Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2023 01:10:41 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 383

There was no alarm or any of that shit and when I woke up it was later
than usual. I simply did what I do every morning and prepped the coffee
and went for a run. I had to admit that JJ was right as now that I had
figured out a few things. It was cold but was a good run and I was
enjoying the extra sleep was great and much needed. As I got back to the
cabin I thought about splitting more logs but quickly put that out of my
mind. Inside I turned on the coffee and took a shower. Looking in the
mirror I was pleased as apparently the log splitting was a good workout.
I hadn't shaved and my rough beard was ok but not filling in completely
but I was going to let it go and see if it filled in. I put on jeans and
a hoodie and went downstairs and poured a coffee. I was hungry so I made
some toast and scrambled some eggs. This was a great no stress life and
yet I needed more.


I turned on my phone and found that Cole had called and other than Dillon
there were no other voicemails. Cole was just checking on me and I simply
deleted the message. Dillon was doing the same and said if I needed
anything I should simply email him. Then I remembered that I promised the
Major I would get a head doctor appointment. At this point I didn't see
a need but I kept my word and called Dr. Adam's. The phone was answered
by someone saying Dr. Adam's office. I gave her my name and asked for an
appointment on Friday. I was asked if I was an existing patient? I
replied, sorta. Well I haven't been there in a long time. There was a
few seconds of silence and then she said well Mike, I found you in the
records and you are correct it has been a while, is this an emergency? I
shrugged and said no, not really. There was another pause and I was told
that Dr. Adam's had a one hour opening at 12:30. I agreed to that, said
thanks and hung up. That was actually good as I wanted to spend the
weekend in Blacksburg. Then I remembered I wanted JJ to come along as
well. I had to call him after school to see if that would work for him.
We had talked about it but had no firm plans.


I found a tablet and a pen, got more coffee and started to plan the week
ahead. First of all there would be school every day. That at this point
was absolutely necessary. If we didn't go to Blacksburg I would have to
deal with Winnie and hopefully that would be on Saturday. I wanted to
eliminate any drama at school. I was hoping that I was no longer the
center of attention. I laughed at that. I wanted to downgrade the
relationship but the reality that rarely if ever worked and ended in a
breakup. I realized that I didn't really care and that was sad and a
sorry end to things.  Dad, that would have to be when I got home on
Thursday evening and in his office at home. I would tell him that Kyle
and Dillon would run Technology and that he should continue with the
sales department. Basically I would tell him that I needed people who
would be there 24/7 and I had come to believe that he wasn't that guy. I
wasn't mad but I needed to be sure that more that 500 people had a job
and were happy and felt secure. What I wouldn't say was that if he
objected I would simply call a company meeting that would include the two
of us and Tim and we would vote our shares. I didn't want to do that but
would. As for the personal relationship that was different and I hoped we
could work things out. To some degree I needed him but I would always
have things covered. This wasn't different it was what it had become.
Megan was still important to me and I hoped all this wouldn't endanger
any relationships. She was good for dad and good for me. With all that I
was beginning to scrap my plans for Blacksburg.


Monday would be a joint meeting and I was hoping that to be as soon as I
got there on Monday. There would be left in no one's mind that they were
in charge. I would have Tim at all the company meetings. Jordan would be
Tuesday as I needed my personal finances. I also wanted a realistic value
of the company and would share that with Kyle, Dillon and Tim. Wednesday
would be Allen, the construction manager and Tim. I actually laughed as I
had no chance in slowly getting back into things. I needed a break and
was considering a flight so I drove to the airport. There I was told that
flying wasn't a good idea as there was weather due in about an hour.
With that I asked about the weather Thursday and I was told to be in the
air heading south no later that 1:00 I thanked him and asked that the
plane be serviced, fueled and ready to go by noon. He smiled and said
that's smart, consider it done.


I hadn't been to the winery so I headed that way. There were 2 cars in
the parking lot and I was surprised to see that actually belonged to
customers. I was also surprised to find that Judy was working. She smiled
and said well it's about time you showed up? I smiled and asked where is
Jace? Mike, he is in his office and doing whatever he does in there. I
went in the back and Jace was on the phone and the door was open and he
waved me. I simply sat down and waited till he got off the phone. When he
hung up he asked Mike, are you ok? It seems you got here on Monday and
hid out. So I'm figuring you are not here to talk with me. I smiled and
said yes to your first question and correct to the conclusion. Jace
laughed and said well I have these for you and he handed me a folder. I
opened it and took a quick look and there were current financials. I set
the folder put it on the desk and said Jace grab a jacket and said let's
walk.


