Joey never minded having a little brother. They were so close in
age that, other than Johnny being smaller than Joey, he didn't
really seem like a younger brother.
The boys were very close. They spent almost all of their time with
each other, except when they were in school, and had to go to
separate classes. But even in school, Joey was always watching out for Johnny.
There was one time, when Johnny was eight (and pretty small), that a ten-year old came up to him and started teasing him because
Johnny had a Spider Man lunch box. The bully told Johnny that only babies carried around lunch boxes anymore.
"I'm just a little kid, you know," Johnny told him.
Joey heard what was happening and immediately turned the situation around. He showed that bully what a nine-year-old could do if he was really pushed hard enough.. The bully was not looking to fight someone who might be able to beat him (just like most bullies), and he knew Joey meant business. Johnny was left alone for the rest of the year.
Speaking of which, Johnny and Joey never realized how close they had come to finding that elevator the year before.
It was shortly after school had ended for the year. Joey wanted to camp in the backyard. Johnny was kind of afraid, but since turned eight, he knew he was old enough to be as brave as his brother.
Their mother made them some snacks and a thurmos full of iced-tea. They had a flashlight and a radio.
Their dad was going to help them set up the tent, but he was late coming home from work, so their mom helped them.