Dan often exclaimed, "Momma said there would be days like this!" JoJo had no idea what his dad meant until that fateful Jan. 1, 1973 when Janie broke up with him.
For a moment, JoJo thought to himself Grandma said there would be days like this.
But just as fast, he said to himself, I'm becoming a man now! Dad said so!
With every bit of boldness in his 5'3''; 105 pond body, JoJo picked up the phone by his bed and dialed Cindy's number!
"Hello," this sweet voice answered.
"Hey, Cindy, this is JoJo."
"Hi, JoJo. This actually Cindy's mother. I will get her for you."
JoJo was as red as his favorite team, the Georgia Bulldawgs' jerseys. Way to go Grown Man. JoJo felt like a boy in half of a second.
Fortunately, this strange year had it's benefits. His mood could change in 2.2 seconds. As soon as he heard Cindy's voice, he forgot that she even had a momma, much less the embarrassment he had just experienced.
"Hey, Cindy."
"Hey, JoJo. Ummmm, does Janie know you were going to call me?"
"Actually, Cindy....Janie and I are no longer a thing."
"Since when?"
"Well, I would say 10 minutes ago."
"And you called me to be your rebound gal? As if!"
To JoJo's disbelief, Cindy hung up the phone! Women, who can figure them out.
JoJo decided to rock with the Stones for a while. He fell asleep somewhere between Brown Sugar and Gimme Shelter. He woke up about 10 the next morning. Since school would not start back for another 2 days, he would enjoy his reprieve from getting up early. After he ate his blueberry Pop-Tarts, he picked up his Bible. He continued reading the Psalms. He didn't understand everything, but he seemed to be getting closer to understanding the concept of God. Either way, he was determined to read his Bible every day. (Little did JoJo know that his parents were daily praying for him and his sister.) Dan would even sneak in each of their rooms after they were asleep and say a prayer over them.
January 5, 1973
JoJo and his classmates returned to school. Everything was cool until he saw Butch and Janie walking down the hall. He had nowhere to go! JoJo stared straight ahead...hoping they would not see him. But, not so lucky.
"JoJo, my boy!" Butch practically yelled from 5 feet away."
"Oh hey Butch...Janie," as if he had not seen them.
Janie nodded, but didn't say a word. However, Butch wasn't quite so polite.
"Heard you struck out with Cindy," Butch said with this gross, ugly smirk on his face.
JoJo tried to laugh it off, but the noise sounded more like a cough.
"Hey, JoJo Boy--Don't worry! That's only 2 strikes. You got 1 more!" Then, Butch cackled so loudly, it caused other students to turn and look.
JoJo was furious. He was about to allow Butch to beat his butt, after he got in 1 good hit, of course. Then, his memory verse came pouring back to him.
Proverbs 2:12-13; 12. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 13. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths.
JoJo stopped in his tracks. He looked at Butch for about 2 seconds, then responded, "Even if I get 3 strikes, I will have more innings to bat."
Butch managed a, "Huh." He and Janie kept walking to Health class.
JoJo prayed a Thank you, God! It was off to P.E. for him...wonder who be strike 3....
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