We went outside and walked through the dormant grape. Finally is said
Jace back in Pittsburgh I'm making a lot of changed and streamlining
things so I can go to school and play football. What I need up here is
for you relax and keep doing what you are doing. I'm going to be be up
here more often than I have been and sometimes I'll stop in to see you
and sometimes not. If you have an issue just let me know and if I have a
problem we will talk it over. That seems unlikely. Please know that you
have my complete trust. We were quiet for a while and I asked about
Charlie? Mike he is fading and I would like to know what happens to the
house? Jace, I honestly need to talk with Tim about that. What do you
have in mind? Mike I would like to tear it down and plant some more
grapes, something special but that depends on the soil. Jace, have you
talked with Charlie about any of this? Jace smiled and said I can't
bring my self to bring it up. Jace Charlie owns 10% and he has it in a
Trust for the grandbrat. Oh, I control the test so that David doesn't
have access to it. In theory it is in the will as well. Jace, let me put
Tim on it and you should keep Tim in the loop about Charlie's health.
Jace where is Charlie? Mike he is at the house. Jace, do you need
anything? Mike, I'm good and so are things here. Back inside I looked
around and the shop was fully stocked and as Judy had another customer I
just waved and started to Charlie's place.


I knocked on the door and I heard a gruff voice say, come in it's
unlocked. I found Charlie at the kitchen table eating a sandwich and
drinking a glass of wine. I got a big smile and Charlie said Mike, it's
good to see you grab a glass and have a seat. As soon as I sat down the
glass was willed with wine and I took a sip, wine not being my thing but
that wouldn't work here. I looked him over and other than appearing
older he seemed fine. I simply asked so Charlie, ho you doing? Mike, I'm
old and slowing down and trying to stay out of Jace's way. He has turned
this place back into what it was and I am grateful. I smiled and said
Charlie, I asked how you were doing and you didn't answer so once again
how are you? Mike, I told you, I'm old and slowing down. There is
nothing causing that, that I know of. Mike, everything has changed and I
can no longer keep up and that's because I don't want to, it has all
passed me by. I thought, damn he needs a head doctor more than me.
Charlie, how is Chuck and that brought a slight smile. Mike, I don't see
much of him because of school but we talk almost every week. Mike, I have
told David not to visit as I'm tired fighting with him. He is out of the
will and everything goes into the trust until Chuck is 21. I don't
believe in that 18 year old shit. I laughed and asked Charlie, am I still
in charge of the Trust. He smiled and asked, when did you start asking
stupid questions? Of course you are. We chatted for about an hour and I
finished the wine. I wanted to get back to the cabin and I made a mental
note to Check up on him.


The weather had actually turned and it was rain mixed with snow but there
was no issue driving. As soon as I got to the cabin I arranged for the
plane to be ready tomorrow at 11:00. It was time to stop hiding and deal
with dad. I called JJ and he answered immediate asking so MJ, are you
recovered and calm? I laughed and said calm. Then he said that he had
chatted with Winnie and that she understands but is slightly pissed that
you didn't talk with her. JJ, she was with that chick that you brought
with you and other than one night I didn't see her. Yes, I care about
that and I don't give a fuck if she like golf or not. We went there to
watch golf, support Cole and be together. None of that fucking happened.
She did her thing and I did mine and I for one need more of that. JJ
laughed and said, well so much for you being calm. Look JJ  I'm coming
home tomorrow as the weather here is turning to shit. Any chance you can
go to Blacksburg this weekend. JJ was quiet for a second and he said MJ,
I'm booked all day Saturday and Sunday but we can work out and spend a
night together. JJ that sounds good. Oh tell your dad I have that
appointment he insisted on. JJ laughed nd said well we are both glad to
hear that and we hung up. I called Cole but it went to voicemail. I
wanted to call Megan but decided not to do that as this wasn't her issue
and she didn't need put in the middle anymore than she was.


I started to clean the cabin when my phone rang and it was a number that
I did not recognize. Turned out it was Cole and he said that his mom made
him get a new phone and a new number as all the calls were driving her
nuts. Mike, the old number is still active but it all goes to voicemail
and the message is to call Colin. I didn't know that as I just hung up
when it was voicemail. I asked when he was leaving for the next event and
he said a commercial flight on Monday and that the clubs were already
shipped. MJ, I gave Trey $3,000 for helping out and Liam is thrilled with
$7,500. Damn, Cole no wonder she wants to work for you. Cole laughed and
said MJ, I finish in the top 10 every week. Some week it will just be his
base. Well Cole, I'm coming back tomorrow afternoon as the weather
isn't good up he and I'm getting out of here before I'm stuck. Ok MJ,
we can talk over the weekend. With that, we hung up and I went back to
cleaning as I didn't want to pay to have the cabin cleaned. Things
weren't all that bad and in the morning I would strip the bed and change
the sheets. With everything done I grabbed my log book and made it
current and updated the VFR flight plan as I wanted the direct flight
back and I wanted anyone who might need to know could be aware. I was
thinking I should have taken a bigger plane. I know I was overthinking
this flight and I was a couple of hours ahead of the weather. I stoked
the fire grabbed my book and read until I finished it. With that I went
upstairs stripped, set the alarm and piled on the covers and struggled to
sleep. There were a million of unresolved issues running around in my
head. Sleep eventually occurred and the alarm woke me.


