Hi! My name is Jenna Lombardi. I grew up in the same city MJ did. We both grew up in Akron, Ohio.
I met MJ at a New Years Eve party in 1997/1998.
I was there with my friends. MJ was there with his friends. We bumped into each other and introduced ourselves. We talked for a while. He kissed me at midnight. I gave him my number when the party was over.
MJ didn’t call me right away. It was about 3 weeks before he called me. We set up a date. He was going to pick me up at my parents’ house and take me out to eat. MJ no showed and I was pissed. I was so pissed that I called around to find out where he lived and drove to his house.
When I got to his parents’ house he and his parents were getting out of the car in their driveway. MJ looked at me and said- “Hi. You look really pretty.” I said- “Thanks. Why didn’t you pick me up for our date?” MJ’s parents went inside, and MJ and I talked. He told me he was in court. I called bull shit. I asked him what he was in court for. He told me this ridiculous story about his foot getting stuck under the gas pedal and he had to push the gas pedal way down to get his shoe/foot unstuck, and he was going 100 mph when the cop clocked him. He said he was in court for the speeding ticket. I told him he didn’t have to lie to me. I think I called him a liar at that point. Then he handed me the court paperwork and asked me if I still wanted to go out to eat. He told me the judge said his wife had the same thing happen to her, and he dismissed the ticket. I couldn’t believe he was telling the truth. Then we went out to eat and had a fun time.
One story I remember vividly from our high school days is the Lebron James and Nate Flossie fight day.
MJ was friends with Lebron James and Nate Flossie. Vincent, and Nate went to Saint Vincent Saint Mary (Saint V) and MJ went to Garfield. I went to Hoban and was home schooled.
MJ’s parents’ house was close to where Nate’s family lived. MJ’s Grandmother’s house was close to where Lebron lived.
What happened was Nate accused Lebron of making a move on his girlfriend. Lebron and Nate got into it at school, but no one was suspended because Lebron was a star basketball player and Nate was a star wrestler. After school they both called MJ and told him about what happened. I was hanging out with MJ when they called. MJ and I picked up Nate and we drove to Lebron’s house. MJ asked Lebron’s friend to take Lebron and follow him in his car.
Lebron’s mom used to say- “Hi White Mike Johnson.”
MJ drove to Grace Park and Lebron’s friend followed behind us in his car. Everybody got out and followed MJ. MJ walked in between Lebron and Nate. MJ walked them to an area by train tracks and a big brick wall. MJ said, “You guys are both my friends. I don’t want to see you fight. Can we talk this out or do you have to get the anger out of your system by fighting?” Lebron said- “She came to me. I kissed her. I thought everything was all good.” Nate pushed Lebron and MJ and Lebron’s friend broke them up.
MJ asked Lebron if he had feelings for the girl. He said no. Lebron told Nate he can have her. Nate said the girl says Lebron came on to her. Lebron said she wrote him a love note. Lebron said the note was back at his house. His friend drove back to get it. He brought the note back. Nate read it and then Nate and Lebron both started laughing and talking about the girl. Everything was fine after that. Lebron’s friend invited us to come over to his house to hang out.
My family moved away from Akron for a year and then we moved back. MJ and I broke up before I moved but we stayed friends. When we moved back, I started going to Akron U. MJ was in college at Akron U too. MJ, Saggie Maggie, and Chris were close friends. I joined their friend group. The 4 of us were close. Maggie was like MJ and Chris’ friend that was a girl but was kind of like one of the guys. I was the all-girl feminine friend. We clicked and became close friends. We are still close.
MJ and Chris are as close as 2 guys can be without being blood brothers or being gay. Chris family lived out in Orrville, I think. BFE basically. He had to drive far to get to school. MJ’s mom Jeanne told Chris he could stay with them during the week, but he had better follow the rules or she would sow him up in a blanket while he was sleeping and beat him to death. MJ’s mom Jeanne is a small but tough woman.
Chris started staying with MJ during the week. They look like twins. If you didn’t know them well enough to look for the differences, you would think they were identical twins. They switched places with each other to take tests and other stuff like that.
MJ is slightly older than Chris. MJ and Chris have similar interests. Chris is a righty. MJ is a lefty. Chris is the calmest guy. He is no drama. MJ is calm but he is a drama magnet.
These are the questions I was asked to answer about MJ and Chris:
1. If MJ and Chris were single, who would I rather date?
Answer: Both. Either. They are really great guys. With MJ, there is always excitement and ups and downs. With Chris, you are getting laid back peace and quiet. No drama, except MJ drama. MJ does not seek out drama. He is just that guy. The world crashes into him a lot. I would date either if they were single. I can’t decide.
2. If my life was on the line, who would I trust more to save me, MJ or Chris?
Answer: I would trust Chris, but if a situation got really fucked, I would want MJ to unfuck it.
3. Who is physically tougher, MJ or Chris?
Answer: Chris
4. Who is mentally tougher, MJ or Chris?
Answer: MJ
5. What is your favorite thing about MJ? What is your favorite thing about Chris?
Answer: MJ was born to deal with shit. You know that he has got you. It’s hard to explain. My favorite thing about Chris is he is all heart. He doesn’t say much, but when he does talk, his words are meaningful.
6. Who is a better actor when they are playing one another? Does MJ play a better Chris, or does Chris play a better MJ?
Answer: Chris plays a better MJ. Chris talks slower than MJ. MJ talks faster. Chris builds up conversations longer. MJ goes straight to the point right away.
7. Who is better at keeping secrets, MJ or Chris?
Answer: Tied. They both take shit to the grave.
8. If you needed to bury a dead body in the middle of the night, no questions asked, would you call MJ or Chris?
Answer: Both. I would call them both until one of them answered.
9. Who would make a better politician, MJ or Chris?
Answer: Chris would make a better politician. Chris is more patient. I think MJ would get fed up with the games politicians play to get what they want and start forcing confrontations.
10. What are Chris and MJ’s methods for getting what they want?
MJ gaslights the hell out of you until you lose your shit and give in. He knows how to live in your head rent free. It’s hard to explain.
Chris drops subtle hints until you think whatever it was that he wanted you think it is your idea.
I am pretty sure MJ could trigger a monk to lose his mind with some time and effort.
In closing
I love MJ! I love Chris! I love Maggie! I know they feel the same way about me!
I will share more crazy/funny stories about MJ and Chris when I do my second interview this fall.
Warmest regards,
Jenna Lombardi
Megan Ayers Tells Stories About Her Ex-Boyfriends The 2 MJ’s – https://www.therealmjtheterrible.com/megan-ayers-tells-stories-about-her-ex-boyfriends-the-2-mjs/
