Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2020 19:56:12 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 150 I woke at the usual time, pulled the covers up rolled over and woke up 2 hours later and made coffee, toast and an omelet. I read the paper and when I turned to the spots page there was a picture of Jim, in a Pitt hat. It was a small article. He did a good job saying that Pitt was local and a better fit for him personally. I thought job well done. With a very nice day, I went outside and sat for a long time in my chair, just relaxing. Having had enough, I called Mason, he answered saying, Mike I was told not to talk with you but since you called what do you need? I laughed and said the second floor rented. He didn't laugh and snapped back saying it tales more than a magic wand. I said chill, what I really want is an update on the third floor. He said, he met with both Tim and Brian and it was moving quickly as Marvin is pushing their legal people. I said, thanks an have a good rest of the day. Then I added, Mason I'm not the enemy and I will always ask, so get used to that. He said, Mike I get it, get well. I said thanks and called Brian and got the same report. I was in the kitchen when there was pounding on the door, I answered to find Cole had ordered lunch it was a grilled chicken salad. It was good but I really wanted a Ruben and fries. I was hoping we could do that for dinner, but I knew Cole had other ideas. I was hoping dad would be home, or I could talk Cole into going out. I spent some time on the phone with work issues and took a nap. I woke totally bored with absolutely nothing to do. Just then dad called and said they would be home in about 90 minutes and to tell Cole, we are all going out to dinner. I asked where and he said casual dress I was almost jumping for joy. I was sitting in the kitchen reading the paper and drinking iced tea and Cole came flying in asking what I wanted for dinner. I said the rents will be home soon and Cole got this big smile and said, thank God, I was out of ideas. I said, dude you are the best little brother ever. He laughed and said, drop the little and I'm good. We were laughing and fulling around when dad and Megan came in. Megan got a giant hug from Cole and dad and I went into his office. We sat down and dad said, Mike thanks for following orders. Dad, I said, you didn't give me many options and that helicopter pilot wasn't much better. But it's all appreciated. We talked about a lot of shit, including Carrie and my head doctor appointment. Then dad said, Mike I signed off on the jet, so you are off the hook. I said, well I was going to hold off on doing that till I reviewed the expenses. Mike, I had accounting do that and when you add in the time savings, it makes sense. Please, just cool the personal use for vacations and other shit. Megan and Jay are good with the fees for his golf use, they especially like the added control and Megan has a long talk with Liam, so that's cool. Dad, where we going to eat? He said, Megan has a place in mind and it's casual, but dress nice, no jeans. I said great, I'm tired eating healthy. Dad, laughed and said, Mike I don't care what you eat but I will be watching the amount of rest you get. I said thanks and went upstairs and jumped into the shower. Cole joined me and was instantly hard and I asked what he needed, he smiled and said a healthy brother. Then he smiled and said, I bet mom has something up her sleeve tonight, she hasn't said anything, just my gut talking to me. I said, I think she is just being nice. Cole laughed and said, you just can't read women. I laughed and said, well that's true. Besides, you deserve a win after all you have done. He laugh and said, I always deserve a win. Downstairs I grabbed a scotch and was waiting for the rest. Cole was first and joined me. Dad and Megan joined us and I asked where we were going and she said a very upscale sports bar. I said that's perfect and that sounds like fun. We finished our drinks are were off, heading on the Parkway West, towards the airport. We pulled into the parking tot, which was full. Inside, Megan must have know someone as we were seated immediately. We ordered drinks with Cole and I ordering an Arnold Palmer and Megan a gin and tonic and dad a scotch. I was looking over the menu and it was not your typical sports bar. Well it could be if you wanted that, but it was also Irish pub with Irish food as well. I ordered wings as an appetizer and Megan ordered Irish Ruben Rolls. The appetizers were very good and I ordered Shepherds Pie for dinner and Megan ordered fish and chips and dad and Cole ordered Rubens. We were having a great relaxing time and there no drama at all. Cole talked a lot about his new Pro as they had talked a lot this week. He said the lessons would be based at St. Clair as it was more convenient. He said that Monday and Thursday were at Oakmont, Tuesday and Wednesday were at St. Clair and Friday was at Latrobe. The Pro would be doing all the driving. He said there would be a tone of range time and 18 holes every day. Megan said her confirmation hearings were scheduled for the second week in May. She would have one more week in DC as she has turned the case over, pending the confirmation. We finished eating and drove home. I went right to my room and called Sean. He answered asking, we still on? I said absolutely and we would fly in and be at the