Sam got out of the car smiled and said thanks. I was relieved as I was fucking nasty but there were no complaints after and just a few tears. I was starving as there was no lunch but I didn't want to ruin dinner so I drove to the mall and at the food court got a single slice of pizza and an iced tea. While I was sitting there I called Coach B at VT. It was the usual wait and when he got on he said damn, I thought you forgot to call. Coach, it was a very busy day with work and I asked coach Weston to check my 40 time and he and the track coach plugged in the electronic timing device. They made me run twice as they was astounded by the times. I said well the 100 was a 10.8 standing start and tennis shoes. He laughed and said get to the point? Well coach the first time was 4.52 and they were sure the electronics were out of calibration as I couldn't be that fast and they looked at it and then I ran a 4.49 that's why the 100 and the time were consistent. The down side is I'm being moved to wide receiver. He laughed and said well coach Weston actually called and told me the same story, well except it was tight end and not wideout. So coach will you be to a game this year? Mike, we will be and it will be to see you and JJ and some kid named Sam. I said that cool kid who is QB2? Coach laughed and said well that's correct and I'm not sure about the #2. Your #1 is a nut case. I laughed and said well that nut case when focused is one hell of a QB. Then I said, I'll call soon and have a great evening.
At home I went right to my room and when I opened the door Cole was sitting on the bed examining my toys. He just looked at me and asked, so who was abused you or Sam? Ok jackass, how did you know that? Well I was with Jace and Sam is the only other one I know who would enjoy this shit. So Cole, what did you and Jace do? He said well that's our rule 2 and 6. Just then Megan yelled dinner is ready, if you are eating. I yelled be right there I'm starving. I gathered the toys and put them in the closet and ran down the steps. Not really caring what it was I was thrilled to see a ton of Japanese. Dinner was fun as we shared stories about our various trips over the weekend and Cole told everyone about lunch at Latrobe and Liam's reaction. Cleanup was throwing shit in a bag and Cole taking the bags to the garbage can. As soon as Cole was out of sight, Megan asked if we could talk. I grabbed and iced tea and went with her outside.
Megan started with that she was glad I had time off and seemed relaxed. I said thanks but it wasn't all vacation as something came up that has me interested. Megan you first, but the answer is no. She laughed and said, I didn't ask a question. Megan, to be more precise Cole is not as good as he pretends to be but is in a better place than he should be with all he has gone through there last 6 months. Megan, we have rules and I'll answer anything that you ask or explain why I can't answer. She said fair enough so how did things go with his dad. Well Megan, from what Cole told me Wayne was an uncaring ass. He just asked for a pen and signed away his rights. It's strange as Cole was pissed that he was going to be in town. He told me about a few other things and I sensed that relationship went south at some point. Well Mike, it would have been the day when he come home early and found his dad screwing the next door neighbor. He feels responsive for the resulting divorce. Wayne really resents my marring Mike. MJ, I feel he came to make a scene and to some extent he was pissed he didn't accomplish that, so he made the scene he could. So he signed and just left. Megan, did you check that document for changes? She said well no as Cole said it was good. Megan, do that when you have a minute.
I refilled my drink and Megan said two more things. Then she said that girlfriend? I said a good kid and no comment. Please talk with your son. What's the other thing? She said, Golf? Well he is very good and his buddy Liam is a saint. He will win a number of tournaments and easily qualify for the Amateur. He will finish second or third. The competition with that Woods kid will be a lifetime thing. MJ, why is he so good? I laughed and said well it's like me, it's because it is who we are and we both work at it. Megan said thanks and now your turn.