I checked the weather and dressed for the run and went outside and pushed
the run, hard. Back at the cabin, I took a quick shower dressed in jeans
and a hoodie. Then I finished packing and made sure the cabin was secure.
A final look around and I threw my bag in the car, then checked the
outside of the cabin and drove into town and found a place for breakfast.
The small restaurant was almost empty and by this point all I needed was
coffee. Once that came I ordered 3scrambled eggs, a double order of
sausage links, home fries and wheat toast. I saw a stand with newspapers
and bought The NY Times. I was apparently way behind on the national news
and didn't care and went to the business section. It was interesting but
the economy was going along. There was some economic concern over
tensions in the Middle East which if escalated could impact the economy.
That was something I would watch closely as we had a lot of government
contracts and I didn't want to lose any. I finished eating, ordered a
coffee to go, paid the bill and drove to the airport. I was early but
when I checked in I was told the plane was filed and ready to go. I made
arrangements to have the car rental taken care of and grabbed my bag. The
bag went in the back of the plane and I did a very careful pre-check and
doubled checked the fuel. I was quickly in the air. Heading south west I
quickly realized that there was a stronger than Norman head wind and I
was being pushed east. I was relieved when I saw US 22 and I was just
east of Murrysville. I contacted the Allegheny tower and found that there
was a 9 mph wild coming out of the north west. I mentally reviewed the
landing procedure tor that crosswind and felt good to go. I was cleared
to land and did so with very little difficulty. Once I arrived at the
service line and turned off the plane I sat back, still strapped in, took
a deep breath, closed my eyes and slowly exhaled. I was thrilled to see
the ground crew appear and I didn't have to secure the plane. I asked
and they said snowstorm starting in about 3 hours and it's forecasted to
me in the 6-8 inch range. With that I jumped into the Wrangler and drove
to my place.


It was mid afternoon and dad and Megan were not home. I really wanted to
get the dad thing over with hopefully the snow would have everyone home
as I wanted Megan there as well. Then again dad could easily get snowed
in at the club. I realized that thought was unfair as dad didn't do that
as much since Ashley had appeared. Things had changed with these two new
women in dad's life and I guess I needed to figure out what that meant.
I went to my room and at my desk fired up my computer and started to try
to make sense of my finances. There was money all over the place, well
two banks, Brentwood Federal and I had left a bunch there even after
taking some for the land. Then there was PNC. There were a total of 6
accounts all barely under the FDIC Insured amounts and that was a total
of 1,425,000 dollars all in cash, doing absolutely nothing. Then I looked
at my investments and that blew me away as there was a wild mix of
stocks, bonds, real estate and cash. All very safe and secure well except
for the 4,000 thousand shares of Apple Stock and it was currently selling
at 0.40 a share. I would need to meet with Jordan about all this. Then
there were the 2 buildings, the winery and damn I should just retire and
go to school. I would have to work hard to spend all the money I had
before I died. Just then there was a knock on the door. When I answered I
found Megan standing there.


I smiled and said well mom come on in, can I get you something to drink?
Mike, I won't be staying. We had planned a dinner for Cole tonight and
since you came home early your presence is required as well. All I need
from you is what you want for dinner as we will be ordering in. Mike,
once Cole leaves to see Jessica you, me and Mike can discuss the issues
between you and your dad. I started to object and Megan said Mike, there
is nothing negotiable about any of this and you better not ruin thing for
me as I won't be seeing Cole for weeks as he is leaving tomorrow
afternoon. Megan, you need to understand a few things: first, I didn't
come home early, I came back early. Second, this is between dad and me
and you are not involved. Third, I talked with Cole last night and was
told that he is leaving on Monday. Finally, I'll have ribs and fries and
a dozen beers and I'll see you at 5:30. Megan smiled and said Mike, I'm
not your biological mother and I never met her but I'm telling you that
unlike her I am every bit your equal. With that she left closing the door
calmly.