house by 11:00. There is beer and it's all set. I said that JJ and Rob and I would be there and he said him, Rod and Max. Then he said, Mike you and I are going to need to have a very long talk about what all this is costing. Sean, we discussed this in Blacksburg. Mike, I get you have money but fuck now you are flying down and renting a car. I laughed and said Sean, the company owners the fucking jet, the house is rented every week from 5/15 or so until late October. It's an investment, just don't puke on the furniture, as it's new. Sean, I don't buy friends if that what you are thinking, but I do share with people that are important to me and to be perfectly clear, if it wasn't for you and Rod and your gang, I would not be coming there. I promise you another long talk, just you and me. Now don't fuck up my week by feeling guilty because I got this. It really isn't costing me much. He said, ok but count on that long talk. I said, should I bring my financial people? He laughed and said, I'll see you Sunday and thank your dad for the beer. I said good night and hung up. Just then dad stuck his head in and I said, have a seat. He sat down and I asked, besides telling me to get my ass in bed what's up? He said I just want to know how you pulled the Union thing off? Dad, I have 18 months of jobs that they need, we work with them well, Mason is responsible for most of that, they seem convinced we will have more buildings. Finally they need a space for training and there is free parking. It was good fit and I simply asked for the room and Marvin and I worked it out in under 10 minutes. Be both knew that the other knew the score so it worked. Dad it's going well and there are very few change orders and everyone is happy. Dad, what's else? Well how did you like the restaurant? I said the one Megan wants me to move into the new building in a year? He laughed and said yes. Dad please ask the Judge to talk with me about it. Basically, I'm concerned the location is bit out of the way and might need to rethink the restaurant concept. He said understood and he would have Megan talk with me. I thanked dad for stopping in, asked that he remove the restrictions at work and and he smiled and said good night. I was laying on bed just thinking when Cole came in closed and locked the door. He asked, MJ who won the bet tonight? I laughed and said well it seems like she want me to put that Pub into the new building, well at least that what dad indicated, so I guess you won. So, MJ will you do that? Cole, I'm not sure a restaurant is a good idea because the location is remote. That restaurant will have to be very special and I haven't seen one that meets that criteria. He laughed and said well that one certainly isn't special. So what do you need? He smiled and said your ass. I laughed and said I guess I have no choice. He said, MJ there is always a choice. I got up stringer tossed his lube and a condom and got on my hands and knees. He said, MJ not like that, ride me. I said we then get in position. He stripped and got in my bed. I looked and started to laugh as he wasn't even a little hard. I said, damn what's with you, most of the time you are instantly ready. He laughed and said, I just rubbed one off as I want you to work for it. I leaned in and started licking his balls and he was slowly starting to get hard so to move that along I started playing with is ass. While sucking his slowly rising cock I got a finger wet and slowly started inserting in his ass. As his ass loosened somewhat I put another finger in and was starting to finger fuck his ass. He said MJ that's not part of the deal? I pulled off his cock and said, I'm betting I get you to shoot before you are in my ass and at the same time I shoved the two fingers in I swallowed his cock to the balls and then I pulled off his cock and out of his ass and did the same thing again and he exploded in my mouth. I swallowed and started to laugh. He said MJ that was awesome but I still want in your ass. It was my turn to laugh and I turned him over, put a condom on and pounded him, fuck it was exciting as I had not had sex in almost a week. I filled the condom and well Cole that took care of both bets today, now can I get to sleep. He said sure and moved over and I climbed in. At some point he got up and went to his room as when I woke I was alone. I checked the time and was considering a run and decided that the grief wouldn't be worth it and I could run at the shore. I rolled over and woke two hours later. I took a quick shower and went downstairs to find Megan reading and drinking coffee in the kitchen, dad in his office and Cole nowhere to be found. I poured a cup of coffee and sat down with the paper and Megan asked if I wanted French Toast and I said, that would be awesome. Then she said bacon or sausage? I smiled and said, it didn't matter so it was sausage. Before I knew it the food was in front of me and cooked perfectly. While eating I was thinking that I can't even remember when mom or that jerk Sally ever cooked me breakfast. I was sure mom at some point must have but I could not recall a single time. I said Megan, thanks for breakfast that is an unusual treat for me. She said, MJ get used to it. You don't mind me joining the MJ club, do you? I said not at all as it makes it easier. Once I finished eating I cleaned up and put things in the dishwasher and got another cup of coffee. Then I said, Megan