I looked at the tree and thought it looked good and it already it smelled really good. Then I realized that I had forgot to use the tree bag and if I didn't attach that there would be pine needles all over the place when I took the decorations off. With that I had to take the tree out of the stand attach the bag, reinsert the tree in the stand and tighten it in place. Then I remembered the water and added that to the stand. The white bag was then arranged as a skirt to hide the stand. After dealing with the tree I showered and put on sweats and was going commando. Then I poured a small scotch which was more ice than anything else. I went looking for Christmas music and finally settled on a local radio station which was Christmas music all the time till the 26th. Then I sat on the loveseat and was sipping my drink.
I had no idea how the others would react with the tree trimming but I was really happy an I would bet that none of them would believe that this was my first tree in 6 or 7 years. Then I remembered all the fights with mom and Bill and it was like that every time there was a holiday or a special event. Dad would try but mom pushed every button dad had and Bill would alway side with mom. It was mom and Bill and me and dad. I was always simply glad to get through the day and get to bed. Then I laughed and thought NOT TONIGHT and NEVER AGAIN. Just then the door opened and Winnie was standing there. I immediately grabbed her and gave her a big hug. She looked at me and asked Mick, what's up? I smiled and said well just ghosts of Christmas past but I'm over it. She looked at the tree and laughed and said Mick, nobody said we were trimming a tree. I thought we were drinking and hanging out? Winnie, humor me as I haven't had a tree sine I was 10 or 11 and I'm hoping you and my best friend and his girl will help make this special. She smiled and said, well I can do that but I'm not sure about JJ as he wants to simply get drunk and fuck. Winnie, what about you? There was no answer but she went to counter and made a gin and tonic took a sip and grabbed my hand and led me to the bedroom.
Once in the room she shut the door pointed to the bed and said sit. Then she took another sip of her drink and placed the glass on my desk and sat beside me. We were both quiet for awhile and then she asked, so do you want to talk about those ghosts? I smiled and said nope, mom and Bill, my brother, make an occasional visit and they are locked in their box in my head. She smiled and asked, so has anyone else escaped their box? Winnie, Carrie doesn't have a box as I am totally over that. Actually I put that box in a dumpster. Mick, I accept that but you need to know I watched you two and you were head over heals for her and I have to tell you I was jealous. So I accept all that happened between the two of you, just don't bull shit me about her. Even an occasional appearance of her would cause an issue with me. Fuck, I can deal with the other exes but not her as I can't compete with a dead person. On the other issue JJ can revert to his Texas life. As for me, I like to experience all of you sober or just a little buzzed, besides I'm hoping you have a couple of sessions in you. With that she was all over me and it was romantic and intense. When we were done, I gave her a flannel shirt and we went and joined JJ and Mia who were putting the lights on the tree. JJ laughed when he saw us and said well I figured you didn't know how to do this. I laughed and we had a great time and the tree looked great. JJ and I had the girls top the tree with a star.
After the tree was finished we were having a great time and JJ was pounding the beers and Mia was deep into the wine. The other unusual thing was that JJ trying to get me to bet. I was running out of ways to avoid that when he said MJ, I give up. Mia wants to see you shirtless. Winnie said well JJ, we can do that if you go shirtless as well. Mia laughed and said fuck, that sounds like fun. I unzipped the jacket to my sweatsuit and Mia helped JJ with his shirt and undershirt. We were asked to stand by the tree and I was afraid about what might happen next. Then Winnie came over and looked us over and grabbed my hand and said well, I want this one and we went to my room. As she closed the door she yelled good night to JJ and Mia. Once the door was closed I hugged Winnie and said thanks as that was as far as I was going to go. I took her hand and we sat on the bed and I got really close and said said Winnie, JJ and I are ver close as he is my best friend and teammate and will be for three more years. We will share an apartment and I hope enjoy college life and football. One thing I will never share with him is you. She smiled and said well just so you know I told that to Mia before we all got here and she simply want to fuck you. Winnie, that will never happen as I find 3 or 4 somes repulsive. Mick, have you ever done something like that? Babe, Jeff tried and I found it repulsive and he was so high I simply left. Jeff is no longer an issue. Then there was the time I was making out with Sean's sister and I stopped as soon as he took his shirt off. So Winnie, what about you? Mick, I'll do almost anything with you but never more than one at a time. Besides I know if I do something like that or hookup with another guy while we are together I would be dead to you. Then she stood up and stripped and looked at me sitting there and asked, so what are you still dressed? All I had on was sweatpants and she reached for the bottom of each pant leg and pulled and I was naked with a hard on. I just wanted to please her and I tasted every part of her and she was begging for my cock and I slowly entered her and as I did that she reached up and pinched my nips and that was all it took. We just laid there and fell asleep in each other's arms.
