That particular Monday, Dan got home early. It was about 4:00. At 4:02, JoJo had his glove, his dad's glove, and a baseball walking toward the front door.
"Come on, Dad. Let's see what that fastball looks like today...or should I say slowball!"
"Give me 5 minutes, Son, and I'll come buzz the heater at your face!"
"HaShwa!"
Dan was totally worn out from staying up with JoJo the night before, but he made himself a promise when JoJo was born to ALWAYS play catch with him. After he changed clothes, splashed water on his face, and drank a coke, Dan ran out the front door. JoJo already had Dan's glove at his usual spot. He was pounding the ball in his glove, while sporting his new Smallville Indian cap.
"Let's see what you got, Sandy (as in Sandy Koufax)."
"Here it comes, Bob (as in Bob Gibson)."
"Whoohoo! You have been working on your fastball for sure. That almost hurt my hand."
"Yea,Yea, Bob. Bring your best lightning!"
"Ok." Dan never tried to embarrass JoJo, but it was getting easier and easier to not have to worry about that. Either JoJo was getting better, he was getting older (and slower), or both!
Dan threw his "heater". It really did hurt JoJo's hand, but there was NO WAY the son would let dad know that.
"Not bad for an ole wash woman."
"HaHa. I hear ya."
The two carried on like that for 30 minutes. Then, all of the sudden, JoJo said, "Dad, I need to go take a shower."
"What? Do you have a date, Big Guy?"
"I wished! I am going to eat supper with the Wildfires."
"Good. You and Tommy can talk about your new Jesus experience."
"Uhhh...Yessir. And..."
"Go on, Jo."
"Tommy is going to share what happened to him with his dad."
Dan hit the ground laughing. "You know Edward Wildfire will not listen to a word! He is hopeless!"
JoJo had heard only 2 people call Tommy's dad by the name Edward. Those 2 were his dad and Tommy's mom. Everyone else called him Fire.
"Dad, you are a hypocrite!"
"Watch that tone, JoJo."
"I don't mean any disrespect, but I know Jesus can save ANYBODY! Remember John 3:16?"
Dan felt about 2 inches high. "Son, if I ever act like that again, I want you to tell me I am a hypocrite. That was awful."
"I will, Dad. But, what do we say to Fire...I mean Mr. Wildfire?"
"Have you and Tommy talked about it?"
"NoSir. Actually, he said HE was going to talk to him."
"Wow! What guts Tommy has in his first 24 hours as a Christian."
"You need to let him talk, and only interject if Tommy asks for some assistance."
"Yessir. Would you pray with me before I go?"
"Right after I shower, Absolutely! Meet you in the den in ten."
"Cool."
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