I was reading the paper when dad and Sally came downstairs, dad asked if I wanted coffee and I said no, I'm good with iced tea and the paper. Sally sat down and said, Mike, so you were amused by your dad last night? I said mom, slightly and she laughed. Mike, I'm not interested in changing your life, just your dads life. I put the paper down and said, have I given you the impression in any way that I'm upset by your relationship with dad? She said, mike I'm just putting cards on the table. If you and I don't get along I know your dad and I won't. I looked at her and said, Sally, I've never really had a mom, so welcome aboard, just don't hurt him. Then I said, there is one condition, to all this, I'm not changing schools and she laughed. Just then dad came in with two coffees and we chatted for a while and I said that I had a ton of work to do and politely said, have fun and went upstairs.
I called Rob and asked, what he thought about the new coach. He laughed and said Mike, why in the fuck didn't you tell me? I said Rob, I didn't know. He laughed and said, Mike it seems like coaches are an endangered species around you. Rob, don't put that on me, I don't even play basketball. I said Rob, this will be a fun season, enjoy the ride.
I took a deep breath, stood up and stretched and went to work. The first call was to the Mayor. He answered and I said Hi, Pete, this is Mike Simmons. He said I know who the fuck this is, what's with no heads up? I said, Mayor Flaherty, it has been in the works for a long time but even I was surprised by the timing. Also, you should call my dad, this was his deal and now we have a 15 year project to stage. He said Mike, this is such great news and fits into your long range plans so well. Pete, relax and talk to dad I'm sure you and him can get a PR event that will meet with your approval, something like this was a very competitive deal and making it public was not an option. Dad and I will work with you on this. Enjoy your day.
Next, I called Tim and asked if he could arrange a conference call with the three of us for this afternoon and to please find a few hours to meet with me on Sunday, at their convenience? He asked if 4:00 was good for the call and I agreed. I thanked him and hung up.
I called Carrie and she said Mike, what's up with my brother, he seems good again. I said babe I put him on a workout schedule and gave him a plan, I'm building a mini me. She laughed and said Michael, what's the second part of the story and I told her. She said Mike, my parents are clueless. I said well babe how would you like to talk with the freshman girls, about how to become a responsible high school student. Then I told her about the Monday meeting and she said so Michael, I don't have a choice? I said, babe you always have a choice, I could always just talk with both groups, and she was laughing so hard she dropped the phone. I said, babe that's what I thought the reaction would be, I have a shit load of work to do, I love you.
Jim was next, then Alex and they both wanted to know about the deal and what I could tell them. Then we discussed the new basketball coach and that situation. I ended by asking Alex if his dad could manage two buildings at the same time. Alex laughed and said asshole, how would I know. I said just tell him I asked and to talk with Brian on Monday.
I was starving and found dad and Sally still in the game room and asked about dinner. Sally said, Mike I'll cook something. I laughed and said I didn't know mom's cooked. How about I order Chinese? She laughed and said that would be perfect. I ordered the food and went upstairs and started memorizing the board bios. I was deep into it when dad yelled, Mike, you ordered this are you eating, I yelled back and said I'll be right down. I was eating and my phone rang and I looked at the clock and said damn, it's 4:00. I answered and it was Tim and Brian. I excused myself and went upstairs.
First thing I asked about the new agenda and he Brian said it was sent and there was already a reaction from Dr. Chan. I said the Pitt guy who is a info tech person and Brian said yes. I asked what his problem was and well Mike in a word, your youth. I said, he is from California and his two kids one male and one something else are students at Pitt and they go tuition free. I could see Brian shaking his head but he simply said yes. Ok Brian is that a real issue? He said Mike, he is just articulating what the others are thinking. I said, thanks Brian. Who on the board do I need to worry about, he thought for a moment and said he said Paul Carr. I said the Real Estate guy? Brian said yes, he plays a role and thinks you are over your head with all these land purchases. Well, Brian, you can't be pissed about a guy when he is right, but we will get to that later. Is the new lease ready? They both said yes. So is it identical to the other one except the square footage requirements that will be rented. They both said yes.
I asked about temporary space for the NASA project and they suggested a space in the strip district. I said fine but how we managing the purchase of computer equipment and furniture. They said NASA will be up-fronting the most of that and the furniture could be leased or bought. I said Tim, ask Jodie about that for the new building and the temporary space. They seemed glad to have that off their plate. Then I said guys can the two lots be combined to one plot. Tim said right away Mike, don't even think about that. At some point you might need or want to sell one of them. Brian, immediately agreed. Then I said to save money I want to build an identical building on the second lot. Tim started to say something and I stopped him and said that is of course if Mr. Conn can find up a tenant or two and they both laughed.