I appreciate the low keyed approach to the restaurant last night but to be honest, I'm starting to struggle with the whole concept because of the location as it is pretty remote. People would have to come there because it is a very special place. Lately, I have been considering a beach theme with docks for boaters and that sort of thing. It is really a work in progress. MJ, it was just a thought and I know the guy and owed him a trip there for dinner. I actually think a beach theme or a club would be a great idea. The real message is that if you are looking for an investor for that, I could be interested. I said, Megan that would be great and if your son makes it big time in Golf, we could make it his sports bar. She laughed and said it's the cart before the horse thing. I said there is a legend in Latrobe that doesn't think that to be the case. Besides, it will already be a free education. She said, yes it will be and that's one more thing we owe you. I said, all I did was take him to play golf, he did the rest. She said, MJ Cole grew up and I don't know where the fuck I was or when that happened but he is a much different dude because of you. He finally gives a shit. I said, Megan I would bet he always did, he was just never given the opportunity to be involved. I asked, by the way where is he? She said something else very different, he is practicing. Just then dad came out of his office and joined us and my fucking radar started to flash and ping. I figured what the fuck and asked, so how was the week at the shore. At the same time they both said great. I laughed and said ok, out with it, what are you about to lay on me? Dad, looked at Megan and said, I told you. Megan said, MJ you have known for a while that once this case was over, I would be moving in here and you seemed ok with that. I said yes as I have options. She laughed and said, rules 1 & 4 and please don't be snotty. Respecting the rules, I sat quietly drinking coffee. She said, we have discussed this all week and would like to announce that we are engaged with a wedding date after your high school graduation. Then dad said, so what are your thoughts? I said the engagement is too long and I have options. However, what is important is what the fuck does Cole think? If you tell me he doesn't know yet, I am goin to revert back to the immature Mike and fucking explode. Megan said, as your dad knew that would be the reaction we discussed it with him this morning. I laughed and said, Megan you seem different and given a number of opportunities to be a bitch you passed. What you can count on is Cole and I will be a team. You two do what you want as I have options, that you are aware of, but if Cole gets hurt in any way, I'll spend every cent I have to make your lives miserable. Dad, there are no more passes on the woman in your life. Megan looked at me and said, totally understood. She came over gave me a big hug and she whispered MJ you are special and I promise, I'm on your side. I smiled and said you two tire me out, I'm going to take a nap. I went to my room and damn, dad must have followed me. Before I could close the door he came in and sat down. He started by saying thanks. I said dad, in the last year your buried a wile, remarried, divorced and are now engaged. I get your need to have a woman around but I was fucking serious about everything I said, I will use the options, don't hurt Cole and you are out of do overs. He said, Mike you forgot one thing. I said what's that? He said, you. Then he said you deserve better and I'm sure this will work, Megan really likes you. Ok dad, it will be what it becomes but is this for the confirmation or do you love her? He said, Mike we love each other, don't fight and the timing is for the confirmation. Dad, just move it up and make sure I'm around for the inevitable adjustment period for Cole. He shouldn't have to deal with this alone. Does, Jay know? Dad said, yes you see, you were the last one as you could have stopped it. I laughed and said, fuck this is really different this time and remember Cole and I will give back in kind, now please let me nap. There was no nap involved and I was sitting at my desk working on CMU stuff and declined the intro course and asked for something harder. The other Comp. Sci. Class was different and I guess there was soon to be a choice to be made between hardware or software and I would talk to Kyle about that when I got back. The Fundamentals of Computer Program was fine and I asked for Algebra relations to computer programming. I was into the fundamentals thing for about an hour and was thinking this is a language, not my strongest field when Cole came in. He had a beer and handed me one. I said so this is a serious conversation? He laughed, saying I actually thought I would be helping you pack? I said, I'm not going anywhere, yet. What about you? He said, I'm staying if your are. We both laughed and turned to the serious side of all this. We talked for about an hour and all that resulted in agreeing it would be what it became. I checked my phone and there was a detailed message from the Major, I figured what the hell and I called him, he answered saying, there was no call needed if you can read. I laughed and said, I like the personal approach. He said, Mike I used some connections and the jet is leased for 4 years and includes maintenance. It was the best I could do and it's fun to be flying