I spent Thursday night packing things that I could take to Virginia, things that I wouldn't need here. I packed 5 smallish boxes as there wasn't a lot of room in the single engine plane that the Major had reserved for me. He bitched some as the flight school was very busy and him and JJ were booked most of the time. His partners were running the maintenance and repair part of the school. JJ was good with my trip but pissed that he was working. With things in the car I jumped into bed but sleep didn't come easily as I was really excited about the trip. I was hoping to let loose get drunk and see what else would pop up.
Friday brought a sunny warm dad and the run was quick and JJ laughed saying, I haven't seen you in a mood this good in a long time, I can't wait to hear all about it. I laughed and said JJ, I'm hoping not to remember much of it. He laughed and said well don't forget to pack condoms and we both laughed. I dressed in jeans and a Nike polo shirt and drove to school. It was a fun first two classes as I was involved but decided to skip Science and signed out for "work". At the airport I loaded the boxes as best I could did the pre-check, checked the fuel. Then I went inside to file a visual flight plan. I was so excited that I had forgot to do that first. That made me realize that I needed to have my wits about me as I was the only person on the plane and I wanted to get there without and further mistakes. The plane started right up and before I knew it I was in the air heading south looking for I-79. As soon as I got to Washington, PA I changed from a south direction to south east as it cut the dogleg JJ and I had used originally thus cutting 15 minutes of the flight. It was a great weather day but was windy and I could have easily been blown off course but I was constantly checking the compass readings as I didn't want to give back any of the time I gained with the short cut.
The first surprise of the day was when I contacted the tower. I was, as always, spot on with my comms as I wanted to give the guys some grief as they were usually a bit casual and I want to let Pat Scullen know it was me so that there was minimal grief, I really disliked that dude. Damn what came back in my headphones was sharp, concise and totally spot on and a voice I didn't recognize. I was quickly cleared to land and once on the ground I asked to be cleared to taxi to my hanger. I was asked to personally identify myself and with that done I was told that I would be met by ground services to open it and secure the plane. I almost said WHAT, have I landed at the the wrong airfield. Keeping it professional I simply said, Rodger that. I was expecting to be there a while but almost immediately a pickup truck arrived and a guy, mid 30's jumped out and unlocked the side door and almost immediately the hanger door started to open. I went inside and the guy came up to me and said hi Mike, I'm Mark. We shook hands and I was told that a Major Messer had hired a company in Roanoke to manage your hanger and service you various planes. With all the changes here I moonlight for them and my other job is assistant manager of the airfield. We will always have a space in the hanger for your jet but as you can see you have a tenant. I smiled and asked so what changes were made here? Well Mike the entire staff was fired and he wasn't sure how it happened but it was right after that Major was here checking on the hanger. Something about gross incompetence and him not wanting his son to fly in and out of here with people in the tower and on the ground who didn't know what they were doing. We loaded my boxes in the back of his truck and a fuel truck appeared. Mark said that he would put the plane inside in a bit and we drove to the terminal. There I found a car waiting for me and I was told that it was a rental and I needed to pay and sign for it. I smiled and was liking this new experience and being pampered but wondered what this was all costing.
Once all that was done I called Sean and asked him to meet me at my apartment. He laughed and said nope, late lunch and you know the place and that he would be there in 10 minutes. Parking was a bitch and I finally found a spot a block away from the restaurant. As soon as I got inside I saw Sean standing at a table in the back waving his arms and I went back and we hugged and I sat down. I immediately saw a pitcher of beer and 2 glasses. I smiled and asked how did that happen. Sean shrugged and said well I guess I know people and he poured each of us a beer. The waiter appeared and Sean said, I'll have the usual and I ordered a cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce and tomato and fries.
