"JoJo! Tommy! Watch this!" screamed Howard Johnson, the second oldest boy of the seven-sibling crew.
JoJo and Tommy watched in utter disbelief (and anticipation) as Howard got a running start and jumped off the house and landed half-way across the pool!
Woohoo, JoJo thought, This will be one of the best days ever!
Several more Johnsons jumped off the roof into the pool. As it grew time for JoJo to jump, he was beginning to get frightened.
"Going for the record," shouted Mike Johnson, the oldest Johnson child.
The record was jumping as far out into the deep end as you could go. Nobody ever really got that far. But, Mike was determined to be 'that dude'. JoJo watched every move Mike made, including the distance he backed up to get a HUGE running start!
As Mike ran about 15 yards and approached "the end of the runway," he hit a tremendous wet spot where so many jumpers had catapulted themselves. That was not a good thing! Mike slipped, came tumbling off the house, and "splat" right onto the side of the pool.
"My LEG! My LEG! *#@@*&&!!!!!!"
JoJo had never seen anyone's leg turned that way! It was turned to almost a 90 degree angle.
Everyone gasped in horror! Only Becky, the oldest Johnson girl kept her head. She told her sister, Martha, to call her mother. Becky told everyone to stand back. She gently moved Mike's leg and placed it on a bundle of towels.
"All Johnsons in the house except for Howard! JoJo and Tommy, you better go home."
"Sure thing. I'm sorry Mike," JoJo said as he and Tommy, both white as sheets, turn to walk away.
Mike could only manage a grunt.
JoJo and Tommy walked slowly toward the Smiths' house. Suddenly, Tommy threw up. The sight of Mike's leg had messed with both of their heads. They finally got back to JoJo's house.
His father and mother were home.
Alice looked at the boys and knew something was terribly wrong.
"What happened, boys?"
They didn't want to nark on anybody. They looked at each other and remained silent.
Dan pushed the question, "BOYS, what happened?!"
JoJo spilled everything. Alice took off to the Johnsons' house to see about Mike. Since Remi was home, Dan stayed at the house.
"You're telling me that kids were jumping off the roof into the pool!?"
"Yessir," the boys said in unity.
"And neither one of YOU jumped?"
"No sir," again in unity.
Dan paused. "Were you GOING to jump?"
The boys could lie, but JoJo fessed up. "Dad, we were going to jump...I think..."
"I see. Well, you are not allowed to go "swimming" at the Johnsons' for the next 2 months.
"Two Months! Summer will be over!"
"I think you might want to check that attitude, son."
"Yessir. Sorry, Dad."
Tommy decided he better head for home.
Meanwhile, Alice had made it to the Johnsons' house. Mike was loaded in the back of their station wagon. They were just about to head to the hospital. Alice asked if she could help, and Mrs. Smith asked her to stay with the other 6 Johnson kids until they got back.
"Of course!"
Back at the Smiths, Remi was asking JoJo all kind of questions about today's events. JoJo told her to shut up and go back to her dolls!
Dan jumped in, "One more word and you are on SUSPENSION, Buster!"
Suddenly a calm came over Dan. He knew it was from the Lord. "JoJo do you know how dangerous jumping of that roof was?"
"I do NOW, Dad!"
"But....if Mike would not have hurt his leg, you might have gotten hurt."
"Yessir. I have been thinking about it. My memory verse 'came' to me since I have been back home."
"Which one," Dan inquired.
"Proverbs 2:12-13."
"Let's hear it, JoJo."
"Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths."
"Do you think Mike is evil, JoJo?"
"No Sir. But his actions were wrong, and I saw that dark path he used to run off his roof!"
"Was it scary, Son?"
"The scariest, Dad."
"I think your pool suspension is enough punishment. I am proud of you for remembering and applying the Proverbs 2 verses."
"Thanks, Dad. May I go to the Rec. Department?"
"I didn't think you had a game tonight."
"No sir, but I plan to meet a friend there."
Dan knew which friend, but he played it cool..."That's fine, JoJo. Be home by 10."
JoJo was so thankful to get to see Cindy! It had only been 2 days, but it seemed like 2 weeks!
As they talked, JoJo asked Cindy the longest she had ever had a boyfriend. She mumbled something.
"What did you say, Cindy?"
"I want to break up."
"Whaaaaaaat!!??"
"Sorry, JoJo. It's been fun, but...."
"Spill it, Girl."
"I like someone else."
Please don't let it be Butch. PLEASE! PLEASE! JoJo thought. But, he played it cool.
"Must be a special guy, if he is going to take JoJo's spot in your life."
"I'm sorry, Jo..."
"WHO is it?"
"Bbbbbobby."
"Your OLD boyfriend?!"
"Yes. JoJo, I'm sorry. There's my mom." "Can we still be friends?" Cindy asked, with a smile.
"Sure," JoJo said, but he was thinking You blew it Chicky!!
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