Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 01:10:15 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 404

I was up early on Wednesday morning and had a long and very full day
ahead of all of us but especially JJ and I. I showered and dress in black
jeans and an Oakmont polo shirt and a light jacket. I threw my bags, all
three of them in the back of the Wrangler headed to the airport. There
was a stop for coffee and a breakfast sandwich all of which were to go. I
just laughed when the jet was at the appropriate spot accompanied by the
Major. We shook hands and I went inside and filed the flight plan. When I
returned JJ was there chatting with his dad. JJ looked at me and said w
have work to do so let's get started with the outside pre-check. The
Major said guys, I already did that and the jet was completely gone over.
JJ laughed out loud and said, thanks dad. I hope you won't mind if we
check your work but please stop with these ridiculous tests. With that JJ
and I started on a slow and detailed check of the outside of the jet.
With that done JJ and I went to our vehicles and retrieved our luggage.
Jj had two smallish suitcases and a suit bag. As we walked back to the
jet he bitched about needing a blazer and suit to watch people play golf.
I reminded him that it was required dress for dinner and added boots
won't even work on the course. He laughed at that saying, I knew that
asshole.


Back at the jet I opened the cargo hatch and our bags were set on the
ground and we would wait till all the luggage was there. It was just
about 8:30 so we had a lot of time and the three of us just stood around
chatting and I was glad that I had the coffee. At one point JJ looked at
his dad and said dad, we are not manually checking the fuel as neither of
us are going on this trip smelling of jet fuel.since you went over the
jet we are going to assume the damn gauges work. Besides there is nowhere
that says that we need to do that and I would bet you watched the JT
being fueled. Jim laughed out loud and said have a great flight but call
me as soon as you are on the ground and he went on his way. JJ took a
deep breath and said, damn the dude is going to have a nervous breakdown,
one would think this as our first flight.


At about 8:45 it was like someone opened the gates and Jessica arrived
driving herself and JJ went and helped her with her bags. Just behind her
was Doc and his wife and I helped with those bags. Patti and thankfully
she had one large bag. That left the pro and his girl and they appeared
at 8:50 with one bag each. Everyone stood around chatting while JJ and I
loaded the luggage and I was relived that it fit and that the weight
wasn't a problem. JJ opened the door and lowered the steps and I
gathered everyone together and updated them on what would happen. I told
them to find a seat and buckle in and unless using the toilet JJ and I
would like them to remain seated. That we would be cruising at around
43,000 feet and Fred hung speeds of about 500 miles an hour. The weather
was sunny and wam and a high of around 77 was expected. There were no
questions so I had everyone get on board. I secured the door and doubled
checked that it was secured.


JJ and I did the pre-flight check and started the right engine and
quickly followed that with the left engine. I contacted Allegheny ground
and were quickly cleared to taxi for takeoff. It turned out that we were
second for takeoff as there was a single engine craft ahead of us. A few
minutes later we were cleared for takeoff and heading due East. It was a
fairly quick tun southwest and we would be approaching Augusta Regional
from the west. As we approached cruising altitude JJ got on the intercom
and said, good morning this is JJ Messer you copilot and welcome to MJS
Airways Flight 27 to Augusta Georgia. Currently the weather is clear and
the temperature is 70 degrees. Our flight time will be approximately one
hour and 15 minutes. Feel free to unbuckle but remain seated as much as
possible. Enjoy the flight.


I laughed and JJ and I settled into our routine. We chatted as we checked
the radar for traffic but it was a very smooth uncomplicated flight. The
flight plan had us east of Atlanta and West of Athens. Once we were clear
of traffic towards Atlanta I contacted the airfield and got the ATIS and
started the initial approach. JJ back on the intercom told the passengers
we were starting our approach and asked them to buckle up. Apparently
they were busy and that was to be expected but we were third for landing
and simply entered the pattern. I hadn't done that in a while and it was
a good thing I had a great memory and that was the only complication on
the trip. Minimal wind at 4 knots, hardly worth mentioning. I followed
the directions and we were easily at the terminal. We carefully did the
shutdown procedure and I went inside and made arrangements for the care
of the jet. They were very cooperative and I was asked how did I manage
to get the same jet as Palmer. I laughed and said well actually he has
the same jet as I do. We ordered them at the same time but he got his
first. Then the guy said a Major Messer called a few minutes ago asking
if you were on the ground yet. I just shook my head and paid the fees for
the jet and went looking for the shuttle. Turned out we had a 15 minute
wait for the shuttle and that stretched to 35 minutes by the time we got
the luggage on board. I was surprised as Cole's Pro had his own
arrangements and I was actually good for that as once he would have
gotten to the club he was Cole's responsibility.


