We went into the conference room and I stopped in the doorway as sitting beside Wyatt was his grandfather. I was furious but Mr. Carson shouted what is he doing with the administration and not here with the students. He isn't special. Dr. Johnson looked at him and said either behave or get out and I will call security if necessary. He replied I have a right to be here. Dr. Johnson said Mr. Carson you don't as Wyatt's parents have that right, so cooperate or leave, we haven't even started. While this was going on I set up some folding chairs and arranged them in a semicircle. Once things settled down I asked everyone to join me. Once we were settled Wyatt's grandfather ask so where is my seat. I said Mr. Carson find a chair but we are staying here. Son, I'm Coach Carson. Well sir you were Coach Carson and that was a while ago and in Ohio and I'm not your son. Now please listen quietly.
I took a beep breath and said guys, I have had long conversations throughout the day wit both Dr. Johnson and Coach Weston and they have reached a decision. We collectively have agreed that I would be best to explain things. Until last year our school has had limited athletic success. A lot of people thought football was because of a special group and that we would be one and done. Well we are not one and done. This all started 8 years ago when the current Seniors were in 5th grade. We went undefeated in youth football, then in 6th grade the same and we moved to Junior High and the same. We were special but we were special because we worked and worked hard and believed in ourselves. We lifted and worked out and we progressed. There were and still are leaders, there was Jeff, Ray, Jim and me. We got big heads and large egos and there were wild football parties. Sure they were fun and beer and drugs were around for those who wanted them. I decided that I wasn't into all that and simply stopped going. Dr. Johnson had a meeting with all of us but we as a team were done. What we felt as a team was work hard and prepare, work hard in school and prepare, work hard and prepare in everything. You see there was and is a program, you buy into that or you play another sport. Each yeas as we moved up we left intentionally or not someone to keep that message alive.
The bottom live is that Jim is here hurt but didn't start till early last year, Jeff is gone and in a wheelchair and Ray is at a military academy in Eastern Pa. This team has been built in my image, work as hard as Mike, share credit as Mike does no matter how good you played share the credit. Play hard fair and win with class and lose with grace. No one is bigger than the team. We express that every game and at most practices when we say Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno.
So we got to this point because key members of this years team don't have that history. JJ moved in and adapted. Rod, you kick and would rather be the star soccer player and star you are and we are damn glad to have you. Clark, you knew the program and are pretty much a victim as all you did was do what we asked you to do and even ended up in the hospital. Wyatt, while you are not as innocent as Clark, you haven't had it easy. You move here, left your friends and were on the 9th grade team and some JV. Sam leaves, Jim is hurt and you become QB1. You stepped up and did a hell of a job until you were lead to believe you were benched and things blew up. You then told some of us in this room that your goals were different than hours and you had 3 years to win a championship. If you join with us you could easily win 4 championships. Josh and Todd, you are the heirs apparent. Next year the team will have to work like you two work. You need to find with coach an heir. There isn't a bad team behind us.
