, embarrassed, etc. that my 8 year old went to the store and bought alcohol for his dad. It certainly was not my intention. And I certainly never thought of sending my 8 year old to the store to buy alcohol for me. It was a very strange and uncomfortable feeling.