Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:19 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 318

I woke on Saturday morning and just groaned as I hurt all over. My
shoulders hurt so much that I thought I might need new pads. I stood up
and stretched and that helped but what helped the most was the long very
hot shower that followed. I dressed in jeans and an Oakmont long sleeve
sweat shirt and tennis shoes, put the coffee on and went outside for the
paper. I was glad to see that Rod got a lot of ink and some of it was
about his soccer career and how he was becoming highly recruited as a
midfielder. The rest was about how physical the game was and how we were
the first team in 8 years with a chance to repeat. We would be playing a
team from the same conference who we had beat by 20 and there was no love
lost between us as we hated the coach and he felt we were upstarts and
had been lucky last year. In looking further I saw that Sam's team had
won and they would be the 2:00 game on Saturday, the second game of the
day. They were scheduled 3 hours apart and we were scheduled for 8:00
which would actually be closer to nine. Game day was the Saturday after
Thanksgiving and the winner moved on to the state Semifinals. This game
was the District Finals and a State Quarter-final. If we won we would
play the winner of the game between that team from Erie we beet in the
opening game and Altoona High School.


JJ appeared and we talked about a breakfast location and decided on the
Eat N Park buffet. I called Charlie and asked if they could be ready in
30 minutes. He laughed and said the kid is so excited he hardly slept and
he has asked at least 20 times if we could please find a way to go to the
game next week. I told Charley we were on our way and to tell Chuck to
calm down. Mike, you and I need to talk without the kid and I said no
problem as I'll have JJ deal with Chuck. Charlie said thanks and it's
important and complicated. Ok Charlie we can deal with whatever. He said
thanks and we hung up. JJ and I jumped into his truck and I explained the
situation to JJ while we drove to the hotel. Charlie hadn't exaggerated
as Chuck was super hyper. JJ and I got high fives and a big hug. He said
guys, that game was so exciting. It must have been fun beating on each
other like that. I laughed and said Chuck, it was fun last night, today
it just hurts. Their bags were thrown in the back as they had checked out
of the hotel.


At the restaurant I ordered an omelette with  cheese , spinach and
mushrooms with wheat toast and the others ordered the breakfast buffet.
Chuck ate his weight in bacon and had 4 pancakes and a bunch of fruit. JJ
and I were asked a lot of questions about the game and why we did this or
that and we answered as best we could. When we finished there was still a
lot of time before we needed to be at the airport. I asked Chuck if he
had ever seen a buffalo? He said nope and I said well we have them in
South Park would you like to see them? He was all in and we were back in
the truck and 15 minutes we were at the park. JJ and Chuck ran ahead and
Charlie lagged behind with me so that we could talk.


As soon as Chuck was out of earshot Charlie said Mike, David resigned
from his firm yesterday afternoon just before they voted him out. He
negotiated a buyout with very little money but he can keep his clients,
if they want to stay with him and two partners and 5 associates left with
him. The new firm will be based just outside DC and there seems to be
enough money. Then it got complicated as Charlie said that Chuck would
not be going home as he only has two days of school and that his parents
will fly up Wednesday afternoon and that they would say in Pittsburgh
till Sunday afternoon. Mike, we have rooms in the William Penn Hotel and
clothes were overnighted for both of us. David asked if you would get
tickets for the 4 of us and he would like to meet with you if your
schedule permits. I stopped and looked at him and said the tickets are no
problem and most likely, dad will use our box and you can watch the game
and be warm. I have no idea what the schedule is for next week with the
holiday and please tell David to call me directly and that messages
through you is a bit Junior highish. Charlie laughed and said Mike, all I
know is that it isn't about the arrangement for the kids Trust, either
he is ok with that or he no longer remembers it.


Charlie what will you do with Chuck while you and him are here? Charlie
you have half a day today and 3 other full days to amuse him. Charlie, I
have school, football and work but if the Penguins are home the three of
us can go to a game. Besides all that, I had promised to take the girls
to the Winery since we were taking you. It's not likely I can change
that and still have a girlfriend. So what happens next, Charlie? Mike if
you could drop us off at the Carnegie Museum in Oakland we will be good
as even I want to see the dinosaurs and we can take a cab to the hotel
and tomorrow we can go to the Science Center, it's new as I'm shire you
are aware.  Harlow, I'll check on the hockey schedule but when his rents
get here he is all theirs. Have David call me, please. Charlie, I get his
problems at work but he has a kid and him and his wife can't keep
dumping him on you and changing the plans to suit their needs, it unfair
to you but mostly unfair to Chuck.


