Sometime during the night JJ got up and went to his room and I was glad that happened because we didn't need Josh to get any ideas. I was up early and starving so I went to the free breakfast and it was so good I was wishing I had time for something decent. Josh was first to appear and he didn't seem to mind the food. He raved about the campus, Sean and that the coach would take the time to visit with him. I didn't say much as I was not ready for recruiting 101, I would save that for another time. JJ appeared a little before 8:00 grabbed a coffee and said let's go and I'm in charge. Josh and I just laughed and we walked to the airfield. The plane was serviced and fueled and waiting and for what landing fees were on game weekend they should have provided a flight attendant.
With the pre-check done and JJ running the show we were quickly in the air. Shortly after takeoff I went in the back and sent Josh up front and let him and JJ chat about things. I actually fell asleep and Josh returned and I went upfront. I strapped in and checked the instruments and things looked good and I was enjoying just watching JJ deal with the plane. There were no issues and the flight time was 2:09 and we secured the plane and sure enough there was Paul, to pick Josh up. It was a brief conversation and I let Josh tell the stories. With that JJ and I drove home and I went to the house grabbed some coffee and the paper from Saturday and went to the game room. Once again I was tired and wondered about that with the nap on the plane and all. Cole appeared and one look said he was playing golf. I asked and he said well it's a lesson at Oakmont and I heard you are playing at 2:00. How about I give you a ride. I said well will your lesson take that long? He said nope but a couple of hours and then I need extensive work on my putting. These public courses are reading havoc with that. I said sure and that needed to be there by 1:30. He laughed and said well I want to be there at 1:00 so you can either warm up or eat lunch. I said fine, finished my coffee and went to my place, showered and dressed in black golf shorts and put on a light grey Oakmont golf shirt and a grey hat. Cole was waiting for me and was serious about getting to the club.
Once there we both went to the Pro Shop and Cole met his Pro and I checked in and was told that my guests had just arrived and that my caddies would be Logan and his brother Austin. I said thanks and grabbed a cart and went looking for Logan. We talked and I explained things and he said, we know everyone but you get a preferred lie. I smiled and said nope just the chick, I'll be playing tournament tees and they will decide what tees. Logan said Mike, there is a tournament here Wednesday and the rough is up more than a bit. I said perfect as I'm not thrilled that dad and brother are along. Logan simply laughed at that and said thanks for the warning. Then I said Logan you have my bag and Heather's. The old guy is Mr. Lockhart and the brother is Alex. They said thanks and I went to the practice area and shook hands with Heather's dad and Alex and asked if they needed something and Alex asked politely for some water. I called the caddies over and introductions were made and I looked at Alex and said Austin will get you whatever you need. I grabbed a wedge, a 5 iron and a driver and it some balls. Warmups told me that I wasn't playing enough and that my miss all day today would be a pull left. I wasn't paying attention to the others as they hit ball but noticed Heather had a nice swing.
At 1:45 I suggested that we hit a few putts as that was my favorite thing. I wasn't expecting a lot of shock as the Field Club kept greens fast. There were glances exchanged but no real surprise about the speed of the greens. On the way to the tee, I asked about what tees they wanted and Max and Heather said White, which were the typical member tees and Alex asked if he could play the tournaments tees. I asked about a handicap and he said 10. I said dude that's low 80's and he said correct and from the tips at the Club. I laughed and said you won't break a hundred here. Alex looked right at me and asked and your handicap? I said 2 and I only play the big boy tees. Alex said well how about a bet? Say $100 I break 100. I looked at Max and asked whose money, yours or his? Max said not mine this is just stupid. I said strict rules, no gimmies and your dad can decide any rules issues. On the way to the back tees i asked if he was sure he wanted to do this as I thought it would be just a fun casual day. Mike, I'm also willing, after seeing you warmup bet you won't break 75. I asked if he had another 100 and he said, actually I do and you are not the only one here with money and creds. I asked so where is school and he said, Junior at Pitt. I said fine and we teed off and he hit it in the bunker on the right side. His second shot was out but short of the green and he pitched the ball and it was 15 feet above the hole and I laughed. My tee shot wasn't any better and in fact it was worse. There is a deep drainage ditch that runs along the left side of the fairway it is deep and narrow