They asked how my opening statement was coming and I said fantastic, since there would not be one. Brian, was immediately pissed saying are you out of your fucking mind. I laughed and said Brian, on your desk by 8:00 Monday morning you will find my complete bio and financial standing and net worth on your desk. That document should be handed out to each board member when they enter and collected at the end of the meeting. I am simply conducting a very concise board meeting. At some point, someone will push back about a lot of things. I'll deal with that. I will know and recognize every board member by name and be able to put them in their place using their bio. At the end of the meeting they will all remain on the board and there will be a couple of resignations the next day. Remember, this is a privately held company and the board doesn't mean shit unless dad and I say it does. Brian said, kid you are scaring the shit out of me but can we move it to a theater and sell tickets. I laughed and said Brian tomorrow I want you guys to review everything with me and quiz me on every board member and their backgrounds until you guys are satisfied I know every one and everything. Brian, you are on my left and dad is on my right and Tim, you are with the minions. I looked at the clock and said shit guys, it's 7:00 sorry to keep you so long. Any questions? Brian said, kid I'm simply going to get drunk and I'll see you tomorrow, do we have a time? I asked if 4:00 worked and I said I'll have dad and Ryan here as well and I'll order food for dinner. Thanks so much for your time. I hung up and started downstairs and my phone rang and it was Tim
I said Tim, I knew you would call back, are we good? Mike, I'm good because I've seen you in action and Brian is a mess because he hasn't. Just one thing next time he calls you a kid, blow his ass out of the water. Tim, I said I get that but I've been hard on him and I letting up some, but he will make a mistake and he will call me kid in the wrong situation and that will be the last time it happens. Then he said, Mike, you need to know the lease inside and out. I thanked him and headed downstairs and found the place cleaned and Sally and dad talking. I got an iced tea and went back upstairs and read the damn lease 15 times and could quote paragraphs of it without even thinking about it.
I went back downstairs refreshed the iced tea and saw that Sally was still there and assumed she was spending the night again. Back upstairs it was back to the board members and I eventually put my headphones on and hit play and just laid there. That wasn't helping and I put on the warmest clothes I fit into and went downstairs grabbed a beer and a smoke and sat in my chair outside and looked at the stars and finally relaxed. Dad came out and sat down and asked how I was doing and I said that I was tired but really good. I said dad, ask Brian to trust me and relax. He laughed and said so you figured out that he called. I said dad even Tim called so yeah, I figured. Thanks for not asking. Mike, I have to admit that the new agenda is interesting and sends a big message. Then there is the note to be prepared and I am assuming the bio you will give them. Then he said Mike, which board member do you think will have the most interesting meeting? Dad that's easy, Mr. Carr and dad laughed and said that's one hell of a good guess. Unless he has Dave Austin make the move and dad laughed saying how do you know that? Dad, it's all there just look deeper. I changed the topic asking if Sally was moving in? He said Mike, soon but not yet. I said dad before she does have her pick out new bedroom furniture. He laughed and said damn, Mike you are something. Good night.
Back inside, I called Carrie, when she answered I asked if she was still talking wit me. She said Mike, you do complicate my life in so many ways. Just so you know. I have not said anything to Sam, he is so happy I did not want to miss with him. Babe, thanks he would be very upset if he thought I told you. I told Carrie that I had a very important next few days with the new business deal, the building and the board meeting. I said she will have to be patient with me and that I will not be in school Tuesday. She said, Michael, find time to relax and set aside sometime for Mike. I laughed and said babe, I love you and good night.
Sunday morning was sunny and cold and the run was fantastic. I made coffee and a beagle and was reading the Sunday paper. The business section was all about the company and the NASA deal. Speculation was all about the company's possible new location and how or if there would be enough professionals to hire. Throughout the entire thing there were no quotes from dad even though he was getting a ton of credit. I went upstairs changed and got ready for the gym. The workout was intense even by my standards and damn, it felt great. I didn't have a change of clothes so I went home, showered and started on the bios of the directors. Then I went back to the lease and finally set that all aside and started to think about what I was going to tell the principal in the morning. Damn, I was proud of Sam but I needed this like a hole in my head.