We caught up to JJ and Chuck and Chuck was standing there just staring at
the three buffalo we could see and I knew there were 2 more somewhere.
Chuck said guys, they are big and I mean massive. So JJ did the Indians
actually kill these beasts with arrows? JJ smiled and said dude, they did
riding horses because they needed to eat but there were large herds. With
that I told Chuck, I had to get going and we jumped in the truck and
deposited them at the museum. Once JJ and I were alone in the truck I
filled him in on the changes and he laughed and said, it's a damn good
thing I like that kid but we need to reign in his rents. Then he said MJ,
you know we still have to go to the cabin as the girls will throw a fit
if we change that up. JJ, I have the plane reserved for 2 o'clock so we
are going. I'll see you at the airport at 1:30. At my place I went right
in the house and found Megan in the game room with Ashley and dad in his
office.


I grabbed an iced tea and joined Megan. I asked if she had heard from
Cole and she said twice yesterday once before his practice round and once
to check on your game. He wanted to know why it was so close and I said
it was one of the most physical high school games I have seen. I laughed
at that and asked about golf. Mike, he said that it was Bay Hill easy and
that if the greens were up to speed and the rough up it would be a bitch.
His tee time today was 1:00. Then I asked about Thursday and it was
Megan's turn to laugh as she informed me it was a family day and my
presence was required all day and that she was cooking the turkey. Megan,
that's perfect and will be my first family Thanksgiving, well I don't
remember another one. Megan, how about I cook breakfast at my place,
pancakes and bacon. She laughed and said just so you are not messing
around in my kitchen and that sounds great.


Next I went into dad's office and asked for a minute and he said sure. I
told him about David and yet another change in plans and he simply shook
his head and asked what else? Are the Penguins home this week and he Che
led and said the Capitals Tuesday night and yes you can have the 6
tickets, if you promise not to fight with anyone from City Government. I
said deal and was handed 4 tickets. We talked about the game and the next
opponent and I was reminded not to look past this game as that coach,
while an ass, knows what he is doing. I said thanks and changed the
subject to David and dad said if I met with him, he wanted to be at the
meeting and I should have Tim as well. Dad, it would be overkill but you
are welcome, as always. Besides I think he wants business for his new
firm and he will plead innocent on the land deal. Basically, I'm focused
on football and the new girl as she is different and I need to be on my
toes. Dad laughed and said Michael, just don't turn this into the Carrie
situation all over again. Dad, the other thing is I like the kid and
Charlie but I'm being taken advantage of as the kid need an adult male
connection. Mike, don't try to solve problems that you shouldn't be
involved with. I changed the topic to breakfast on Thursday at my place
and he said now that sounds like fun.


Back at my place I packed for the trip and it was easy as it was a casual
overnight. I called Tim and he answered asking if everything was ok? I
briefed him on the David situation and asked him to discretely look into
it as I wanted to be prepared for his call. I said just general
information and an informed opinion. Tim was pleased with that request
and said, what you need will be in your phone Monday morning. I thanked
him and headed to pickup Winnie. She was ready and her parents decided to
go away for the weekend. I was told that they were at Nemacolin and she
was glad that she didn't need to tag along. In the car I told her about
the change and that Charlie would not be along for the ride. She laughed
and said, damn I would have thought you would have cancelled. I said,
cancel and disappoint you? We approved at the airport before JJ and Mia
and I went inside with Winnie and filed the flight plan. Outside we found
JJ and Mia and JJ and I started the preflight check and once that was
completed we stowed the baggage and got the girls situated in the cabin.
JJ said MJ, you fly and I'll do the return trip. I said, deal and there
was very little traffic as it was mid afternoon and most recreational
flying was done for the day. We were quickly cleared for takeoff and JJ
just shook his head and said MJ why another way up to the cottage? JJ,
it's more direct to State College and then the same. Savin fuel and time
as it's 10 minutes quicker and 30 minutes quicker that the original way,
go play with the girls. JJ said well I'll send Winnie up with you and
I'll see how much fun I an have with Mia. It didn't take long FR Winnie
to appear and I told her to have a seat ad strap in. Then I explained the
head set and asked that in the unlikely event I had to communicate with
someone, please be quiet and to just look and not touch.