The ride to the club turned out to be fun as the two girls turned out to
be very friendly and chatted and kidding each other. Doc and his wife
chatted and took in the scenery and chatted with the girls. As we got
close to the club JJ started to laugh and said MJ, even you couldn't
afford one of these places. Docks wife just looked at me and I just
shrugged and did the MJ pivot by asking the girls where they were going
to find their men. Patti laughed and said well the boys better be finding
us and Liam can put the. Luba down and carry my bag. JJ shook his head
and said well with all the money Cole is winning for him he can afford to
hire a dude to do that. Patti fired back saying JJ, that kid wins because
of Liam. It bent from a good time to hostility in less than 5 minutes.
The fact of the matter was that Cole and Liam were a great team. Doc look
at the girls and said you two have the ability to mess things up. Find a
way to stop sniping at each other. Both of your guys are in position to
be very successful and both have solid fall back positions. Under stand
fall back positions are great but it is settling, don't you dare make
either of those two settle.


Thankfully we made the turn onto Magnolia Lane and Augusta National. We
were driven to a gated area and as we approached the gate opened and we
stopped in front of a small cottage. JJ, Doc and I went inside and there
was a middle aged woman there who smiled and said good afternoon Mr.
Simmons and welcome to Augusta National. I was surprised but I knew that
details were important. I was asked who my guest was as I had a number or
cottages reserved. Doc gave his name and was given a key and a map of the
grounds. He was asked to go outside and told his luggage would be loaded
in a golf cart and he and his wife would be driven to their cottage. The
woman then said that the cottages are close most things but if he called
they would get them wherever. Doc went outside and I was told that I had
a cottage was very close to things and that it and all my expenses and
the room was complements of the USGA. I checked on the availability of
the other three rooms and that was all good as expected.


Our luggage was also loaded into a golf cart and JJ and I were driven to
a cottage and I was amazes as it was in a nice area and the cottage
seemed a bit larger. Our stuff was placed inside and I tipped the guy for
thee ride and the help and looked around. JJ laughed and asked MJ, why
are there 2 beds? I shrugged and said well I guess it's in case you are
a jerk. He shook his head and said, I'm fucking starving we need to eat.
It was a 10 minute walk to the madness that was the Master's with
thousands of people watching the Par 3 contest and the practice rounds.
JJ went looking for food and I went into the Pro Shop, introduced myself
and mentioned that I was with the USGA. That got some attention after
they checked and I simply asked about if Cole had a practice round today.
I was told just the back nine and he should be on 15.  I figured we would
walk down 18 and hang out at the 17th green and watch the approach and
putting then watch him play 18. I met up with JJ who handed me a hotdog
and a cup of lemonade. MJ, they wouldn't sell me beers but we need to
get some for our room. We made it to the 17th green and managed to get
close enough to see. It was about 6 deep around the green and it was
building. Then in the distance I saw a lot of people moving. I realized
that they must be following Cole. As we stood there watching the group
ahead of Cole finish the hole I heard this guy standing next to me say to
his buddy, who the fuck is this kid, a practice round with Palmer and
Couples. The other guy shook his head and replied, hell they seem to be
watching the kid. When we saw them a couple of holes ago the kid was
almost outside the ropes signing autographs and fist bumping. It looks
like Palmer's army has a new general. I had to laugh at that. When I saw
Cole I was a bit surprised as he was in what was considered normal golf
attire, slacks and a Latrobe Country Club shirt. The Plus4's were
nowhere in sight. The 17th hole is a fairly straight forward hole that
plays 440 yards and has 2 bunkers in the front right and left. Today the
pin was in the right center and a friendly location, it wouldn't be like
that the rest of the week. We had moved about 10 yards down the fairway
to get a better view. I saw that Fred was hitting first and he blasted
one tight down the middle and it was very long. AP was next and he hit a
draw that was also on the fairway but not as long as Fred's. Cole
didn't waste any time but it was the same routine, as far as I could
tell from this distance. His shot started down the right middle of the
fairway and moved slightly to the left. I just shook my head as his drive
ended up very close to where Fred's ball had finished. Then I heard
another spectator say that kid seemed determined to show he can play with
Freddie. It turned out that there were 3 pars. JJ and I moved down the
18th fairway to get a look at those shots. The hole requires a layup
short of the fairway bunker then a short iron to the green. Now there
were so many people watching the group that we just gave up and headed
back.


