I was on the way downstairs when the door bell rang and I opened it stuck out my hand and said Mr. DiVito thanks for coming this morning. We shook hands and he said please call me Carlo. I asked if he wanted to walk and talk or simply chat on the deck. He said well the deck will work as I can take notes. As we walked through the kitchen I asked if he would like something to drink and he said well ice water would work and I started to get that and an iced tea and JJ' mom said Mike, I'll get that for you and bring it to the deck. I said, thanks but I got this as you already cooked breakfast. With the drinks in toe we went to the deck. Carlo said Mike, this is nice and yet I hear you don't really like it why is that? Well it I a big rectangle trying to fit into a square hole. It is simply overbuilt and an insult to the location. In the spring we will be starting construction on two log cabins much simpler. In due time and when I can, this will be torn down. I am all about protecting and honoring the past and recognizing how we got to the present and using that to build a future. Mike, how does that work in respect to the C & J Winery? Well Carlo, it is very much a vintage winery with a very proud tradition. A couple of months ago I bought a business but Charlie sold a lifetime of work. He still has 10% and access to the his house so I am trying to respect all that. We will eventually replace all the equipment but certain things won't change like the oak barrels. We might have the best variety or quality vines in the area. Hell that how my family got this land. Charlie sold 5 acres to my grandfather so he could buy some Italian grape plants. This is not a toy for me and it needs to be a profitable business.
Carlo laughed and said, damn Jim was right about you. If I asked open thoughtful questions you will fill volumes and if not I would get one word responses. Mike, did you know about your grandfather and how he got here when you made the offer on the Winery? I said well just the surface but there was feeling that I had a history here. It was not quite a memory just that I felt very comfortable here. Mike, what the plan for returning the place to its previous glory. I said continue to produce quality wine and to marked the heck out of it. This weekend is just the start and so far it is more than a success. Tonight the event is sold out and that provides us with a little breathing room before the harvest. Mike, the harvest won't matter as more than half your grapes go to what you call the jelly people. I said yes it does and that's unfortunate and we are trying to negotiate that away and at any rate that contract won't be renewed. Mike, are you sure you have the right people in place to do that? I shrugged and said yup. Well what happened with the along time general manager, Bob? Well, that's an employee decision and I don't generally reply to those. We offered him a new position with the same money and he rejected that offer and resigned. Other than that I have no comment.
We talked for another hour about my business philosophy and my age and how all this started. My football accomplishments and I managed to fit in that I wanted to be the first freshman to start at linebacker at VT since Moses was in diapers. He laughed at that and asked about pro football and I said, I simply wanted to play 3 years at VT and move on, hopefully in one piece. Ok Mike and your education? Well in high school, I take every advanced course I can take and have tested out of every math class and have a bunch of comp sci credits at Carnegie Mellon so I'm a pretty good student, but like everything else I work at it. Towards the end I was asked how much I was worth. I simply asked, me or my companies? Well let's make that easy just combine them and give me a rough estimate. I thought for a while and Carlo said I thought you would know that off the top of your head. Well, I know all the numbers and while I can do advanced math I pay something to balance my check book. When he finished laughing I said around 175. So how much was given to you? I said, oh just 51% of the company, I own the 2 buildings and all of Enterprises and 49% of a startup. Mike, would it be ok if I chatted with Jace and Mike? I said absolutely and walked him out.
With that done I looked at the time and it was almost 1:00. There as a note from Mary Ann saying she was at the Winery with her dancing shoes on. I laughed and decided to simply walk over. I really enjoyed the walk and once again things were humming. Great crowds and everyone having a great time. In the store I saw Jack and Riley selling wine and helping fill orders. Then I ran into Major Jim and we talked and he said he understood I was very cooperative but that I needed to remember the other reporters. I said, actually I would like to be just like Jack and run the register. Mike, just give them 45 minutes and then you are free. I smiled and said fine and went looking for Mary Ann. I had no luck and I went back to the store and the place was packed and Mary Ann and Terri were helping Jack and JJ was restocking shelves. As it was almost time I went to the office and found everyone waiting. They had all done their homework and the interview was many of the same questions and the entire process was easily accomplished in under an hour.