Down stairs I found dad in his office and Sally sitting in the game room drinking coffee, I grabbed a cup and sat down and we talked about a lot of things and we were feeling each other out and learning about things that didn't matter. Dad came in and joined us also drinking coffee. I took one look at him and said dad, just tell me and I'm guessing it is Bill. Mike, that's correct it was the rehab center, they feel that Bill has earned the long awaited visit from you. I leaned back in the chair and said shit. I looked at dad and said it will have to wait till Thursday. Dad said Mike, can we do it sooner? I took a deep breath and said please tell me how the fuck I am free before that? He said what you doing right now? I said sitting in this chair and relaxing before I get ready for the meeting with the principal in the morning, then there is prep for Brian and Tim this afternoon, then school work. Don't you think that is enough? Besides please explain where the we is in all this, it seems that I'm the one that has to but my ass in the car and spend a couple of hours, so where is the we? Mike, please go to my office and I'll be there in a minute. I quietly got up and sat down in the office. A few minutes later dad came in pulled me into a big hug and said Mike, we are not discussing this, get your ass in the fucking car and go see your brother and do it now please. I went upstairs got my wallet and keys put on a jacket went downstairs slammed the door as hard as I could and drove to the fucking rehab center to see my brother.
It was an easy ride but took long enough for me to calm down. When I got there and asked for Bill, I was ushered into an office and was joined by the same people I had talked with earlier. They updated me on Bill's progress. I listened without comment, said thanks and they said Bill was in the common room. When Bill saw me there was a big smile and he got up and gave me a big hug. He started by saying he was sorry and I stopped him and said, Bill don't you dare go there. You apologize every time and it doesn't mean shit. How you really doing? Mike, the games are over, I got your message. I remember the hotel but what I remember the most is when you said "damn, I've always wanted a brother and I got you". Well Mike, I need you so please don't be mad. I took, yet another deep breath and said dude, so really what's going on? Mike, the base of my problem is no longer alive so I'm making progress and if I'm still invited I want to put her in the ocean and never think about her again. Bill, you are invited, that has not changed. What else, he said damn you are in a fucked up mood. I said, Bill I'm just swamped, it's not you. We chatted about what he wanted to talk about for about an hour and I said, Bill I have a meeting in an hour with two attorneys so I have to leave. If you can pull it off I'll visit this weekend, just let me know. I got up and gave him a hug and said dude, I'm hear for you but like I said a while back, I'm not always available at a minutes notice. Fix it so we can spend some time over the weekend.
I pulled into the driveway and saw Brian's and Tim's car and thought shit I didn't order dinner. I went inside and said guys, I'll be with you in a second. I asked dad can I use the office and he said, whatever you need. Then I added can you order dinner for us? Dad said yes, sir and I exploded you know what go fuck off, we will go to the club and Sally said ok both of you in the office. She came in firmly closed the door and said you two are either assholes or stressed out but I'm guessing you are so much alike you both are competitive jerks, work it the fuck out and be civil and get it done NOW. She turned and left slamming the door. I looked at dad and we both burst out laughing and hugged. He said Mike get to work, I'll order Italian. I said thanks dad and we hugged. He left and sent the legal team in.
Brian started with the lease and quizzed me and I quoted passages and gave coherent answers. Then Tim started asking about the board members, occupations, colleges, family and I made one mistake. Then he showed me pictures and again I knew who each was. Then the tenant list and I knew all those. Then it was the agenda and finally my boi and questions designed to piss me off and I finally said guys thats enough, let's eat. We ate and talked about the building. I told them I was going to get Mr. Conn to find tenants for the new building. We finished dinner and I said Guys so am I ready for Tuesday? Brian said kid, you are more than ready. I laughed and said Brian what the fuck do I have to do to prove to you I'm not a kid? Tim, trying to diffuse the issue said Mike, you are more than ready. I said thanks guys, who wants a drink? They both declined and thankfully my day was over, well almost.
I was cleaning up the kitchen and Sally appeared and said Mike, let me help you. I said sure and thanks for intervening between me and dad. Then she said well Mike there are times you act like a spoiled brat and your dad deserves better. Sally, my mom was a complete bitch so if you want to go down that path, tread lightly as I'm more than your equal in a pissing contest. Dad and I are good together and good for each other and you need to know where that will eventually end up. She snapped at me and said where would that be? I smiled and said in a matching urn in the corner of the office, the difference being I won't be tending to your ashes. She went up to me looked at me and went to slap my face and I grabbed her hand inches from my face and said don't even think about it. I don't give a fuck what you think of me and you will never get between me and dad. Perhaps, you want to bring him in here and we can discuss it right now. She laughed and said Mike, we need a truce. I said we do? She said yes we do, I love your dad and you and I can dislike each other, but we have to tolerate each other for your dads sake. I looked at here and said, so we try to get a long and don't fuck with dad, does that work? She simply said yes and left the room.
I finished up and went upstairs and called Carrie. She ask how I was holding up and we discussed Bill and Sally. She said Mike, please don't worry both of those things will be what they become. We talked about the meeting with the principal. Finally, I said babe, I'm exhausted, I love you and we will knock them dead tomorrow. Good