Sunday morning brought great weather and JJ and I had a great run. Then he had a full day of flying lessons and yet another online course for a certification. That left me free for the day. I'm not sure how to deal with that but coffee would be a good start. That was followed by a long hot shower. Drying off I took the time to check myself in the mirror and was actually pretty pleased with how I looked. The scale read 226 and I was still 6'4" and was pleased with both numbers. I turned on some classical music , poured another coffee and laid on the loveseat nude with the coffee cup on the table. I must have fallen asleep as my phone woke me. Damn it was Cole. I answered by saying, damn dude, you ok? He laughed and said no, I can't putt these fucking greens then he laughed. Ok fucktard, what's up? M.J, I have a Latisha tee time but, am too far back to win but bills are more than being paid. I laughed and asked again, why the fuck are you calling? MJ, it's the last Sunday in March and there is one more week till the Masters, do you have rooms all set up? Cole, you know I do and yes there is one for Jessica. MJ, cancel that room as she is staying with me as I got Liam his own room and do you have room on the flight down for his girl? I thought for a second and said yes, no problem. MJ, neither of them will need a flight back home they are going to Las Vegas and I'm going off the grid for a week at home. Thanks, I had to go. Damn, I didn't even get a name or contact information. Guess I can check with Liam as there is still time.
Now that I was awake I got dressed in jeans and a VT sweatshirt and jumped in the Mustang and drove to the mall. I really wasn't looking for anything in particular but I hadn't bought anything in a while as the growth spurt had ended and I was guessing that my height wouldn't change. I saw a few things I liked but I couldn't try anything on as all I had on was the jeans and sweatshirt, no underwear and not even socks. I shook my head as I thought I should plan better. With nothing left to do I headed to the food court. There I got 2 slices of pizza with sausage and an iced tea. I had finished one slice and half the iced tea when a chair moved and Winnie sat down. So Mike where is the 3 person in our relationship. I shrugged and said, I have no idea where you Uncle is. Winnie laughed and I got up dumped my uneaten food in the garbage and went outside. I was nowhere near my car so using another entrance and went back inside. Now that i was free I found the entrance close to my car and started to my place.
Partway to my place I decided to go to the office. It was a bit of a complicated drive but l knew a back way through Homestead and the Parkway to the Second Avenue exit. At the office I went outside and spent a lot of time just looking at the organized mess and tried to understand the progress. I was determined to understand more this time as these were most likely the last buildings I would be responsible for building. If things went according to plan I would be 21 and done at VT with two degrees. The question would be what's next. Would I want to do what I was doing or would the companies bore me. Would Kyle and Dillon simply continue or want more. I took a deep breath and thought, it will be what it becomes. Then I laughed and thought that's bull shit. It better become what I want it to become and I better fucking figure that out.
Back inside I looked around the office and when I settled on my wall I immediately started to mentally rearrange and eliminate things. Most of the past stuff would be gone. The three metals would stay but I wanted the picture of JJ and me to stay. There would be a picture of this building and a framed version of the award for the building. I wanted a better picture of AP and need to add one of Carole and some symbol of the USGA and my involvement. Then I stopped and thought just take it all down and have the wall painted and start over. It needed to be people over accomplishments. At that point I took everything off the wall and created 3 piles. One was an out pile, one was an in pike and one pile could go either way. I sent an email to maintenance to repaint the wall the same color. Looking at the blank wall it reminded me of my graduation speech, I was creating a puzzle that was my life. Our graduating class was completing our picture and at graduation it would be what it was. Doc Johnson would add the last corner piece and it would be filed away with the puzzles of the other 61 graduation classes. Back to the wall all the silly shit and insignificant stuff would be gone and from this time and place nothing would be taken off, rearranged for sure but it would reflect who the fuck I was becoming. Then I thought respect the past, deal with the present and impact the future. It was now mid afternoon so I checked out through security and drove to my place. I grabbed. At my place I grabbed a beer, turned on the golf and laid on the loveseat.
