Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2021 19:06:57 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 223 The morning run was fun as Jace, Ray and JJ all participated. Once we finished at JJ's house we stood around and chatted and it was fun not to have to rush to the office. Once JJ went inside Jace said MJ, I understand you have a Winery and investors, would you be interested in another investor? I said Jace, that's not my decision but I will ask the group if they want to add you. Then I said a 5% stake would be $30,000, would that be doable for you? He laughed and said sure, I keep telling you I'm flush. I laughed and asked would you want more? He said nope, that's good as I'm not selling the Apple stock I have. I said ok, I'll send an email out and we are finalizing this tomorrow. He said thanks as a Winery sounds like fun. I was a bit surprised when he went in our house and not the apartment. It was no surprise when he went right into Cole's room. I made coffee and scrambled 2 eggs and was reading the paper. It was a relaxing time and I enjoyed it. Upstairs I sent an email asking the group if there was any interest in adding Jack's brother as an investor for 5%. Then I tried to jump into the shower and found it occupied with Jace and Cole. I smiled and went back to my room, hopping they would not be long. As it turned out they weren't but Cole's door was closed. I showered and put on decent shorts and a nondescript golf shirt and good shoes for walking. I went to the night stand and grabbed a couple of condoms and went down stairs and had another cup of coffee. Then I packed a small cooler with ice and a couple bottles of water. I still had time so I picked up the paper again and Megan appeared. She looked at me and asked so Mike, has anything come up yet? I laughed and said nope, well not yet. Look Mike, have fun, relax and be safe. I smiled and said, yes Mom. I drove to Mary Ann's and one of the twins answered the door and I smiled and said, I'm not even going to try but is she ready? He laughed and said well I'm TJ and she is waiting to see what you have on as that indicates what you two are doing today. I laughed and said well I told her and if you would, please tell her it's casual but not grungy. He laughed and went upstairs. A few minutes later she appeared and said I figured teen tourists. I laughed and said perfect. Just then JT appeared and I got a hand shake and a big hug. I realized he was discretely giving me something and when I managed a peek. I simply burst out laughing as there was a condom in my hand. I composed myself and asked, only one? The both laughed and Mary Ann said, ok you three don't you dare gang up on me like that. Once we were outside, she grabbed me gave me a big kiss and said, I'm not going anywhere unless I find out what that was all about. I shrugged and said, be careful what you ask for and I handed her the condom. She turned red and yelled, I'M GOING TO KILL THOSE TWO. She glared at me and I said, what I brought my own, but it is nice to have permission. When we were in the car, I asked roof up or down and she said up because we are having a very serious discussion. I put the roof down and said, we are not over thinking this, we each get one question. So you on the pill? She said yes. Ok, if I'm on the pill why the damn condors? I said well, I'm being extra careful and they give me some control. I want kids just not this year. Then I said babe, I'm not saying this will happen but I'm ready if you are. Understand you can say no at any time. This is an important step for both of us. She put her hand on my lap and said well let's see what comes up and she laughed out loud. The drive down route 51 was boring and I needed gas so we stopped and filled up and did the restroom thing. Once on US 40 it was more interesting and filled with history. At the top of a giant hill was the Summit Inn, which was an old time resort. Mary Ann looked at that and said that's nice. Back down the hill we passed Fort Necessity and General Braddocks grave. I saw the sign for Falling Waters and turned left. We pulled into the parking lot with just 15 minutes to spare. I collected the reserved tickets from will call and joined the small tour. It was an awesome structure build over a water fall and the engineering was fantastic with cantilever rocks suspended from the hill supporting the structure. The entire time we held hands when possible and talked about the furniture and the Frank Lloyd Wright style. While it was unique and different neither of us was wild about it and the building was small and at 6'4" I was ducking a lot. Once the hour long tour was over, I asked if she wanted to go to Nemacolin for lunch and she shook her head and said god no, I hate that place, I reeks of being phony. Mike, actually I know a perfect place but we have to drive back some. I said whatever and she said the Stone House Inn would be perfect, very quaint. I grabbed her and gave her a giant kiss and said thanks you. I hate Nemacolin as