Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for May 26, 2016

Better keep him at arm’s length, Janis.

people come and go in this strip. What ever happened to Robin?

You’re playing with fire, Janis.

Janis would have divorced Arlo for far less – or neutered him.

the moment she gives it thought, her marriage is over…

This will only end in tears

No, no no! Take him aeway! Women betray great guys for vacuous twits often enough in life; I don’t need it in A&J!!!!!!!

Hmmm. Most people don’t post their phone numbers on Facebook, which means Janis had to have given him her number at his request. The gaem’s afoot….

I’m not sure I like where this is going…

Another comic strip artist bringing reality into his fantasy world. Can’t you just leave it alone? What’s next, one of the main characters dying?

this strip has always been about reality. It was a great parent’s guide on what to expect when raising a son…and it was done with love and wisdom. I find this an interesting avenue to explore (let’s be honest folks…who hasn’t wondered about an old love and what might happen if we met again today…?).

wishing they were resting in Vince’s hands?

Isn’t that a slap in the face to Arlo? I certainly would not look up an old flame to talk to them. That is just rude to her spouse. I would be very angry if my husband, out of the blue, looked up an old flame & called them. Converse in the public arena on social media. This is weird.

Arlo and Janis talked about this the past few days. He even mentioned that Vince was sweet on Janice. I think if he had any reason to be uncomfortable he would have said so. Why think she is meant to be shown as being a cheater? Why not feel this is a marriage where trust is a known and talking with an old friend or even an old partner is just not a crime?

Mid-life fling in 3…2….

Let’s look at the facts. When the drone was hovering, Jan wondered if it was the handsome hunk from a street over. Her friend Robin left her husband in another state. She has to be forced to reciprocate any affections from Arlo. She’d rather have a hug from Arlo, instead of anything intimate. She uses Facebook, not Arlo. Of course, this could be the writer’s life, as a writer I can tell you that fiction based on fact works way better than trying to make up stuff. Mark Twain based all of his characters on childhood friends. Hopefully its not true, however some things point to a shake up in the writer’s family. I wish him the best and offer my support. I would still read if it was only Arlo.

When I was still working in customer service, I got an old flame on my line. We chatted pleasantly, exchanged phone numbers, and then after I had spoken to my husband, invited him to visit us. “Meet us at church at 10, and we’ll go to dinner afterward.”

The man weighed well over 300 pounds! He was so fat he couldn’t button his shirt sleeves! Somebody asked me who he was and I said we’d been engaged when I was in my teens. "Does your husband know that?.

“Does that man look like a threat to my marriage?”

It must have been hard for many years for Vince to wait for this moment.

This is a comic, not the bible. Read it for what it offers.

Real life situations.

Who called who? That’s the important question!

I was on a few social media sites several years ago. It was fun at first, connecting with people I hadn’t seen since high school..Then I discovered that since HS, lots and lots of them have decided to become political activists for all kinds of causes that I either don’t care about or oppose, and I quickly decided that I never want to see or hear from them ever again..I have since suspended/terminated every social media account I used to have in order to preserve the (now proven to be false) illusion that I might someday actually want to reconnect with all people I used to know.

The heart wants what the heart wants. Apparently other body parts do too.

The glass of wine suggests Janis phoned Vince (amping up her nerves) and her defensive tone about the kiss…hmmm

Sorry, bad story line. I have deleted you

It used to be we only ran into old flames at high-school reunions every five to ten years (if that). Now, if you’re unwise enough to use social media like Facebook or Classmates, they’re in your face all the time, and the temptation to look them up is ever present.If you’re married, you’re playing with fire.

Kill both of them, Arlo. Well, Janis at least. This strip would be so much better as Arlo & Luddie.

From my perspective, I think we are being given a “red herring”. I think that JJ wishes us to think that Janis has a “love at a potential affair-level” for this Vince fellow…. or more accurately, he wants us to think and watch as ARLO begins to imagine an affair-level love between Janis and Vince. I could not image a scenerio where JJ would have this actual “potential affair-level love” being acted upon…. even though in real life it happens all the time. If JJ had Janis engage in an affair with Vince… it would be shocking and ground breaking for a comic…. but also disappointing from the perspective of the characters.

I’m friends with all my exes, they are wonderful people……I even ran into my high school/college girlfriend on Facebook…Now we talk all the time….She’s a good friend…Most of my friends keep in touch with their exes and other single women, they have met, say at work…………Why not?….I understand it’s a matter of trust between two adult loving people, and sadly, some people never achieve that level of trust and love…., but many people….and probably most people…..Never give up a friend….Even if she started out as a lover….Especially if she started out as a lover….

This is much more interesting than seeing the cat every day. I think Janis will wise up when Arlo decides that he should look up an “old friend” also, a female friend.

Actually, I meant “but many people do reach that level.”……Grow up people, I’m not saying it couldn’t happen….Especially if you have a husband who is always suspicious of you all the time, and worries about whom you are talking to on the phone..That will drive you away .But most people are true, and there is no reason they should give up their past…….

Uh oh Janis! Tread carefully! But….who called who?

You folks DO realize, donʻt you, this IS JUST A COMIC STRIP. NOT real life. Not even close. Iʻm amazed at how serious you people are.

@Billymartin… It’s called suspension of disbelief,and is used by most people to enhance their enjoyment of fiction.Perfectly harmless by the way.You might want to try it,I hear the Yankees could use the services of a good coach.That would make no 4 for you right?

It’s too bad the strip has to go in a direction like this. I’ve enjoyed it because it was funny, not so much now.

I like the comment that maybe he is Robin’s ex…didn’t think of that But I’m guessing he’ll want to introduce Janis to his husband soon

Play…ing…with…fire!!