I asked if she needed her drink refilled and she shook her head indicating no. Megan a while back you indicated an interest in the marina project. That project will happen once the building is complete and I have no idea if that was a real interest or not and at this point I don't need to know. On the vacation I found this winery next to dad's land. I think it could be for sale. JJ started it as I was just exploring dad's property and was suddenly staring at acres and acres of grapes. The potential investors are Jim and Kathy, Jack and Riley, Dillon and Lexi. That leaves me, JJ and Cole. If you wanted to join in with Cole that would leave JJ and me. I don't have many details but I have started to investigate. The owner of C & J winery is the founder who lost his wife over a year ago. His only son lives and works in DC and there is a grandson. I am actually guessing under the right circumstances he would sell it. A very wild guess is that it would cost just about $1,000,000. I would like you to think about it and if there is an interest that would be great. If not the final group would Cole, JJ and me. At this point I have no idea on the shares. My other concern is with this many friends, a fight could get personal. It could also destroy a lot of things I have put in place. MJ, so you are sayin no matter what I do you will include Cole? I said well unless you object. She smiled and said well I would like to be in and I'll figure a way to include Cole without getting him a boat load of money. We were just chatting and catching up when dad came out asking are you two finished? Megan said absolutely, he is all yours and she went inside.
Dad sat down with a Scotch and lit a cigarette and I asked you trying to tempt me? He laughed and said well what's up? Damn dad, I thought this was your meeting. Mike, it's good to see you are relaxed and back to being your usual pain in the ass. Dad, it's the start of football and I'm being me but what did the GE people say? Mike, I was told that they are cutting costs and want us on our way and asked how soon can we be out. Dad, I was at the construction site today and the firm answer is 120 days from today. Besides dad we have an agreement for 90 days from a closing, I'm hoping that they don't sell the place before 30 days have elapsed. Mike, all I can say is don't bet on that as there is interest already. Ok, I already rented a trailer for the display furniture to free up space for 4 truck loads of computers. Finding space for people is another issue. Well I'll have another chat with Allen and see if we can go faster but we are already ahead. Dad shook his head and said Mike, why isn't your team dealing with all this? None of this should reach your level. I just started to laugh and dad asked what's so funny? Dad, I told Jack this morning that very same thing and then dove right in, I guess old habits die hard. Then dad said, what you should be doing is setting up a BOD meeting. You assembled that group, it time to see if they were worth the effort. So, Riley deals with the computer storage and Jack and Dillon deal with the GE potential problem. That Giant Eagle thing pays a lot of bill and I should not be telling you that, you should have a better understanding of the finances. I looked longingly at his drink and the cigarette and said, I'll be right back.
Inside I refilled my iced tea and went back outside to continue the conversation, which was starting to sound like a lesson in upper management. When I sat down dad asked, so are you pissed off? I replied, not at all I am having a hard time with the cigarette and the drink and I needed a refill. Mike, going cold turkey never worked with Bill or your mom. I was instantly furious and said, don't you ever compare me to either of them again, what else? Well, I guess that hit a nerve? Dad move the fuck on or I'm simply going to my room, I actually have shit to do. As dad didn't say anything, I got up to leave and dad instantly shouted MICHAEL JAMES SIT THE FUCK DOWN. Then dad calmly said well I don't have anything more, I just didn't want you to leave like that. Dad, I'm sorry but adjusting to football is always hard and this year there there is pressure. There are coaches from two school and now a track coach up my ass. Then there is Sam, Mr. QB2 thinking he is in charge and Jim's head is up his ass. So when you compare me to Bill and mom, I'm pissed. Bill was a pain in my ass from when I took my first breath and mom never like me and definitely catered to Bill. Dad then said Mike, Bill could have easily said the same about me catering to you. Dad, here I sit #1 in my class, an elite athlete and when I fart money flows out and then there are the hundreds of people that rely on me and you fucking compare me with those two losers? Oh and I have been drug tested more than anyone I know. Dad, I love you but FUCK. So Mike are you calling Dr. Drennan or am I? Well dad, you can't do that and I'm not, as I wasn't to that point till you crossed a major line. We were quiet for a while and I said that I was not running tomorrow as it was a workout in the afternoon and flying lessons at 5:00 so I'm not here for dinner. I got up gave him a hug and said thanks and I love you. Upstairs I stuck my head in Cole's room and said that I would not be running in the morning and not home for dinner. I didn't even wait for a comment, I simply went to my room striped and jumped into bed. I just laid there and realized that I was really pissed. WHY, those two losers are scattered over the dunes at the outer banks and I should be done. Were they going to haunt me all my life? Fuck there was one special moment with my mother in 15 years. Why do I have to pay for that moment forever? I just laid there staring at the ceiling and I must have fallen asleep as the fucking alarm woke me.