I laughed as the announcers said that Cole had been on the butting green with flashlights last night but his putting isn't my better today. Besides all that he was in 11th place but hitting it better than anyone out there. The round went on and on and as much coverage Cole got on TV you would have thought he was leading. On the last hole he made a 20' putt for a birdie and he got on his knees raised both hands and yelled thank you God. He was quickly escorted to the scoring room and then he was sitting on a chair on a patio and was on TV again. The reporter immediately asked so Cole, you hit it very well but what's with the greens. You certainly practiced enough last night. Well the greens are fine. They are very different that what I am used to. That's not the greens it just part of my maturity process. As for the practice yesterday that was just stupid because it put the greens in my head. So Cole, what are the plans going forward? I'm flying home late tonight and spending a couple of days at home with the family. Wednesday evening I'm flying to Augusta with AP and playing a practice round on Thursday. I need to understand the rules there. I want to be on the course as much as possible but also respect the tradition. While, I earned the invite I know I'm different and that requires a lot of adjustments. Well Cole, you hav become very popular. Is doing what you do hard for you? Cole laughed and said not at all it's just fun. Then Cole said thanks and the interview was over.
It was dinner time and all I had to eat so far was a slice of pizza and iced tea and coffee. I didn't want to go out and Sunday evening presented other issues with a lot of places not open. I called the local pizza shop and ordered a large veggie pizza and opened a beer. The pizza arrived at the same time JJ appeared. He grabbed a beer and I said dude, if you had told me you were stopping I would have ordered a larger pizza. He laughed and said will it would have had something else on it and I'm not eating that shit. It was a very long day and I needed a beer then have dinner with the rents. I also need to talk with dad about less lesions, I can't carry this load. Besides I won't be here doing this forever. I just started to eat and I told JJ about Cole and where we stood for the Masters. JJ laughed and said damn, he must be feeling pretty confident about Jessica. They aren't even 18 and that's a bit more than young. I laughed and said JJ, you are getting old. We hugged and JJ was on his way home. I simply finished the pizza and another beer and grabbed a book, I had started a while ago and spent a very quiet evening reading and hiding out.
The morning run was uneventful and JJ was in a better mood. The first two classes were actually interesting and I was fully participating. It was Physics and Winnie that I wasn't looking forward to. When I got to class I was surprised that she wasn't there. This class was a lecture again and I barely listened but stayed awake. I was held back after class and the teacher asked Mike, where is Winnie? She is in school today just not here. I shrugged and said I have no idea as it wasn't my turn to watch her. Mike, don't be glib, I'll need to report this. Look, I don't know and don't care as we broke up. You see one of us cheated and it's over. He looked at me and before he could say anything I said, don't look at me, I wasn't the one swapping spit with a pimple faced geek in the parking lot at McDonald's. I didn't wait for a reaction and simply left the room and headed to the office to sign out. At the office I quickly signed out as I wanted no part of what was happening as there was a soccer coach waiting for Doc Johnson. Damn I felt sorry for Doc.
I opened the door to my office and instantly realized that the wall was painted. There was a package on the desk and a note as well. Which asked that I not put anything on the wall till Tuesday and hang things using the strips in the bad and was signed, Paul. I opened the door and kept it open with a chair and went outside on the deck and watched the construction. I was amazed at how people were working all over bots sites and yet somehow there would be 2 buildings both very unique. Tim knocked on the glass and waved me inside. Once inside he handed me a large envelope. I looked at the envelop and Tim said, it's your taxes. Jordan said he knew you wouldn't sign them without a complete revised. He said you owe $1,153 and you need a financial planner. Oh he said to call him with questions. There is a check enclosed and all you have to do is sign where he indicated. Mail it before April 15th. I put the envelop on my desk and said tell Jordan, thanks.
Tim and I talked about routine shit and when he left I started on the wall. Nothing was hung as the pile of stuff that was being removed grew. The only high school stuff that was left were the 3 metals and a smaller picture of Jim and I. There would also be a smaller picture of Ray. My head was getting ready to explode so I went to the lobby and outside and walked towards the river. I didn't stay long as it was a bit cold but when I turned and looked back at the building I had to smile. I simply took a picture and knew that would be on the wall. Just them my phone buzzed and it was the school number so I answered with, good afternoon, this is Mike. It was Doc Johnson who said Mike I just finished an hour meeting with Weston. After 10 minutes he was livid and it got much worse. He said that the surprise Board meeting better be moved to the Auditorium as he isn't going down without a fight. Mike, I told him this wasn't your doing but he isn't buying that. I'm thinking you better come to the Board meeting tomorrow night and be ready to defend yourself in case he attacks you. Doc, not a problem but if that defense is needed the gloves are off. Mike, I'm aware but it is what it is. Doc said thanks and hung up.
