Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2020 14:14:22 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 164 The bang of thunder woke me and I called JJ and he answered saying, not happening, see you in school. Cole was eating breakfast and when I asked where's mine? He said in a shell in the refrigerator, scramble your own eggs. I settled on coffee and toast. Cole asked Mike, are you mad? I said no I'm sitting here wondering how to react to you a couple days before a big event. He laughed and said, I need to hit that first tee shot and get on with it. Cole, this is a local event and there won't be many watching so try to just have fun. I went upstairs and jumped into the shower and dressed for school. Cole was right behind me an it was pouring and the fucking roof was leaking. I was pissed and there was nothing to do about it till after school. In first period it continued to be neutral corners and just as class was ending I was asked to go to the Principals office. As soon as I got there Dr. Johnson said, Mike please have a seat and close the door. Dr. Johnson said, Mike you had one heck of a Sunday. I laughed and said, well you could say that. Mike, your blast of the local media for a lack of professionalism and upset a number of reporters. Some of them were asked to contact your PR department. However there are high school reporters from both papers that want an interview. Mike, it matters to a lot of kids how they cover our school and athletic programs. Ok, Doc, what'd to you need? He replied you to meet with them, on the record. I asked, so how many reporters? He replied, four. I thought for a minute and asked, so where and when? He took a deep breath and said, in the conference room at 3:15 today. I said, fuck then added sorry. He laughed and said understandable. I asked to make a phone call and he said sure and I went outside. I called the Major and explained and he said he would be there. Then he added, tell them you want a recording of the entire interview. I said great idea and thanks. Back inside, I told Dr. Johnson that I was good with two conditions. He smiled and asked, so what are they? Well first, my PR guy Major James Messer is in attendance and that you record the entire interview for my personal use. He said I'll run that by the media people. I laughed and said well, if they don't agree there will never be a comment from me again. Oh, I want to add something else. He wasn't happy and said ok, now what? I said no video. Then he said, I get that you are pissed but a better attitude would be appreciated. I asked, will polite, respectful, thoughtful and no damn holed barred work? He said if you eliminate the damn, it should be fine. I laughed and said well let me know I think I have class. He handed me a pass and I simply laughed and went to class. I was a few minutes late for History and Carrie was in her, pre break-up seat, so my radar went off. I needed to get to study hall so I could think about this damn interview. Right outside the door she stopped me and said, Jodie want me to coordinate the furniture for building 1, is that acceptable? I said well if it's ok with Riley I'm good. I looked at here and said, I'm not involved with that part of the project, just don't screw it up. You could tell she was pissed but she simply walked away. In study hall I was considering an approach and decided that the best I could do was professional and not friendly, yet not unfriendly. I was crafting potential answers when Dr. Johnson sat down beside and said, I wasn't sure you would be here as Study Hall isn't your thing. I laughed and asked, what's up? He said it's all set and everyone of them said they were recording as well. I laughed and said, of course they are and what they write better match what's on tape. Dr.Johnson laughed and said, I think they got the message. The rest of the afternoon went well and I was in last period study hall working on things for the interview. When that was over, I located the Major and he asked about JJ. He said, he isn't here, is he? I said relax, I'm just not going in there on time. The Major laughed and he said, I was wondering how pissed you were. I said it will be calm, polite, thoughtful and direct. We chatted about nothing for about 5 minutes and he said, enough is enough let's get this done. We went in and introductions were made and Dr. Johnson said, I have invited out District Solicitor as Mike is a minor student in our school. He has his friend and PR person Major James Messer with him. Mike, it's your show. I said thanks Dr. Johnson for setting this up. I said, ok guys we are on the record and just so you are aware the district is recording this session at my request. It started with: Mike that was a full attack mode on the local media, you put in the paper yesterday, why was that? I replied, well did you read the piece? Was I unclear in any aspect? There was no answer. Then I was asked, what specific thing bothered you the most. I smiled and said, well that's a much better question. I then replied the total lack of integrity. Mike, can you be more specific? Look guys, I'm talking about me here and how I feel and the others are not involved. It was published in the paper that I was a soft VT recruit. Did anyone ask me? It was published that I was looking at PITT, did anyone ask me? There was no answer and I was furious and said, let the record reflect that by the silence, I was never contacted for a comment on the article. Then the statement was made that totally pissed me off. Mike you are not that easy to locate. I just sat there staring at the dude and mentally counted to 10 and said, that totally amazes me because with a few hour notice here I sit, waiting for the first intelligent question. Add to that I have a PR department that would have dealt with your request, if there was one. Are we going to