She fired one question after another about the cabin and the Winer. How
we got the land and then about my grandfather. Most of which I easily
answered but there were still gaps about granddad and I remained sad
about that. When I saw Beaver Stadium I yelled Romeo, your turn for a
while and the 4 of us chided places. In the back, I simply sat down and
Winnie chose a seat looking straight at me and strapped in. She looked at
me and asked, no seat belt? I laughed and said oh, I turned the seatbelt
light off and you don't have to do that as it's great flying weather.
Mike, how long have you been flying and I said not long but a good number
of hours. Does it worry you that JJ and I are flying the plane? She said
not unless one of you want to end your lives? Winnie, this relaxes me and
when I was at the Cape for the Shuttle launch, I got to fly an F-18 and
that was a ton of fun. We van took a corporate jet down and I flew that
as well. I just love flying. She continued with questions and thankfully,
JJ yelled, MJ we are 30 minutes you want to come up here and land this
thing. I simply went up front and checked the instruments and took over.
Mia went in the back and JJ and I were upfront. I contacted the tower and
we were cleared to land. Once we were on the ground JJ and I secured the
plane and I was glad to see that a Winery van was there and we were off
to the cabin.


It was a reasonably quiet ride with JJ and I upfront and both girls just
looking around. I pulled into the long, winding tree lined gravel
driveway and when Winnie saw the palace she laughed and said some cabin.
I told her that was dad's version of a cabin and I dislike it intensely.
We went around another bend and the parking lot appeared and I was glad
to see that the lot was empty. When she saw the two cabins there was a
big sigh and she mumbled thank God. We drove past Cole's cabin and
parked in front of mine. We got out of the van I took Winnie's hand and
we walked to the door and I unlocked it and pushed it open and let her go
in before me. She took one step in and stopped. All of a sudden JJ said
clear the way and he entered carrying a bunch of fire wood.  It was cold
in the cabin and I lit a big fire while JJ brought in more wood. Once
that was done I checked the refrigerator and once again the food was
there and I went looking for the girls. They were on the porch looking at
the lake and chatting. I went up behind Winnie and put my arms around her
and asked, what do you think? Mike can you and I go for a walk before it
gets dark. I said sure and I know the perfect spot.


We started down the path, holding hands and when we got to the rock I
just stopped. I looked at the lake and just stood there remembering the
great times.Winnie just stood there and when I moved she asked Mike, why
is this place special. Well Winnie, if this were summer I would have
stripped and jumped into the lake. She laughed and said, ok you can tell
me when you are ready. I took her hand again and stopped at the end of
the path and the fence. There was the Winery and I explained the layout.
Winnie, we can see the entire operation tomorrow. We didn't stay much
longer and started back. Back at the cabin JJ asked if anyone wanted real
food as he wasn't in the mood for sandwiches. We all agreed that an
early dinner would work and it was off to the restaurant on the lake. At
the restaurant I wasn't all that hungry as I had what was for me a big
breakfast. Apparently I was the only one that felt that way but
regardless I simply ordered the usual and I actually laughed out loud
when Winnie said, heck I'll have the usual as well. JJ and Mia ordered
fish sandwiches with fries and a small salad. I asked Winnie, what do you
you think you just ordered? She smiled and said some fried fishie stuff
and fries. I laughed and said not at all. Well it is seafood but not
fried and not potatoes, I hope you like it. Our drinks came and we talked
about what we might do tonight and after a lengthy discussion we decided
to stop at the palace and select a movie from the library and snack. The
food was good and Winnie loved the baked crab cakes and roasted
vegetables. When the bill came I asked the waiter to charge my personal
account and add the usual tip. Willie asked so how many accounts do you
have here? JJ laughed and said Winnie, he has three that I know of and
the dude is squeaky clean, but tomorrow he will have a 15 minute with
Jace and the plane cost will we a tax write off with some credit for the
3 of us. Actually, I don't know how he keeps it straight. Winnie was
just taking this all in and chose not to get further into finances and
taxes.