I saw Jace and he said how about you ride with me? I asked where are we going and he said to the bank and make a deposit there is too much money around. I asked what we were depositing and he said yesterday's receipts and some from today. I laughed and asked can I spend receipts? Mike there is 60k and that's doesn't include the money deposited for the dinner tonight. Just look at the registers and some of these characters bought wine yesterday. We drove to the bank made a "night deposit" and went back with no issues.
Back at the store things had slowed down and they were busy stocking shelves in anticipation of tonight. I helped with that and then we all stood around talking. Mary Ann and I, along with JJ and Terri went to the big tent for tonight and slapped a reserved sign on a table right off the dance floor. I was starving as I hadn't eaten since breakfast and we all went to the food area and each had a hotdog and an iced tea. We ended up watching the kids ride the ponies I was all into that. I looked at JJ and we both smiled. Then my phone vibrated in my pocket and I looked at the number and it was Coach Weston. I took a few steps away from everyone and said hi coach, what's happening? Mike, I know you are out of town and JJ is with you but can you please have that meeting with team about the media? Mike, I'm sorry to ask but I checked and the coaches can't do it. Coach no worries we will set it up for Tuesday at Snyder field for 6:00. I'll call Jim and JJ and I will work on it together. Anything else? Mike, that's more than enough and permission slips will be in you mail box when you get back. I said that works and hung up. Well that figures but when we have that meeting camp will start 6 days later, ouch.
I told JJ on the flight back we needed to set this up and I was done fucking around. You are either all in or all and and that for those of us that were in we would have each other's backs. JJ looked at me and said well it's about fucking time. Back with the girls we just wondered around there wasn't much for us to do, so we simply took in the sights. I was wondering if this could be an annual event but I didn't want it near harvest time. I put that out of my mind but that was the next worry. One that would have to happen without me, the first of many.
The table we had reserved had 8 places and we rounded up Jack and Dillon and it turns into a great night. We talked and laughed and Jack got us a couple of beers. The DJ, like last night, was outstanding with a great mix of songs. We even did a couple of circle dances as a group. I had to admit, I should do more of this. Mary Ann would occasionally feel me up and I was wondering what was going on? Then remembered there was nothing up as she was everything Carrie wasn't. THERE SHE WAS AGAIN, ALWAYS THERE BUT NEVER IN A GOOD LIGHT! But there none the less. I didn't want this night to end but end it did and just before the last song, Jace and Judy joined us and I saw Cole dancing with a local girl. Damn he looked like he was having a blast. Mary Ann and I danced the last dance and made out more than danced.
Jace assured us that the cleaning crew would start very soon and there was nothing for us to do and that things were from noon to 6 tomorrow, we all piled into the van and in the house it was beer and wine for a couple of hours and Jace didn't even pretend as he and Terri simply said good night and they would see us in the morning. Mary Ann looked at me and smiled and took my hand and said good night. We had a fun night and even managed some sleep. I was up early as usual and just laid there looking at her and was content and waking up with a chick beside was unusual. I wondered if I could get accustomed to that. I tried to get up without waking her as I really had to piss and my morning wood was at full mask. I was half way to the bathroom and I heard her say, hurry back. I took care of business and got back into bed and thankfully she just put her head on my shoulder and we just laid there. She looked at me and said, well I guess we better get the day started. With that I got a kiss and she dress and went upstairs. Up stairs Riley and Jack had pancakes made and I simply grappled a coffee and headed for the deck and fuck it was raining. I turned around and went back to the kitchen area and Jack said no worry as it will stop but won't be warm.
I immediately called Jace and he answered in a great great mood saying this has been a great weekend. I laughed and asked if he had looked out the window? He replied have you looked at the forecast? I said yup, not real warm and a muddy mess. He said Mike, it doesn't matter as we covered expenses on Friday night and yesterday and today make it all more than worth it. Wine sales set a record yesterday, according to Charlie and there was a lot of repeat business. Jace, I'll see you around 11:00 and thanks.