well. I would use it for business and golf but not much else. It was about a 15 minute drive in the exact wrong direction but once we were inside I thought damn this is worth it. It was very old and homey. We both ordered iced tea and after a brief discussion we each ordered a pulled pork sandwich and fries. We were chatting and having a very relaxing lunch. Then we ordered a slice of pecan pie to share and more iced tea. Once we were finished she excused herself and went to the rest room. I simply got up and went and asked if we could get a room and the woman shook her head, smiled and said sure, I'm just glad it didn't happen at the table. I quickly paid for the room grabbed the key and returned to the table. Mary Ann returned and I asked if she wanted to go to Ohiopyle or up stairs. She looked at me and said that's the dumbest fucking question you could have asked. I said ok so Ohiopyle it is. She just looked at me and I handed her the key. We found the room easily enough and it had real colonial furniture and and a big queen rice carved poster bed, that was perfect. We both laughed at how high it was. But I grabbed her and threw her on the bed and we started kissing and making out. It was hot and intense and the clothes slowly came off and we were exploring each other. She insisted on putting the condom on but not before I got a quick bj. Once she had it on I started kissing her neck and worked my way down and was licking her pussy and then slowly entered her and it was slow and romantic. Then she shocked me and pulled the condom off and dove on my cock swallowing the entire limp cock. It didn't stay that way long and so I move to her and we were eating and sucking each other. I started to get close and tried to move her off my cock but it wasn't to be and try as I might I shot a load and she turned around and kissed me. I was like damn for the first time, wonder what else there will be. He kissed some more and laid there in each other's arms and simply enjoyed the afterglow. She got up on one elbow and said so tiger how was that? I laughed and said now that is a dumb question. She said are you done or want to explore more. I said well we have the room all night let's go to Ohiopyle and if the mood is right stop on the way back. It was a quiet ride to Ohiopyle and we looked at the falls and the rapids. She said MJ, if you weren't so horny we could have done the rapids. I laughed and said well babe, you were the one that need a second round. She said well I wanted some of you in me and I had to improvise. I laughed and asked, so is there more like that? She laughed and said well let's just see where the limits are. I shook my head and asked, where is that chick with the stellar reputation for modesty? She laughed and said you just pealed back a layer and I think this will be a wild, sexy ride. I grabbed here and we kissed and I whispered get that sexy ass in the car. Back at the inn we almost ran up the steps and clothes were thrown all over the place and the sex was physical and intense. Once we calmed down it was a quick joint shower and we dressed and jumped in the car. The ride home was with the roof down and the stereo blasting and us singing along with the oldies. At her place we kissed and I was invited in and naturally there were the twins and I had an iced tea and we talked for a while and when it was time to leave I shook hands with one of them and slipped back an empty condom wrapper. Once he looked at it I got a wink. I said thanks and drove home. At home it was a toss up weather I was more tired or more hungry. I went the refrigerator pulled out sandwich stuff and made a big sandwich, added a beer and went outside and sat in my spot eating and thinking. Megan came out and sat down. I asked how was your day? She said it was awful as this is a shitty case and I want to throw it out but have to wait for them to at least present something worthwhile. She looked at me and said so did something come up? I said we were busy all day and something came up more than once. She laughed and said well talk to your brother as he got home at midnight last night and you will be driving him around for a while and she said and feel free to use his car and she handed me the keys. I laughed and she went inside. I finished eating and grabbed a second beer and went upstairs. I knocked on Cole's door and he was laying in his bed reading. I asked so how are things? He said well good and bad. I went out last night, trying to hook up and damn if I didn't find two girls and we had a 3 some. I was late getting home and mom grounded me. Today it was 3 awesome hours with Jace. Fuck, I'm glad he is back. I have to talk to mom as I have a meeting in Latrobe tomorrow. Cole, it's a long walk and I'm swamped tomorrow. Ask nicely and promise just Latrobe and back. Then he asked Mike, will Jace be able to invest in grapes? I asked, Cole does he have the money? MJ, all three of them got a bunch from their grandfather and Jace says besides that he has is birthday money. I said