JoJo; Part Two

When JoJo heard the expression in his dad's voice, he knew he was in trouble. He told Tommy and Bob to wait in the basement, and he would see what his dad wanted. JoJo couldn't remember doing anything wrong lately. He knew he had cleaned his room, and he had even been nice to his sister.

"Yes, dad..."
"JoJo, Ms. Cantankerous just called to tell me about your math work."
"What did she say?"
"Well, she said you are FAILING!"
"Really?"
"Uhhh, yes. REALLY! You better tell the boys you have something you need to do."
"Like what?!" It was out of his mouth before he knew it. That was another weird thing that was going on in his life. All of the sudden, he was sassy to adults.
"You are about to find out..."
JoJo held back tears. He couldn't let the fellas see him cry. He told the boys his dad said they had to leave.
In unison, they said, "Why?"
"Old Lady Cantankerous (who is 29-years-old) called and ratted me out about my math grade."
Again in unison, the fellas said, "Math grades?!"
Tommy said, "You make straight 100s!"
JoJo didn't even look up. "I'm failing."
The fellas said in unison, "Failing??"
Bob said, "We better leave out the back door! Disciple Dan is about to hit ya with a sermon!"
(JoJo's dad was a devout Christian, earning him the name Disciple Dan.)
"Fraid so. I'll call you guys later...if I'm still alive."
As the fellas left, Bob murmured, "Old Lady Cantankerous has no life! She just ruined our Saturday."

When JoJo walked back upstairs, he found his father in the Living Room.
"Come in and sit down, son."
JoJo felt like he was marching to the gallows. Once he got to his seat, Dan prayed. It seemed like it lasted 30 minutes, but it was only 2.
After the prayer, Dan said three words that JoJo found unbelievable!
"Son, I understand."
"Sir??"
"Are you finding it difficult to focus in math lately."
"Yes sir."
"What is distracting you?'
Now JoJo went from high hopes to embarrassment. "I don't know."
"JoJo, we all have times that challenge us."
"Yes sir." Dan was acting weird and a little too nice.
"Your grades are important, and your respect of adults is even more important."
"Sorry how I spouted off earlier, Dad."
"Here's what we're going to do. You will bring home your math every night, and we will work together. To help you work on your disrespect, we will begin lessons today. I want you to take the dirt beside the ditch and fill in all the holes in the yard."
"Yes sir. " "Dad?"
"What's that JoJo?"
"Why am I not in trouble because of my math grades?"
"Have you been feeling different lately?"
"Yes sir! How did you know?!"
"JoJo, when I was your age I went through the same thing. Her name was Marge."
"You remember?"
"Like it was yesterday."
"Cool."