Once we were alone Sean said Mike, I have no idea what you have in mind for this trip but I need to explain a few things before you decide. Mike, we gave out 22 scholarships this year and 13 of you guys could, most likely, play on any team in the country. On defense you are far and away the highest profile recruit we have. Yet you are here the lease and contact the coaches less than anyone of them. JJ is highly respected and is here about as often as you are but he makes contact every week and sometimes twice a week. I am sure that within 15 minutes of you landing at the airfield Coach B was informed you were in town. I would suggest that before you leave the restaurant you let him know that you had some unexpected free time and decided to visit, he might want to meet with you. Oh, he might want to know why the Dean was given a heads up and he wasn't, just saying. Mike, it's fucking Friday and there are parties of all types going on tonight. Once the Athletics office was alerted to you being here the entire fucking team is aware. So, I'm here to get you to whatever type of party you want to go to and there will be teammates at all of them. Understand first impressions are important and the coaches are watching to see what kind of a leader you are. Personally, I care but will not influence any decision you make. I'm here to make whatever you want happen and to pick up any pieces. Oh, I can help with some police issues. At that I burst out laughing. Just then the food arrived and Sean had ordered ribs and fries.
I took a bite of the burger and a sip of beer but before I could say anything Sean asked so do you want a couple of girls to fuck or just one. I laughed and said, neither. Sean shrugged and asked, so do you prefer guys, I can set that up as well. Sean, cut the shit, what you doing tonight? Mike, I told you, hanging out with you. Ok, are there other recruits here? Mike, there are 3 not counting you? Ok Mr. activity Director, what they doing? Mike there is a party at a pavilion near the duck pond and 2 are going there and there will be about 50 people there, mostly teammates with dates and a few curious people. The other on is going to a Frat house and he is looking to see how many condoms he can fill. You want to give him some competition? I took another drink and started on the fries. Sean, tell me about him? Mike he is a QB from a small town in Alabama. Sean is he any good? Mike, does that matter? Sean, why didn't he go to school at Alabama? Mike, why didn't you go to Pitt or Penn State. Sean, cut the shit as you know why I chose to come here. I chose not to be under a microscope but with all this shit you are throwing at me I might have chosen poorly. Mike, it is what it is and you knew how important you were to this program. I took a big breath and another drink and said Sean, I be a leader on this team from the first day of camp till the season ends but I'm not babysitting teammates 12 months 24/7. They are adults and need to figure things out, I'll help if I can but don't forget I'm responsible for feeding more that 500 families and that number seems to grow every day. For good or bad that trumps football and everything else. Sean, now I'll go to the party at the pavilion near the duck pond and I know where it is and I'll see you there. I simply got up and found my car and drove to my apartment.
I was beyond furious and I left the boxes in the rental car, made sure it was locked. In the apartment there was a loveseat and furniture in both bedrooms. I sat on the loveseat and called the Athletic office. When the calls answered I said, good afternoon I'm Mike Simmons is Coach B available? Hi Mike, I'll check, just hang on. About a minute later Coach was on saying, hi Mike what brings you to campus? Well coach, I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with the Dean. I hear you had lunch with Sean, how was that? Well I had a few fries, half a burger and a few sips of beer. Coach laughed and I asked, did you expect me to say something else? Mike, I'm not questioning your integrity I just wanted to hear your side of things. Coach, the expectations Sean laid out are unacceptable. Coach, I'm here for an education and then football but none of that matters if I can't pay the people who work for me. I have spent more than a year putting together a team to run the business. I can't do things here year round nor do I want to babysit teammates off season. Mike, no one is asking that of you, especially me. Just be focused on football and teammates during camp and the season. Mike, we have a great class coming in. I need you and everyone else need to work as a team and check your egos. Mike, I saw that in you last year as you let your teammates participate and didn't take over. Mike, if you could meet some teammates this weekend and just be Mike, it would be appreciated. I'll settle Sean down and enjoy your visit. Oh let me know how things go with the Dean. I laughed and said, Rodger that and we hung up.
