Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2023 17:44:53 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 387 When I got to my place I decided to go to the house to let Megan know that Col was safely in Florida and worked the entire flight down on course prep. I just went in and didn't ring the bell and that got a smile out of Megan who was knee deep in legal briefs. Ashley was playing with a bunch of toys. So Michael, what brings you here? Well I know at some point Cole will call but in the meantime he is safely deposited in Florida. Well that was really nice of the Major to fly them down but why were you there? Megan, the Major needed a copilot and I was available. He mended hours and I relax when flying so it was a win, win. Well I hope the Major took the opportunity to knock som sense into you. I laughed and said well we talked about a lot of things and they are need to know and you don't have a need. That abruptly ended the conversation and picked Ashley up and we played with a few toys. I finally put Ashley down and said well good night Megan and she immediately pointed to dads office and said Mike, please at least say hello. I shrugged and went to dad's office and gently knocked on the door. Dad looked up from what he was doing and waved me in. There was so much cigarette smoke that you could hardly breath. Dad, I just stopped in to let your wife know that Cole is safely in Florida. I really can't say and I wanted to say hi, that's all. I turned to leave and dad said Mike I have something you might need tomorrow. It's you excuse for being MIA last week. I took the paper said thanks walked out the door closing as I left. I said good night to Megan and headed for the door. Megan looked up and said thanks. I shrugged and said well with all that smoke from the cigarettes and the second hand smoke, he won't be much longer and I left slowing the door quietly. Outside I just shook my head and thought, that the last time she is getting away with that Michael shit. Back at my place I called Winnie, she answered by screaming WHAT. I simply hung up. Instantly my phone rand and I answered by yelling, WHAT. Winnie laughed and said, sorry I'm not feeling well. Mick, it's fine but you call it the good news time of the month. I laughed and said well, I can't say the isn't good news. Well Mick, neither can I but I'm going to bed and won't be in school tomorrow. Ok, I'll call after work tomorrow. I called JJ and he answered by saying they were having a late dinner as dad was with you all day, I'll call later. Well JJ, enjoy the family time and I hung up. I went to my room and at my desk I fired up my computer and wanted to review shit for tomorrow when there was a knock on the door. There I found Wyatt and Josh. I smiled and said, what brings you guys here? Josh said Mike, we are looking for some advice and we are hoping you would at least listed. Can I get you two something to drink? They both opted for a soft drink. Once we were situated with me sitting in the loveseat and the two of them in the club chairs facing each other is said ok, what's up? Josh took a deep breath and said well, Coach called a tam meeting and informed us he has decided to come back as coach and we don't want that. Ok Josh, who is we? Mike, everyone on the team all 63 of us. So how did you guys one everyone? Josh, you saw it start during the volunteer works with the problems with Sam. We stuck together and he transferred and is in a good place. But back to your question, you need to take a stand and win. The problem you have is Weston is a good guy and well liked. Then he was the winning coach in 2 District Championships and is the defending State Champs, coach. That School Board will never fire him and if you ask for that they will laugh you out of town. Josh put his head down and said are you saying we have no choice. Josh, I didn't say that, what I said was win smaller battles then the big ones are easy. Wyatt asked, so what do we do? Well ask Doc Johnson, nicely,to meter with the team off campus. Somewhere where you guys are comfortable. Tell him how you feel and that you don't want to hurt Coach Weston but that you want to win. Then ask for options, like an associate coach who will take over when Weston retires. QB1 any idea who that you might like. Wyatt laughed and said well not my grandfather but the OC would be a good start.Oh, Mike rumors are flying that Doc Johnson won't be back next year. No indication why, just talk. With that they said thanks and went on their way. I wasn't concerned about the coaching situation as it will be what it becomes. Wyatt has a good choice in the OC and I knew Wyatt was meaning with him weekly and was keeping his granddad at arms length. Wyatt was over prepared and I hoped he would over that. Football at the High School level should be fun and now it is about to become my job, I would need t adjust. I went to the HR Department and printed out the job description for our COO position, found a card that belonged to Kyle folded it and put it in an envelope. Then I wrote a no pressure but in case the rumors are true and signed it Mike. I sealed the envelop and wrote Dr. Johnson