Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2021 17:18:33 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 222 Once again I was up early and after a quick shower I dressed in shorts and a VT golf shirt and went downstairs and made a quick breakfast. I had no idea when we would eat again and it was a longish flight. JJ was picking up Dee and Mary Ann and Jace was my partner for the ride to the airport. The ride to the airport was fun and Jace was asking all kind of questions about Cole. I told him right now he was very good but was worried about the fallout once he is home and there seems to be a new plan. Prior to this it was high school and high school golf and Jace simply laughed and said well that destroyer has sailed. Then he asked, so how comfortable are you flying? I said well I am very careful, stick with all the rules and enjoy the shit out of it. At the airport I was all business. I filed the flight plan and started the pre-check. The plain was in good shape and the tank was full. Once everyone was there I got them settled and started the interior routine. I knew the weather was good for the entire day and checked the wind and takeoff conditions. Soon enough we were in the air and JJ had played the MJS Airline thing. Once we were at cruising altitude and heading southeast. JJ flew for about 30 minutes and then I asked if he minded if Jace sat upfront for a while and he easily agreed. I said JJ, keep you clothes on and he smiled and said, ok unless Mary Ann wants a 3 way. Once Jace was situated, I noticed that he was very comfortable and I asked about how his lessons were going and he said he was about ready for the check ride and his private pilot's license. He said that Jack was being a real pain in the ass and very tough. Then I brought him up to speed on Cole. The possibility that he would win were simply nuts. Jace asked, can he actually win? I said yes and the real question is should he? They will have no idea how to deal with a 16 year old. By the way I talked with AP about it yesterday and he will try to manage things. Jace laughed and said, damn you move in unbelievable circles. I shook my head and said well actually I need a few less circles. After a while I asked Jace to send Mary Ann up and when she showed up she was really nervous. I said please have a seat, strap in and please relax and but the ear phones on and we can talk and in a few minutes I need to check with a tower so while that is going on please be quiet. So babe, how is the flight and she said it is really different as you came come and go as you please. The twins were impressed yesterday but then again they were totally blown away. I think it will be days before they recover. I laughed and said, good. JJ returned and together we did the pre landing routine and I let him report to the tower and confirm the weather with ATIS. The landing was uneventful and it was about a 40 minute drive to the course, with traffic. At the course there were 6 tickets and as we needed 5 so I found a dude our age in line to buy a ticket and gave it to him. We went right to the practice area and waited for Cole and Liam. Eventually Liam appeared and there was no Cole. When I looked closer he was singing autographs. When he did get to the practice area he was all business and it was the warmup I had seen hundreds of times before. The only interaction was between Cole and Liam. When I thought he was finished, he did something really different and he started to hit weird shots, big hooks, big fades and low piercing shots. Then it was off to the putting green and was mobbed the whole way and he hadn't noticed us. Jace grabbed a program and shoved it in front of Cole and he took it without looking and scribbled his name and when he handed it back he looked and his eyes got real bid and he grabbed Jace into a big hug. Then he realize we were there and it was hugs all around. The security guys were standing there pissing their pants and wanting him to move on. He pulled me aside and said, MJ I'm going to win this I feel it. I said well play smart, listen to Liam and don't pay attention to the leaderboard. He laughed and said, I'm on top so I'm fucking looking. I just shook my head and Cole went to the putting green. Since we had time, we all got a hot dog and a bottle of water and walked to where first hole tee shots typically landed. I heard Cole introduced and I could see the pre-shot routine and a swing and when the ball landed it was 15 yards past where we stood. I figured the next shot was 140 yards and figured a smooth 8 iron. Cole was walking near the ropes and chatting and when he got to the ball there was a quick chat with Liam and I got a signal indicating a wedge? I just shook my head and got a thumbs up from Liam. His playing partner hit a good shot and was 15 feet behind the hole. Cole had a quick comment to Liam and started his pre-shot routine and a spectator yelled get it close. Cole stepped back smiled and but a finger to lips asking for quiet. The routine was the same and the shot ended up 3 feet from the pin and the place went nuts. His 2 shot lead was now 3 and after nine it was 4. It never got closer and up by 4 on 18 he hit a terrible tee shot and when he got to the ball you couldn't see his shoes the grass was that deep. There was an animated discussion between Cole and Liam. Liam was clearly pissed but handed Cole a club and turned his back, not wanting to watch. There was no routine and Cole took the wild very hard swing and I had no idea what happened until the place went absolutely nuts and the ball hit just short of the green and jumped forward 15 feet away. There was a giant screen behind the green and when Liam saw the swing