get serious, or are we done? Mike, why VT? I said they are flexible academically as they will accept credits from CMU computer Science, they have a great academic reputation, their athletes graduate and the coaches, even while recruiting me, pushed back. As you noted I can be difficult. Ok, Mike why not PITT? Well Pitt is a great school and they presented a unique opportunity academically, they really never had a chance. Mike, why is that. I need to go away. I need some privacy. The other night I was at the Penguin game and there were way too many people that needed my time. Imaging if I stayed home. Then I said what that article did was scramble a lot of people, there was a call from my future position coach and the head coach appeared here at school last week to "chat". I am sure the people at PITT were discussing the possibilities. All because you guys did not collectively do your job, well professionally. Mike, any thoughts on the other people mentioned in the article? I simply said nope. Then I was asked, so you are telling us that you are totally committed to VT? I replied YES. Mike, what are you football goals? I said to win another district championship, start at VT as a freshman and win a National Champion's. Mike, no state championship? I said I really don't care about that but if it happens, fine. Mike, why do you feel that way about the states? I said no comment. Mike, would you like to play Pro Football? That is not in my plans, I don't need the money and do not want the physical abuse. Besides, I want dad to retire and have some fun. Then I was asked if I had anything else to say? I laughed, not because of the question but because the Major was shaking his head. I said yes, please cut us athletes a break, it is hard enough being 17 & 18 and dealing with all the expectations, just because we were blessed with athletic ability and work hard. Oh, take that extra minute to do your job the way Barnett and Bernstein would. Thanks guys and have a great rest of the day. I got up and went into Dr. Johnson's office with the Major, the solicitor and Dr. Johnson. I was immediately asked who Barnett was and I said a Philadelphia Inquirer and Time Magazine investigative reporter with a couple of Pulitzer Prizes. I said thanks and was handed the recording and was assured that the school had a copy. I walked to the car with the Major and asked if he had time for a sandwich. He said sure and I said, I'll meet you at the Tavern and he said fine. At the Tavern he ordered a beer and I ordered an Arnold Palmer. He looked and when I got what I ordered, he laughed and said I was wondering what that drink would be. I laughed and said, I'm a little wired and don't need a beer. So Mike, when there was that long pause when you didn't like the question what was going on? Jim I counted to 10, took a deep breath and was calm and polite for the answer. He laughed and said you forgot deadly. So Jim was I ok? He said well a little too direct but I know they are all researching Barnett? Where did that come from? I laughed and said, I read and it just flew into my head and out my mouth. Then he asked, what's up you don't need a debriefing. I said well 2 things. First and most important JJ, he is good, we are in a great place and he is clean and is over the wild spurt. Jim said, thanks. Jim, I want to take flying lessons, can you set that up? Mike, I have been waiting for that and I will deal with it all. Understand that I'll be tough and you will be damn good before I let you on your own. Oh, it won't happen in 40 hours, you need more time and I want you, no need you alive. I laughed and said so when do we start? He said, I'll let you know, but soon. We finished eating and I tried to pay and that went nowhere. Jim laughed and said, do you ever pay for a meal? I laughed and said well the Country Clubs always manage to send me a bill. He laughed, shook my hand and we went our separate ways. At home Cole asked so Mike what the hell was going on at school, there were reporters all over the place. Cole there were 4 reporters and they weren't all over the place. Cole laughed and said, ok but what went on? Cole, it was a reaction to my op-Ed piece in the paper. Dr. Johnson want me to be nice as how they report on our kids is important. Cole, it was terse and intense and there weren't many captives. So how was golf? Mike, it was great but I was yelled at for the first time ever for being too intense. Cole, if you are not having fun, just stop it won't be worth it. Having eaten, I went upstairs and checked my phone and there was a "Call me, please" message from Riley. When I returned the call she asked, will you be in the office, tomorrow? I said, yes and she said I will need some of your time. I said first on the list look, for me around 2:15. She said thanks and I knew it was a Carrie issue. I started on school work and then CMU stuff and Cole came in and sat on the bed. He was quiet and I packed things up to clean off my desk and sat beside him. I gave him a hug and said, ok what the fuck do you need and he said just to be fucked. I said seriously, you never have said that, that way before. Well MJ you never asked like that before. Cole, I was really hoping you would say, "thanks MJ, but I'm good and I pulled him towards me and we started making out. One thing led to another and we were naked and he was sucking my cock and licking my balls. He was working on my cock and I put my hand on his head and gently pushed till he had all of me in his throat. When I let him go he jumped up and and sat on my cock, I realized the fucked was pre-lubed and I pulled him towards me as we were kissing while he was riding me. As I was getting close, I pushed him off and said, suck and be quick about it, I'm close. I don't think his lips were on my cock and fuck is hot a massive load and he took it all, swallowed and