Johnny and Tommy

Tommy John and Aaron Johnny

Aaron played an exciting adventure he called "Johnny". A raspy fall day like today where the wind blew leaves from the trees and snow from the gray skies was a perfect Johnny Day. Off the bus, in the house, change of clothes, a quick snack and off to the world of Aaron's imagination.

Jumping, tumbling, running, yelling, Johnny was saving everyone in trouble. When the bad guys got the upper hand and Johnny was in serious danger, his trusty side kick came to Johnny's rescue---"Tommy". Except for one day when Patrick was invited to play the role, Tommy was only seen in Aaron's mind.

On the ground in obvious pain and distress, Johnny would call out "Tommy. Tommy. Help me Tommy!" I'm sure Tommy had the skill of the 1960's backyard-army-medic who healed every wounded Antigo east sider kid with a quick "fix-fix-fix". Tommy never left Johnny down. He arrived under the most threatening conditions and did his job. Once rescued, Aar...I mean Johnny would be up and running again, with sword in hand, always attacking, never retreating...Arrrgghhh!!! Into the dark of the early evening, the action was intense...and fun to watch from the corner of the windows--just out of view from Aaron's ocassional looks to see if he was being observed.

I think Johnny hung up his sword and gear a few years before Aaron wanted to put Johnny on the shelf. Aaron might have played Johnny for the last time at age 14. "Shauwt UP!" He'd laugh when I told people of his early teen year adventures.

I always wanted Aaron to write some of his Johnny and Tommy adventures. The stories would have made a great adventure book for little guys. The last time I told the story of Johnny and Tommy in Aaron's presence was in April, 2005. Aaron's real life friend Tommy was visiting. I thought it was fitting that Aaron JOHNNY had a good friend TOMMY.