On Turning 21

I bumped into a friend in Key Food a while back. After we hugged and kissed she told me it was the best day ever---her youngest of three children had turned 21. She ecstatically said it’s time to burn the court clothes and cancel the retainer with the lawyer.

I completely understood. Underage drinking is expensive business—especially if your child gets caught in a state where the offense is a low level misdemeanor and not a beer ticket like in New York. I am aware of kids being handcuffed when they themselves were stone-cold sober but attended an event where some alleged imbibing took place. In some states an opened container is a voucher for a sleepover in jail—a Club Dred vacation.

 Erasing the rap sheet costs thousands.

And today I will be able to burn the court clothes and throw the lawyer’s cell phone number away. It is finally over. My youngest turn 21.

I think I am happier than she is —and so is my bank account.