and the grass is almost never cut. My drive started left and drew a bit took a big bounce and I was hoping it was over the ditch. When I got to the ball Logan pointed and it was at the very edge of the ditch and you could hardly see the ball. It was on an upslope and I knew the yardage was 150 and I would usually hit an 8 iron. I looked at Logan and asked for a 5 iron and managed a reasonable stance, swung as hard as I could and the ball hit the right front of the green and finished 6 feet below the hole. Heather and her dad had pars and Alex had a 6. On the second hole Alex hit driver into a green side bunker and had an awful lie and pitched it to the fairway and then was again above the hole. He barely touched the putt and it rolled off the green and he managed to get it up and down. Another 6 while I hit 3 iron wedge to the very back of the green and the backspin resulted in it being on the front edge and a two putt par. Heather and her dad had 5's. On the way to the tee I asked Alex if he wanted to call this off and he could move to the member's tee? He looked at me and said please and I'm sorry, this place is a bitch and I'm guessing those were easy holes. I laughed and said well #1 typically plays as the hardest, but as you just saw, nothing is easy. Things settled down and Heather and I had a fun round and things got friendly. At the turn we grabbed a very quick bite to eat and Heather tallied the scores and she had 43, her dad had 45 and her brother 47. Heather just handed me the card back and said 2 handicap my ass as I was 3 under.
The back 9 was uneventful as it started and I birdied my favorite hole #10 and when we got to #12 a 666 yard down hill par 5, Alex reached for a driver and I said dude yiu can hit that 400 yards on this hole and it will be in the rough and you pitch to rye fairway or hit a very smooth 3 iron just short of that and hit 3 iron to the green and get a birdie. I said watch and I hit a 3 iron to a target I knew and it well but there was no idea where it went. Alex took his 3 iron and hit almost the same shot. Max hit driver and Heather a 3 wood and we were off to see where things were. We got to the ball and Alex shook his head and said I just hit an iron 380 yards and now this place says, I dare you to get on in 2. And if you take that chance and Miss ever so slightly you have a 6 or worse. I laughed and said well wait till you get to 17. It was a fun back nine and Alex shot 42, Heather 43, Max 45 and I ended the round with a relaxing 5 under.
I was about 6:15 and Cole came up to us and introductions were made and I asked him if he wanted to have a quick bite to eat here and he said sure. I invited the others and we grabbed a seat on the patio by the putting green. The caddies were paid with Logan saying that the first 2 holes were so much fun, I don't need paid. As we were sitting down Cole whispered MJ, AP is here so expect a visit. If I was better dressed I would have gone inside but that would be totally out of bounds. We ordered drinks and I asked for the men's grill menu, thus making sure it was a light meal. Food and another round of drinks appeared and I laughed when my order was changed at it was a spiked AP. I knew that would be followed by a visit and sure enough he pulled a chair up and asked if we minded if he joined us for a few minutes. He looked at me and said my dinner guest bore me so your stuck with me. I laughed and made the appropriate introductions. When I introduced Heather he said well you certainly appear to be an upgrade and from what I hear you have a good game as well. Have Mike set you up with Carole. Heather just looked and said sure. Then he looked at Cole and said, I hear you are having difficulty with the more pedestrian greens. Cole said, yup and working on that. Well, not everyone gets to play on elite courses all the time and I won championships on courses worse than you are complaining about. Just then I light went off in Max's head and he knew who Cole was.
Then AP said it was nice to meet everyone but I need Mike for a minute or two. Then he looked at me and said let's take a quick walk. It was quick and to the point as there was a USGA meeting next weekend and I needed to be there. I said sure and why? The bridge fight and then course conditions. Last time, they thought the course was too hard. I laughed and said, so us members play it in faster and harder than the best players in the world? Hell how do I qualify for the tournament? AP laughed and said morning meeting then lunch and golf. I said fine but this place can get damn hard to play in 2 weeks and the damn greens will be cut and rolled while we meet and eat. Mike, make sure Cole is available to play. Ok, what about Sunday? Well I'm figuring you, me and Carole will be too pissed to be around. In fact I think the three of us should play and Heather would be a good add. Ok but how do you know here? He said, well I don't but I am aware of the family and I know she can play. The family is respected but the son is a piece of work. How was golf with him and he laughed as I told the entire story. With that we went our separate ways.
