Practice was intense and I had three plays on offense and was taken out as Coach said that I was going to hurt someone. I just took my helmet off and sat and watched and I noticed Dr. Johnson watching. Practice ended and Coach called us over and reviewed the plans for the rest of the week and we were done at 5:30. Josh and Wyatt were with the media and JJ and I walked to the locker room to change. I was going to wait to talk with Wyatt and damn that took a while as him and Josh spent a lot of time with the media. JJ and I were showered and dressed when they finished and we let them shower and dress and Wyatt looked at me and said damn, you dumped a load of shit on us. I laughed and asked, so who's idea was the sit in? Wyatt laughed and said that's fair, I guess. We went and gathered around our cars and talked. Josh said that they were way too aware of what was happening. They have film and audio for the ONE FOR ALL thing. Wyatt said, I told them that I'd was a team and player discussion and that it should have happened in the lock room. Mike, when they asked what the issue was I said it wasn't an issue it was a discussion. Josh said Mike, we both tried but it was simply too public. Wyatt then added I was out of ways to say no comment without saying those words. Ok, so what did you finally say? Wyatt said Mike, I said that while I wasn't here last year this team has changed and have gotten very tight. We know what we want and know how to get that done. A very experienced and very good coaching staff is adjusting. Today was a bump in that adjustment. Then Josh said guys, they said that there has been drama and issues all year. What caused that? Mike it was almost funny as Wyatt said guys you have been with us all year and if you haven't figured that out, we should change places. Heck, I'll ask the questions and you can try to play QB. Josh said that was bad enough and then Wyatt looked and me and then back at the reporters and said thanks and enjoy your evening and he walked away, I simply followed. With that we simply went our separate ways. Well I drove Wyatt home. Once we were in the car Wyatt said I guess we need to talk with my grandfather. I said yup and Wyatt said well tomorrow after we settle down and he has a chance to digest this shit show.
At my place I threw myself on the loveseat wondering the day could be more fucked up. Having no answer to that I grabbed my phone and called Heather. When she answered I asked if she was free to hang out tonight. She laughed and asked, is that code for having makeup sex at your place. I laughed for the first time today and said babe, I don't do makeup sex and I don't have a code word for anything. She said damn, I'll need to remember that, so what do you have in mind? I said well a quick bite to eat and some shopping at the mall. She said sure but I'll need 30 minutes. I agreed and hung up. Then not even thinking I called the new head doctor's number and was was blown away when it was answered and the voice said, hi this is Carolyn Adams who do I have the pleasure of speaking with. I quickly regrouped and replied this is Mike Simmons and I have..... she stopped me and said been referred my Dr. Drennan. I said that correct. So you need an appointment? I said that's correct I hope we can find a time when our schedules are compatible. She laughed and said well as we are both free tomorrow after your practice I'll see you here at 6:30. I was stunned and didn't reply as quickly as she wanted and she said Mike, once I was told of the referral and since you didn't call right away I checked you out, so no games just be here at 6:30 and she gave me an address with was actually close. I said thanks and we hung up.
Hoping things would go better with Heather than the rest of my day. I stripped and jumped on the scale and it read 228 and I was good with that and when I looked in the mirror that was only acceptable. I skipped the underwear pulled on tight jeans and tight tee and a baggy hoodie. When I pulled into the driveway she immediately bounded out the front door. Fuck, she was hot, dressed in jeans and a tight shirt which showed off her tits and a jean jacket. She looked at me and said damn you are looking hot, you sure we aren't going to your place? I smiled and said well you are looking pretty sexy yourself. I asked if she had eaten and she said yup. The first stop was the food court and we each had an iced tea and I had a half of a hoagie which never hit the paper plate. While sitting there I asked what she was wearing to the dance Saturday? She smiled and said a cote of scarlet paint. I laughed and asked is that code for a skin tight scarlet sleeveless dress? She nodded her head and I said well for me it is a suit, dress shirt, no tie. Mike you should wear a tie as after the dance it could serve other purposes. I said Oh really, what might they be? Well babe get us a room and find out. I laughed and said well as a poor 17 year old rooms are hard to come by. I looked right at her and said, I believe I warned you that you would be ready before me. She laughed and said well I'll wait till Sunday.