It was a quick shower and khaki pants and a light blue shirt and I went downstairs and was shocked to see dad sitting there drinking coffee, I shook my head and asked, now what? Dad smiled and said Mike, a simple apology at your worst you are a 1000 to,es better than them together. We hugged and I poured a coffee and said well you are right I need to call Dr. Drennan. We chatted about nothing at all drinking coffee. Then it was off to the office and a nice day so the roof was down. Once at the office I chatted with Ruth and then there was the usual meeting with Riley. She told me that a trailer would be there on Friday and she was assured it was water tight and that to make sure she would have it pressure washed and if there was any sign of moisture it would go back and she would use another company. I was updated on a number of things and when she was finished she asked if I was ok? I shrugged and she said well everybody is aware of the football change but personally I'm hoping it's a progression and this isn't what it will be till January. Riley it's not just football and that is a transition and then there is the letting go and turning you guys loose to do your jobs and not relying on me for approvals. Dad and I had a tense discussion last night and I'm working on an adjustment, please help me with that. She laughed and said so from now on you are sweating the big shit and we deal with day to day? I laughed and said, well I hope so, thanks for letting me know the companies concerns. She said Mike, understand your mood when you walk in the door in the morning effects all of us, you have become that important. Riley, have a great day and she left and I picked up the phone and scheduled an appointment with the head doctor.
Once alone, I picked up the phone and called Ruth and asked if she would please stop in for a minute. When she came in I said please close the door and have a seat and I joined her in the other guest chair. I said please relax I need you opinion on something. She smiled and said Mike, I might be over stepping but since the little intervention you have been different, are you ok? Well Ruth that was the question I had for you, so how am I? Mike, you are in a strange place and like our favorite hockey announcer, Mike Lang, would say we don't know weather to cry or wind our watch. I burst out laughing and Ruth said so when was the last time that happened? You laughing like that? Ruth, that is a damn good question. Mike from the first day you walked into this building you have been totally sure of your self and have totally in control. Not so much now as you are unfocused and a pain in the ass. What you have done is hired exceptional people, tested them and rewarded them and every time you did that you promoted yourself to the point where you are a BIG SHIT and haven't figured out what that job is. I said thanks, I appreciate the input.
Next I called accounting and asked for Jordan the CFO. When he got on I asked how thing were and and he laughed saying, you never call to chat what's up? I smiled and ask so you are too busy counting money to chat? He actually laughed and said, damn I got promoted from counting beans. I said, ok to the point, I need detailed financials and sales by division and a detailed explanation of what the hell I am looking at. Without blowing things up when can we do that? He said Friday morning and clear two hours and drink a bunch of coffee as I am sure you will be bored in 15 minutes. I laughed and asked I'll bet you lunch that I will be paying attention and very focused, he said that's a bet and winner gets to pick the place. He hung up and thought well that will teach me to ignore the CFO.
