Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:25:56 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 42 PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO SUPPORT NIFTY, THESE STORIES ARE ONLY POSSIBLE WITH YOUR SUPPORT! It was early when I woke up and I decided to go to the gym for a light workout and damn if Jim wasn't there. I went over and said WTF dude when you join here and he said we have a family membership but I don't come here often, today I needed to relieve some stress. We both did a light workout and I said hey QB how about some breakfast, he said sure but I'm buying my own and I just laughed. We got to the diner and ordered and while waiting for the food and drinking coffee, I said so Jim how was PSU? You knew about that? I said they were pressing me for a commitment and said they were going to your place next. Jim replied yup, it was intense and my rents were totally out of it. They wanted me to go to the game next week. I found a way to politely decline. Damn, Mike it is too early for that for me. I said I got the same request and reminded them of my process and that a trip to happy valley was not on the schedule yet. We ate and chatted about the girls in our lives and said Carrie and I were spending the day together, shopping, dinner and a movie, she wants time just the two of us. Jim replied damn Riley had the same plan for us. I hope those two are not scheming and plotting against us, I thought oh shit and said, Jim count on that but enjoy the ride. With that I went home showered and looked hard for clothes to wear. It was too cold for shorts so it was jeans that were too tight and too short, Dockers no socks and what was at one time a baggy shirt that now fit like a glove. Before I got dressed I got on the scale and it said 209, I got off reset it and it still registered 209. I thought Mike, you are just getting fat, so I went to the mirror in the guest room and look my self over carefully, could not find an ounce of fat. Damn this is just silly. I trimmed the scruffy beard really short got dressed and went down stairs and found dad. He was once again in his office working on shit and I said dad we need to get you a life. He laughed and said Brian is much more than Adam ever was, new ideas and a real concern about everything. Well dad Carrie and I are spending the day shopping as I need clothes bad, everything is too tight and too short. He asked, Mike how much do you weigh, I said 209 and he said and I bet there is no fat, I said correct. Well dad, after shopping it is a dinner and a movie. He said just so it doesn't end with a motel room, I laughed and said asshole, I'm too young to do that and he laughed. It was off to pick up Carrie. As soon as I pulled in the driveway she was out the door, saying get me out of here, the parents are just nuts. Babe, they on your case and she said they are on each other's case about everything. I leaned over and kissed her saying relax, let's enjoy the day. She smiled and said let's go. We started out and she said I thought we were going to the mall and I said we are but the one in the north hills, it's bigger. I need clothes again. We got there and I went on a buying spree at a couple of stores she had a little input but let me go for the most part. Then we went into a very trendy shop and I picked out a few thing and she was shaking her head, Mike, what you doing these don't look like you. I said babe there are days when the suit my needs and a message I want to send, I always send a message with how I dress. Then I said, let's go over here and we went into a jewelry store. She was looking around and I said I need a 14k ankle bracelet for my girl, keep it under 300 and here is my card, please keep it on the DL. He said yes sir. I was pretending to look at engagement rings and she came over and said Mike, what the hell you doing, I said planning ahead and she laughed. Then the clerk came over, I signed the credit card receipt and turned to her and said, actually I was waiting for this and I handed her the box. She actually blushed and gave me a big hug.i said, damn you don't even know what's in the box, it could be empty. She laughed and tore off the lid and looked in amazement. Dam Mike you might not be spoiled but you are rich. I love it, I don't have anything like this. Well babe, I'm starving let's find a place to eat. She headed to the food court and I said no way, I need to eat healthy and I need to eat a lot. So it was an upscale restaurant and great food. As we ate she said, Mike what's the limit on that manic card of yours. I replied, I forget but it is always enough. Besides, I have a big time allowance and I pay all these bill myself, so just let me worry about all this. After the early dinner we went to some stupid movie, which I hated and she loved, then back to my place. Dad was still working and I said dad, get a drink and come spend some time with Carri and I. He gave me a look that said what the fuck so I turned around and said dad there are no surprises here so join us if you want. I went to the game room and sat next to Carrie and we were chatting about English when dad came in holding a drink and asked, what can I get you two to drink, we both said iced tea at the same time, dad go up and returned with two teas. We actually had a nice time with dad asking about the shopping and the movie. He asked Carrie how she enjoyed dinner at the club and we spent a very pleasant hour together. Carrie said that she needed to get home to see if her parents were still alive or if they had killed each other, we laughed and I drove home, we kissed goodbye in the car and walked her to the door and she put her arms around my neck and said Michael thanks for a wonderful day. I went home found dad and thanked him for the time he spent with Carrie. He said Mike, I totally get what you see in her and why you are all in. Would you now want a drink that doesn't involve tea? I said yes please, so what's your poison? I said surprise me. He went to the kitchen and reappeared with a beer. I said thanks, dad. What has you working so hard ok work issues. Now Brian has me looking at property in a new development off second avenue. CMU has a new building there and Brian feels that's the way to go. He actually said our current space is a pit. I said dad I agree and he looked at me and said, Mike