Again, trying to change the subject I said babe, Sunday isn't all fun and games. I have a meeting with a contractor and a brief meeting at the Winery. She said Winery? Babe you can drink all the wine you want, I own the fucking place. Look, the meetings will take a total of an hour and we will have the rest of the day. We can do lunch, ride on the lake, skinny dip and dinner and we will be on our way back by 7:30 and home before 10:00. You still want to come? She leaned over and kissed me and I said, I'll take that as a yes. Then we simply walked around the mall and she finally asked, so what you shopping for? Babe, nothing in particular as there isn't much I need. She laughed and we finished both levels of the mall and went to the car? The ride home was idle chat and she asked what the dress was for the trip to New York and I shrugged and said, anything easy to get out of. She sat back and simply laughed and laughed. At her place we made out a bit and I walked her to the door and it was a quick goodnight kiss and I was home in 10 minutes.
I grabbed my phone as I hadn't looked at it all night. There were calls from Dr. Johnson, the coach (2), JJ, Wyatt and Diane. All the messages were the same as everyone wanted a call back. First call was to Wyatt and he said that we could talk with his grandfather around 8:00 tomorrow night. I explained about the appointment and said that 8:00 should work. Next I called Diane who answered laughing. Mike I looked at the raw footage of you practice today, it was a rating bonanza. Do you have any comment? Diane, Josh and Wyatt answered all the questions that were ask, I would have nothing to add. Then she said Mike, get the Major off his ass and I want an interview. I said, well call and ask again but give it till Friday. We hung up and I called JJ. He answered asking where I was all night and I said out with Heather. Mike, have you talked with Wyatt? JJ, I did and 8:00 tomorrow works. So Mike what now? JJ we talk and play a game Friday and we need to win as a homecoming loss would be unacceptable. Ok dude, how we doing that? JJ, we ran the key moments in all the other games, it will be fine. Oh, Jim had surgery and he might be there Friday. He can call some plays. Look, I'm beat and have a bitch of a day tomorrow so just relax and I'll see you in the morning.
I immediately called JJ back and said dude, I'm sorry, I just was forced to take a day off to relax and this shit got stirred up. JJ said MJ, believe me I understand and I wasn't upset, but we shouldn't have to apologize to each other. I laughed and said goodnight. Then my phone buzzed and it was JJ asking if I wanted him to come over for makeup sex. I laughed out loud and said goodnight and hung up. Figuring, I would deal with the principal and coach in the morning at school I prepped the coffee set the alarm and striped and piled on the covers.
I was up with the alarm and was hoping that wasn't a sign of things to come as I had a full schedule till 10:00 tonight. I was wishing I had a big eraser that would let me erase school from my day. I was sure with 2 unreturned call to administration there wouldn't be much class time. I dressed in black jeans and a polo shirt and casual shoes and packed shirt for practice. The coffee was ready and it was off to school. As is typical JJ parked beside me and walking to the building he asked MJ, do you think there will be practice today. I laughed and asked that when he found out please leave me a message, my day is fucked up and I could use a break. He laughed and I started towards English. I saw Dr. Johnson and Coach Weston and I went up and said, OH GOOD, I CAN DEAL WITH THE TWO OF YOU AT THE SAME TIME. Dr. Johnson laughed and Coach just shook his head. I looked at him and was a little sad as I was sensing the ending of our special relationship. Well at least the beginning of the end. I looked at Dr. Johnson and asked if she was aware and he smiled and said yes. I just left it at that and we went to the principal's office. We were all sitting around the small conference table and Coach asked Mike, where is the team? Coach, they are in various classrooms? Mike, that's not what I meant and you know it. Look coach, yesterday was a surprise to me and it took some time for me to work out a compromise and at the same I was hoping the adults in the room would, for the first time all year, run the program. Look we are tight as a team when we are together. We don't hang out, we don't party we simply pull together and play football. We are different outside all that but are very, very tight as a team. Coach so since we didn't hang around after practice I have no answer for you. Other than to say it better treat each of us the same. Coach said Mike, even you? I said coach, that does it, I'm going to class and the next time you need bailed out, you should not be looking in my direction. I simply left and was a bit surprised that Dr. Johnson didn't stop me.
