When I got to school I was pleased that there weren't many cars parked outside and even more surprised that there were only two guys there. I changed and started on my workout and it was uninterrupted and intense. As I was coming out of the shower, coach sat down on a stool beside my locker and I knew the conversation would be casual as he didn't want to talk in his office. Once I was mostly dressed he said that he had made a decision on the captains and that the team could select one from defense and one from offense. He said he was appointing me, JIm and Adam as the other captains. I said thanks, I think and asked if there was anything else? He got up and said no and have fun tomorrow night with the team. I laughed at that and started for the car. Before I got to the car Sam pulled up and asked, so what's with the meeting tomorrow evening? I smiled and said please ask the Coach. Besides are you even playing this year? He said yes. So Sam, you are buying in totally? Well I'm not playing JV and I will not be QB3. Well Sam, I'll take that as a NO, have a good night and I got in the car and drove home.
I pulled into the driveway and saw by the cars that everyone was home and thought that would be fun. Dinner was breaded pork chops, potatoes and a salad. I grabbed an iced tea and sat down. Dinner was the usual casual affair and Cole was pleased about his practice session and Megan had a good day. Dad, said that he got a call from Ruth and would need to chat with me after dinner. I just thought another issue for tomorrow. Once we were finished eating dad and I went to his office and he had a scotch and mine was iced tea. Dad asked so what happened today with Ruth? Dad, it's been the last couple of days and when she slammed my office door today, I sent her home telling her that we both needed to talk. When she didn't leave, I very politely told her what would happen, that she wasn't being fired or replaced or demoted but we needed to get a few things cleared up. Dad asked for details and I said well she won't be rude to Zaid, I won't be sent to my room and my door will never be slammed, not even by me. He said so it was her typical stick? I said, well not anymore. Then we chatted about his new job, hiring salespeople and about football and I said a lot will be resolved tomorrow night. With that I went out back and to my room. Damn that was still strange.
The evening consisted of a long chat with Mary Ann and classical music and reading for school and finally a review of the football play book. For damn sure I wasn't fucking up a play call. I was just about finished and there was a knock on the door and when I yelled, come in it was Jace. He said he just got in and was staying the week. He said he had a 9:00 meeting with me as some dude with a strange name said it was fine. I laughed and said Zaid is my Executive Assistant so you are good. We went to the common area and he grabbed a beer and I had an iced tea. We talked about a lot of things and he said that Cole had worked his ass off and he was even ok with Judy and our limited time together and he even found a friend. Oh, I'm planning on going to see him play. Things are busy at the store but there is not much for me to do till the harvest. Mike, I was going to save this till tomorrow but thanks for the check and Mark sent this and I was handed an envelope. I asked Jace if he was running and he said well Cole had already mentioned that so we would be ready. I said good night.
Tuesday was Camp -6 and I was glad that the weather was good as I didn't want the team meeting outside in the rain. The run was Cole, Jace, JJ and I and it was a great pace. I stopped at JJ's house and we went over things for the team meeting and he said that Jim would nominate him for Captain and that he would nominate Josh a defensive end and we both wondered where Sam would finish. With that all worked out it was to my room to shower and get ready for a complicated day. Since the new room, coffee in the morning has for some reason been a pain in the ass and I simply started to stop for coffee on the way in to work. Once there, Ruth was at here desk and I stopped and said please give me 5 minutes and we can talk. She smiled and said sure, I was thinking that was an unusual response. I left the office door open and turned on the computer and then checked my schedule and fuck it was full till 3:00. There was Ruth, Jace, Zaid and Dillon in the morning. Lunch then Riley and dad. Very unusual for dad to schedule a meeting.
Shortly there was a knock on the door jam and I looked up and saw Ruth. I asked her to come in and have a seat and I joined her in a guest chair next to her. I said Ruth, you first as you had something on your mind yesterday. Mike, I wanted to have a chat about how things are changing around here. Mike, your dad is stepping back, you will be tied up with school, people get promoted and people get added. So when will this all end? Ruth, first of all you got a raise and will be getting another, dad and I will still be around but I'm letting the professionals run the company and yet dad and I have final say. Companies that don't change, wither and die on the vine. Ruth, the only new hire in a while is Zaid, do you have a problem with him? Mike, it's just that he is different. I immediately tensed and asked in what way? Well he thinks different and expresses himself all the time. Ok, Ruth now it's my turn and I was simply displeased when we started this yesterday but now I need you to understand something. This all started when Zaid appeared, you were, I'm guessing demeaning in the phone lesson. These phones are a relic from another generation and yes that's being changed. Then you told me he was a pain, instead of dealing with it your self. When he fell on his sword and was nice to you, you gave in a little. That was when you sent me to my room with a request to return non existing calls. Then yesterday you slammed my door. I'm thinking the common thing in all this is Zaid.