are you behind this? I said no, Brian was all over it before I brought it up. Mike, you know at some point you and the Trust are going to have to weigh in on all this? Dad I know and this should not be a fight but it needs done. With that the topic turned to my morning meeting with Bill. Dad asked, so Mike how you going to start this meeting and I replied by being ten minutes late and dad laughed. Then Bill's jaw will drop when he sees me in my totally trendy pinkish new clothes that I bought just for him. We will be eating at the hotel and I am paying for the meal, if there is still room on my card balance? Dad laughed, Mike you need to get a head on your shoulders it is 15k. By the way I give you a check for the clothes, I said thanks. Then I am asking him so Dude why you honoring us with you presence? Will go with the flow from there. Dad said Mike, I almost feel sorry for him and he got up and returned with a beer. We chatted some about where and when dad would meet with Bill and I ruled out here and the club, saying he has not yet earned a trip back home, he is staying at a hotel for a reason and he does not have the clothes for the club. Dad agreed and said dinner Sunday at 7:00 and he would pick the place and I could pick him up and take him to dinner, dad would drive him to the hotel. With that I went up stairs and called Carrie to say I had a great day and that I loved her. I was showering and Jim called and we discussed our day and the possible scheming of our woman and decided we would fix them next weekend. Damn, I like that dude. With all that I went to sleep. Next morning I went for a run, dressed in my street punk clothes, trimmed my beard yet again and left for the hotel, I was there right on time and sat in the car for a while and went in ten minutes late. Bill was sitting there, in preppy casual clothes looking lost. I went up to him and said Bill have I changed so much that you don't recognize your brother. He looked up and said holy shit. He tried to give me a hug but settled for a handshake. I said let's eat and once again I was starved. We ordered breakfast and I was drinking juice and him coffee and I asked so Bill what's with the urgent visit to Pittsburgh after three and a half years? He said Mike, I fucked up and I replied from what I hear you wrote a new definition for that. Bill replied, I guess that's true. Bill understand something, what happens going forward depends a heck of a lot on what I do and how I react to your current situation, but you are not the prodigal son returning home to a feast. He said Mike, what the fuck do you have to say about my situation. I looked at him and said Bill you are talking too loud and I was hoping at Stanford you developed a more refined vocabulary, so calm down. If not I'll pay the bill and go home and you can enjoy the hotel room I am paying for and fly back to California in a few days, I really don't care. He looked at me and said damn, what happened to you? I replied I grew up, what about you? He said Mike, I don't understand, I replied Bill I get that, but here is where I am with you; you go across the country to a good school, mom and day pay tuition, set you up in a condo, pay for books and apparently drug money, you get scammed by some girl, drop out of school, get married become a drug addict, get a divorce or whatever and now you want help. Then to accomplish you getting more help and I fly you to Pittsburgh and I put you up in a hotel can you please tell me where I am being inaccurate? With that he put his fork down and started to get up and I said Bill think before you move another muscle, if you walk away now there is no returning and I mean that. I saw him take a big breath and he sat down. Once seated, I said Bill you starting to get all this? He said Mike, I get it all except how are you in control and not dad. Bill if I was not in control you would still be sitting in California. But to be honest that does not improve your situation much. Mike, so please tell me my situation as you see it. Ok, Bill basically after dad's last trip to California he came home and disowned you. Unknown to you I was given a Trust fund, and in the Trust I negotiated a lump some of money for you to give to you at my sole discretion. Instead of using some of that money to get you here I paid for the entire trip. We have never gotten along and I feel that was a two way street and mom entered into the equation on your side of the issue. So Bill dad is out of it, what do you want from me. He replied fuck Mike how did that happen. I replied Bill your vocabulary people are looking at us and I don't appreciate it. Mike, I have been sober for a couple of months and I go to meetings and am working hard to stay clean. I want to go back to school and finish my last year but can't afford to do so. I have a job that pays rent and little else so that's where I am and what I am asking. Bill to be honest that's a very big ask. It requires a lot of thought and at the least a lot of proof and verification on your part. So to be honest that is a work in progress. Understand that once your money from my Trust is gone it is gone and as it stands now you are totally out of dad's will. So for me Bill this is what I expected from you but it is still very much a work in progress. So how are you physically, he replied I had a complete physical and I am doing good, I lost a lot of weight and that is slowly returning. Mike, you certainly look fit and to be honest massive. How do you do that? Bill I work out hard 5 days a week and run every morning, you should try it. Then he asked about mom so Mike what happened to mom? Well Bill as you might remember she always drank too much then she just kept looking for the bottom of the bottle and fell in. There was a nasty fight with dad that naturally involved me and her, we fought 24/7, dad talked with her doctor and she was sent to rehab, one night she swallowed a handful of pills and died a day later at the Hershey Medical center. She was cremated and the ashes are in dad's office. He just sat there and I said Bill that's one of the things you missed on your drug induced high. Bill, do you have a sports jacket by any chance? He said yes. Ok here is the deal I'll pick you up at 5:30 dinner with dad and me is 6:00 at the club. He said damn, I wish I had said no to the jacket. Bill you