For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 17, 2021

exactly

“You were going to let me bach. " Just what does that even mean? And, what could happen? The parents could get arrested for child endangerment — at least in the U.S.

If you don’t know, Michael, then that’s reason enough.

Keep dreaming, Michael.

Booze? Drinking? That’s the problem? That came out of nowhere. When this kid was little and drinking up leftover alcohol after New Years’ Eve parties, Elly and John didn’t care about that. Now they are suddenly worried about drinking? Now that I think about it, John does say, “booze and other things”. Maybe John doesn’t want Michael to get into his drug stash.

You would think John and Elly would be concerned about Michael having the house to himself with Martha, but they seem to be completely unconcerned about Martha. Maybe they know that Michael is still carrying a grudge against Martha because he spent more money on her over Christmas than she spent on him. After all, he was not with her over New Years’ Eve and the last time we saw him at the mall late at night he was not with her. That’s why they go with drinking as their worry, and not Martha. Martha and Mike are done.

Mike? I think you are playing dumb. Or lack imagination which is not a good trait for a future writer!

You’re smarter than that Mike.

They say the same thing to Liz and April when they get older

I wouldn’t trust Mike either, as irresponsible as he is.

It’s ironic that Mike is too young to be trusted to be left alone but just a month and 10 days from now will be Mike’s 16th birthday, and the parents will trust him to drive a 2 ton piece of steel on wheels that can easily kill people with the slightest inattention.

Two hours, parents next door=babysitting, two weeks=Risky Business x 5

This one I agree with, I wasn’t left alone for two weeks until I was 18.

Well, this morning is a morning of surprises. First, I find out that Microsoft Windows 10 Updates downloaded and installed this morning even though I have them set not to (and it’s always worked before). Then another strip used the term “ghost gun” that I (and a lot of other readers) had never heard. Now the mysterious term “bach”. What else is going to happen today?

And yes, I’ve read the previous explanations of the term here by now.

Why not have the neighbors look after him? They certainly have dumped their own kids on the Patterfoobs’ doorstep enough times.

Lynn’s Comments:

I struggled over the word “Bach” in the first panel. When you are a “bachelor,” do you “bach” or do you “batch?”…A thought for the day.

But I’m sure I could come up with some ideas once you have left.

I’m more interested in what are the “in the house” other things available John is talking about. Drugs, guns, Playboy calendars?

Wow, those were the days I remember. Leaving a 15 year old child home alone now is “abandonment” or “cruelty” or whatever else the law can throw at you. …social progress?

Going joyriding with Gordon in Elly’s new car did not help Michael’s creditability.

You answered your own question Michael

Word gets around party time.

Leave a 15 year old alone in the house for 2 weeks? Great sense of humor, Lynn.

Can he be that nieve?

Classic movie scene, can anyone name it?

Mr. Ullman: And here is our famous Gold Ballroom.

Wendy: Wow, we could have quite a party in this place.

Mr. Ullman{polite chuckle}: I am afraid you are not going to do so well unless you bring your own drinks. We always remove the liquor from the bar when we close down for the season. It lowers the insurance we have on this place.

He could probably be trusted alone but when his friends would come over, AND THEY WOULD, all bets are off…..

He meant “bachelor it”. In other words, be alone.

What could happen? Have a party with booze and sex, and some teenage girl get pregnant. Is that enough?

Even if I did leave my 15 year old alone for 2 weeks (would NEVER happen), I could never relax and enjoy myself. I would be wondering if he was safe and well, and not lonely.

I looked up the law for the USA. It’s been in place since 2009. The ages are given, and the number of hours alone, or even days alone, according to age.

Years ago , my family & I were JUST about to go out the door on vacation & the phone rang . It was a deli wanting to know what time they should drop off the heroes for my older brother’s party!!My older brother was 18 so he wasn’t in TOO much trouble . He looked a little embarrassed knowing that as soon as we left the house it was party time! (This was over 30 years ago though!)

More traditionally spelled “batch” as a verb. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batch

My parents were pretty blunt about some of this – the answer was, “Of course we don’t trust you. We know you don’t have the skills or judgement yet to deal with the situation if it starts to go wrong.” Which, of course, was 100% true.

If Michael is going to be a writer, he needs to start learning about drinking now. Alcoholism is a job requirement for the typical journalist.

1) Alone? Did I miss what’s happening with the sisters?

2) As far as I know, there was no such “home alone” law when I was a kid.

3) Alone? I had siblings, both older and younger.

4) At Michael’s age, I could easily have taken care of myself for two weeks — including going shopping — though the situation never arose.

They could get drunk and burn the house down.

Mike might have some idea, but is probably very willing to learn.

Um – lock up the booze ?

Which begs the question, why are “Booze and other things” available??

Another perk of having a job as a teenager, when the folks went somewhere, I always had to work…fancy that.

Think bachelor.