again. Major, does this jet require two pilots? He said yes. Why is that, I asked? He said because it flies very fast very high and shit happens. So is this too much for us in terms of getting from point A to point B. He said, not for what Cole or your dad need it for, but yes for trips to VT. Then he added it will help your dad out a lot. I asked how long of a flight tomorrow and he said a little under an hour. So are we talking 500 MPH? He said top speed is 700. Wow, any chance I can sit up front for a few minutes? He laughed and said well I let JJ so it depends on the weather. I said thanks, see you at 8:00. He said, I'm leaving at 8:00 so be there at 7:30. Have a good night. I confirmed things with Jim as he was back in and checked with JJ who was leaving early with his dad. Rob was now out with not much of an excuse. There was a RADAR ALERT. As there was nothing left to do but pack and it was all casual shit with on pair of long pants and 4 good golf shirts. Then I remembered my clubs were at the club, os I would have to leave a few minutes early but was sure they would have someone there by 7:00. Once that was done I went downstairs and found dad and Megan in the game room chatting. I promised to behave and get some rest and said good night. Upstairs, I ran into the damn helicopter and Cole saying it was 10:30. I gave him a hug and said hit then straight for the new coach and call me, I need to know what this guy is like. I said, goodnight set the alarm and was asleep before I knew it. Up before the alarm and a quick shower and shorts and a golf shirt loaded the car and was off to the club for my clubs. When I got to the club, I just laughed as they were sitting in the bag drop and I thought, dad doing the dad thing. The 15 minute drive to the county airport was uneventful and I found, Jim, JJ and the Major waiting. The Major said let's go as the weather is not the best this afternoon and I want to get back home. I was introduced to the Copilot an Owen Greeley and my stuff was loaded and before I knew it we were in the air. After about 15 minutes I was asked if I wanted to take Owens seat for a while. I was so excited, I tripped on my way to the cabin. I buckled in and put the headphones on and the Major asked what I thought? I said I fucking love if and being up here is the best. He laughed and said well it will be a good long time before you do anything important up here. I laughed and said don't bet on that, I love this shit. I went in the back and saw the guys had drinks and I looked and fuck there was coffee. We were chatting and then the Major said guy buckle up it's about to get bumpy. It wasn't bad at all and we landed in 50 minutes and I thought that beats the drive. We loaded up the SUV and I thanked the Major and Owen. I was told Noon on Saturday and the Major pulled JJ aside and they had a short chat and it was all smiles. We piled in the SUV, waved goodbye and an hour later pulled up to the house. We were early and the cleaning people had done their thing the day before, we went inside. I found a note on the large table from dad, it said have a good SAFE time and the beer was in the refrigerator and there were 4 other cases in the shed. We agreed to wait for the other three before we selected rooms and sat there, with 8 bedrooms it wouldn't be an issue. I excused my self and went to my spot on the dunes. I must have been there a while as JJ yelled up, you ever coming down? I laughed and went back to the house and found, Seal, Rod and Alex. There were hugs all around and I was given the first pick of bedrooms and that was the master suite. Once we were all settled, I asked who wanted to go shopping and the only taker was Sean. That was perfect for me and we found a grocery store about 40 minutes away. We loaded up on burgers, ribs, chicken, salads, steaks, corn and snacks. Sean remembered potatoes and buns and breakfast shit as well as cold cuts, coffee and tea bags. I was bummed as they had never heard of chipped ham. We got back to an empty youse and put everything away. We were sitting on the upstairs deck drinking beer and chatting. Fuck, I could have done that all week. Then my phone rang and I was determined to be away for all the shit back home and it was from Brian, I answered it. I said, Brian WHATS up? He said the union signed the lease and I'll have Tim sign for Enterprises. I just want you be more relaxed on the trip. I said awesome and this and the guys from VT have it off to an outstanding start, thanks. Sean asked well what was the good news about? I said well since we are alone let's just go for a walk and I'll fill you in. As we were walking I started with the trust fund and he actually was aware of Technologies. I said my first day there I was sickened at the environment and so was the attorney, I had just had dad hire. I bought one plot of land then a second one and started construction on the new site for Technologies. With the lease and the property as down payment I borrowed 20 million and it will be finished first quarter next year. Then I told him about Enterprises and where that stands and that the good news to say was that the lease was finalized for the third floor and that Enterprises would be on the 4th floor. So now I need to rent the second floor but there is enough done to start construction late summer. Then I will borrow another 15 million. Then he asked, so if this blows up you are simply