I was permitted to get through AP History but when class was over there was Dr. Johnson by the door. When I went over to him he said Mike, after next period please come to my office and I already signed you out of study hall. I said sure but would have liked out of AP Physics. I simply went to class and as usual relied on my memory to get me through. On the way to the Principal's office I ran into JJ who and laughed and said, better luck with round two. I just shook my head and said JJ why don't you join me, fuck I could use the support. When we got to Doc's office and he saw JJ he asked what JJ needed. JJ replied well I have never been to the Principal's office uninvited before, I wanted to see what it was like. We all laughed at that and Doc picked his phone and asked his secretary to let JJ's English teacher know he was present and accounted for. I smiled and couldn't wait to ask JJ who he had for English when Doc looked at me smiled and said yup and I'll deal with her. JJ just shrugged and sat there wondering what that was all about.
The Doc asked so JJ what's different about this team? JJ replied well 3 adds, 1 deduction and maturity. Doc said that's interesting but let's talk about maturity. JJ said, well I wasn't here last year I'm one of the adds and with out missing a beat he switched to that Texas drawl. Doc back at my small Texas high school I was king shit and all I ever did was smoke, drink, fuck, play football and when the mood hit me attend class. Doc laughed and said nice try but I have seen your academic records and you did a hell of a lot more than occasionally attend class. JJ laughed and said, please don't tell anyone down there about that. It was hard work keeping my grades up without letting the ranch hands know. Doc, what yinz have here is a football team that for the most part acts and plays like a small college team. (Yinz, is a Pittsburgh word that translates to y'all or you all). They go their own way hookup for football and do their own thing. Oh, we would beat a lot of small college teams, if given the chance. Hell we haven't played a complete game all year and are undefeated. However, at some point that will bite us in the ass.
Doc didn't say anything the asked and the deletion? Doc, pardon by language but that was a cluster fuck. Mostly because it impacted one of the additions. Wyatt didn't come to this school by accident, he wasn't recruited, his grandfather installed him here. Heck with the job his dad got they could have bought a house anywhere and joined any Country Club. Doc looked surprised and asked, what you saying? JJ smiled and back in his Texas drawl said, gosh this cowpoke thinks you should talk with Coach Carson. Ok Tex, how did you get here? Gee gosh, I believe this asshole sitting beside me hired my pa. Look Doc, I didn't have a choice but I'm glad I landed here. Doc, one thing you need to check out is the change in Wyatt. Hell he went from an eaglet to a bird with way too many adult feathers and for some strange reason Coach Weston puts up with it. On the other hand he is right much more than not on the field. Understand he has total control of the huddle and says all the right things to the media but you will need 3 coaches to manage him next year. Before I move on I'm going to pluck a few feathers.
Then JJ launched into a 15 minute tirade about Sam and how the adults failed to deal with him in a constructive and compassionate manner. Basically Doc, it was my way or the highway and he chose the highway and used one of the most outrageous excuses I have ever heard. Hell, no one in that fucked up family goes to church. Doc said JJ it is a bit more complicated than that. JJ looked right at him and said NO IT WASN'T. I could tell Doc didn't appreciate the raised voice but asked JJ how do we fix the situation with the people we have? JJ, back in Texas, replied well y'all left the barn door open and the horses escaped, how big is your lasso?
JJ had simply in his unique way stunned Dr. Johnson and I was glad it wasn't me who had to do it. Suddenly it was my turn as Doc asked Mike, what do you have to say about all this? I shrugged and said well not much other than to say JJ was spot on. However I will add that while the adults don't have a big enough lasso, JJ, Josh and I do. We will need your help. Ok, Mike what do you guys need and I'll see if I can get it done?
Doc, please understand the pressure is intense on all of us. Coach Weston and his crew are good very good and they will be better next year when our class is gone. We have by my last count 6 Division 1 players that will graduate. Expectations will be much lower next year and the Junior class is solid and the Sophomores are very good. Wyatt will mature and his leadership style will develop into something more manageable as he grows up. Hell, he can't even drive and he is QB 1 on the top ranked team in the damn country. Trust me I wouldn't what to have to earn that ranking as it is all hype and bull shit. Doc, what we need is time for a team only meeting and I mean TEAM ONLY, no media, no adults or people posing as adults, just us. Doc, I don't have a nano second of time today. So please figure that out and let me know in the morning. Oh, we need an event tomorrow night, our colors are purple and white and I'm thinking a white out. I know it isn't original but it works. Then I said, I really need to go as I'm about to be late for a meeting. JJ chimed in saying, again in Texas speak, this cowpoke is starving and it's lunch time. Doc said, ok Mike I'll call you tonight and I headed for the office.