we just lay there in each other's arms. We fell asleep and I woke to piss and he was gone. JJ, Cole and I did what was becoming our regular run and it was starting to become important to me for other reasons than the exercise. It was the usual shower and coffee at home and on the way to school, I asked Cole, so why did you get up and go to your room last night. He said, I need my rest and I was still, horned up so I got out of there before, it started again. I laughed and we parked and went to class. Carrie sat next to me in English and I simply ignored her. As soon as class was over she said Mike, I stopped her and said, if this is work related contact Riley and if it's personal, I'm not interested. Then I added so does Rob bore you? I didn't wait for an answer and was immediately bumped into. I looked and it was Jan and I shook my head and said, please find another way to say hello and I simply went to class. The rest of the morning was uneventful. I was sitting at lunch with Alex, Jim and JJ when Rod came up and looked at me and I asked is the hoop star slumming it with the football elite? He laughed and said, I guess it has come to that. I said yup, you and your girl managed to split the school. He laughed and said, Mike I'm done as she can't get you out of her head and I'm tied being the third person in a relationship. I said damn, dude it's not my fault. He smiled and said, oh I know. Rob you are welcome here anytime, in fact bring some friends over. He said thanks and went back to the basketball group. I once again skated through the afternoon and signed out of study hall. I worked out and Sam was there and we finished about the same time and I looked at him and thought he is ripped and getting bigger. I didn't notice that on the trip, but him and Cole were in each other's ass the entire time. I asked if he wanted a ride home and he said sure. On the way home I asked if he could blow Wednesday off and watch Cole play in a Pro Am? He said he would ask his rents and I said, well let me know, I'll drive both ways as Cole will be going with dad. Once I dropped him off I checked my phone and there were messages from, Mason, the Major, JJ and Ray. Once I was home I grabbed an iced tea and went to my room and called Mason. He answered right away and said, he talked with Dillon and they were both free Thursday and Friday and I said, Thursday at South Hills and casual as we would be on the patio. He said great and I said, 4:00. The call with the Major was just as quick and he said he said he tracked Jack down and could we meet Friday afternoon? I said sure, South Hills or Oakmont. He said South Hills, this time and I thought, damn here we go. I decided to call Ray, he answered right away. We talked for a while and it was good, almost like old times and I said, I bet you need a favor? He laughed and said yes, I do. I said what's up? Mike it would be great if I could spend the last two weeks of June as well as July. I said, I'll make it happen but you just lost a bet. He said, Mike I never thought I would hear either of us say that again. I laughed and said well it be more than dude, suck my cock and he laughed. I said, I'll be back in a couple of days with an answer but it shouldn't be an issue. The next call went to JJ who answered saying get your ass over here, I need to show you something. I thought shit and said, on my way. It was a long 4 house walk and and I immediately saw a black truck in the driveway and when I got closer JJ cane flying to me jumped in my arms and said, dude I have no idea what you said to dad but I got this. It was a 1991 GMC Sierra 1500 truck. MJ I have always wanted one of these. I jumped in and we went for a ride, while it was not me, it was obviously JJ and fuck it was nice. Once we were back in the driveway he said, MJ I lost both my virginities in the bed of one of these. I just started to laugh and couldn't stop. When I composed myself I said, just don't get carried away. MJ it can go away with bad grades or a failed drug test. JJ, I know that is over. Rule 3. I gave him a big hug and asked if Cole and I could have a ride to school. He smiled and said absolutely. Back at home, I realized I had a full week and there was a BOD meeting to prep for. I got the sense that there would be issues as we are expanding and spending money and there has been no input from the board. They were going to flip over the jet. I emailed Brian and Tim and asked for an agenda to be assembled and copied dad on the request. I chatted some with Cole and then went to find dad and ask about Ray. He said, he would check with Ryan but did not think it would be an issue. Upstairs I thought, fuck I needed to talk with Riley. I took a chance and called her. She answered right away and asked, what happened today? I got tied up with things at school. I said so I'm guessing there is an issue with Carrie and the furniture. Riley said Mike, she knows her shit but is impossible to work with, nothing I say matters and she ignores at least half of everything I say or suggest. Riley, I'm on your side but for obvious reasons I don't want to be the one to replace her. She is hoping I need to get involved. Would you please simply put her in her place and involve Jodie. Riley, I'll have a quiet chat with Jorden and if that don't work I'll have them remove her from the project. Just one chance. Riley said Mike, when I'm pissed off I'm a lot like you. I laughed and said perfect. We hung up and I called Jorden and as I hoped it went to voice mail and I left a message. I said Jorden, please get you minions back in line. Riley will start doing that tomorrow but I need this to work. Don't do anything drastic, well yet. Thanks Mike. With that done I stripped and jumped into bed. Thanks for the comments and feedback. PLEASE IF POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTE TO NIFTY.