I went down to the car and grabbed a couple of boxes the entire process took three trips. I had left my phone on the counter. When I looked at it I saw a call from and a message from Sean. I didn't listen to the message and simply called him. When he answered I simply said, now what. I told you I would see you later. Mike, I understand you chatted with Coach. Sean, this isn't junior high school. I'm not talking to Coach through and you don't need to tell him what the fuck I say or for that matter what I do. You have a job to do, I get that. We might not be equally connected right now but I promise once we get here for camp you won't have a chance keeping up with me. I'll see you later unless you feel the need to give me directions. With that I hung up. I smiled to myself thinking, I'll let him up as he already sold his sole for the team. Besides all that I liked the dude.
There was a quick shower which included a shave. I dressed in jeans a Nike polo shirt and added a Nike hoodie. I knew where the duck pond was and even the pavilion. I was walking and it was early but the duck pond was at the other end of campus. I got off campus and stopped at a coffee shop and got a coffee and a danish. I enjoyed the snack and I was glad it was a warm evening but I was also sure that there would be a fire. I had no idea who was paying for all this but that event was happening if I was there or not. I checked the time and it was 7:00 so I started to the Pavilion.
When I got there I figured there were about 25 people there and there was a mixture of guy and girls but many were couples. I saw the first and almost everyone had a beer so I went looking for that. I quickly found a table with two guys standing behind it acting as bartenders. I asked for a beer and they both looked at me and one asked, are you a student here? I smiled and said well not till the fall. So will you be pledging a fraternity? Well guys, not first semester as I'll be busy with school and football. They looked at each other and it appeared a light went off in both heads and one guy said you must be Mike Simmons. I'm Ken and this is Paul, we heard you were on campus, welcome. Then Paul said when you are looking for a fraternity look us up. I said thanks and took my beer and moved towards the fire. I was standing there just looking at the fire and the guys most of which were bigger and obviously football players. I saw Sean in the distance and he had is girl with him and naturally Karen was smoking hot. I already knew that I would let him off the hook.
Before Sean got there someone yelled, look who is here, the wannabe linebacker. I didn't have to look as I knew it was the three starting linebackers from last season. The trio I callLeft, Center Right. I said thanks guys for the introduction, I was just starting to feel ignored. So I thought one of you were graduating? The center line backer said well football eligibility is up but I'm not graduating. The final semester will let me watch you sit on the bench. I laughed and said well I'll make sure you have tickets. I hadn't realized it but this exchange was drawing attention. I wasn't being rude or nasty but was pushing back in kind. It was actually amusing. They moved on and a number of guys came up and introduced themselves and that was fun and very interesting. I wanted another beer and as I started in that direction Sean caught up to me laughing and he said. I see your fan club is still in tact. I ignored Sean and said hi Karen, I see you are still hanging out with this asshole. Mike, it is more than hanging out and she showed me her hand and damn there was a diamond on the ring finger of her left hand. I hugged her and said congratulations. Then I pulled Sean into a hug and whispered in his ear and said dude, your good but don't ever pull any shit like that again. Then I added, you know you don't deserve her. Sean laughed and said Mike, by the way she isn't pregnant. I laughed and went on my way to get another beer. There was a bit of a line and in front of me was a very attractive girl. A number of people came up to me and said hello and introduced themselves. The line moved quickly and as I started back to the fire the girl in line in front of me said well Mike, thy are you so popular? I laughed and replied, well you have me at at a disadvantage do you have a name to share? She laughed and said I'm Erin and do you always answer a question with a question? Well that depends the question but I guess people think I'm special. Well Mike are you special? I laughed and said I guess so. So Erin are you a student here? Mike, I'm a second semester freshman. Wow, when I start here in August we will be in the same class. Erin took a sip of beer and asked Mike, how is that possible. Well Erin, AP credits and a boat load of Comp sci credits from CMU. You are taking Computer Science here, that's impressive with football. I looked at her and she smiled, then she said Mike, I knew who you were before I asked why you were popular. I just wanted to check out your ego. You know Erin, I hate those games and I turned and started to walk away when Erin said Mike, please stop.