which ended up on one foot he got down on his knees and bowed and so did many spectators. His playing partner walked ahead and let Cole enjoy the walk and recognition. On the green there was a quick chat with his partner who 2 putted for a par. Cole calmly stood over his put and it rimmed out and he simply shrugged and everyone laughed. He tapped it in and but the ball in his pocket, tipped his hat to the crowd picked up his bag, put an arm around Liam and walked to the scoring area. No one appeared until it was time for the awards ceremony. Cole appeared with the low Professional and the tournament committee. They said in the history of the PGA this has happened one other time and like the last time Cole you get a trophy and a place in history and Brett gets the check. Cole laughed and kissed the trophy and said this is good enough, well for now. There was a quick between Cole and the Tournament Chairman and Cole went to meet the TV people. Liam appeared and again the first question went to Liam. So what happened on 18? Liam laughed and said I let him win a battle over shot selection. I wanted a wedge to the fairway and the worst would be a bogie. Cole had played smart all day and I won 3 or 4 discussions and I figured a double was good enough and I didn't watch. When I saw the reply, well there isn't anything to say. I guess he earned the right to act like a 16 year old, just once. Then they turned to Cole and asked so now what? Cole said you won't see me till I work this out with Liam, mom and MJ. It was fun and I know I belong but to be fair, I don't think the Tour is ready and shouldn't be ready for someone who just learned to drive. Cole, who is MJ? Cole smiled and said by big brother. Cole, when will you be back as you have a years exemption? Cole said we just discussed that and we will see. This blew my game plan apart so we will see. Cole, we thought you might like to see what we saw at 18. Cole said well it wasn't as bad a lie as it looked and the grain was laying in the right direction. If it wasn't I would have listened to Liam. Not only that there was no spin on the ball and it was an actual knuckleball so it had to jump big. The announcer laughed and said so there was a good bit of luck? Cole looked a little surprised and said well what great shot doesn't have a bit of luck? Then to the amusement Cole said, thanks for your time and he and Liam walked away. Cole spent the next 20 minutes signing autographs. I really wanted to get going and the traffic didn't look bad so I put my arm around him and said Champ, let's go. Cole smiled and said I could stay forever. Jace grabbed his clubs and we all jumped into the van and Cole said his bags and Liams were shipped back. The aircraft was ready and the the pre-checks were completed and we were easily cleared for takeoff. An hour into the flight with JJ doing most of the flying, he asked so should I send Liam up and he went in the back. Liam appeared and he sat right down and buckled up. I motioned to the head phones and he immediately said thanks I was hoping I could see how this is done. So Liam how are you? Mike I'm good and this was a fun few days. Then he said Cole has really grown up and the only drama was when he blew up at the girlfriend. He told her that besides being a pain in the ass and a lousy fuck she had no idea how to suck cock. Mike, then he said so that makes the choice between you and golf very easy. I send you a dildo so you can practice for you next boyfriend. Mike, then he calmly said I'm hungry, let get a bite to eat. Liam, what if he wants to play more golf, what will you do? Mike, if he plays like this, I'm all in and 10% of what he didn't win today would be a years pay for most guys. I would find a way to finish school as that's important. I wish this was two years away but it isn't. One thing though, he got a lengthy call and won't tell me about it but it relaxed him a lot. Liam was that call before your tee time Saturday? He said yes and how did you know? Just a guess and Liam it was AP. Ok Mike, did you do that? Liam, all I did was play golf at Latrobe and ate lunch. Liam would have fallen out of the seat if he wasn't straps in. Liam, you, me, Megan and Cole need to have a long talk and soon. Sure Mike, but I'm on Cole's side. The conversation turned more casual and JJ returned. Once he was situated he said MJ, without lookin plain status? I looked at him and said oil pressure good, fuel a little over half, we are on course and there is no traffic that is an issue for us. He laughed and said sometimes I think you are not paying attention. I laughed and said well I multi task very well. Well how about you just fly the fucking plain. I simply said deal. I realized JJ was right and it was time to simply relax and enjoy the experience. While it was fun I was thrilled to see Morgantown, WV as I knew it was getting close to being the end of a very long and tiring day. I waited about 10 minutes and started to get ready for landing and I laughed when JJ did the MJS Airline thing and asked everyone to buckle up. The weather was great and there was no traffic so it was a quick and easy landing. Once the clubs were loaded in JJ's truck there was an issue of how people were getting home. Thankfully Liam had a car and that helped a lot. I needed to have Mary Ann with me and decided to take Jace and Cole with me. First stop was to drop Jace and Cole off and I laughed when they both went in the house together. I was glad to see that as Cole needed to say hi to his mom before he got involved with Jace. Once we were alone, I asked how she enjoyed the day and she said it was fun but wish we had more time together. Then she said you were totally different