 At the palace we selected the movie "Days of Thunder" staring Tom
Cruse and went back to my cabin. I got the girls the wine they requested
and JJ and I had a beer as we were well under the 12 hour limit and that
would be my last drink of the trip. We all squeezed onto the sofa and
made the fire bigger and watched the movie. The movie was fun and the
girls had more wine and we snacked on chips and pretzels and laughed and
had a good time. Around 11:00 Mia said that she was tired and that her
and JJ were going upstairs and that they would be sharing a room. Then
the two of them went upstairs. Winnie and I stayed on the sofa and the
questions started again and I stood up and turned around ands asked, if
she wanted me to pull my pants down and bend over so she could finish the
rectal exam. She laughed out loud and grabbed my belt and pulled me back
on the sofa and before I knew it she was all over me and her tongue was
in my mouth. We made out for a while and I was hard as a rock but pulled
away. I said let's go upstairs and you can choose a bedroom but I'm
staying in my room. She kissed me again and this time felt me up and said
well that makes it an easy choice. Then she said Mike, I bet you were a
Boy Scout growing up. I laughed and said nope but I'm always prepared.
Then she stood up grabbed my hand and said Mike, your room works for me.


Upstairs I sat on the bed wondering how the fuck this happened and she
sat beside me and said, I have wanted this since 8th grade and Heather
was about to be toast because I finally decided to take what I've
wanted. We kissed again and she whispered Mike, if you have a condom we
are protected twice so let's just have fun and if you want I'll inspect
your ass. I kissed her and said explore whatever you want as I assure you
I'll know every inch of your sexy body before we fall asleep. After that
it was romantic yet physical sex and we explored each others bodies until
we fell asleep exhausted around 2:00.


I was up before her and was leaning on my elbow looking at her wondering
what the next few minutes would bring. There was no way I expected the
sex or it's intensity. It was like we had known each other forever. All
I knew for sure was that I wanted more of her and not just the sex but
all of her. I must have moved or something as she opened her eyes and
smiled and asked it for I wanted more. So babe was it worth the 4 year
wait? There was this big smile and she said well let me put it this way,
it was but I would raver have this experienced, caring lover than that
somewhat awkward kid who didn't try a second time. I laughed and said
well let's go downstairs and see how much grief we get from the other
two. We took a joint shower and I left her fixing her hair and went
downstairs and started breakfast. It was sausage links and French Toast
and Winnie and I were almost finished when JJ and Mia appeared. I warmed
their sausage and made 5 slices of French Toast and grabbed another cup
of coffee, lit a fire and joined Winnie on the sofa and we talked
quietly.


JJ and Mia cleaned up the breakfast shit and turned on the dishwasher.
When they joined us JJ said, one magic night and you two are already
acting like newlyweds. I smiled and and said, so says the domesticated
cowboy. We all laughed and I got up and called Jace and told him we were
here and he said well, that's a full house as Charlie, David and is wife
are here along with some character calling himself Chuck. Jace, how the
fuck did that happen? Mike, all I know is that they are here till
Saturday and Chuck says he is going to watch you kick some ass. Jace, how
is David? Mike, he is as relaxed as I have ever seen him. What did
Charlie say? Mike, he just walks around working and I think he just want
to avoid the drama that I'm sure is coming. Jace, this is so fucked up
as the damn plans keep changing. Mike, it's the wife and she is making a
lot of demands and David keeps saying, yes dear. She is determined to
have a holiday away from DC and David's work issues. Ok Jace JJ and I
and the dates will stop over sometime soon but I don't want to even chat
with David. Mike, good luck with that but I'll see you guys soon, for
some crazy reason we are busy at the store. We hung up and I asked if
anyone was ready for a wine tour. The girls asked if a wine tasting was
possible and I laughed and said not sure as it's only 10:30 in the
morning.