I stopped and Erin asked Mike, can we refresh these beers and go for a walk, I would like to explain. I shrugged and said, why not as I need a break from all this attention. We got back in line and Sean and Karen appeared and Sean and Karen started to talk with Erin and Sean pulled me aside. When we were alone he asked if I knew who the girl I was with was? I shrugged and Sean said well Mike, go slow and keep it zipped. I shook my head and said thanks. Sean and Karen got in the back of the line and Erin asked Mike, what was that about? Oh, Sean just wanted to know if I knew who you were. I shrugged and he said well have fun. We got the beers topped off and Erin asked if I minded if we went to the duck pond? I shrugged and said, that's fine as this is your talk.
We didn't talk much on the short walk and when we got there we found a bench and sat down. Erin said Mike, this is my favorite spot on campus and I grew up here. I thought that strange but realized that one of her parents must work at the University. Mike, you never asked my last name. Erin you didn't ask mine and it was just a very casual conversation but I'm starting to get the feeling that you meeting me wasn't an accident. Mike, that's correct as I have been impressed by you since you were here with the other important recruits for a photo opportunity. I know a lot about you and I'm sensing that I really fucked this up. I laughed and said, for the most part that's correct but enlighten me, what's your last name? She took a deep breath and said McComas. I blinked and said you the daughter of the President of this place. Mike, a lot of jerks want to date me but almost all the guys I'm interested in don't want any part of a relationship. Well Erin if you had me checked out why didn't you realize I would hate all these games you found it necessary to play? Mike, I'm not good with this stuff and with you I am mostly insecure. That's strange as I'm not like this and I'm a great student. I was wondering if her grades were a result of her dad's position, then I thought that could be a two way street.
Erin, I have had a long day and all kind op people were playing games with me and I had a long chat with Coach and I come here to meet some teammates and here I sit with a very sexy girl who continues the trend. Tomorrow morning I'm running early, then going to the restaurant on Maine Street for breakfast. I'll be there at 9:00 and if you want another try with no games stop by. Then I might take you to my favorite place. I need to be on campus for a meeting with the Dean. Now I can take you back to the party or walk you home. Mike we are very close to the house so please ask me home. It was a short walk and I was hoping that nobody opened the door. I simply said good night and went to my apartment.
Bask at my place I put sheets on the bed and took a much needed shower. There was no coffee or anything so I found some blankets and jumped into bed tired and a bit confused which had me pretty much awake. I kept thinking about Sean but my main thoughts were about Erin and how much drama I could be in. Sleep eventually came but it was never a deep sleep. I was up at 6:30 and quickly dressed in a sweatsuit and did 6 laps around the drill field. It was another shower and I dress in jeans and a long sleeved light weight Oakmont shirt. I called the airfield and asked that the plane be ready for 10:45 as no matter what I was going flying as I needed to relax. I lock the apartment and got in the rental car and slightly before 9:00 I walked into the restaurant. I was waiting to be seared when Erin appeared and we looked at each other and we boys started to laugh. The table by chance was in the middle of the room so there was no hiding. When the waiter came Erin said coffee and I said make that a lot of coffee. Erin asked how my run was and I told her it was just 6 laps around the drill field and that was less than my usual run. We looked at the menus and she ordered fruit and a ham and cheese omelette and I ordered 2 eggs over, bacon and wheat toast. I asked about her Major and she said well it's pre law and that she was doing well. I was asked about why Computer Science and I said because I ran a technology company and I didn't want to be the only one who didn't know how to program or operate a computer. She then asked what I really wanted to do and I laughed and said well that will be what it becomes. The food came and we chatted about simple stuff as we were getting to know each other. When we finished I asked if she was free for a couple of hours and she said sure. I paid for breakfast and we got in the car. We drove to the airfield and she asked Mike, what we doing? I said going for a ride. I took her inside with me and explained that there was no flight plan as we were not going anywhere just for an hour ride. Back at the plane, she watched as I did the pre-check and she laughed as I manually checked the fuel. Inside I had her strap in and put the headphones on. I put mine on and said Erin, we can chat and no one will hear us but there are times when I need to talk with the tower. Please don't touch anything and you need to be quiet till we get in the air.