today. I asked, so how was I different? She said you were intense and professional while flying. Then at the course you were, well don't be offended, less self involved. This time it was all about Cole and you didn't even try to influence thing or be involved. Mike, every time we are together there is a new level and I'm wondering if I'll ever get to know the real Mike. Mike, I know you are what you need to be all the time but when are you simply Mike? I looked at her and said, honestly I don't know. She said, wow and grabbed my hand and said that makes me sad. I thought for a minute and said, me too. Once we were at her place she gave me a big kiss and we made out for a while and I slid my hand under her shirt and I realized that her perky tits were bare and I could have jumped all over her nips. Then she said Mike, that's certainly a step in the right direction. I laughed and said babe, please call me MJ. With that I got a giant kiss. As it was late I walked her to the door, gave her another kiss and said, go compare notes with your brothers. She laughed and went inside. I pulled into the driveway put the roof up and went inside to find, Megan, dad, Cole and Jace. I stuck my head in and said good night as I was exhausted. Cole came up gave me a big hug and said thanks for doing all that today, It means a lot to me. I said, no problem and that I wasn't running in the morning. I went to my room stripped and jumped into bed. Sleep was hard to achieve so I rubbed one off, cleaned up with my underwear and fell asleep. I woke the next morning and it was after 8:00 so I called Ruth saying I would not be in as I was not feeling well. I hung up and called Dr. Drennan and asked for an appointment and was told that he could see me at 4:00. I said thanks and went back to bed turning the phone off. At some point Mrs. McGuire asked if I wanted lunch and I said, no thanks and continued the nap. I woke again looked and at the clock and had only an hour to get cleaned up and to the doctors. I took a quick shower put on jeans and a tee and left for the doctors. I was there exactly at 4:00 checked in and didn't even need to wait and I was taken directly to his office. It was a short wait and when Dr. Drennan came in I stood up and we shook hands. He immediately asked, what brings you here? I said my new girlfriend asked me a question when we were driving to her place, last night, that upset me. Ok, so what was the question? She said every time we were together she discovered a new layer of me and wondered if she would ever get to the real me. Then she asked if I knew who the real me was and I had to say that I did not. That upset me. He smiled and asked, so she feels you slip into and out of various roles. She sees, the business guy, the athlete and several other aspects of you, correct? I said that's about it. Mike, do you see yourself being different people? I thought for a minute and said, I never thought about it, I just react to things and a lot of things interest me. Dr. Drennan laughed and said well I think you new girlfriend is the one with the issue. You don't ever reveal yourself easily and you are driving her nuts with how complicated a person you are. The real question is why didn't you know that? Well all I can say I have crappy luck with women. Two wanted my money and one wanted to tell for friends that she had sex with me. This one thinks the things I sometimes do is an amusement and we have not had sex and she seems to want that but stops short. As for me I don't have sex simply to get my rocks off. Mike, what about your various flavors? I said not so much any more. So are you telling me there is a special guy and you are ok with that? I said yes. Is that why no sex with the girlfriend? I said nope, we are not ready, very close buy not ready. Ok and your guy friend? I laughed and said, nice choice of words. There is an understanding and he has a very tight relationship with his girl and it's been going on since he moved here. Mike, usually I understand the reason you are here, this time I don't. What's been going on? I laid it all out and when I finished he said, now I get it. You were over loaded and now there is nothing to do, well except stay out of Cole's way and figure out the new girl. Cole scares you because he will do what you say and you don't want an opinion. The new girl because she is so different. All I can do is make you aware of that, pat you on the ass and say don't over think it? I started to laugh and he looked at me wondering what was so funny. Doc, I'm hearing that a lot and try as I might more keeps getting put on my "to do" list. Mike, football and school will cure some of that. I said thanks and headed home. At home dad asked, so what's up? You called off work and were out in about? Dad, I went to see Dr. Drennan. So do you want to talk about it and I said sure your office. I filled a glass with ice and added scotch. I sat down and told dad what happened and how I felt Dr. Drennan was no help for the first time ever. Dad asked Mike, do you ever simply play a role, to get what you want? Dad, I don't think I do that, ever. He looked right at me and said, I agree. Mike, I wonder what the issues are with you and Mary Ann. Well, I keep looking to see what she wants as Carrie had sex to get to my money as did Beth and Jan just wanted to fuck a jock. I like Mary Ann and she is smart and keeps me off balance. Dad laughed and said well off balance enough to send you to the head doctor. Then dad said Mike, just have fun, safely, and go with the flow. It will be what it becomes. I said dad, thanks for saying what everyone else has been telling me in different words. All I hear is "stop over thinking things". Dad