At the cottage I called and made 6:00 reservations for dinner. At the
cottage it was separate showers and we both dressed in blue blazers, I
had khakis and a blue shirt, blur and red tie. JJ wore grey slacks, white
shirt and a red power tie. The restaurant was nicely full but not overly
so and we were immediately seated. JJ ordered an Arnold Palmed and is
ordered the same. Wes didn't even try to order something stronger. When
the waiter returned with the drinks JJ ordered stuffed chicken breast,
onion string beans and a sweet potato. I ordered Virginia ham, Roasted
Carrots and Parsnips and Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes. The standard bread
was biscuits. JJ and I talked about the club and how it reeked money and
fake politeness. The Southern food was different but very good. When we
were finished eating it was coffee and peach cobbler. It was warm out and
getting dark but we were in no hurry to get back to the cabin so we went
on the veranda. We found a couple of chairs hung our jackets on the back
of the chairs and both ties came off in a flash. We were talking about
next week and Spring Break when a waiter appeared and again we ordered
Arnold Palmers and continued chatting. We finished our drinks and were
about to head to the cabin when dad appeared with a waiter who wad a tray
with three drinks. Dad grabbed two drinks and handed one to each of us.
Then grabbed his drinks and pulled a chair up and sat down. The drinks
turned out to be be spiked Palmers. Dad said guys, I was hoping to catch
you two. Megan is tending to Ashley and I need to talk to Mike and JJ I
wanted you to hear this as well.


Dad told a deep breath and said Mike, I owe you an apology for a lot of
things. I should have taken more of a stand with your mom. She mistreated
you and I didn't do enough then I let you deal with Bill and that should
have been me dealing with that punk. Then there is Adam and the trust.
Guys Adam and I have been together since freshman year in college. We are
very close and we look out for each other. We did everything together and
always have each others back. Things happen and sometimes when things get
complicated we end up in bed together. Mike, once upon a time I loved
your mom and I love Megan, Ashley and both you and Cole. With all that
Adam is still very important. Guys, I feel that you two are close to each
other just like Adam and I. I want you both to know that I understand and
respect your relationship. I think it's great and it's, as far as I am
concerned, between the two of you I'll not interfere in any way. Mike, I
would expect that you understand the relationship I have with Adam. JJ
and I looked at each other and dad got up and I stood up and gave dad a
hug and whispered and said, thanks dad and I'll give Adam some space.
Dad then said good night guys.


Once dad was out of earshot JJ said, holy fuck now what? JJ, I don't
know about you but dad just dropped a bomb. I suspected his relationship
with Adam and as much as I have tried not to be like dad I guess I grew
up to be just like him. Just then the waiter appeared and said gentlemen
these were ordered for you. It was the same drink dad had provided and
neither of us knew what to think. Finally JJ said  MJ, it seems like we
should get to the cabin and see if we can understand all that was dropped
on us tonight. I laughed and said well I would rather just get naked and
see what comes up as I just got permission to have sex with you. We set
our glasses down and started towards the cabin. When we were in a
secluded part of the trip JJ grabbed my hand then pulled me into a hug
and kissed me. I don't know how but we were still fully clothed when we
opened the cabin door. By the time we got to a bed we were both nude and
fully boned up. Just then the phone rang and it was Cole. I said hey
dude, why are you fucking Jessica. He laughed and said, that will happen
soon enough. I just wanted to tell you my tee time is 10:53 so sleep in.
It was a quick chat and I hung up and JJ said well that was actually good
now let's slow down and do this right and he leaned in and kissed me and
it was gentle and romantic and very special. I thought sleep that might
not happen..


Thanks for reading and the notes.


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