I gathered up the things for my wall and drove to the mall. At the frame shop I spent an hour with the owner detailing what I wanted. When I asked that the three metals be put in the same 8" x 10" frame he refused and said that all in the same frame was good but it needed to be larger and no matter what I was thinking they would always be important. Then he added not the center of who you are but an important part of who you would finally become. I left the shop thinking well at least it was a start and I should have left the damn wall as it was. Back in the car I stopped at the Giant Eagle grocery store and bought just enough food to make a giant salad. I laughed as I checked out and my Advantage Card was scanned as I was paid and the store had a record of what I bought. I laughed again when I realized I had all that information as well.
I drove to my place and dumped the food in the refrigerator and drove to the gym. JJ was there and he was glad I remembered as we hadn't talked about it. The workout was great and as we sat in the Sauna I filled him in on my call from Doc Johnson. JJ said he was also going to the damn meeting in support of the principal. It was a quick shower and we went our separate ways. At my place I poured a large glass of iced tea and put together a salad. I then sat on the loveseat and turned on the TV and found the Penn's game. It was a first round playoff game. Great hockey as it was always better during a Stanley Cup run. The Penguins won in an intense game 3-2. The evening news was next so I left it on and was shocked when they teased the lead story with LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT CALLS AN EMERGENCY MEETING TO DISCUSS PERSONAL MATTERS. Details after the weather. There was the weather report and a commercial. When they came back they went to a reporter standing in front of our Administration Building, no idea why as it was 11:00 at night but that is what they did and there was no doubt about who the district was. The reporter said that after a massive no show of underclass varsity players and numerous meetings with students, coaches and the Athletic Administration a hastily schedule meeting was called for tomorrow even in the high school gymnasium for 7:00. Calls to the , Principal and a number of Board members were not returned. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a number of Coaches will be terminated. Paul, tomorrow will be interested. With that they moved to other news items and my phone started to chirp. That went on for a while and I had 11 voice mails and I deleted all of them and called JJ. When he answered he said WOW, I'm glad I'm not running track. I laughed and said see you for the morning run and I hung up. The phone got set to silent and I jumped into the shower.
I was up early and when I looked out the window that were 6 or 7 reporters there waiting. I dressed for the run and headed out the back door, cut through the backyards and JJ was there waiting. I said dude, let's go before they figure this out. JJ looked puzzled and I pointed to my place and he said, Rodger that. We were off for a faster version of the usual run. When we finished I told JJ that I wasn't going to school and that I would pick him up for the meeting. He laughed and Mike, no fucking way in hell. I'll get there on my own. No games this time as I jogged to my place and was mobbed. Reporters we yelling questions but one almost stopped me. Someone yelled Mike why do you want Coach Weston fired? I took a deep breath and went inside, ignoring all the questions.
Inside I put coffee on and took a long hot shower. I dressed for work and would change for the meeting. I called school and told them I wouldn't be in today. When I was asked for a reason I said the media mob outside my door. There was no response to that so I hung up and put bread in the toaster. Two cups of coffee later I grabbed my laptop and jumped into the Mustang as that was the one that would get out the fastest. I made it to the car and was surrounded as more reporters had arrived. I leaned on the horn and started to move forward and I heard sirens as the local police arrived. A path was quickly opened and the officers managed to keep the reporters from following me. There were no problems and at the building there were no reporters.