Cole, that's not my decision but I'll let you know. So MJ, how was your day? I said amazing. He smiled and said well it's about time. I simply went to my room and finished my beer. I checked my emails and everyone agreed that Jace could join the group and that pleased me as I did not want a formal vote and then it saved me $30,000. At the same time it reduced my control to 35%. I called Jace and asked so dude, why do you want in the Winery business? MJ it intrigues me. I'll be up there a lot as the area is fantastic besides it's a fun flight. MJ, this week JJ and I are talking the test and check ride. Jace, tell me about school what's the plan? He said MJ, it has changed a lot and it will be Pitt and business and I want to rush through it. In meeting with the advisor I am a second semester Junior and a bit more than that. My grades and the reputation of the Academy really helped. Jace is it sales or business management. He said, I don't bull shit well so management. Well Jace just let me know when or if you need help. One thing though, please don't hurt Cole. MJ, he is good and damn he has changed and he thinks he can do anything. Then there was the 3 way last night. I said, I know and I hope AP drives some sense into him tomorrow. MJ, if nothing else we can double team him. Then I said, next time I go to the Winery, I would like you to join me. He smiled and said, great I would like that. We hung up and I called Mary Ann. She answered by asking, so how was your day? I laughed and asked so are you walking funny and she started to laugh. I said babe, let's both cut the crap, you ok? MJ, I couldn't be better and it was one of the best days of my life. Well it was great for me as well. We talked about other things for about 20 minutes and said good night and hung up. Next was a visit to Cole's room. He was sound asleep so I went downstairs and found dad in his office. He asked if I had a good day and I said it was the best day I had in a long time. Well it's back to the grind for you tomorrow but your off again Friday. I actually like having you relaxed. Ok dad then why? Well Mike, I never expected you to react like this and one company turned into 3 and a bunch of baby companies, two building and all I wanted was to introduce to what could be next. Mike, I'm going to force you to relax till January. Your team has this so please back off some and enjoy your senior year. Dad, I only have morning classes so I'll be available for 2 hours every day, well except Friday. Dad shook his head and said get some rest. I took dad's advice and jumped into bed. I woke as a result of a loud clap of thunder and realized there would be no run so it was a quick shower and khaki pants and what was becoming my trademark light blue shirt and a tie. I went downstairs and found Cole and Megan drinking coffee. I poured a cup and grabbed the paper and went to the game room. I had just finished my coffee and was ready to get to the office when Cole sat down and said thanks, I worked things out with mon. She was more reasonable than I thought possible. I promised not to break curfew and I'm not grounded. I laughed and asked, did you actually mean that? He said yes but that damn three way was awesome. I looked at him and he said well I am also done looking for a quick fuck. I just start looking for my next ex. Ok Cole are you ready for today? He smiled and said I hope so and Liam is joining me for this chat. I got up and said drive safe and watch Youngwood and the speed. He said thanks and I left for the office. At the office I went right to the cafeteria and grabbed a cup of coffee and as soon as Ruth saw me she said looking at the smile and great mood I assume the "next step" went well. I just started to laugh and said, yes it did and thanks. In my office I was amazed as there was one pile on my desk. I turned on the computer to check my schedule and saw that it was Riley, Major Jim and Tim. There was also a note to check with David after lunch. I started to look at the pile and opened the one on top which turned out to be the title report on the Winery Property and it was clean but the insurance cost absolutely pissed me off. The next envelope contained an itemized list of the closing costs. Which surprised me as how low they were. But then again there was no real estate commission and I noticed that Charlie was paying the transfer tax. A quick calculation and I would need $625,000 to close. I was just about to open the next envelope when Riley appeared. She handed me another envelop and said, I scheduled this for 30 minutes but there is nothing to talk about. We are a little more than a month ahead of schedule on Building 1 and on time with the other building and that should improve as the drama over the death is finished and supplies are arriving on time now. Then she said Mike, Jack and I are so excited about the Winery and we both appreciate Jace being included. I asked Riley, what's up with that? She said Mike, I'm not sure but a good deed never goes unpunished. Riley, please