Just then Mary Ann appeared carrying clothes and a towel and went down stairs. Jack looked at me and said JJ's room was beside ours and it is hard to believe they are at it again. I laughed and refilled my coffee. I found the local paper in the door and was disappointed to find that there was no article about our weekend event. Then I thought with all the publicity we had more today wouldn't matter. I moved to the common room and was still enjoying the coffee when Mary Ann sat down beside me and I asked if there was a problem? I said nope, why? Well Mike I thought your were distant this morning in bed. Babe I didn't want to give that impression as I was good with just holding you. She smiled and said, yup that was nice and I have never woken up with a guy beside me before. I leaned in and kissed her and said well that was a first for me as well. She laughed and said well next time we will know what to do. JJ appeared and as it was only Jack and Mary Ann around I yelled over good morning, did you finally run out of cum. He blushed and Jack bent over laughing and JJ replied that's rule fucking 6. Then he grabbed a coffee and joined Mary Ann and I and I was waiting for a crack directed at me but it never happened. I figured it would happen later when we were alone.
It was still raining when we left for the Winery and I was starting to wonder about the forecast. At the Winery store the sign said closed but the door was unlocked and we went inside. The shelves were still in need of stocking so everyone pitched in and I found Jace and Mark in the office talking. They were both in a good mode and not caring about the weather. I was a bit concerned as I wanted every dollar we could get out of this weekend as is was all expenses from this point on as it would be harvest and wine making time. I asked a lot of questions about things not related to these events. The negotiations with the grape people were not progressing as they wanted the grapes. I asked them who they were negotiating with and would have Tim check him out. I just didn't have a great feeling about it but at least it would be over as the contract would not be renewed. The upside was that they paid to harvest their grapes. Well it would be what it became, but things were looking up.
The weather never got nice and I was anxious to get on the way. There were a few kids riding the ponies and at 4:00 the guy closed that down and the food people finally simply moved inside. Through all that Jace and Mark remained in a fantastic mood. By 5:00 things had ground to a halt and I went into the office, found the check book wrote a $1,000 check to both Jace and Mark white a quick note and left the two envelopes on the desk with their name on it. I rounded our gang up and it was a quick trip to the house and straight to the airport. I laughed when we were held for takeoff as a plane was landing and it turned out to be David. It didn't matter and we were in the air at 6:45. JJ was upfront with me and it was quiet in the back I knew everyone was asleep.
We talked about football and we were 8 days away from the start of camp and Sam still had things a mess. JJ said I should simply take over and deal with the media. I Agreed to that but I wanted to have a team election for Captains but needed to talk with the coach. I finally asked JJ about Terri and all he would say was that she was a keeper and his Prom date. I told him I was starting to get that feeling about Mary Ann. I also needed to spend some time with Cole and find out about the girl he had in New York, or seemed to have. Then I needed to have his back about David and that tournament in Ohio and I might be able to get there for Sunday if he gets that far. It would be a very tough field and a difficult course. JJ was just laughing about the story I told him about David and AP. Which reminded me I needed to thank him. I enjoyed that trip. Flying the jet was awesome. Sadly, I knew it simply wasn't in the budget. Time flew and the time to chat with JJ and the mental recap of the weekend simply made the time fly. 2:15 minutes from wheels up we were on the ground and unpacking the plane.
The twins were there to pick up Mary Ann, something about a family event. I went up to JT and said JT, thanks for the help? He laughed and said well you will be thanking us in a very different way some evening this week so clear an evening and if you don't we will just show up. I simply said ok, kissed Mary Ann good bye and said, call me later. Cole was with me and when we pulled into the driveway I said dude, if you are up for it come and visit once you are settled. A big smile indicated he would be right over.