said Mike that sounds good to me. Then dad said please take another day off and you can figure out the winery on Wednesday when the final money is due. Dinner was with Cole, dad and Megan and it was a fun family dinner and somehow that relaxed me. Cole didn't mention golf and neither did anyone else. After dinner Cole and I cleaned up and once that was done Cole announced he was going to look for a girlfriend and would not be late and I just laughed. I joined dad and Megan in the game room and had a scotch with dad and Megan had iced water. Megan said, unlike the last time Cole seems good but like the last time he refuses to talk about it. I said Megan, give him some time and be ready as this could be a bigger ask that you are ready for. Then I asked have you talked with his dad lately? She said well actually Wayne called Sunday night and we talked and Cole refused to get on the phone. I simply stayed out of it as whatever he gets Wayne deserve. Then the topic changed to more mundane thing, I said I have things to do, I'll be down later. Dad looked and I said the fucking Grapes of Wrath and they both laughed. Upstairs I grab my headphones and but on some light classical music and started reading. I read for an hour and it felt good to do that even with a read that was not my thing. I put the book down, got up and stretched and called Mary Ann. When she answered I asked what you doing tomorrow? He said nothing, where we flying? I said babe, I can't afford more fuel and I'm sticking with the "Stang" for a few days. Ok so Mike what you have in mind? Babe, I was thinking Fallingwater, Ohiopyle and see what's comes up, so it's a casual day. She laughed and said, if you say so. She asked about Cole and I said, well he is out looking for a new girlfriend, he chose golf over the other one. Then I said well I pick you up around 9:00. We hung up and I went back to the book. I read for another hour and went downstairs, dad was in the office the office and I got another scotch and joined hem. Megan asked about the book and I said well there are no grapes but the historical context is great. I just hate reading about those times. She laughed said, you are actually reading? I said absolutely and taking notes to avoid those mistakes. She laughed and said of course you are. So what you doing tomorrow with your day off? I said well Mary Ann and I are going to Fallingwater and Ohiopyle and then see what comes up. Megan laughed and asked, did you put it to her in those terms? I said yup, why? She just laughed and said, think about that for a second. I looked at here and said Megan, that was not what I intended. She looked at me and said well I have a son who is out looking for a chick who want to have sex with a jock, so I believe that is exactly what you intended. Just then dad yelled Mike, please come here, we need to talk. I refilled my drink and went into the office. I sat down and said dad, I just made plans for tomorrow are you going to fuck them up? Dad laughed and asked Mike, does it hurt? I just looked, not understanding. He said, that horseshoe that you have in your ass, does it hurt? Dad, what the fuck your talking about? Mike, do you want to sell the beach house? I said yes, you know that. I was wondering because other than firing the real estate you haven't done anything. Look dad, I have been a bit busy and it's rented so there is no rush. Well the current occupants love the place and want to buy it. They somehow found that a Mike Simmons owned the place and assumed it was me. Dad, I don't own it either Enterprises is the owner. Dad laughed and said I forgot about that shell corporation. I let that pass and asked for the details. Mike a quick closing, they honor all rental agreements through November 15th. The offer is $810,000 and they want you to give them $5,000 after the closing? I shook my head and said, nope. I'm not giving them cash like that and I'm not sure it's legal. Dad who are these people? Mike, this came up last night and I had Tim check them out and he is an attorney in Atlanta and has the money? Ok why the $5,000? Mike, I don't know. Look dad, I'll rent the place for a week after the sale for the $5,000 and not show up, once I chat with Tim. Dad, I assume there is no real estate involved and that there are limited closing costs. Oh dad, that horseshoe is very, very comfortable. It's a tentative agreement and Tim and I will talk and if it's a go, we will send a sales agreement tomorrow afternoon and have it overnighted. I have plans for the day tomorrow but I'll be available. Dad asked, what's the mortgage on the place and I said somewhere around $300,000. Dad laughed and said Mike, I know a great tax attorney. I laughed and said that's why shell corporations exist. Thanks and I'll get you a finders fee and your tax guy can figure out that situation. I went directly to my room, well after refilling my drink again and called Tim. Tim answered with so is it a deal? I said yes but I'll be renting the place for a week. Tim said Mike, so the rental fee is $5,000 and non refundable if you don't show? I laughed and said, correct. Tim, please just send the agreement and you can sign as the legal representative for Enterprises. He said sure and enjoy your day. Tim, just call if something changes, I'll keep my phone on. With that I drained my drink and jumped into bed thinking dad is right about me being lucky. That made me think again about my financial situation and would have to have a detailed meeting about that. With that complete it was time for bed. I well asleep wondering when the luck would run out. ONCE AGAIN, THANKS FOR READING. PLEASE IF POSSIBLE FIND A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO NIFTY!