and added Personal and Confidential. Then I put it by the coffee maker so I wouldn't forget it. I started back at the schedule and saw that Kyle had requested a meeting at 5:00 tomorrow, there was no topic listed and I just accepted the request and immediately my calendar showed the meeting. That was strange and then the same request popped up from Dillon, so it was a joint meeting and no agenda. That was a lot to think about with no information. Thankfully JJ called and we had a long chat. At some point I asked JJ about Doc Johnson. JJ said all I know is that was dealing with a kid and he said I can't wait until this year is over and I don't have to deal with this crap any longer. MJ, he might be just tired dealing with us. I told him about the surprising trip to Blacksburg. JJ laughed and said well MJ the old man is worried about you and he said he wanted to see the other living conditions where I would keep the Rally Girls. We had talked for about an hour and I finally said I'll see you for the run. JJ said nope he was taking the day off and sleeping in. I smiled and said well I have late appointments at work tomorrow so I'm not working out. Ok, back at it on Tuesday. We hung up and I shutdown the computer and jumped into the shower. I dried off, opened the window adjusted Rae alarm as there would be no run climbed into bed and a bed a bunch of covers and was instantly asleep. I was up way before the alarm and actually at my normal time. I considered a solo run but changed my mind as it was old and mote than a little windy. I put on coffee and jumped into the shower. I took my time and had the water as hot as I could stand. I had a lot to do today and was in a good mood. I shaved, blew dry my hair and dressed in black jeans and was about to do the mock turtleneck but changed to a casual long sleeved but a bit dressy shirt. To that I added a vest/jacket. I had coffee and wheat toast. The time quickly flew by quickly and I cleaned up and jumped into the Mustang and drove to school. Inside, I went straight to the office and turned in the excuse dad had supplied and handed the envelop to Doc Johnson's secretary and went to AP English. I was about to go in the room when Doc Johnson stopped me and said that he needed to talk with me and I should come to his office for the start of 3rd period and he would get me to class quickly. I smiled and said sure but thought that class is toast. The classes were no issue as I was way behind and pretty much just sat there and observed. Both teachers loaded me up with work and the message was it needed done sooner than later. It was a good bit of work and more than I had done in a month, a message was definitely being sent. I laughed as I was being ONED by the teachers, fair is fair, I guessed. When I got to the office I was told that they were waiting for me in the conference room. I shook my head at THEY as that was totally unexpected. The conference room door was open and I went in and set my homework on the credenza. As soon as they saw me Doc and the other guy stood up. Doc shook my hand, smiled and said I guess 3rd period is toast. Then he said Mike, this guy is Bob Shanahan and he is the new School Board President. We shook hands and Bob said Mike, it is a real pleasure to meet you, please have a sweet so we can talk. We sat down and I was thrilled that Doc stayed in the room as I was sure I wasn't going like this TALK. Mike, I'm not going to go into a lot of detail and I'm not going to blow smoke up your ass as I'm sure you are aware of where you stand academically in your class. So telling you that we have, at Doc's insistence, have run a lot of stats and even if you failed these last three courses you are this years valedictorian. I laughed and said well I'm aware and I really wish I had worked at being second as I view that speech at graduation is a pain. Well Mike, our policy is that you are required to submit the speech to the Board no later than May 1st. The talk shouldn't be longer than 10 minutes and should avoid politics, religion and controversial topics. Well Mr. Shanahan I'm simply not interested and strongly disagree with any form of censorship. So what would happen if I jumped through and cooperated then gave a different talk? Bob laughed and said Mike, I would personally turn the microphone off and have you returned to your seat. I looked at Doc and asked, would you like to tell him what happens next? Mike, spare me the pleasure some people simply don't listen. I just sat there and Mr. Shanahan asked what do you think will happen? Well actually I will simply yell three words and you will be on the local news and once that happens it will get the attention of the network news executives and PUFF, you reputation will be up in smoke. You will need to dress well for the ABC Evening News. Mike I'm interested, what are those 3 POWERFUL WORDS? Doc Johnson started to laugh and I shook my head and asked Bob, how long have you been on the Board and how long have you been President? I've been on the Board three years and President since January. Well Bob, if you had been to a game, in any sport, or talked with Doc here or the A D you would know the