At the Winery, I introduced Winnie to Jace and the 4 of us started the
tour. I told Winnie that there were 40 acres of grapes and they were in
sections, form Italy, France, New York and California and that combined
with our soil the results were a very distinctive taste and that were
were a growing regional winery, rebuilding our past glory. Inside I
talked about the wine making process and ended the tour in the warehouse
where there were hundreds or oak barrels again imported from France and
Italy and that added to the taste. Back in the store the girls were
looking around and JJ was scouting for wine apparently for dinner on
Thursday as he was asking the salesperson a bunch of questions. I was
chatting with Jace when David walked in. He made a bee-line right to me
and said, I'm glad I caught you and I'm impressed you knew enough to
conduct a tour. I ignored that and asked, so how is retirement? He smiled
and replied, so how is the real estate business? Oh David, it's great we
just closed on the last properties for Highmark, it was very profitable.
So how are your Pittsburgh holdings? David got a very serious look and
said ok Mike, cut the shit we need to talk? I laughed out loud and said
David, we don't need to do anything as I have no need to talk with you,
besides I agreed to talk on the phone and not in my Winery. Now, unless
you are buying something please get out of here. I turned to walk away
and all of a sudden there was a hand on my shoulder and David said Mike,
you don't ever get to walk away from me. I laughed out loud and replied
Davie, be careful because if you want to get physical you will be an ink
spot on the floor. Don't bother to call as I will not take the call. If
you want the tickets to the game they will be at the security office at
the company any day next week. I will honor my commitment to your son and
your dad but you can simply fuck off. I went out into the vineyard and
calmed down.


I was eventually joined by Winnie and I said, hi babe. I feel bad that
you had to hear all that and it's very complicated. Mike, you missed the
other scene, as soon as you left David's wife came in and they went at
it and she told him to just go home and pack his shit as when she got
back on Sunday he better be gone. She threw some pictures at him and
left. He simply dropped the pictures and got in his car. Mike, if you
care Jace has the pictures. I smiled and said it isn't important to me
but I have an idea what they were. Mike, did you get those pictures to
her, they were of her husband kissing a guy. Winnie, I knew about that
but would never do that and I didn't have pictures. Just then Charlie
cam out and said Mike, I'm sorry your friends had to see that and I gave
those pictures to my daughter-in-law. My son disgusts me and it was very
hard to do but she and Chuck deserve better. Mike, the three of us will
be good as I have the money from the sale plus a lot of savings and you
need to keep control of the Trust for the kid. He simply turned and left
to deal with the drama. Winnie kissed me and said you are amazing.


Back inside, I bought and paid for wine for our Thanksgiving dinner and
JJ did the same. I asked the girls if they wanted some and Winnie asked
for some of what she had last night and I asked if she meant the wine and
everyone laughed. We went and had a leisurely lunch and naturally I had
to explain the various outbursts. Back at the cabin, Winnie and I went
for a walk and made out some at the rock. Then we grabbed our bags and
locked up and went to the airport. We were quickly set with JJ indicating
we were taking the long way, well his way back and he said no flight plan
as it was VFR. I said ok and went in and filed an old one using his
preferred route. It was an uneventful with JJ flying most of the way and
Winnie and I talking in the back. I moved back upfront 30 minutes before
we landed. The plane was quickly secured and Winnie and I were on our to
her place. She was alone as the rents were not back from their vacation.
We kissed and she said she had a magical weekend kissed me again and that
she would see me in school tomorrow.


At my place I went to the house and found no one home. I simply went to
my place and called Tim. I filled him in on the scene with David and I
and then what happened with David and his wife and Charlie had OUTTED
David to his wife and that didn't go well at all. I told him that the
pictures were taken in DC and that I had never discussed this with
Charlie. Mike, I knew something happened as Kirkpatrick called 5 times
since 3:00 and I'm simply not dealing with him till tomorrow. In fact
I'll wait till you get in. Tim, that works for me. I spent the rest of
the night reading for English and then attacked a math project for CMU. I
really wanted to talk with Cole but it seemed that would have to be for
another day. It was almost midnight when I went to bed.


THANKS FOR READING AND FOR THE COMMENTS


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