I cleared security and stopped and asked the Chief if she would keep reporters outside and 25' from the door and if any employees were bothered the City Police should be called. Upstairs when I passed dad's office he waved me in and said Mike, it was Megan who called the police. I said thanks and tell her thanks. When I got to my desk the phone was flashing and I listened to and deleted 6 messages. The only one that was of interest was Bruce Weiss the furniture salesman. I returned the call and he wanted to meet. I told him I was free in the early after no but that he had to come to my office. I spent the morning reviewing the taxes and while I still owed around $1,200 that wasn't even the tip of the ice berg. My total tax bill was in excess of $70,000. I totally realized the need for a financial planner. I signed the check and the return and sealed it and took it to the mail room. I then took a walk throughout the the building, something I needed to do more of. Everyone was friendly and I was guessing that things we're running smoothly. Back in my office I spent time on my laptop and was doing a deep dive into the finances for each department but very little time on the government departments. They were what they were and all profitable. There were no real issues and I got a good read on the grade book program. We had proposed a out all over the place but they needed closed. With all that done I went to the lobby and went to to the Sports Bar and scrounged a sandwich. It was a casual fun lunch with Sam and Jake.
Back in my office I went to the deck and was watching the construction. I realized that I needed to manage the time I spent doing that. Back at my desk, it was a continuation of the departments. Eventual security notified me that Bruce was here. I asked that they bring him to my office and I logged off and shut down the the laptop. When Bruce appeared we shook hands and sat in the casual area. Bruce was clearly upset and he said Mike, I doubt that you are ready to talk furniture for the new buildings and I'm interested but not ready to get started. I just want to let you know that Herman Miller will be opening a new concept dealership here in Pittsburgh. It's called Office Pavilion and they will want your business to go through them. Mike the dealership will be run my Continental. Bruce, the people from Columbus? Mike, that's correct. Bruce, your dealership is owned by local people so they'll the Herman Miller people to fuck themselves and if it is Herman Miller furniture I'll buy local. You can Lao tell them that it is now a competitive situation. Bruce smiled and said, thanks, I think. Bruce, you also need to know that initially we will be taking 2 floors and renting the other floors. I have no thoughts at all about the manufacturing building. We then chatted for a while about general things and Bruce said well I'm sure the Miller boys will be calling you. He thanked me a couple of times and was on his way.
Once I was alone I went looking for Tim as I need to know if we had any legal operation to Herman Miller or if they had and obligation to us. Tim, shook his head and said Michael, you are the one with the photograph memory, why don't you know? I just shrugged and said as I get older, I forget things. Tim laughed and said, I'll check on it. So Mike, do you need me to go to the meeting with you tonight. Tim, I don't think so. I just might want to defend myself and there will be a lot of people and I'm good with groups. I just want to get to the first week of June. Mike, in that case, enjoy yourself. I didn't want to get into anything complicated and the laptop was shut down. I packed up and headed to my place.
I stopped at McDonalds for a burger and fried and an iced tea. At my place I was glad to see that there was no press outside but then I saw a car parked in the street and I was betting that Megan had asked for security. It was a quiet time with the only decision for me was what to wear and how to dress. After much thought I decided on upscale school dress then put on new jeans and a light weight long sleeve purple tee and a Nike vest as it was getting colder and would be comfortable in the gym. At 6:15 I drove to school and found a parking space. There were a lot of cars in the lot. I looked in the gym and there was a band riser and a couple of tables and chairs for 15 people. There were about 200 chairs set up. I didn't going but saw the trophy cases and stopped to look. I didn't go inside as I want to pick who, if anyone, I would sit with. As the meeting was called to order and pledge of allegiance started, I went inside and stood in the back. Then my buddy Bob Shanahan announced that they would be going into Executive Session and we ask that Mr. Weston join us. There were a lot of groans as they filed out of the gym.