I no sooner had I put the phone down and Ruth was on the asking if I wanted to see MR. Hillgrove? I said well tell him no but that I would be glad to meet with Wayne. She said well that's the old Mike, he will be right in. Almost immediately Wayne appeared looking like he just walked out of Brooks Brothers in a very nice and expensive suit and tie. I said well have a seat. I stayed in my desk chair and asked what's up? He said what's going on with Alex, he says he will be out of town Thursday and Friday. When I asked what he was up to he said an assignment from you. Wayne that's correct. He looked stunned and said, he works for me, do I get an explanation. I said sure, I asked him to do something for me. Mr. Simmons, he works for me. I just started to laugh and said hold on a minute I'll go get Mr. Simmons and I'm sure he will be pissed for the disruption. Look around, here I am Mike, Major Messer is Jim, Major Mc Baine is Jack and Dr. Williams is Kyle, do you get that or should I go on? He said well at Standard Property I am Mr. Hillgrove and Alex is Mr. Carter. Well I might need to pay attention to what's going on over there. Now to be clear both you and Alex work for me. You have asked the same question a couple of times and I tried every way possible to avoid saying it's none of your fucking business. You will have him back on Monday, it's not like you are that busy or have I missed something. By the way where is the business plan? He said, it's a work in progress. I stood up and said Wayne the last guy who used that excuse was fired, just get it done. Thanks for the visit and I sat down. Wayne just stood up and left. Almost immediately Ruth was there saying this is like Easter, someone rose from the dead. I laughed and said, I'm out of here enjoy the day.
I was determined to skip lunch as, I felt I was eating too much and drove to school. A quick change into workout clothes and I started an intense workout. I really pushed my self and increased all the weights. I saw coach was watching and knew he was watching in case I had a problem. Once the works was complete and I was a sweaty mess Sam appeared with a couple of his buddies. We shook hands and talked some and I got Sam alone and asked if he was ok after yesterday and he said well I'm really good except for the strange marks on my ass. I asked if he was sure and he said absolutely and message received. Then he asked if I had time for some drills on the field and I said nope, flying lessons. I showered and changed back into casual clothes and stuck my head in coach's offices and said thanks? He said, no problem but that upgrade is a bit much to be done alone. I said see you tomorrow and drove to the airport.
At the airport I was early and was securing the roof when Jim appeared and said let's start inside. We sat down and Jim said don't be upset but we are not doing the turbo plane, you simply are not ready for that and and that is the equivalent to a Jet and you need instrument certification. I said Jim, I totally understand so what we doing today? Mike, I thought we would fly to Blacksburg stop for coffee and a very quick sandwich. He said well it's about 90 minutes and that's a total of three hours so we can easily be back here around 9:00. Jim looked at me and said so I see you are thrilled about that. Jim, it was a difficult day and this is perfect. Jim said well let's get going? The Piper Seneca III was sitting there and it was small but a good trainer. We did the pre check together and I started to the right side and Jim said absolutely not, other side. I looked around and it was identical to the simulator and Jim asked me a ton of questions and I finally asked if we could please get going. He laughed and said sure. Mike, I'm trusting you so be safe. I started the engines and did the checks and was ask, what's different? I said 2 engines and a slight drift left as both propellers rotate clockwise. He smiled and sat get us in the air. We were cleared and were at the head of the runway and when cleared to takeoff the speed was a real thrill and it was a clean and easy takeoff. Then we were cleared for a south East heading and 10,000 feet. Jim check his notes and gave me a heading. Once we were at 10,000 feet, with terrific weather, it was a smooth ride. Jim and I chatted about things and he kept sneaking aviation questions in the mix. On the schedule route there wasn't much communication. Jim, this is great route I'll remember it but it's only a 1/4 mile from the easy road to follow how about we head East and get to campus. I checked the weather and it was good but a crosswind and I looked at Jim and said I got this, every simulator landing was crosswind landings. Why bother with easy video games. I contacted the tower and we were cleared to land. It was a clean landing and Jim said, I might have been too conservative with you. That was not an easy landing but very well done. We secured the plane and walked to the sports bar, I had been there before. It was a quick burger and a soft drink and we headed to the plane when I ran across Coach Conn. It was a brief chat and when I told him that I flew in for a practice run and he laughed and said Coach B will appreciate that. I introduced Jim as Major Messer and coach said, well we have a rule about teammates flying together in private planes. Jim laughed and said no problem they will take separate planes.