Once I was in my space I threw the dirty clothes in the corner, grabbed a beer and called coach Weston. We discussed the Tuesday evening event and I told him I was just taking over that media circus and he said that was what he had hoped. I said that once camp started I would like a team election for Captains. He said Mike, I need to think about that. Then he asked, how I would deal with Sam? I replied like any other Sophomore and he said he was good with that. I told him well it might not be an issue as he might not show. Mike, just so you know I had Jim invite the freshman QB. I said great and I'll call Tuesday after the shit show. That left me sitting there trying to figure out the twins and what was going to happen. I was damn sure that they would not be demanding and dominant. I knew I could get one before they eventually got me, as there were in shape enough to be trouble together. I was well aware that they would be on the same page. Of the two I seemed to like JT better than TJ but there was no real reason for that and to get things under control I decided that I would have the two of them for lunch and deal with whatever came up in that Sports Bar near work.
That thought ended as Cole bopped in and sat down saying how much fun he had all weekend. The Golf was fun but starting in the morning it was work with his teaching pro. I asked if he was concerned about the tournament? He said nope but he was regretting the ticket sals and he would need a way to stress HAVE FUN, RESPECT THE GAME. He said him and Liam would wear hats with FUN on the front and RESPECT on the back and the same message on his bag. He said if he made the weekend on Sunday it would be the Scottish outfit and he would stick with it. I said IF? He laughed and said MJ this is a big deal and a very tough field. For the first time he seemed overwhelmed. To change the subject I asked about the girl in NY and he said nothing special and simply a friend to hang out with when up there. Cole, did Liam have a good time at Bay Hill? MJ definitely but why did you ask? Well Cole, it would have been great if he could have played. MJ, I involve him in everything and I am actually concerned because he got an offer from a Pro. He called me over and told the Pro, very politely, that we were a team and he didn't need the money. Cole, he gets $275 every round, even in these exhibitions and and you would have won a lot at that tournament and he would have earned 10%. I paid him 5% so he is flush. Also, he won a scholarship from Oakmont so school is covered. Cole said MJ, I'm not sure I could do this without him and yet I know I might have to eventually. Then Cole said MJ, I have to go and won't be running tomorrow as I have to be at South Hills to meet the coach at 7:00 and it will be like this all week, well except on Wednesday when Liam and I have a practice round in Ohio. The Pro is conducting a playing lesson and Liam is coming to map out the course. He gave me a hug and said good night.
Once Cole left I called Mary Ann and she laughed and said damn, I was to call you. We talked about the weekend and how much fun we had. She said how impressed she was with how well I flew the plane. I laughed and said well babe it was stressful as I was responsible for 7 lives. Mike, I never considered that as I felt safe. Babe that's why JJ was upfront the whole time as he is certified. I asked about her brothers and if they were dating anyone and she said yup and TJ is in a very serious relationship and JT just started with a new one. She laughed and said, I can't imagine one of them married and one not. I asked what they did for fun and she said other that fuck with people about who is who, she had no idea. I left it at that and we just chatted. With that, I was in need of a shower and then I jumped into bed and was fast asleep.
The run the next morning was just me and JJ and it was fast and thus quick. I told him I would make time this morning to chat with Jim about things. I asked what his mom thought about the weekend and he said no idea as it will be days before I bring that up. I laughed and went inside showered, shaved and dressed for work. I needed coffee and hadn't made any so I stopped for some on my way to the office. The first thing was to check the calendar and I saw that there was a 10:00 meeting with Kyle and Jordan to work out the new two building concept. There was a meeting with Zaid and Riley at. 9:00. Then at 1:00 there was a meeting with the Union President and it was strange as it said Union President and no name. That bothered me some but it would be what it became. I also indicated that I was gone at 4:00 as I was in need of a workout. With time to spare I called Jim and was pleased I did not wake him up. I briefed him on things and he was pretty much up to speed. He asked about Sam and I said lots of rope and if he chooses to wrap it around his neck, I'm pulling hard, this ends tomorrow. MJ, I have been working with Wyatt the freshman QB and he has an arm to die for and is smart and football savvy. Jim, where did this kid come from? MJ he transferred in as his parents bought a new house. I laughed and thought, so it's starts. Transfers from 8th to 9th grades are automatically legal.