answer. So what little thing did you run for office on and when that was resolved you had no idea what the position actually involved. Then I smiled and said, ALL FOR ONE. Before things got worse Doc said, well I think the two of you have some work to do. Bob, you need to figure out who you are dealing with and what happens inside the schools you serve as a director. Mike you need figure out how to cooperate with the Board and find a way to manage their concerns. Bob, in case you are still wondering the graduates will yell ONE FOR ALL and you won't like the next event or when they find out about this before graduation you might have no students showing up. So figure it out and we can meet again, in about a week. Bob, let me know when you are available. Then Doc stood up indicating the meeting was over. I grabbed my stuff on the credenza and started to sign out for work when the secretary said Mike, he isn't done with you yet. I shook my head and said, understood, I'll be right back. I quickly went to the car and put my homework on the backseat and went back into the building. I was told that Doc was in his office and I should go right back. When I got there he said Mike, close the door and have a seat. Then he said Mike, I need you to work this out as I have be at 27 graduation ceremonies at this school and I want my 28th and last to be memorable and not because the drama. Rather because your class is special in so many way. Mike, I'll keep Bob away from you but understand we all get a bit nervous about a student/graduate with a microphone and a large audience. Ok Doc, I get that and I'll start with giving them an outline and if they want more a rough draft but I reserve the right to go off script. Mike, this is important to me. So Doc you started here right out of college? There was a smile and he said yup, I taught English for 15 years and had a summer job every year as well. Sometimes it was construction, sometimes sales, I had a real estate license for a while. Money was always tight. Then I was an assistant principal and 9 years as principal. Patty and I married as soon as I got the job here and she taught 2nd grade in Bethel. Well Doc, why retire now? He smiled and said well Paul, my youngest is graduating from Penn State this year and I'm vested in a great pension and it's time. Ok Mike, what's with this envelope? Doc, rumors are flying that you are leaving and Kyle needs a COO for the company and I need a team to run things while I Rey to have a college life and play football. It's just something to consider. No pressure and Doc, it isn't about the road not taken it is about what you do with the road you choose. Doc, there is one more thing. The football team doesn't want to play for coach Weston. I told then that they needed other options as coach deserved the opportunity to coach. That his record dictated that. I suggested that they find a workaround and ask to meet with you, off campus. Mike, Chuck wants one more year and he is going to get it. Doc, understood. Just see what they come up with. He shook his head and said thanks for the heads up. With that I headed to the car and the office. I went straight to my office, well after the security check and started looking at the weekly income reports from the previous week. Things were pretty much as expected but when I looked at expenses they were a bit higher than normal and while I considered it a blip, I would see what Kyle and Dillon had to say about that. Just then Jordan appeared and I moved to the conference table and we started on my personal finances. We went at it for two hours and Jordan want me banking with one place and asked about Brentwood bank. I told him about that and he smiled and asked Mike, they helped your dad where is his money? I shrugged and said that I had no idea. Jordan then suggested that any purchases I made came from the accounts and that I needed to have a lot less cash sitting around. At that point Tim appeared with a stack of folders and Jordan said that he had had Tim draw up an agreement making him my Financial Advisor and the contract outlined what he could and could not do. Mike, once you have had the time to digest this we can meet again about this. Then he said, I'll see you around 5:00 as I'm in you meeting with Kyle and Dillon. With that he gathered his papers and started for the door. He stopped just before the door and said 4.2 roughly. Then he looked at Tim and said, the dude needs a will and he was gone. I was glad that there was no discussion about Apple stock as I was about to double my stake in that start up. Tim immediately started on the new contracts for Kyle, Dillon and Jordan and they were identical in what was changed and those sections were highlighted and needed initialed as it wasn't new contracts simply changes to the original contracts. I was enforced in reading Kyle's contract, they were all the same but I needed to understand it completely. Just then the door opened and dad was there. I looked up and asked what's up? Well Mike are you'd free for dinner at the club say 6:00? Dad, I would like to have dinner but I have a 5:00 meeting here so that doesn't work. Mike, just cancel