remember every gift has a price and we both laughed. Once I was alone I opened the envelope she handed me and there were 2 checks and 2 agreements, I thought good for them. The next one was from Megan and there was a note that said her share would be held in Trust for Cole and included was a proxy giving me control of her shares. Dillon's check drawn on a joint account were in the next envelope. That left only Major Jim and I was sure he would hand me his stuff when we met. Well actually there was still Jace so I called him and asked if he was still in? I said yes and he would have the cash next Wednesday. I said dude, that doesn't work as we are closing before that. He was quiet and I could tell he was upset. I asked so what's the problem? He said I really want involved in this and I'll lose out on a damn technical issue. Then he said, well I'll get a short term loan. I laughed and said that's correct and you will drag that ass or your's down here and Tim will have a no interest loan agreement for you to sign with a balloon payment in 30 days. I could see the smile over the phone. Ok Jace why is this so important? MJ, I want to be there for the harvest. I said, and school? He said leap semester. Jace, you did t have to invest to do that? MJ, we can talk on the flight when you take me up there and he hung up. Tim was next and as he entered Ruth asked if I wanted lunch? Tim shook his head indicating no and I asked for a chicken salad, no onions and Italian dressing and said thanks. Tim handed me an envelopes and said the Major asked me to give this to you. I opened it and saw that JJ was getting 5% and the documents were signed and the funds were there. Then Tim put a bunch of papers on the desk and said this surprised me but they were hand delivered early this morning, they are signed agreements of sale. I have gone over and over them and has Bill and there are no surprises and no changes. There is however an additional envelop for you only and it is tagged personal and confidential. Mike if you sign these we can wire the funds this evening and it's done. Well Tim there is something else. He looked at me and said, WHAT? I said a loan agreement for Jace, in the amount of $30,000 payable in 30 days at no interest. He will be here this afternoon to sign that document. Please transfer $140,000 from Enterprises and I wrote a check from my personal account for $100,000. Tim looked at me and asked, no business loan? I said not yet and we will see what we need done with the place once the harvest is complete. Tim, come hell or high water we are making wine this year. I'll be going up there tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, back Friday evening. With that I signed three sets of papers and kept a copy for my personal use and thanked Tim. Ruth appeared with Lunch and Tim gathered the documents and went about a busy afternoon. I was eating the salad and reading the documents I had signed. Thankfully they were as represented and the legal speak was not that bad. I just leaned back and though how easy this was. Then looking back it was all about building relationships and knowing what was going on and what the fuck you want. Then in thinking about things there was never a time during this entire process when I was pretending to be someone else. I thought damn I am Michael James Simmons and take me for what I am, as what you see is who I am. Just then Major Jim came in and he started by saying thanks for doing the Winery as we all think this will be fun. I asked Jim, fun enough for you to manage the place? He said well actually Jack and I are thinking about a flight school, very small at first and see what it becomes, so I am not willing to spend time growing grapes. Ok Jim, I sense a plan what's going on? Then I said, damn that's why Jace. He wants to do it, correct? Then he said Mike, I know you can outvote us but neither Jack nor I will do it. So either let Jace do it or hire somebody. Jim, I never want to outvote anyone but I have a lot of eggs into something that was not planned. Ok Jim, I was taking him with me tomorrow anyway and we have quick decisions to make on employees. I'll see how he does. So Jim why we meeting? He said NASA and the PR event, you know the shit you pay me for. Mike, they are excited and the top gun is coming and 3 or 4 astronauts. Local and National media as well. So Jim, is ABC sending a crew? He said yes and I'm hearing Diane is as well and she is loaded for bear. I said, please tell them that if she shows, I'll give her 20 minutes and have her give some thought to the questions. Please put it to them exactly like that. So Jim when is this happening? Jim said Mike, Sunday afternoon and the networks should have coverage sometime during the week or hold off a week. Jim I'll have the NASA people at South Hills for lunch, will that work? Well they will be at the County Airport at 10:00 so lunch around 11:00 would work and we could start at 1:30. Jim, thanks and please have Diane at South Hills at 10:00 for coffee and she