Winnie and I were the first awake and as she was showering I put the coffee on and just as that finished JJ and Mia appeared. I thought they were in remarkable good shape for what they had been drinking. JJ asked if Winnie and I wanted to grab a bite to eat and I simply passed and they were quickly gone. While waiting for Winnie i stripped the bed in the room JJ and Mia used and threw clean sheets on the bed to be put on once Winnie left. When she appeared we had coffee and just chatted. Then she asked if we could have lunch tomorrow as she would be leaving Monday evening for Columbus and she wanted to exchange gifts. I said that would work as I was staying away from the office. Then she said well I need to get home as mom is helping me find a dress for the wedding. We kissed good bye and I finished making the bed and stripped mine and took the dirty sheets to the washer.
I went upstairs and found Megan reading the paper. I poured a cup of coffee and Megan smiled and said, laundry this early, it must have been a fun night? Well mom, we trimmed a tree for my place. She laughed and asked, is that what you call it now days. I laughed and started to read the part of the paper that she wasn't involved with. There was nothing that interested me in the paper and I asked about the family plans for for Christmas and she asked if I wanted to trim another tree tonight? I said sure and she said, great and dinner is at 6:00 and it is nothing fancy. I told her I was good with that and went to my place. There I spent time making beds and cleaning up then it was a very long and hot shower. I dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, grabbed my Walkman and put on some holiday music and sat on the loveseat, looking at the tree and fell asleep. I was jarred awake whit a knock on the door and JJ entering. He sat down beside me and asked MJ, are you mad about last night? JJ, we have never discussed it but I'm not into sharing women I'm dating and I found the shirtless thing humiliating. JJ laughed and said, shit at least you got picked and we both laughed. Then I asked JJ was that you or Mia? MJ, I have ever had a 4 way but didn't object when Mia mentioned it. I was pretty sure it wouldn't happen. So JJ, did you have fun last night? MJ, we did but we had both had a bit too much to drink. I laughed and said just so you had safer fun. JJ just shrugged and said, always dad. Then he said well I need to get home and we are leaving early tomorrow for Houston. He said MJ, Merry Christmas and I'll see you Friday. We hugged and he was off.
With that I went to the house and everyone was home. I started for some coffee and dad said ok boys, let's go find us a tree. Cole and I looked at each other and he went to the closet for a coat and I said well, I'll be right back and grabbed my letterman's jacket. When I got back to the house Megan was giving instructions on the tree. I was to be no taller than Cole and had to fit in the trunk and then se added and that is a closed trunk. With that Cole yelled SHOTGUN. I somehow found that hysterical and climbed into the back seat. Dad apparently had something in mind as we drove for almost an hour and we pulled into this farm just past Washington, PA. It was obviously a tree farm and dad parked out and there was a guy dad obviously knew. There was some small talk and dad introduced Cole and when he got to me, there was a big smile and the guy said, damn you really grew up into a specimen. I laughed and said thanks, I think. Then dad said, so Ken do you have any trees left after all these years. Ken looked at dad and said Mike, you cut one down and I plant two, so the ones I planted last time you were here should be about perfect. Ken said, we will take the truck and you two can run behind or ride in the bed. At the same time Cole and I said, we're riding. It was an old truck and in the bed there were two bales of hay and we climbed in and sat there looking at each other. We drover a hill and at the bottom of the hill was about 3 acres or neatly planted pine trees. We got off the truck and Ken was telling dad that he stopped selling trees about 3 years ago when his wife passed and it was not fun anymore. Then dad looked at us and said pick a damn tree that will keep Megan happy.