Now we need everyone on the team to commit to the program. No one is bigger than the team, we work hard, we prepare and we share the credit. That is especially true for everyone in this room and it won't be easy because words don't matter, you need to prove it with you actions and cooperation. Now this is a heads up and coach has decided how we will deal with Friday. This will be addressed at practice tomorrow afternoon. Wyatt, you will not be starting and Clark will start. There has been no determination on how much either of you will play. You both need to be ready. If that is unacceptable to anyone please talk with Coach. Once he decides, if you still disagree please don't come to the game Friday. As for the media, anything concerning who starts or playing time should be referred to the coach. That's means no sly comments or hints. So Wyatt and Clark, are we good? All of a sudden there was Wyatt's grandfather yelling Wyatt, let's go we aren't putting up with this crap. I just looked at Wyatt feeling sorry for him. He looked and said granddad as a coach you would take the same stand as there guys are. Please go home and I'm sure one of my teammates will get me home, I'm all in. I took a deep breath and and sat there. I vaguely heard Coach say, I'll see everyone tomorrow for practice and it will be a Wednesday practice so pads. Wyatt came up to me and asked if I would please ride him home? I said Wyatt your granddad is still here? Mike, we are going to have a giant fight and I need to put that off long enough to be calm. Wyatt, I'll be glad to do that? Have you eaten? He said no, I haven't. Tell your grandfather that you have a way home and that you will stop to get a bite to eat first. There was a big smile and I gathered everyone together and asked who wanted to go to the Tavern for a bite to eat? JJ laughed and said well as team owner, we assume you are paying. I thanked Dr, Johnson and Coach and started for the door. Wyatt's grandfather stepped in front of me and said, you are a real piece of work with little respect for your elders. I started to walk away and he grabbed my arm. I pulled away and looked at him smiled and said seriously you seriously want to get physical? You ever lay a hand on me again and I will with all the respect you deserve have you arrested for assault. Now get out of my way. I took a step and stopped, turned and said, more importantly get out of Wyatt's was he doesn't need your type of help.
At the Tavern, I told the owner no special drinks as we need to be smart. It has been an ugly night. We all ordered drinks and sandwiches. We were actually having a good time and it seemed that the drama of the past few days was easily put aside. Then I noticed two police officers with the owner and after a short conversation one of the offers said guys, we are sorry to bother you but we have a report that you have been served alcohol and we need to follow up. I said Officer, I'm sure all of us will gladly cooperate but as for me I'll let you do a breath test, a blood test, you can examine my drink or simply trust the owner. However, once all that is done you should arrest the person who alleged all this for filing a false and misleading police report. Then the officer realized who I was and said Mike, we are good. Well officer, I'm not good and I'm sure you were told iced tea was actually beer, please check my drink and I handed him my drink. He looked and said, sorry to have bothered you.
I looked at Wyatt and said please tell you granddad that this was strike 3. He laughed, pointed and said well tell him your self as he is right here. I stood and put my hands in my pocket and went over and said, strike 1 was when you fucked Wyatt up. Strike 2 was when you put your hands on me earlier tonight. Strike 3 is this time. That's a baseball term for you are OUT. What it means is that I will us my vast resources to make your life miserable. If I were you I wouldn't even jaywalk. Then I said by the way your film sessions are over for me and as a result it will be you and Wyatt but understand I'm having you banned from our stadium. Enjoy your evening and I went back with the others. I was really feeling sorry for Wyatt and told him that I wouldn't have his granddad banned from the games and he said well, I'm betting my dad does that. Dad and mom have been on my ass about grades and school work, I was being told that it didn't matter as I was a star and college and the Pros would take care of everything. Then he said Mike, jaywalking will be an issue and we both laughed.
The food came and things got back to somewhat normal but I think everyone understood what had happed with Wyatt and making more than an effort. I went to the owner and told him I was sorry for the drama and he said Mike, I don't know how you do it or were we just lucky. I shrugged and said I was simply reading the tea leaves. Mike, you know that ends the beer? I said yup and we will see you Friday, it is an away game but close and we will all be expecting soft drinks. We come here because it's a fun atmosphere. I hope Josh and Todd continue it next year. I tried to pay and was told to get out of here and drive home safely.
In the car I suggested that Wyatt have his dad around when he talked with his granddad. Wyatt said Mike, I'm sure that conversation is already underway. Wyatt, tonight ended the drinks at the Tavern and no one will care as I won't care. Just be cool and never apologize for something someone else does. We pulled in his driveway and he walked slowly to the house and went inside. I felt sorry for him and would talk with his dad tomorrow. While things were fixed they needed to stay fixed as I had used a ton of political capital to get this resolved. It damn well better result in PSAA gold. Then I remember Cole and that the Districts were the same weekend as my interview with Diane. I needed to free up Saturday. Tomorrow I would have Major Jim finalize the schedule with Diane.