I requested permission to taxi for takeoff and once in position we were cleared to go. Once in the air I flew over the campus and we were at about 1,000 feet and we both just looked at the campus. I asked if there was anything else she wanted to see and she said there wasn't. The conversation was light and mostly about what I was doing and how hard flying was. I told her this was pure flying and when it was the jet it was a lot more complicated and a copilot was needed. I told her about the jets and that I had been in a fighter a few times and how awesome that was. We were in the air about an hour and I contacted the airfield and got the ATIS and started the landing procedure. I reminder her to be quiet until we landed. Once on the ground we went to the service area and we went inside and I told them I would need the plane tomorrow morning around 11:30 and that it should be refueled. I paid all the fees using a credit card and avoided doing that on Sunday. With all that done we got in the car and Erin asked Mike, now what? I chuckled and said well I'm taking you to your car. Mike, can we do something tonight? Erin, that would be cool but I can't drink after 11:00 as I'm flying home. How about I call you when I finish with the Dean? She started looking in her bag for something to write the number on. I laughed and said just tell me and I'm good. When we parked behind her car she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. I said thanks and I'll call. She shook her head and got out of the car.
I drove to the apartment and called Sean. Sean answered laughing, then asked so you going to date the daughter of the president. Talk about a power couple and the shit that goes with that. Sean we had breakfast and went for a ride in the plane and we did not spend the night. It's very very early and I'm leaving tomorrow and who knows when I'll be back. I have to meet the Dean and I said I would call her. Sean, what's going on tonight? Mike, Karen and I are having a few people over and you are welcome to stop in and Erin is also welcome. Ok Sean what time and Sean said about 7:30. That's great I'll see you then but I'm not speaking for Erin. Sean laughed and said Mike, she won't say no and if I were you I would put clean sheets on your bed. I just hung up.
I hung around the apartment and then there was no need to ride to the administration building. It was one block to campus and across the drill field. I got there about 10 minutes early. I went in the Deans office and told the Secretary that I was Mike Simmons and that I had an appointment with the Dean. She smiled and said Mike Dr. Carlson is expecting you, I'll let him know you are here, just have a seat. I was barely in the chair when Dr. Carlson came out and we shook hands and we went into his office, the door was closed and I was asked to sit down. Mike, I have talked with my counterpart at CMU and he raves about you. In fact he sent me your work and I'm impressed. I'm looking at you academic record and I need to ask why didn't you just graduate in January and take full time classes here or at CMU? Dean, I ask myself that almost every day but the Principal talked me into staying. Well Mike with 8 AP credits and the CMU Credits you are on track to enter here as a Sophomore but I think you know that, so why are you here? Dr. Carlson, I took this path but I don't see myself programming or sitting in front of a computer. I'm wondering with a Masters in Computer Science what else can I do? Mike, you have a very profitable company and Misters Jobs and Gates haven't been in front of a computer in a long time and they are doing whatever they want. Using your degree and the financial backing of your company you can do anything you want. So get your degree, play football and get out of here in three years and remember your time here and help us when you can or when we ask. Mike, you have a fantastic math ability but I get the sense you are headed for a mailing address in Washington. Mike, ever since you and VT and CMU agreed on your path I have watched you. You are better than anybody I have ever seen with a crowd. That is also the opinion of a number of other high ranking people here. So I am telling you that you should stay with your program, unlike most Comp Sci will be easy for you. Just get it done and do whatever you want. I just hope you don't retire at 30 and hang out at your cabin in New York. Mike, is there anything else? No, I'm good, thanks. Mike, stop in any time. With that we were finished.