Cole and I were off and we disagreed on every tree we looked at. Finally Cole said MJ, it's fucking cold out here and I have a tree every year and you haven't had one in a long time, please just pick one. I laughed and said Cole, there is already one in my place and JJ and I along with the girls trimmed it last night. Cole laughed and pointed and said fine, let's take this one. We easily found dad and Ken as they were leaning against talking and smocking a cigar. I laughed out loud and said, so old habits are never set aside. Ken smiled and said, we were just discussing when or if you would remember. Well guys it is hard to forget how much those cigars stink nd how that always set mom off. Ken laughed out loud and said, well if it wasn't the cigars it would have been something else. Wanting to pivot it away from mom and Bill, as I knew he was next. I said, we picked a tree. Ken went to the truck and produced a small gas chain saw and handed it to me, I immediately handed it to Cole. Cole looked at it for a second and handed it to dad and said dad, I'll most likely cut a finger or two off and that wouldn't be good for my golf game. Dad laughed nd handed it back to Ken who asked, where is the tree? Cole and dad started off and Ken asked, did the smell of the cigars make you remember? Ken, it was you and dad standing there chatting that caused me to remember, so when did you retire from teaching, wasn't it math that you taught? Mike, that's correct and 25 years and the pension was enough and I just love this farm. I don't work it like I used to but this year there is hay and corn or will be. Then I surprised him and asked and how is Nick, he must be finishing up his first semester at college? Mike, that's correct and he is at MIT studying computers or something, all I know is that it's free. We arrived at the tree, we had selected, there were two tries to start the chainsaw and 15 seconds later the tree fell to the ground. I looked at Cole and we both grabbed an end and left dad and Ken to talk on the way back to the truck.
At the truck Cole and I jumped in and dad and Ken threw the tree in the bed with us and Ken asked that we try not to let it fall out. Cole and I laughed and we were quickly back at the car. Dad opened the trunk and we all laughed as there was no way it would fit. Ken opened the large garage and there was a machine of sorts and he pulled the tree through the opening and it was wrapped tight enough to just barely fit in the trunk. We all shook hands and I asked Ken for Nick's phone number and he started looking for something to write with and Cole shook his head and said, don't bother writing it down the jerk will remember it, even if he has a hard time remembering the past. Ken gave me the number and then looked at Cole and said son, if you had a mother like his you wouldn't remember much of the past either. Then Ken said, you two should come help with the hay in June, Nick will be here and we could use the help. I smiled and told Ken to count on me and couple of friends. With that we jumped in the car and I made Cole get in the back. Before we pulled away Ken appeared waving and dad stopped and Cole and I were given cigars. I said thanks and was thinking it would have to be a damn special occasion with dad before I ever lit one of these up.
We pulled into the driveway as Megan was taking Ashley out of the car seat, when we popped the trunk Megan shook her head and looked at dad and said, you guys cheated. She popped the trunk on her car and it was filled completely full with decorations. You guys can unload that as well as I bought extras as I knew you would get something bigger. Cole and dad dragged the tree in and placed it in the stand and I unloaded the car and it took 6 trips. Just then Cole's phone rang and he looked at it and let it ring until it stopped. It changed his mood a bit and Megan asked for a moment with Cole and dad pointed to his office. Megan a a pouting Cole went inside and Megan closed the door. Almost immediately Cole reappeared and grabbed his phone and went back in the office, closing the door. I was having a more than great time as the day had been drama free and I was hoping that nothing changed for Cole. Then there was someone at the door and I answered it and it was dinner, three racks of ribs, a mountain of fries and a salmon salad. Cole and Megan appeared and both were in a good mood and whatever it was was resolve. Dinner was fun and I hadn't had ribs in a long time. Cole and I cleaned up and dad and Megan along with Ashley went in the game/family room and Ashley was being fed and dad and Megan had drinks.
There was all types of decorations to deal with but we concentrated on the tree. There were 600 multicolored lights and a bunch of ornaments. It was going well and Megan handed me an ornament and I looked at it and started to laugh as it was a Hokie Bird. I set it on the table and grabbed Megan and lifted her off her feet and gave her a giant hug. I put her back on her feet and simply said, thanks mom that is awesome. Then Cole was handed a Demon Deacon mascot which was Wake Forest. Cole, simply put it on an end table and flew to his room. Megan started to follow him and I asked she give him a minute and if necessary I would talk with him. A few minutes later Cole appeared holding an envelop. He sat beside his mother and said mom, I was going to discuss this with you tomorrow but this envelop is a 4 year scholarship to play golf at Wake Forest and it is the Palmer Scholarship. Mom, I'm home before you every day and last week Colleen handed me this and said it looks important. Mom, I thought about it all week and yesterday I call Mr. Palmer and we talked for 2 hours. You know I want to turn Pro as soon as possible and I know you want me in college. Please listen and don't react until I'm finished. I turned the scholarship down. However, I have accepted the offer to attend Wake Forest. I might play college golf and I might not. I figured and AP agreed that if I turned Pro I could select the tournaments I want to play in. With College golf I would miss a lot of school so it's a trade. If I decide to play college golf I would simply try out, they keep a spot open for that possibility. What I promise you is that no matter what it takes, I get a 4 year degree from Wake Forest. Cole immediately got a big hug and Megan asked, so what did you do with my sone. Cole shrugged and said I grew the fuck up. By the time we were done with the decorations it was late and I thanked everyone for a great day and went to my place and was quickly in bed.