gets invited to lunch as well. Mike, when you going to NY? I said well early tomorrow and back Friday afternoon. I thanked him for setting all this up and he went on his way. Once the Major was gone I closed the door and opened the the "personal and confidential" envelope that was included with the agreement. When I opened the envelope it was about 5 pages and the last two were a legal document. I started to read and was totally blown away. David wrote how glad he was that I was able to put together a group of people to buy the Winery. He went on to say that the first time he met me I was 2 and was already running around, pissing my mother off. Being just 20 he said he understood parent relationships. Then he said it was obvious at that early age dad and I had a special relationship. He told me how dad picked me up and threw me naked in the lake at 6 and how I took to it immediately. He said that he was impressed with my willingness to try new things and how athletic I was. Mike, I have no idea what happened but at some you dad stopped coming and then there was the fire and that new building. Charlie and I will be visiting dad as he will be spending the summer there. Mike, as you know I have two very intense checks done on you. The second one was because of the Trust and for the shares. I'm sure you know that it isn't a lot of money, well to either of us. I am sure because of your net worth 60k won't tempt you. Dad is right when he says it shouldn't be me in charge. Dad and I both want Charlie to know how things work and have input and with me he would typically just do what I say. I know it is a lot to ask but we would appreciate you taking it on. The Trust papers are included please review them and call me with questions. Mike, I hope we can stay in touch. I called David and when he answered he said I've been waiting for your call. I thanked him for the note and asked so so what's my net worth since 60k won't matter? Well an educated guess would be about a 2,000 times that. I said I wish. He said well 90M is a better estimate. I was quiet for a while and he asked, if I needed help with the math? I laughed and said no but it is scary that you are fairly close. David, the papers are on the way and the money will be wired overnight. He said great, what else? The general manager, why does you dad want him let go? Mike, he feels that he led the decline of the winery focusing on money rather wine. Mike, he will find a job immediately. I asked about the assistant and was told he is perfect where he is. Look Mike, I'll tell dad you will be there tomorrow afternoon and he will help. Remember harvest time is coming. I said I know and we are making wine. You will need someone you can trust and dad will enjoy the neck out of that. Mike, are you ok with the Trust for Charlie? I said yes but if you think you are ducking responsibility your simply nuts. He laughed and said understood. Mike, one more thing. Is there any chance Cole and you would be willing to play in our member guest on Wednesday. If Cole could do it we could raise a ton of money for charity. We will bet on his score and 25% goes to the winner and 75% to charity and if no one gets it right then the charity gets it all. Oh it would be a charity of Cole's choice. Ok David, why Cole? When he stopped laughing he said Mike, the kid is the hottest thing in golf. He said please let me know. David he has a meeting with The King and I'll ask him tonight. I said thanks and hung up. With all that done I said good night to Ruth and drove to school for a workout. It was still an unpleasant day, weather wise. The place was fairly empty but Jim was involved in an animated conversation with coach Weston. I didn't think anything about it until Jim left the office slamming the door. He went right up to me and said, was that your idea? I just looked at me and he said, I need an extensive physical or I can't play. Jim, we all need physicals to play so just deal with it, no one is picking on you. I simply returned to my workout. As I was coming about of the shower Sam and few of his buddies were returning from the field. Sam came over and tried to give me a hug and I took a step back and said Sam, you are a sweaty mess and I don't have time for another shower, he laughed and said quarterbacks never sweat. Sam, you and I need to talk, sooner than later. Sam just looked at me and before he could say anything I said Sam, if you are going to be my QB you are going to get more than a little sweaty. I have to be out of town for a few days but keep some time free Saturday after the team workout. Sam smiled and said, so you are honoring us with your presence Saturday, you might find things a little different. I put my arm around him, well mostly around his neck, and whispered you can either walk with me outside or I can carry you skanky ass. He smiled and said let's go. PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO NIFTY, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE STORIES COMING YOUR WAY. THANKS FOR READING!