Back at the table the food was there and I was glad that I ordered a salad. I said I was sorry but that was important. The meal was good and drama free with both guys paying attention to Cole and he told a few stories and even the one when Liam snapped his driver. It was my turn to ask somebody to go for a walk and Heather and I started for a walk and we went towards the first tee and there was an out of the way walkway and we we got there I grabbed her and we hugged and kissed. I told her about the golf next Sunday with Carole and AP. She asked if Carole was the Carole she thought it was and I said Semple - Thompson and she said holy shit. I laughed and she asked how are you this connected? I said well that's not for today and Cole drove me here so we don't have time and I kissed her again. We walked back to the table and I signed for the meal and we all started for home.
I was so glad that Cole was driving as I was all used up. That was starting to be a concern and at home I called Dr. Drennan office and left a message with the service asking for an appointment. I was thinking I was just not getting any rest but wanted checked out. I wanted to see Ashley but decided enough was enough and took a shower and chilled out listening to music on my Walkman. My phone buzzed and I was tempted to ignore it but it was the doctor's office. In reality it was the answer sing service and I was told an 8:00 AM appointment. That complicated things but I agreed. With that I prepped the coffee and set the alarm for 6:45 and jumped into bed.
I was up with the alarm and that concerned me as I was in bed early and thought I should have been up without the alarm. I poured a cup of coffee and was reading the paper and remembered to call school and told them I had a doctor appointment. I dressed in jeans and a polo shirt and started to the office. As usual,I was about 15 minutes early. I checked in and sat in the waiting room. I was barely settled in a seat and I was taken to an exam room. The temperature was taken and was normal. Then blood pressure and the nurse just laughed saying I've never seen numbers this good. Please strip to you underpants and the doctor will be right in. I stripped as instructed and just sat on the exam table and waited. Dr. Drennan appeared and asked, what brings you here? I said well I. Overly tired and wanted checked out in case it was an early warning. Then my heart was listened to, my pulse taken. I was told to take deep breaths. My eyes were checked and my throat. He felt under my jaw and checked my glands. Then he said, please stand up and remove your underwear.
Once that was done he checked my balls and felt for swollen glands. Then he said bend over the exam table. He put on gloved and I felt a glob on my hole and then a finger and it was the dreaded rectal exam. When that was done I was told to get dressed and he would see me in his office. Once there I sat and waited and it took a while. Dr. Drennan came in sat down and said Mike, you appear to be in excellent shape but you don't generally complain. I'm going to ask you to go directly to Jefferson Hospital and I'm ordering a bunch of blood work and a urinalysis. The blood work will be a Chem 7, CBC, mono test and an HIV test. Jefferson, so that I get the results today. The HIV test might take longer. He wrote the scripts and looked at me and asked, what's going on. I'm sure your tired for a reason but these tests won't provide the answer. Are you sleeping well? Doc, for the most part. How is school, it's ok. Football? Complicated. Girlfriend? Yup. You having sex with her? Not yet. Sex with anyone? Yes. That last answer must have been that straw that broke the camels back as he handed me the script for the blood work and said get to the hospital, then straight home, no school, no work, until I call you. You really need to be more cooperative and you should schedule an appointment with a real head doctor and he wrote a name and a number on a pad and said call her.