At work, I parked the car and decided enough was enough and I needed a parking space. Inside I saw Kyle, Brian and the Major in the conference room. I simply walked by and went to the break room and grabbed a bottle of water and an energy bar and went back to the conference room. I was glad to see that Liam had arrived. I sat down and while opening my water I asked, so who can explain how that used car salesman Hardymon got here? Kyle looked right at me and said Michael, calm the fuck down. I set that up as a 15 minute meet and greet and it was business related as I would like to work with them as they are becoming an aviation force. You didn't help by stroking his massive ego and letting him know you had checked him. Which makes me ask how you did that and why? Kyle I wasn't stroking his ego and as for why, I don't invest in dog shit unless I know what the fuck is going on and I wanted everyone in the room to know that. Immediately the Major looked at Kyle and said Mike isn't the only one in the room who needs to calm down and please try to remember this isn't the Nixon White House, adult vocabulary please. I looked at Kyle and we both burst out laughing.
Then I said let's talk about the various planes and who uses them and why. I'm asking not because I care but because the IRS will care and there will be no issues with them. The Major said he wanted a copy of my Log Book with notes or why the plane was used. He would do the same for Jack, Jace and JJ. Then he added and I'll provide my information as well. Then he said that it would not be complicated as there are only three categories, PERSONAL, TECHNOLOGIES and TECHNOLOGIES. I said correct and that I would pay for all the personal use and as a lot of that was training. Let's get all the numbers and I'll work on my information over the weekend and I need a quick turn around as I will have a big check to write. I looked at the Major and said Jim, please dump a lot of this on Jordan and the people in his department, they should know the tax laws.
Kyle then said he had met with Hardymon before he met with us and that a broad plan had been discussed about us working for them on most of their technology needs as they are adding Cessna and then possibly another manufacturer. Yes the deal would include two planes and PR stuff and that there was enough in the package that Technologies would make money. He said the hold up was that in addition everything mentioned he was trying to get them to add a simulator to the package. It was very much a work in progress. We spent some time on a few other things and then Kyle asked for a few minutes of my time. I said sure but can Liam stay and he agreed.
Once it was the 3 of us Kyle said that he was sorry I was blindsided but his meeting with Hardymon and mine overlapped a bit and he didn't have time to give me a heads up. I calmly said Kyle simply call me on you personal phone and I'll find a way to talk, it's no big deal and I should have told you I had checked out Textron. Kyle laughed and said you checking them out resulted in them calling me you know CEO to CEO. I laughed and said just so it wasn't ego to ego and even Liam laughed at that. I had a few minutes and once Kyle was gone Liam said that John Carson suggested 11:30 at South Hills and that he chose that because he wanted a longish weekend. The I was told that Scott Cleary would be there as well and that things were moving along as they want my thoughts on architects and that they would start to negotiate on 2 locations. He added that Cleary seemed to have a handle on all that. I said Liam, lunch tomorrow coat and tie, he laughed and said he was aware.
It was early but I drove to school changed for practice which was shorts and a tee and a helmet. The note indicated it was a typical walk through. I changed quickly and went to the stadium and sat in the top row of the bleachers and was thinking how to avoid another shit show at practice. I went to the stadium and sat in my usual spot and was joined soon enough by JJ and I smiled and asked if he was planning a career as a stand up comic. He laughed and said well that's a solid plan B. I laughed and we sat quietly till it was time for practice. Practice was uneventful but a closer look showed that things weren't good as everyone except for a few of us were going through the motions. Thankfully we finished early as Coach wasn't into it either. All I could say is the we would have to see what it became tomorrow. I took a longish shower and put my black jeans on and changed to a Nike polo shirt and drove to Mc Donald's and had a Big Mac and fries and a large coffee. I sat in the car thinking about football and what JJ told the principal and him comparing us to a small college team and that approach was spot on. What remained was how to deal with it and if we found a solution could we sell it to the team. The film session tonight would be interesting.