I was up at the usual time and it was warm enough so I dressed for a run and found Cole waiting for me. It was a casual run and we chatted some about the previous night and then he asked if I was going into the office later? Cole, I should but I promised Winnie lunch as she is leaving for Ohio. MJ, just let me know as I'm free till Friday. Inside I made coffee and showered and dressed in nicer clothes in case I went to the office. At school I went right to the guidance office and told the secretary that I had an appointment with Mr. Ramo. I was told to have a seat and that he would be right with me. Mr. Ramo could be a real bastard or charm the pants off you. When I was told he was ready for me it was obvious he was in a charming mood. He waved me to a seat and said Mike, we have had you for 11 and a half years and you could simply walk away leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for a very long time, why stay? I laughed and said a few more gold metals, just to piss the powers to be off. Mr. Rambo laughed so hard at that I thought he hurt himself. So Mike, what do you need? Well, how about what I had first semester as I need to keep up for the AP tests. That brought another laugh and he said and third period science or wood shop. I said well science. This time there was a smirk and he said well that's your worst subject and you know your lab partner will be changed. It was my turn to laugh and I said well we will have to flirt from across the room. Then the conversations turned casual and we agreed on the same schedule and I went to History and then Science. There was no lunch so we signed out of study hall and started to the car.
We decided ok Max & Erma's at the mall and it was an easy drive. Once we were seated and drinks were ordered she smiled and said, me first and handed me a small box. I opened it and it was a gold chain with a Hokie Bird on it and it was long enough that it hung just below my number 24. Two chains were a bit much but I actually liked it a lot. I handed her my gift and when she opened it and saw the heart with the diamond chips she went wow, dad is going to shit when he sees this. Mick, will you please put it on for me. I said sure and she said well you can take off the one I'm wearing. I leaned over and when I saw her necklace, I gasped and dropped the one I was about to put on her. When I recovered I asked, so when did this happen. Mick, I wanted to surprise you. I was offered early acceptance to VT and I talked it over with the rents and my UNCLE and everyone thought it was a good choice. Relax, you were not a consideration and their architectural school is 5 years and is highly regarded. Winnie would you like the heart changed to a 24? Mick, first of all you are more than a number or football player and if you weren't you would be sitting here with someone else. Mick, I'll be in a dorm and you will be in a football dorm and if we are together it will work out and if we are not the place is big enough that we don't have to see each other. Mick, it will be what it becomes. Hey, that's my line. It morphed into a fun lunch and I drove her home and we kissed Merry Christmas.
I went right to the house and found Cole in sweatpants and ate and asked if he still wanted to go to the office? He jumped up and ran upstairs and was back in minutes dressed appropriately. We jumped in the car and he threw something in the back seat. At the office, he laughed at my parking space and inside security put on a real show and Cole cooperated. Even when they looked inside the bag he had with him. When we got off the elevator, I introduced him to Amy and Kyle and for the most part the place was deserted. I showed him dad's office and went into my office. He looked around and was in awe of the view and loved the open "patio" area. I was here today because he asked me to take him and I had no intention of staying long. We were seated in the club chairs and I finally asked what's up? He tossed me the bag and said Merry Christmas. So Cole, you slaved over the gift wrap? He just laughed and said well it's a one of a kind thing and there will never be another one like it. I opened the bag and looked in and it was a flag from a golf pin. Looking at it closely it was from the 18th hole at Southern Hills. Then I looked at the writing and it said to my brother on my first Pro win and it was signed Cole Simmons. I actually had tears in my eyes as we hugged. His signature was very clear and neatly done. Then Cole said MJ, it's tradition that the winner gets this flag and it usually goes to the caddie but Liam said he is only interested in flags from the majors. I laughed at that. I was already rearranging the wall but I still needed the stuff from the frame shop. We talked for a wild about Pinehurst and finally I said lets head home but I have a stop to make. We drove to to the mall and it was a zoo and parking was a bitch and I went straight to the frame shop and introduced Cole and then told the manager I would need one of my special frames for this and handed him the flag. He looked at it nd said no problem. With that we drove home.
Thanks for reading and the comments, sorry for the delay in posting a short vacation was the cause.
Please remember nifty and what it takes to keep these stories coming.