need to be calm and bring the appropriate vocabulary. With that I added the food to the room bill and left. Bill watched and said so you really did pay for all this. I went over gave him a hug and whispered in his ear don't ever question my fucking integrity again or you will be walking back to California. As he pulled away I said see Bill I have multiple vocabularies as well I just choose where and when to use which one. See you at 5:30. When I got home dad was waiting, he had a scotch poured for me and said so Mike how did it go? Dad you know, he wants back in school and want you to pay for it. He says he has been clean for a couple of months and is going to meetings. I told him he was not the prodigal son returning to a feast and that I was in control not you and damn he almost walked out. Dad I was jerking him around as you control this situation but I enjoy playing the bad guy. He naturally asked about mom and I told him the unvarnished truth. Dinner tonight, I told him was 6:00 at the club, as he brought a jacket and seems like he dislikes the place as much as I do. Oh dad he did not recognize me. So dad, it is dinner at the club and I will be dressed the opposite of how I am now, I'll pick him up and after desert I get out of the way and leave it to you. Dad got up gave me a big hug and said, damn Mike you have really matured. Dad, I am a work in progress please don't push too much. Mike, I'll try and we sat back down and talked about the game Friday night. Dad was wondering if I Played so much defense because of all the college coaches that were there? I said I don't know but Coach Weston needs to have an answer to that tomorrow morning. Then dad I said, I need some Mike time and I went to my room. I woke up from what turned out to be a nap wondering if this growth spurt was continuing and if I should return the clothes. Thankfully my new suit was a great off the rack fit. I cleaned up got dressed and left for the hotel and looked for Bill in the lobby. As promised he was there and actually had a tie on. He looked at me and just shook his head, I said Bill what the problem, he replied this morning you were casual punk and tonight buttoned down, who are you. I smiled and replied, Bill your job is to figure that out, let's go. We got to the car and when I reached for the door there was that shake of the head again, I said just get in and add it to the growing list of things you need to figure out, but yes it is a smoking hot car. We drove without much conversation, until I asked how he spent the afternoon and he said trying to figure out how to deal with you and how it all relates to the mess I got myself into. I said, Bill that's good to hear. We got to the club and the manager came right up to me and Said good evening Mr. Simmons, who is the new guest, he stopped dead in his tracks when I said, oh that's Bill, my brother. Well follow me your dad is waiting. As we approached dad shook Bill's hand and we all sat down. Dad and Bill just looked at each other, then dad said well Bill you are looking much better than the last time I saw you. The the waiter came over and asked what we were drinking dad said the usual, Bill said a Tom Collins and dad said he means iced tea and I replied iced tea. When the drinks came, there were 2 scotches and 1 iced tea. Bill said how the ------ and added did that happen, I replied, Bill ask anyone here it is iced tea, but then again I am special. He replied sarcastically I am starting to get that impression. Then it was dad's turn, so Bill what is the purpose of this visit after three and a half years? Dad, I need help and although I messed up in epic proportions I was really hoping there could be some help from you. Well Bill if I know Mike as well as I think I do he already told you this can't end like the prodigal son story in the Bible, Bill replied, yes dad in no uncertain terms and then some. So what do you think about you brother? Well dad I'm trying to figure out if he is the spoiled rich punk I met this morning or the buttoned down dude I see here and then there is the stud athlete I have been reading about sitting here with us tonight. I said Bill let me help you out, I am all of those things. Just then to everybody's surprise but mine the club manager came by and said Mr. Simmons, your other guest is here and he pulled out a chair and Carrie sat down. Dad just burst out laughing and I said, Bill I thought the added company might help you relax, this is my girlfriend Carrie. Again there was that shake of the head and he collected himself, it is nice to meet you Carrie, Mike surprises me every second, I am with him, Carrie smiled and said yes, he has that ability, I asked what she want to drink and she replied water would be fine, I see you are having iced tea, I said yup and she added you are driving me home so there is a limit. I smiled and nodded. We ordered food and I said Carrie, it is a nice night, let's go outside and let these two fight it out. She replied great. We got outside and I gave her a big kiss and said thanks for doing this. She said after yesterday and that very expensive gift I owed you something, I laughed and said yes you do but it isn't dinner at the damn club. She laughed and said right hear right now and I kissed her again. I saw our salads were already at the table so we went back inside and sat down. I could tell from the body language things were less than good. Carrie served the intended purpose and things calmed down. Bill said so Mike that was an interesting article about you in the paper on Saturday. How do you get interviewed, have the entire article be about you and you say nothing? Bill, I honestly don't know, like a lot of things it just comes natural. We ate dinner and there was only small talk. After desert, I said well guys I really don't want to hear of a brawl at the club on the news but Carrie and I have to get going as we have school tomorrow. With that I took Carrie home thanking her several times until she said Mike, shut up and kiss me. As we were kissing she managed to get to gone of my nips and damn, my cock was rock hard, I pulled her hand away and said if you do that again, these pants are going to need to go to the cleaners. She laughed and said I love you but that button give me an advantage. I said till I find your button and trust me there is one. Now good night.