I looked at the time and decided to find Dr. Adam's office. As I expected it was easy to find as it was in a suite of offices in a shopping center about a 1/2 Mike from my place. At 6:20 I got out of the car and went upstairs and found her office and went into a small waiting room and sat down. Then I noticed a sign which said, upon arrival puts the button once and have a seat. Thinking that was strange, I simply did what was requested. My ass barely hit the seat and a door opened and a women in her mid 30's appeared and she had a pants suit on, short blond hair and comfortable shoes. First impression was that she was very professional and no nonsense. I stood up and introduced my self and we went into what could pass for a small living room and she said, have a seat and indicated one of two identical club chairs. I just sat down and she sat in the other one. There was no small talk, just right to business with her asking, Michael what brings you here? I asked if she would please call me Mike and she said sure and just sat there. I said I don't know? She smiled and said well let's start with what I know. You went to Dr. Drennan complaining about being tired. He ran a number of blood tests which produced some of the best numbers I have seen, so you are not sick, what brought you here? I need to know why I'm note focusing for more than a minute at a time and why the damn alarm wakes me every morning and why I'm impatient? She laughed and said that's easy, you are depressed. I said thanks and started to get up and was told instantly to sit the fuck down. I was shocked by the language and then sat down and just laughed. She asked what's so funny? I shrugged and said you knowing how to manage me after something like 5 minutes and 30 words. Mike, my problem is to figure why and there is no way that's happening unless you cooperate.
Mike, if you don't cooperate I'm not wasting my time and your money so either cooperate or leave. It's your call and there is a question I have based on the blood tests. I said yes, I am. Mike yes you are what? I smiled and said having sex with both sexes. That brought the first smile I had seen out of her. Then she said damn, I was expecting an explosion. Mike, do you have a boyfriend or is this casual hookups? I was tempted to simply answer yes but said a boyfriend and a very occasional hookup. Ok, are you dating a girl? I said yes. Having sex with her? Not yet. Mike do you need permission from the boyfriend to have sex with her? I laughed and said no. Oh, he doesn't need my permission either. Then I said Dr. Adams these relationships are not why I'm depressed, if indeed I am depressed.
She was quiet for a while and I wasn't saying the next word. So Mike, was it you mother killing herself? I said nope, she hated me from my first breath and I never really cared about her
and relied on my dad. Ok, and your brother? I said the same and one of the best days of my live was when I threw their ashes in the air at Kitty Hawk and smashed their urns. I haven't thought about them in months. Dad has remarried and I have a brother, I love. A baby sister, I'm in love with and a stepmom who I have a special relationship with. So it's not that. She shook her head and asked so how many compartments are there in your head? I smiled and said lots and most are securely locked tight. Mike, they are never locked as tight as you think and when there is a jail break it is sometimes devastating. We need to work on that but will do that eventually. What about a recent event? I shook my head and asked how did you check me out without me knowing it? She laughed and said, Dr. Drennan sent over all your records, actually he is worried about you.
I took a deep breath and said Carrie. Mike, who was Carrie? I said my first love, soulmate and we loved each other so much we couldn't make it work and found every possible way to hurt each other. She looked at me and said go on don't stop. Look we had the same goals but very different paths to those goals. Then at the end dying in a hospital bed her last words were Mike, I love you. I replied babe I loved you. As soon as I said that, I was upset because the last thing she heard was that once I did love her. Mike, should you have lied to her? I shrugged and said nope, I don't do that. She managed a final victory. Mike is that she beat you that bothers you? I said nope it was how she won a total victory and left nothing. I never do that hell tomorrow night I'll sack the QB and then help him up. Always leave some respect. Look Mike how was her dying a total victory, seems to me that you are the one here and alive? Well I haven't thought about it in those terms? Mike, did you break up with her? Dr. Adams that's a complicated question and I told her the story about the Nemacolin trip and the fight where she would simply fuck me into submission. Then I was asked why did the Nemacolin thing upset you? Well because lunch for me at a 5 Star French restaurant never works. It's expensive and I like almost everything but hated the menus and the damn glitter. Then Dr. Adams asked Mike, is it possible you are making too much out of this relationship? I said No it isn't and sat there glaring at her.
Then we simply chatted or rather I talked and she listened about a bunch of different stuff and soon enough the time was up and I was asked if I wanted another appointment. I said yes and was surprised when she asked if I was free on Monday? We agreed at 6:30 again. In the car I just sat there thinking Sam was right, I need Carrie alive so I can fucking kill the bitch myself. With that it was off to see Wyatt and his grandfather.
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