At my place, I need to review a shit load of school work and definitely need current on English. But when I went inside JJ was sitting there drinking a beer and he had one ready for me. He smiled and said MJ, you are sexy when you are mad but damn you knew the routine with the police. I simply told him the story of how the Foundation came about and he just took a swig of his beer and said no wonder those officers were so nice. I leaned in and we kissed and were making out and JJ stopped and said damn it I have work to do and he undid my belt unzipped my jeans and gave me one of the best blow jobs ever. After I had unloaded in his mouth he got up and started to leave and I simply h led him close and lowered his sweats and sucked him till he yelled FUCK, I'M GOING TO SHOOT. Once he was drained I smiled and said now you can go. He said thanks as I'm trying to get finished so we can spend all night together Friday. I'm hoping the runs will ok that as we have an early flight Saturday. I laughed and said well why you standing here get to work.
I had just finished reading for English and was dealing with History and my phone rang and it was Jace. Mike, I'm sorry to bother you at night but I missed at the office. Jace, it's never a problem what's up? Mike the harvest will be completed tomorrow except for the section for the ice wine and we need a hard freeze for that. Things are good and we are making as much wine as we can but we could use additional equipment. Mike the reason for the call is that ABC News wants to take some videos to use in your interview. They suggested Friday and I asked them to come on Saturday as we would be more active. I laughed and said thanks you just ruined my last free weekend of the year. I was going to call you tomorrow and let you know JJ and I would be there early Saturday and leaving Sunday mid afternoon. I need to get away.
Jace, this isn't me checking up, I simply need time out of Dodge. Look, the Major and I were going to firm up the interview schedule as Cole is playing in the District Finals next weekend on Saturday. Football and classes and golf all make it interesting. I'll let you know. Thanks for the call. We hung up and I just laughed about JJ working his ass off so we could have a free weekend. I'll just have to make it up to him Friday night after the game.
I finished history and spent the rest of the evening on Comp. Sci. And CMU work. I was amazed when I looked at the time and it was nearly midnight. I organized the section and packaged in an email and sent it to the Dean at CMU. I jumped into bed and laid there thinking next July when I show up at VT none of this will have mattered. Just on of many with the same resume. Well at least I didn't have to set the alarm for 5:00 AM.
I woke looking forward to a normal day and most importantly a normal practice, whatever that was. At school I found Heather and asked babe, where have you been? Mike, it was two bad days but good news. I smiled and said, so your not pregnant? She shook he head and said damn you can certainly be blunt and rude. Well in that case I guess you don't want to hang out tonight, hell I'll even shower after practice. She laughed and said well a nice hot shower together would be nice. Well Heather, I'll pick you up after practice and we can grab a bite to eat and see what comes up. I leaned in for a kiss and she rubbed my package and said, well if this needs help see your buddy Jim, I'm sure he has a pill that would fix that. Babe there is never a problem and I placed her hand on my hardening package and she smiled. Then I grabbed her and said make sure this is wet enough as I hate lube. I could see she was thinking about slapping me and I simply turned and walked to class. I was amused as class was NORMAL and it was largely a discussion on the previous nights reading. The only remark was her thanking me for fitting class into my schedule. I actually found that funny and simply said your welcome. History was finally as we had a raging debate dealing with how fast the US was able to produce the materials needed for WWII. I argued that the infrastructure was there having been built in the late 1800's and that WWI was practice as there had to be WWII because of the lousy peace agreement that ended it. When I said all we had to do was flip a switch and turn it on, I thought the teacher was going to loose it. Nothing was resolved but it was a fun 50 minutes. Physics was more wave theory and again I appreciated the math but not much els. I didn't even consider study hall but wondered what that class would be next semester as gym was one semester. Well I haven't decided if I'm here next semester.