When I hung up with Jim, Ruth appeared and asked if I had a minute and I said sorry. Find 30 minutes on my calendar and we can meet then. Mike please don't treat me like that? Ruth this will take more than a minute and I need to get ready for two meetings, find time on my schedule. She turned and walked out slamming the door. I took a deep breath and got up opened the door and said Ruth, don't sit down. You are going home as you are done for the day. Please come back tomorrow. She looked at me and asked, your sending me home? Just then Riley and Zaid appeared and we went to my office and closed the door. Zaid said so she sends you to your room and you send her home, interesting. Zaid, it's not like that she asked for a minute and I said just block 30 on my schedule as I was busy and she slammed my office door. You should note that the person to do that to me hasn't been born yet. I looked at Riley and asked, so what do you two have for me. They spent the next 45 minutes briefing me on the building and Zaid said that basically it was a calm few days. I thanked them and then asked Zaid to stay.
Once the two of us were alone, I asked how he was doing? I got a vague, ok. I just looked at him and asked, really what's up? Are you having a hard time adjusting to things? He looked at me and said, heck I don't even know what to adjust to, I start on Tuesday and on Wednesday you are gone for the week. Zaid, I'm sorry about that and I'm in all week but next week it is hit and miss as football starts. Hell, looking at how little is on my desk you did fine. Are there any other issues and please don't make me ask twice? He smiled and said only that everyone is trying hard, kinda like my future in-laws. Just then there was a knock on the door and Kyle and Jordan appeared and the 4 of us moved to the conference room. Outside my office I simply stopped as Ruth was at her desk. She said Mike, I'm sorry can I please stay? I said Ruth, I'll see you tomorrow and remember to schedule that meeting, my day is fairly open but I'll need an hour for lunch. She immediately started to cry. I asked everyone to wait for me in the conference room. I sat on Ruth's desk and quietly said Ruth, you won't be fired or moved to another position but we need to come to an understanding about some things. So have a relaxing day, if you can, and I'll see you first thing in the morning. Then I went into the conference room and closed the door.
As I sat down Kyle asked, so is that spat resolved? I shook my head and said not yet and in a couple of minutes if she is still there I'll ask security for assistance. She needs to understand that I am not my dad and figure that out. She is very good but, I don't get sent to my room and my door never gets slammed and that's just for starters. Then I added Kyle, this isn't a spat. Then he said well it's a good thing you sent her away to give you time to think. I looked at Jordan and asked could Technologies, buy the second building using the reserve? I was told only at a reasonable sale price and verified appraisals by 3 independent brokers. I smile and said for sure but not yet as that would be telling the world it was on the market. With that off the table, for the moment, I asked about the current building and was told that process would start next week, I was good with that as I wanted the influx of cash. I easily agreed to give up the 4th floor and told Kyle he could maintain the first floor for startups. He said thanks but just looked at me, a little strange. I told them that I would be looking for a place to house Enterprises and thanked them for their time. When we were finished I asked Kyle to stay for a minute.
Once we're alone, I asked about how things went during the conference. He replied it went very well and it is a great team. Mike, with you doing what you do we will be in a great place. Also, thanks for keeping the startup space. Kyle, I always keep my word and I will be buying the plot next in line. I'll talk with Tim about selling building 2. How about an addition to building 1? He just shook his head and said don't get carried away.l
I was now free till the meeting with the Union guy and it was strange seeing Ruth's desk empty. Zaid asked, if he could fit lunch in and I said sure, just be back before 1:00. With all kind of shit floating in my head I called Dr. Drennan's office and scheduled an appointment and it was for after work on Wednesday. The meeting with the Union President was just to tell me that Rocco had retired and he was newly elected and is name was Fran Schultz. We chatted for about an hour and it seemed to be a good start as we both needed each other. Zaid had left about half way through and when I walked Fran out he was sitting at Ruth's desk answering calls.
That about finished my day and I called Mary Ann's landline and was hoping one of the twins would answer. Thankfully that happened and I asked if they could meet at noon for lunch tomorrow and that their sister needed not to know, I said just a talk. TJ said sure and I gave him the place and time. With that all done, I closed up the office and drove to school.
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