The trip to the hospital was short and the 6 tubs of blood were drawn quickly and I went to my place and jumped into bed with calm classical music on and just laid there. I must have fallen asleep as my phone woke me up and it was coach. He asked if I was ok and I said very tired and waiting for blood work results and I'm grounded till they are back, I'll see you tomorrow and I hung up. For the first time in days I was starving and I looked in my refrigerator and was grossed out as, it was fairly full but most of the shit needed thrown out. I grabbed a garbage bag and pretty much emptied the refrigerator. What was left was a few eggs and some cheese. I opened the freezer and found some sausage links and started to cook. I scrambled 3 eggs and put 6 sausage links in the microwave and sat down and devoured that and was still hungry. I was just getting out of the shower when the phone rand and when I answered the person said Mike please hold for Dr. Drennan. I laughed at that and realized that was the first thing I found funny in days. When he got on the line he was friendly and said that all the blood work was back and that he had a rush on the HIV test and that was negative. The rest of the blood work was very good and there was no concerns. Then he said, eat better and find a way to get 8 or more hours of sleep. Then he said you need to just relax some and in that ridiculous schedule you keep schedule some time for you. Mike, don't answer this question but when was the last time you had an hour for yourself? I got real serious and said well today and thanks for all that. Then I asked if I was cleared and he said well, I called the school and told them you were out till Wednesday morning. Just do something relaxing. Oh you need to stop by and get the excuses for today and tomorrow. With that he hung up.
I went to the house and found Megan with papers all over the dining table. When she saw me she said Mike, what ever you do don't wake Ashley. I'm getting ready for a case as I start back to work next week. I'll be working in the afternoons and since your dad is semi-retired he will take her a couple of days and we have hired an older woman for 3 days a week. Mike, it seems like you have been very busy are things ok? Megan I had a doctor appointment today as I am overly tired and he ordered a ton of blood work and it came back very good, so I'm fine. Mike, how did you get the results so fast? He sent me to Jefferson and put a rush on them as he knew I wasn't going to be sidelined easily. As it is, I'm restricted to "Mike time" till Wednesday. So Mike, what you doing? I smiled and said jump in one of the planes and just fly with nowhere to go. Then I told her about the trip and how much I was looking forward to next year. Mike, what's the difference, you pretty much come and go as it is. I laughed and said well there are still some apron strings and while I need those right now, they need cut. I went right by senior boredom to being done. Just then Ashley screamed and I looked at Megan and said, I'll change her and you get the bottle ready and then get back to work. With that I picked up a screaming Ashley.
Naturally the diaper was a complete mess and she was screaming and kicking the entire time I was cleaning up the mess and trying to get the diaper on. Megan appeared with a bottle and a cloth diaper to use as a rag and dame Ashley attacked the bottle like she hadn't eaten in days. Once she was fed she was as happy as she could be. I held her on my lap and bounced her and it was fun. After about 30 minutes she yawned and I put her in her bed and told Megan I need to do grocery shopping.
Late afternoon was a good time for grocery shopping as there wasn't many people there. I decided to buy just enough stuff to get me through Friday as the weekend was the damn dance and the Winery. I loaded up on vegetables, meat and salad stuff and added a couple of baking potatoes. I drove home and was unloading the car when JJ drove up. He jumped out of the car and asked, where the fuck have you been? I laughed and said an actual doctor appointment and I'm fine just need to rest and relax and I'm out for tomorrow but then good to go. Coach is aware and there was a lot of blood work done and I have a real excuse from the doctor. Also, he recommended a different head doctor. I'll set that up next week. Just so you know I'm disease free and that includes HIV but safer is a key word and that test worried me some. JJ, I'm taking the single engine plane for a flight tomorrow and just flying and going nowhere. Then I said thanks for checking and call me tonight and we went our separate ways.
I was laying on the loveseat with classical music on in the background and a 1,000 things started running through my head. There was work and the move, there was two days out of school and football, there was JJ and Sean and college and I yawned and put my head on the armrest and was about to doze off and suddenly I sat straight up. I knew what the problem was and I would sleep to shut my brain off. That was the only way I could do it and my body found a way. I decided to have a glass of iced water and grabbed the latest Clancy book "Clear and Present Danger" and was immediately hooked. With my phone off I read till about 11:30.
With no alarm set, I slept a bit later and was wide awake at 7:30 and dressed for a run. Then I found a note on the door from dad. The note read " Forget the run, change into casual stuff and we are going for breakfast." I smiled at that and did as instructed. Once in the house dad was ready and he said he was driving and as soon as we turned onto Rt. 51 and headed towards town, I knew we were going to that diner in the West End. On the way he grilled me about the doctor appointment and asked very specific questions, which gave me the idea that he had talked with Dr. Drennan. I was going to find out about that and not involve dad. Once the breakfast was ordered I told him in detail about the VT trip and that I didn't like the big signing event as I wanted to be treated like everyone else and not the headliner of a special group. Dad laughed and said ANKERS AWEIGH. I just looked and he said Mike, that ship has sailed.