On the way to the office I stopped at a deli and got a sandwich and a drink to go and went straight to my office and was eating at the conference table when Major Jim came in. He started with Mike there is a problem. I smiled and said they want a film crew at the winery correct? Well that and they want you LIVE on Sunday morning. Ok Jim, your thoughts? Mike at first I was a no fucking way in hell but then again you won't have to worry about what they edit and what they don't. Jim, what's the alternative? They film Saturday afternoon. Jim, Cole will be playing in the state finals Friday and Saturday. I'm worried about Friday as if I miss school I can't play and it's Senior Recognition and I don't want to miss that. Jim felt that LIVE was the only choice and I asked how the winery photo shot would be worked in. Jim shrugged and picked up his phone and called the producer. I simply watched and ate my sandwich. It was a very interesting back and forth and went on for a while and finally Jim said, I'll call you back in 30 let me run all this by my guy.
Mike, your schedule makes this really complicated and there are no easy answers. Friday is out as you have football. Saturday you have golf Sunday would have to be live. My suggestion is that we do it Thursday afternoon and they are checking to see what Diane's schedule is. It appears she can come in Wednesday. Jim, that would be perfect and tell her if she can manage it we can go to dinner, my treat. Have her pick either LaMonte with a view or Oakmont. Just then the Major's phone rang and it was the producer. The final deal was part of the interview on Wednesday afternoon and part Thursday afternoon and my office would be tied up both days. I was told dinner with a city view was perfect.
Next Liam appeared with Scott Cleary and we all sat at the conference table and the Highmark project would close on one of the properties next week and that demo and construction would start in two weeks and he was done with that one property. The project managed was in charge from that point. When I told him I wanted the adjacent property and he said well how much do you want to spend. My reply of "as little as possible" made him laugh. Seriously ask them what they want and we will go from there. It's about the same size as this lot but it is locked in as they can't get access to the highway. We need to take advantage of that. Mike, how soon do you want this to happen? I smiled and said close in 30 days and cash. Of that doesn't work for them they can continue to grow weeds.
Once Scott was gone Liam and I spent an hour talking. It was business with him asking a lot of questions and a lot of time was spent on my office and the their access. Then he said Mike, look around you have a 20' x 20' office and all you have in it is a few files lined up against the only wall on the floor a desk and a 4' conference table. Hell you have room for a ping pong table. You need some soft seating. Something like 4 club chairs and a table in the middle. Something sleek and modern. Liam that sounds good, work it out with Bruce at the furniture dealership. Liam, I need to spend the afternoon tomorrow looking for a car dealership that can deal with our varied needs. With that I grabbed my laptop and left for school and practice.
At school I thought I was I was in the wrong locker room. There was noise and music and I found JJ who said MJ, someone turned on fun times. The feeling is that the Sam drama is over and we have 2 very good, very young and very different quarterbacks. I wasn't envying the position Josh and Todd were in next year. Clark came up and asked if the music was ok and I smiled and said, I'm good but JJ hates it, he wants some country music. Clark laughed and said well he would try to work that in. I finished putting pads on and went to the stadium. It wasn't a hard practice but it wasn't a Thursday practice either. I was confused about the different atmosphere but since it was more relaxed, I wasn't questioning it. I changed and went home.
At home it was a long hot shower jeans and a hoodie and I simply skipped the boxer briefs and went to pick up Heather. I rang the bell and Heather's dad answered. We shook hands and he said have a seat as Heather is never ready on time. I sat on the sofa and he sat in a club chair and I was wondering if this was a business talk or him asking if I was fucking his daughter. All I knew it was more that Heather wasn't ready yet. Mr. Kirkpatrick asked about the team and I said we are finally in a good place and looking forward to the playoffs. So Mr. Kirkpatrick how are things at the law firm? Mike, being the partner in charge keeps me so busy, I barely practice law, but you should know about that. Well, that's true but I have a great team and I try to stay away from the day to day stuff. Mike, your guy Tim does a great job what would you think about him joining my firm and work on your companies' legal issues. Well with all due respect that's totally FUCKED UP. While I'll do everything possible to keep Tim it's his choice and I will respect whatever he decides but you firm will never get near my companies legal work. Mike, that was a heads up as I will make him an offer tomorrow. Just then Heather appeared and she took one look at the two of us and asked, is everything ok? I smiled and said perfect, let's go.
