Soccer Wars

We finished a big, delicious meal at our favorite local restaurant, Loong Yai, and we were all sated and lazy. The boys were waiting for ice cream. "What time is the Liverpool-ManU game?" asked Poo, to make conversation.

"I don't care about that game," I snapped.

"I do! I want to watch it," retorted Poo.

"Which team will you cheer?" I asked.

"ManU."

"Divorce!" I screamed.

Poo just laughed. "I'm serious!" I continued, "you cannot cheer ManU in my house!"

"Instead of divorce," offered Poo, "let's bet."

"OK," I said, "100 Baht."

The boys weren't interested. They just wanted ice cream. But I dragged them into the dispute. "Thun!" I demanded of my elder son, "which team will you cheer, Liverpool or ManU?"

Thun, realizing this was dangerous ground, remained silent. Talk about pressure! "Come on!" I poked him, "which team? Who do you love more, Daddy or Mommy?"

He paused, and then declared, "ManU!"

Oh no! Still, I have a chance. "Jason," I demanded of the 2-year-old, "which team will you cheer, Liverpool or ManU?" Poo hugged him closely and whispered, "Liverpool or MANYOO?"

By now, other customers were interested. They wanted to know: who will the luk-krung (half-breed) choose: farang Daddy or Thai Mommy?

Jason, who loves to be the center of attention, stood on his chair. He paused, thought deeply, and then declared:

"CHOCOLATE CHIP!"