I was just standing there looking around and thinking his would be an ugly and long session and I was sure the Board was hoping that people would leave. I was more than a little surprised when coach Weston came back in and was obviously more than a little pisses. Then a few minutes later the Board returned and the meeting was called to order. Then Board President Shanahan said I call for a vote on the group of items in the Superintendent's report as published in the Agenda. There was a loud scream of NO from the audience. Once things quieted down and a Board member said Mr. President that requires unanimous consent and I object. We need to vote on every item and discuss. In fact we should here from the residents. Those speaking must be residents. Immediately Coach stood up and said, I'm Chuck Weston and gave the school address. People laughed but the Superintendent said Bob, let him talk. He started with his history at the district and how he stepped in when there was no coach and how he had won 2 district and a State Championship. Then he said that former players, after all that success had turned on him. One former player used his influence with the underclassmen and here we all sit. Doc Johnson said Coach, you and I have talked yesterday and the Board and I outlined how we could continue with you as Coach and AD. To summarize you would need to two coordinators and an assistant AD. As of a few minutes ago you have rejected that option. Dr. Johnson you neglect to mention that you and you friend are replacing more than half of our current coaches. I saw a flash of anger in Doc but he calmly said that's correct. Well except for,the fact that no member of the Senior Class had any involvement in this. What I failed to mention is that High School Administration will have an active part in hiring new coaches.
Then Doc look at the audience and said we are not looking to become an athletic powerhouse but a solid athletic goes to the development of our students. Also it benefits you as scholarships for athletics become more available. Sure this current Senior class is exceptional but it is academically exceptional as well as athletically. The other classes and leaders in those classes have made a very strong case for change and after reviewing their evidence we agree with them. Coach Weston said that's nonsense. Then it happened and Coach said the entire school learned from that One for all nonsense that was created by Mike Simmons so he had control of my team and the entire building. Led by him the would ONE people and things and ran the joint with the blessing of the Principal. There was silence in the gym and I walked to the front, took the microphone from Coach, turned it off and handed it to the Board President, turned and faced the audience and said Good Evening I am Mike Simmons and most of you know me as #24. A lot of people laughed but I didn't even smile. You see knowing me only as #24 diminishes me, I am much more than that. I am a high school all American but more than that. I am an academic all American, class valedictorian but more than that. I could go on and on but you get the point, I am sure. But let's get to the point, I have started on the varsity football team for 4 years and I haven't won or lost a game, we have done that. Coach hasn't won or lost a game but his teams have. As a member of that process he has won or lost. No more and no less. With very few exceptions wins come from good or even great programs failing that teams win when they trust each other and fight and stay together. On my way in here this evening I stopped and looked at the trophy case. Our class will be the 51st class to graduate from this building. In that time there are 5 district championships, 2 state Championships, 1 district runner up and 4 individual championships. What that tells me is that there is no program in any sport. Now for the first time you have a group of student athletes supporting each other. All they want is some support. Senior leadership is gone and there hasn't been Seniors involved in any of this since January. Seniors including myself have been asked and we have told the underclassmen to ask the Coach, ask the Principal. They did that over and over and with no response they acted as one. And as coach said here we sit. It seems like Coach Weston, as today, told the team, the Principal, the Board and you that he is more important that the people and players he serves. He has forced this meeting he has chosen and yes he has chosen poorly. Please understand something if I was involved in this we wouldn't be here. Everyone, well almost everyone tried, this never should have happened. Since it's conception either by design or happenstance we existed as a District wanting neither good or bad publicity. We simply existed. It's time to take that leap of faith and venture forward. I humbly ask that you permit this Board to do what is necessary. Thank you. As I walked by Coach he laughed and said Mike, you have never done anything with humility. I simply stood in the back and the Board with out exception from the audience accepted
the recommendation from the Superintendent. The vote was 9-0.
There was still media to deal with and while they were more than a bit feistier than usual, I was polite and answered questions for 30 minutes. JJ was there just watching. When they were done asking questions JJ and I walked to our rides. At his truck JJ looked at me and asked Mike, who is the school's most famous graduate? I smiled and said, well I believe it it Orrin Hatch the Senior Senator from Utah. JJ why did you ask? He shrugged and said MJ, I was just wondering who you would replace. I shrugged and left him at the truck. The parking lot was pretty empty and it was a quick ride to my place. I felt sorry for coach Weston but wondered if he was going through what dad was dealing with. The things he had been a part of and developed had outgrown his ability to deal with. I promised myself that I would outgrow stuff but never be outgrown. Change when needed but always on my terms. Just then Cole appeared and he said MJ, great job tonight but right now I'm the most famous Alumn from that school. I laughed and said well Cole, I'm curious when did you graduate. With that h grabbed 2 beers and we talked till midnight. He left and said, I'll see you at the Masters.
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