I left the administration building and decide to walk around campus. I took two steps and knew where I wanted to go and that was to the upper level of the Chapel. The upper level contains Memorial Court with eight sculptured Indiana limestone pylons representing, from left to right: Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and That I May Serve. It was an awesome place that I just loved. They represented what I should set my life to be about. I spent a good 30 minutes looking at things and the view of the campus. I started back to the apartment and was loving the location as it was very close to campus and I could easily walk everywhere. I was almost across the drill field when my phone chirped and it was Cole. I just kept walking as we chatted. He was all excited as he liked the course, was playing well and liked the greens as they were very similar to Oakmont. He said that the courses were very different as at Oakmont the fairways were harder and the balls rolled a lot more. Also he thought that Augusta had more elevation changes. As usual his goal was to make the cut and see where he stood Saturday morning. Then he asked about what I was doing and I told him I was at VT and went into detail about the trip. I just glossed over Erin as I had no idea where that was going. Once Cole and I hung up I kept walking and called Erin. She answered and immediately asked about the meeting with the Dean and I said that it was great but didn't go into derails. I told her that I would have called earlier but my brother called and that hew was excited as he had just finished practice round at Augusta. Mike, is he playing in the Masters? Yup, I'll tell you about that later. Then I told her about Sean and going to her place and I asked if she wanted to grab a bite to eat and then stop at his place. She said sure and I asked her to find a place to eat. She said fine and can you pick me up here at 6:00. I said sure and asked her to be ready as I didn't want a long conversation with a parent. She laughed and said dad is never home Saturday night.
I was short on clothes so I opened a few boxes and found a vest as we would be out late and the weather had turned a bit colder. I drove to pick up Erin and as I pulled into the driveway she opened the door and and was quickly in the car. The restaurant was just outside town and a small Italian place. It was a bit more romantic than I wanted but we were by far the youngest couple in the place. The Veal Parm I had was excellent and Erin had a Shrimp and pasta dish that she raved about. Again the conversation was aimed so that we got to know each other. When it got too personal I simply did the Mike pivot to a different subject. There was a brief conversation about Cole and the Masters. We both passed on desert and we drove to Sean's apartment.
At the apartment over the course of the evening there were 5 couples a freshman football players and their dates. Sean should have been in that class but had need redshirted and would have 4 years of eligibility putting him in my class with JJ and the other highly regarded recruits. We talk football, what it was like to be a freshman in a D1 football program. How the classes wher and what life was like during the season. I was glad to hear that the off season was pretty much conditioning. Sean had made a batch of Arnold Palmer drinks and I was told that I could spike mine if I wanted. I passed on that as I was driving and flying. Erin had two beers and about 11:00 we said goodnight and I drove Erin home. I walked her to the door and she kissed me and this time I returned the kiss. It wasn't a long kiss but was a bit intense and meaningful.
At the apartment I straightened up and took a shower and was quickly in bed. I ran in the morning and it was much longer than Saturday's run. I took another shower dressed in Jeans and a hoodie, locked the apartment and drove to the restaurant and had a massive breakfast. I grabbed a coffee to go and drove to the airfield. I saw the plane was in the service area and appeared to be ready. I returned the rental car and filed the flight plan did the pre-checks, including the fuel and was quickly in the air. The flight home was uneventful and when I kneed I started to secure the plane when some of the student from the school appeared and took over. I went inside as I need to use the rest room and then drove to my place. I pulled into the driveway and went in the house. I waved to Megan as she was on the phone and I assumed it was Cole. DD was in his office so we chatted a bit and I told him about the trip. With all that done I went to my place and turned on the Hockey game as the Penguins were moving along in the playoffs. It was a fun game to watch and they would have a home game on Tuesday, I was thinking I should grab some of the tickets and JJ and I should go and eat at the Igloo Club and watch the game. I could also reconnect with some local leaders.
I but some classical music on as laid on the loveseat and was almost asleep when the door flew open and JJ appeared going straight to the refrigerator. He grabbed two beers handed me one and said not today bro and put some country music on. I laughed and said I have a gift for you and I tossed him a box. He opened it and burst out laughing. Then he said MJ a box of condoms what the hell. I said look closely at it. He shrugged and said ok, an unopened box of condoms. He laughed again and said MJ that's a strange way of saying you haven't has sex in a while and your horny. He got up took my hand and led me into my room and closed the door.
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