The food came and as we are talking he said, I hear you are flying today are you going anywhere special? I said nope, just flying. He hesitated a minute and asked if I minded if he rode along? I cloaked on my coffee and just looked at him. Mike, I'm serious that might be fun and it might also help me relax about all the time you spend flying around the country. Dad, it's the single engine craft and I seriously have no destination in mind. I was quiet as we ate and I was trying to figure out if I could take the larger plane and have it be more comfortable. I excused myself and Called Major Jim. When he answered I asked if it was safe for me to take the twin engine plane up with dad and no copilot? He laughed and said sure just nothing real far as I heard you have been tired. I laughed and said JJ has a big mouth, I'm fine and thanks. Mike, I'll have the plane ready in 45, safe flight.
Back at the table dad asked, so who did you call? I laughed and asked, what going on? Hell you talked with the doctor, you knew about my plans to fly today and now asking about a phone call. Did you get a license for a helicopter or is it remote control? Dad laughed and said Mike, I called the doctor and got almost no information, with time off I knew you would fly and I'm sure you called and checked on the bigger plane. You are just a bit predictable. I laughed and said fair enough and asked for another cup of coffee, to go. Dad finished his coffee and paid the bill. Once in the car I said we need to stop home and change cars as I have papers in the car I'll need? Dad just looked at me and I said Log Book. At the house we simply changed cars and drove to the airport. I immediately went inside and filed a VFR plan for the winery. Outside I found dad and said walk with me and as I explained the pre-flight check in detail land once I was satisfied we climbed aboard. I had dad sit in the right seat and explained he could operate the plane from his seat and that he shouldn't touch anything unless I was aware. Then I told him it would be loud with two engines and we could talk using the head set and he put his on and I set the Chanel and we were good. I started the onboard procedures, started the engines and checked the wind conditions. I looked at dad and asked, so you ready? He smiled and I said, now I need to talk with the airport people, please just listen.
Allegheny Ground, Cessna N24 Romeo, Lima Delta at service line with Sierra permission to taxi for takeoff.
Cessna N24 Romeo, Lima, Delta, Allegheny ground taxi to runway 26
Taxi to runway 26, Cessna N24 Romeo, Lima, Delta.
I knew the airfield and didn't need to look at the map and we were on the move.
At the head of the runway I stopped and contacted ATC.
Allegheny Tower, Cessna N24 Romeo, Lima Delta, Runway 26, ready for takeoff
Cessna N24 Romeo, Lima Delta, Allegheny tower, Runway 26, cleared for takeoff.
Cleared for takeoff, Runway 26, Cessna N24 Romeo, Lima Delta.
Dad was just looking at me and I hit the throttle and we were on our way.
Dad just sat there staring at me and I smiled and asked, what? You do all that every time? Dad if we would stop even for 10 minutes, I would do all that again. Just relax and I hit the button to raise the landing gear and there was the usual noice and dad asked, what was that? I said the landing gear just fell off and we will have an interesting landing. Dad finally laughed an I handed him my log book and said here some light reading. He took the log book and set it aside and asked so where are we headed? I laughed and said the cabin as there is something I want to show you and then lunch and then home. Mike, how long and how do you know the way? Dad, 2 hours and it is visual flight rules and right now we are following RT. 22 and at some point that I have planned out we will head North East. We will fly over Beaver Stadium and then head mor North than East. I have made this trip so often that I have it memorized. Then I said just sit back and relax and enjoy the flight.
Thankfully dad did just that except for a few questions and I had him find our airspeed and direction and altitude using the instruments. When I gave him a couple of minutes notice about seeing the PSU campus dad seemed to relax and it was a great flight and time together. Dad sat quietly through the landing procedure and when we got out I got a big hug. We rented a car and drove to the cabin and I was so looking forward to seeing his reaction, hoping it would be
pleased or at least not upset.
THANKS FOR THE MANY NOTES AND I'M THRILLED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE READING. IT'S A LONG STORY OVER A COUPLE OF YEARS.
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