Back at the airport Jim got in the plane and I did the walk around and found nothing unacceptable. I climbed in and started the routine and Jim said nothing and simply watched. I checked ATIS and contacted the tower and we were quickly approved for take off. There was the same crosswind from the opposite direction and just before I started I reviewed the procedures in my head and we were off. It was easily accomplished and after about a minute Jim said well that was almost perfect, what did you forget? I looked at the instrument panel and said sorry and hit the switch to retract the landing gear. Jim said damn you do the hard shit so naturally and fuck up the easy stuff and it's that shit that pisses me off. We chatted about what the results were if I had simply not retracted the wheels. Jim concluded that it would not have happened as I would have noticed the difference in the controls.
At some point Jim asked about coach Conn. I said he is a great guy cares about us grunts and knows his shit and is my position coach. I asked if he was concerned about JJ's choice of schools and he said no and that he was pleased that we would be there together. I always concerned about that asshole and he doesn't have a good record south of the Mason Dixon line. Jim that's funny but you only have to drive a mile south of PIttsburgh to hit the south. The campus is anything but Texas or even Southern. It's the largest land grant University in Virginia. Besides that if JJ is so inclined, trouble is easily found anywhere. All of a sudden he fired questions at me about the plane and it's status and I immediately answered every question correctly looking out the window and not at the instrument panel. We were quiet for a while and Jim asked, what's next? I said in the plane or generally? He said generally? I said football and a change at work as I will not be sweating the small shit. Oh, dad is working on something, I have no details about and it will be housed somehow in Enterprises. He started a reply and I said please hold on and I got the ATIS report and contacted Allegheny tower. Jim laughed and said well I was about to ask you to do that. He laughed and said if you weren't so big you would make a hell of an astronaut, once we get you to pay attention to the small shit.
The landing was uncomplicated and yes I lowered the landing gear. We secured the plane and Jim played around in my log book, I threw it in the car, thanks him for a wonderful flight and we each drove home. At home I found Cole in the kitchen drinking iced tea and I joined him and asked what's up? He said he was leaving tomorrow for a 4 day tournament in Florida and that a Major to be selected later was flying Liam and I down early to practice. I asked if he was good and he said, fuck yes, I need a break. Cole, do you want to talk about your dad? Mike, soon but not yet. I got up and found a note pad and a pen and wrote a number on it and said, you should give Dr. Drennan a call. He isn't really a head guy but I use him and in fact I have an an appointment tomorrow. He said thanks and put the note in his pocket. I thought that was encouraging and went looking for dad.
I found him in his office, talking on the phone and he motioned for me to have a seat. I could tell it was business related and zoned out. He hung up and asked how my day was? Dad the morning was interesting and I am figuring out my new life at work. Then it was a new and harder workout at school and we flew to Blacksburg and had a burger, ran into coach Conn and flew back. He shook his head and said Mike, Blacksburg for a burger, isn't that excessive? I laughed and said well it was training for a multi engine certification in a complicated aircraft. Major Jim was with me and he thought a flight over the campus would be fun for both of us. So Mike, what did you figure out about work? I replied, don't sweat the small shit and take the apron strings off the team. Well that's the easy part, doing it will be harder. I said I get that and have a good night as I have CMU work to finish. The CMU shit was the second program in the course that I needed to construct and this was a lot more complicated. I got totally involved and there was a knock on the door and said WHAT. Cole laughed and said dude, it's after 11:00 and you have been holed up in here for over 90 minutes. Are you running in the morning? I said yes. He smiled and said MJ, get your ass in bed. You need your rest with all this activity. I said yes mom and Cole left laughing. I continued working and around midnight turned in for the night.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
IF POSSIBLE PLEASE REMEMBER NIFTY
THANKS FOR ALL THE HOLIDAY GREETING AND FOR CONTINUING TO READ THE SAGA