I went back to my room and shut down the computer and started to figure
out an approach for dinner and dad. I would do my best to be calm and
friendly, this was only business and I didn't fucking start it. Then I
laughed as I told Megan a lie, I'm in charge and this will be my way or
we can simply vote our shares. I decided to take a shower and change into
very comfortable clothes. After I dried off I got on the scale and the
numbers read 227. I had to admit that I was looking good and that was due
to all the wood splitting. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a baggie sweat
shirt but no underwear. The shoes were very casual low cut and beige
leather with no socks. At 5:25 I went to the house and knocked on the
door. Dad answered and just shook his head and said Michael, please
don't ruin dinner and stop playing games. I smile and said dad, no
games, I don't live here so knocking was appropriate. Inside Megan was
in the game room drinking wine and I went over and gave her a kiss on the
cheek and asked so where is Cole? Mike,he is in his room. I simply went
upstairs and and as his door was open he smiled when he saw me and waved
me in. Cole, I hear you are leaving tomorrow? He looked at me and asked,
who told you that? Then he smiled and said MJ, I'm guessing that was
mom. She really wanted you here so she made something up, I'm leaving
Monday. MJ, please let that go, it isn't really important. Cole let's
go downstairs as I need a beer. Cole smiled and said MJ, that sounds like
a plan.


Downstairs I went right to the refrigerator and grabbed two beers and
handed one to Cole. Just then dad came out of his office with two
scotches. He looked at me drinking beer and simply sat in a club chair
and set the extra drink on the table. That wasn't planned by me but it
definitely set the tone. Megan asked about my time away and I said well
it was great listening to the sounds of silence. Everyone laughed except
dad. He either didn't get the reference or didn't care, I was betting
on the later. I split a lot of logs and got a lot of exercise. There was
a lot of time sitting by the fire and thinking. Just then the door bell
rang and I guessed it was the food. Megan and dad got up and Cole and I
chatted while the rents unpackaged the dinner. We were called to the
kitchen. Cole grabbed two more beers and we sat down. It was good to have
the ribs and was something that we did often before things changed. The
conversation was light and drama free although dad and I didn't
communicate directly much at all. Things got more relaxed when Cole
outlined his play up to and including the Masters. He said in a perfect
world he would win one tournament and the best chance was at the Texas
Open which was the week before the Masters. Then Cole added if he wore
before that he would skip the Texas Open. As dinner was finished Cole
sent the rents into the game room and Cole and I cleaned up. Cole and I
went into the game room and Cole said he was going to see Jessica. He
started for the stairs and I asked Pro are you free for dinner tomorrow
night at Oakmont? He smiled and asked will JJ be joining us? Cole we can
check at the morning run. Cole went upstairs and it was now down to
business.


I started with so guys this is you two against me? Megan smiled and said
well, I'm here to listen and to try to keep things calm. I shook my head
and asked, why should I believe you it was a about a couple of hours ago
when you lied to me? I didn't need an answer so I looked at dad and
asked, so what would you actually want to do going forward? Mike, does
that matter, isn't it what you need? Well dad, I need people to run the
company, I have that. I need people,to build buildings, I have that. I
need people to run Standard Property, I have that. I need people to run a
restaurant, I have that. I need people,to run the marina, I have that.
Finally, I need someone to run the winery, I have that. So again dad,
what do you need? Mike, I was 18 and a Freshman at CMU when I started the
company. It quickly blew up and by the time I was 22 I was a millionaire
and had a rapidly growing company. There was that mess with your mom and
Bill. You were always special for me but I made a mistake. I turned way
too much over to you as I should have know you would take it and run with
it. As you "took over" and did so many amazing things, I simply lost
interest. Mike, you are so fucking good I couldn't keep up. What I want
is for you to have a good experience in college. Something I didn't have
as I was focused on the business. Then I did that to you and ruined your
high school experience. Mike, you are correct as you have people,
excellent people to tend to things. What I want is to stay out of their
way and watch you play football. Mike, I want my percent of the company
and at some point Cole and Ashley and you will split my shares. Instead
of dividends for my shares I would like my salary until I'm 65. I was
quiet for a second and said dad that's fine but that's not enough
money. We should get you 25k every December in addition. Thanks for
making this easy. We hugged and I looked at Megan and said mom, you get a
pass this time but trust me it better not happen again. I said goodnight
and went to my place.


At my place I grabbed another beer and sat on the loveseat. I was amazed
how I got what I wanted with out any drama. It was too easy as dad must
have seen the writing on the wall. Then again he might have simply wanted
out. Well he was and now I needed o keep my people in place. Two more
beers and I was no closer to understanding how I got what I wanted so
easily. Then there was a call and it was Winnie and I simple let it go to
voicemail. She would be a Saturday event but I was really hoping JJ would
be free for dinner. I was thinking worse case would be a late meal as he
didn't teach much after sunset.


I was thinking about work and decided I needed an escape plan. The winery
was safe I needed a way out of Technologies. It could either be a sale or
take the thing public and pull a dad and stand back. I need to take that
very serious and not piss off Kyle or Dillon. With that thought I prepped
the coffee, set the alarm and jumped into bed. My last thought was what
was dad really up to?


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