a broke asses punk? I laughed and said well except for the 2.5 million I hold personally. You see the corporations will be broke and I will simply be a smart ass punk who ultimately didn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Sean, right now I could sell the business of 60 or 70 million and the buildings for another 25 or 30 million easy and be that spoiled rich kid. Oh, I forgot the MJS Foundation and I went into detail on how that happened and he was shaking his head. We walked quietly for a while and he finally asked, why play football? I said I don't know but I am committed to 3 years here. Then back to the real world. Mike why here? Well the coaches push back at me and actually you and your gang of friends. That visit wasn't going well until you and your boys showed up. I not fucking around about that. He asked, what did we do? I said you guys by your actions proved normal guys could, play football here. He laughed and said, Mike you are anything but normal. You are the best high school player in the country and want to study Comp. Sci. and you and God have the same amount of money in the bank. You run In circles with Arnold Palmer, your Mayor and a bunch of other people. Then you and I walk along a beach where you own a 700 thousand dollar house and talk like normal dudes. So Sean, what about you. Why you at VT. Mike I'm here for an education and I fucking love the campus. The coaches are tough but fair and no nonsense. It wasn't local and I needed to be away. I asked, why is that? He smiled and said because kids in my neighborhood never seem to leave. I need to break that cycle. Sean, you are a business major? He said correct. So that you want to do? He said sales and ultimately sales management. Then I asked so do you have a location in mind? He said yup, anywhere where there is a job. I laughed and said, I'm stuck in Pittsburgh. He laughed and said with a boat load of money and house here. We started back and I said I bet they looked in the refrigerator, grabbed a beer and are sitting on the deck, waiting for someone to come cook. Sean laughed and said, well they will have beer but Rod is cooking. Mike, he is always hungry and loves to cook. I thought shit, I wonder what the task will be. On the way back, we chatted about the woman in our lives, or in my case the woman not in my life. I asked how the racial tensions were in his relationship with the girlfriend? He said they are always there and her parents are relentless. In spite of all that they were in a good place. Then he asked, what did you buy this particular house? I simply said I have a very personal attachment to the place but it is very much an investment, it's completely rented through September. He then said, personal in that your not sharing? I said correct. Back at the house, we found 4 assholes sitting on the deck drinking beer and the shit we did not put away from the grocery store on the counter in the kitchen. I thought Sean was going to explode. He said guys, I'm not going to be your mom but fucking pull your weight. Mike and I did the shopping and put away the perishables and you 4 sit on your fucking asses. We are here free and it won't be a pig sty. With that he grabbed a beer and I went to the dunes. I was sitting there thinking, damn I love this spot. Just then JJ appeared and asked, dude you mad? I said not at all Sean is a bit sensitive about me "paying for all this" I tried to explain but he did what he thought needed to be done. I don't want the fucking place a trash dump, but there are people I pay to deal with it. Just so you know, I'll be spending a lot of time here and I am good. Why don't you see who wants to golf tomorrow, we can play out of one bag if necessary. We both have clubs so one bag per cart shouldn't be a problem. He said great and that Rod was cooking and it would be great if I would join them in about an hour. I said no problem and JJ went back to the house. Finally, mom flew into my head and it was actually good as it was the good times here. The entire two weeks all those years ago, when I was 8. The time we spent right here and not a cross word. Then the bad things, the constant yelling, the squirting me with a hose before I could go into the house to shower, the constant siding will Bill. Why couldn't I fix that and it continued to the last time I saw her with that slap across my face. Then, it hit me I was the kid and while I tried the best I could ever do was stay out of sight. It wasn't for me to fix and it took dad forever but he finally did, fix it. Fuck, I'm sure there was a big smile on my face with the realization that it wasn't my fault. I CAN'T FIX EVERYTHING. Well this is better than a session with Dr. Brennan. Back in the house, I took a hot shower and then joined the others. I grabbed a beer and Joined, Sean, Jim and Alex on the deck as the other two were cooking on the grill. There were steaks and corn on the cob cooking on the grill and a big salad. Dinner was fun and the food was fantastic, but shit I realized we were running out of beer, well it wasn't going to last the week at this rate. We were all tired from the trip, well the VT crew was after a long car ride. I don't know about Jim and JJ but I was beat and really looking forward to holy and a solid 8 hours. I took a very quick shower and jumped into bed. Thanks for reading and if possible contribute to Nifty, so we can keep the stories coming.