JoJo 17.8; Summer of 1976; Part Eight; A Father and Son Game of Catch

At 5:00, Dan wheeled in the driveway. Alice had taken supper to Samantha and her family, and had not made it back home. JoJo did not even wait for his Daddy to come in the house. He ran out with the gloves and ball for a game of catch.
Dan said, "Can I change my clothes?"
"No Sir! I am ready to roll!"
Dan laughed and responded, "At least let me take off my tie!"
"Fair enough."
This is where the two Smith men communicated...Throwing the baseball.

"JoJo, we're off the record. No running involved. Can you recite Proverbs 21:24 to me right now."
"Off the record---even if there was running involved, here goes: Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance."
"That's my boy!"
"Dad, the words that are about to come out of my mouth are no indication of further issues that may occur in life. Agreed?"
"Agreed..."
"I am glad you gave the punishment. I was a real jerk. I didn't get it until I memorized the verse and God dealt with my heart."
The two continued to throw and think. For about 90 seconds, neither of the guys spoke.
Finally...."Son, would you elaborate?"
"Yessir, the words seemed to go into my heart. I felt bad about the way I treated Runt and Sydney. So, I called them and apologized."
"Well that took some humility."
"Yessir."
"I am so proud of you, JoJo. This is a major step in becoming a man."
"Honestly, I am happy to be here, throwing the baseball with my dad."
"Thanks Son! Am I missing something?"
"Dad, after listening to Samantha tell me about her mom's story. Plus, after watching some of my friends whose Dads are not around, has made me realize that I am blessed."
Dan kept throwing. He knew if he talked that he would cry---right in front of JoJo. And, that had NEVER happened. After a while, Dan got it together.
"JoJo, the words you just spoke, made everything about our relationship--good and bad---worth it."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Let's don't get too mushy. See if you can catch my knuckle ball."
"I'll try."
JoJo had no chance! Dan's knuckle ball was mean. It dropped as it reached JoJo. His stab of an effort to catch it was pathetic, and the ball hit him in the foot.