Outside she immediately stopped at the door and asked, what just happened? I said business and it's fine. Michael, obviously it isn't and I'm going inside and find out what just happened. I shrugged and said that's up to you, I'll see you at school tomorrow. Oh, are you going to the game? She said yes and I told her we were all going to the tavern after as it is a close away game. She said fin unless I'm in jail for murdering my dad. Heather I told you it's fine but you shouldn't let business get in the was of our things. Mike well you are about 75% business so that's an unreasonable ask. I grabbed her gave her a big kiss and she went inside and I went to my place.
Once there I grabbed an iced tea and started to think about tomorrow and school, work and football. The hardest and most important one was football, I needed to have fun playing or no one else would. Then work and I would wait to see how Tim reacted to an offer. The three most important people were Kyle, Major Jim and Tim. Liam was getting there but he was still a work in progress but he seems to be able to adapt well to things. I was anxious to see what his office would be like as I knew it would reflect his image and style. I went to the house and found Megan reading papers for a case and dad in his office I went in and he offered me a drink and I declined saying I just wanted to chat. Ok Mike, what's going on? I filled him in of football and he asked, are you upset about Wyatt's granddad? Well yes and no. He was unfair to Wyatt and yet Wyatt should have known better. Dad started laughed and said Mike, your granddad could have told you to walk down 5th Avenue naked and you would have asked how far. Dad, why don't I remember him and the times at the lake? Mike, you were young and had just started kindergarten when he got sick. You do remember him and the lake but not on a conscious level, you should talk with you head doctor about that. Mike, you should also ask what your issues are with Wyatt's grandfather. Mike, I can't help as you spent a lot of time with your granddad and I wasn't there for most of it. Talk with your doctor and then we can see how I can help. When I told him about the offer Tim was going to get, dad just looked and said Mike go slow as this will be one hell of an offer. Dad, I don't won't to lose him but I won't get into a bidding war. Right now he doesn't have long hours and our work won't be all that he will be doing. Besides, I won't want what we are doing broadcasted all over the world by a big firm. Mike, he is loyal and I know we can match the money but that's a shitty way to run a business. You will need to consider who will be next. I shook my head and said dad, I know. Please be around tomorrow afternoon. Mike, I'll be in just find me. I said thanks and went to my place.
I was getting ready for a shower and my phone went off and it was Heather. She said Mike, I'm sorry about tonight and dad and I had a wicket fight which ended up with him telling me business was none of my damn business. Babe, that's too bad all I would ever ask is that we don't fight because of something I did or couldn't do business wise. If appropriate I would always explain things to you. Mike, what's appropriate? Heather the more serious we get the more I would willingly discuss. Tonight, we both blew that and should have been together. Babe not because of the sex but because we need to spend more time together and that's hard as I need to be in New York this weekend because of a photo shoot for the interview and the finish of the grape harvest. Stop weekend is football and the golf finals. Then Wednesday and Thursday is the interview. Oh, if you want you can watch all that. Heather asked Mike, why another interview? Well they are fascinated with me and I predicted this latest economic slowdown when no one else say it coming. They don't know it but I hope to be able to announce a new project. Babe, as for your dad, it will be what it becomes but it is very unlikely, I'll ever do business with his firm. As for him going after Tim, I don't want to lose him but this won't be a bidding war. I treat everyone in the company, especially the key people, like family. If that doesn't matter, I'll adjust. On the other hand I might need a few more lawyers. She laughed and said, oh please do that. Babe, I'll see you in school tomorrow.
With that it was time for a long hot shower and bed. It was a pretty good day. Sleep didn't come easy as Tim and football were competing for space in my head.
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