11/10/2026
“Johnny J.,” Jasmine called from the top step of the front porch.
“Heyyyy Jazzy girl, how you doin’, girl?” Johnny J. replied in his always friendly, most positive tone.
“I am ok, Johnny J…. Thank you for asking.” Jasmine responded in a slightly melancholy pitch.
“What is it, Jazz, what’s wrong ? Somethin’ gotcha down?” Johnny J. replied as he was lifting the bottom stair from its position. He was preparing to hammer down the wooden edge when he stopped to look up.
“I am ok, Johnny J…. I just felt a bit down. … I was really hoping that my mom was coming to visit…. But it wasn’t my mom.” As she emphasized ‘my’ her head dropped.
“Jazzy girl, you lift that head up right now….” …. Johnny J. asserted his accuracy over the nail that was now placed in the middle of the bottom stair. He stood firmly on what was a loose stair and called up to Jasmine again.
“Keep that head high, Jazzy–Jazz, it’s gonna work out for you.” Johnny J. adjusted both his caramel tan work belt, thin-framed charcoal glasses, tucked his Ohio State Buckeyes sweatshirt into his jeans then looked up the stairs where Jasmine stood. He held his eyes on Jasmine, nodded to assure her that he believed what he said the same way he hoped she believed his affirming message.
Johnny J. stood still, then exposed both palms and began to share:
“I never told you this before… but I was yearning for my mama as well. She passed when I was a little guy and boy did I miss her. Pops was never nowhere in my upbringing…. But I am still here… and so are you…”
“I know, I know…. I will be ok Johnny J., thank you, thank you for sharing … you have always understood, now I know why.” Jasmine felt her voice lifting as she spoke.