the meeting, we need to spend some time together. Dam, I can't do that as it isn't my meeting and people have it on their schedule and while the time is a bit unusual I need to be at the meeting. Can we do it tomorrow or any other day this week? Dad, shook his head and said, well let me know when you can fit me in. Tim immediately said Mr. Simmons you are being more than a bit unreasonable. Mike was away all last week and shit happens. Dad looked at Tim and asked, so how in the fuck is he going to be in VA in a couple of months? Tim smiled and said well if you were more involved you wouldn't have to have asked that question. Now if you don't mind Mike and I have things to discuss. Then dad said, Tim you are a fucking employee and you don't dismiss me, ever. Mr. Simmons, that's correct I work here as legal council and you are a minority shareholder and as such you need to be be more respectful to us grunts and especially to your son. Then Tim looked at me and said Mike, I need to calm down and I'll let you deal with your dad. I'll see you at 5:00. With that he collected his papers and left. I didn't say a word and simply went outside and was looking at the rivers and the trees, some of which had buds starting to appear. Soon I realized dad was standing beside me and without looking at him I said, you know my favorite time of the year is Fall when I can stand here and look at the Autumn colors. Dad laughed and said Mike, what about football? Dad it's something I do and I'm sure it won't be for much longer, 2 possibly 3 years. Mike, I just don't know how it is all possible the school, the football and all this and all the other shit that is about to happen. Dad, since my Junior year I have said this was going to happen and the Company has complicated thing and so has the need to expand. Dad laughed and said Mike, you have no idea how much the company needs to expand. I just looked at him and said well dad there are people in place that will deal with the company and Alan is one of the best construction managers around and the Union is in my pocket. Dad you really upset me with that horseshoe comment. Hardly anything has been luck and there has been a lot of hard work so we can stand where we are standing and remain more than profitable. Then dad you were rude and very unprofessional with Tim. Mike, I know all that but do you know why I gave you the company? Dad, I have asked myself that a thousand times and I still have no idea. Dad was quiet for a while and he said Mike, it was to keep you here. Pitt or CMU, somewhere close. Mike, you keep spreading out as there is the winery, the cabin all the golf stuff and now I'm not sure you will ever come back and I need you. Dad, I'm not the type that needs patted on the back but on occasion that would have been nice. That horseshoe comment really hurt and you knew it would elicit the response that you got. Hell it was well thought out like the fights you and mom had. So was that to get me think you wouldn't be involved and I would have to stay and go to a school local? Dad was quiet and I knew I had it right. So dad what you accomplished is to have me make plans going forward without you. Dad laughed and said Mike, that's actually good because once you were involved, I realized that the company I had founded had become more than I wanted to or could deal with. Hell, I'm a salesman with a computer background. I'll still sell and bring things here and give Kyle and Dillon the final say if they want it or if I should do a startup or just forget it. I have already told Kyle that I'm here if and when he needs me but I'm out of his way. So dad you are finally good that I'm going away? Dad said Mike, I am not but I have no choice but to accept it and there will be no more games. We hugged and went back inside. Inside I said dad, how about dinner tomorrow evening say 6:30 as I need to work out. Dad smiled and said sure. Dad left and I went on a search for coffee. Coffee was easily found but it had been brewed hours ago so I made a small amount and was waiting for it to finish brewing when Tim showed up and said well I hope you made enough for two. Tim, I did and I'm sorry about dad. Well Mike, I will want to know eventually but he found me and apologized and I think he went home. Tim, I would bet he went to the clue. So Tim, what's this meeting about? Mike, I have no idea. I was simply asked to plan for an hour meeting at 5:00 in the Conference room. That was another surprise so I filled a mug with coffee and went back to my office. There I gathered the papers I had managed to collect during the day and shut down my laptop. While that was happening I looked at my wall and thought it told the story of who I was today and wondered what it would look like in a year or two. With that I jumped on the elevator and went to the first floor Conference room. Even though it was 10 minutes early everyone was there. I grabbed a seat and asked, so whose meeting is this and what's the agenda? THANKS for reading and for the comments. This is a day later than I had hoped but it is what it became. PLEASE, if possible, make a contribution to NIFTY, it is easy and necessary. Mike