I paused and said Ruth, things are only starting to change. Once we move into the new building you will be six offices away from my office and even further from dad's. Your responsibilities would be increased to include the entire Executive team. So here is the deal, our company has a very diverse workforce and they all think and act different and express themselves in different ways, you just don't deal with them. They make this company run. Zaid, will be very visible and dad recommended him and i hired him and he will be assuming all or Riley's former duties and more. I am not my dad, you don't get me coffee, you only order lunch for me when I'm not interested in eating, I deal with personal matters on my own. Understand that there is no place for racial or sexual bias in this company. I really hope you adjust to all this but understand an immediate adjustment is expected. If that can't happen you will force me to make decisions I don't ever want to have to make. Ruth, do you understand or do you need time? I could see she was furious and she said Mike, I resent the tone and you attitude towards me. Ruth that's understandable but running to Mike, Sr. Will not change things, I hope you can adjust and figure this all out. She said well so much for being nice to the secretaries. At that point I stood up and went behind my desk and started to look at the computer. She sat there looking at me and asked, are you finished? I said well, I am and as the ball is in your court you are on indefinite paid leave and at some point I would hope you come in and work this out. Enjoy your time off. My only comment will be that you took a leave, you can paint what ever picture you care to, I am simply am done caring.
Once Ruth was gone I went to let Maggie in Human Resources told her what happened. She said fine but next time you do something like this have witnesses. She said that she would send a temp and asked if she could be there when I told dad. I laughed at that and said thanks. I spent the next hour with Jace and it was all good news and even Monday was a good day at the store. He was worried about having enough grapes to make enough wine. As the reserves that were available in the barrels was the last year before grapes got sold off. I told him that I would put Tim on it today and see if we can move the negotiations on the grapes. The meeting with Zaid was involved in that I had to explain the entire situation with Ruth and when we were finished he said damn he didn't realize he would cause this type of drama. I assured him that the drama was Ruth's issue and that we were good, actually very good. He simply went outside and sat at Ruth's desk and started working.
As I had time before lunch, I went and found dad. I simply knocked and had a seat. I asked, so have you heard from Ruth? He said yes and that from the chat, which wasn't long, you had no choice and have Maggie start interviewing for a replacement. I felt bad and dad said Mike, she is too set in her ways to change and yes she is on the other issue and she felt Zaid was one of her bosses. I laughed at that and said, well that's one of the problems as she has had no boss. Dad just laughed and I said well I'll see you later as I see we have a meeting. His phone rang and I simply left. I told Zaid that I had a lunch appointment and would be back before 1:00. At the restaurant the twins were already there and each had a beer. I ordered an iced tea and asked for a few minutes before we ordered. I asked what's up and I looked at TJ and said, so TJ let's start with you? He looked at me and asked, how the fuck do you tell the difference? I said well your not as identical as you think. So your sister and I had a great weekend and thanks, what's the payback? Well our sister has had a boyfriend or two before but no one in your league and you are built like a Greek god. So, I get that I am different but why sex and why would I mess up my relationship with Peanuts to fool around with you or both of you? Ok, how do you know that? I answered well you will have to discover that for your self. Ok you had a better chance of this happening before the weekend as things got more serious between us.
The waiter came and I said the usual and they ordered burgers and fries and another beer. Then JT said Mike, we are not looking for anything serious, just everyone naked, you getting a massage and a blowjob. Then TJ said, fuck I'm betting you got a bj from a guy before. I said so you come over, we get naked and I get a rundown and a bj and that's the end of it? The both said correct and JT added unless you want something more like us putting on a sexy show for you. The food came and we ate and chatted about other things and I finally agreed to meeting Thursday as I had a head doctor's appointment on Wednesday. On the way out I put my arm around JT and said if you tell me why Mary Ann won't object to this, I'll tell you how I tell you two apart. Mike, I don't know how to say this but she is very open minded and on occasions enjoys different flavors. I said well I know you two apart as I like you better and your ears are slightly bigger. With that I went back to the office. Thinking fuck, she could have girls and I could have JJ.
With my head spinning I went back in the office and sitting in my guest chairs was Dillon and Riley. I asked, am I late and Dillon said no we are a bit early and we have a favor to ask. I shrugged and said well ask away. Well after the conference, the two of us have been talking a lot and we want to change titles. We are both better if we change, then Dillon added, I'm much better with operations and she does better with the less hands on shit. I laughed and said, you scheduled a meeting for that? I really don't care what the titles are just so the work is done, however, I might suggest you keep the titles as is and diverse up the responsibilities as you see fit. Then I added, simply change the business cards, I don't care. Then they asked about Ruth and I said in an indefinite paid leave. Then I added I know I can trust you two so I will add bigotry or even unconscious bigotry won't be tolerated. She is figuring thing out. Oh, whichever one of you is operations, have someone remove that damn door. If I need privacy, I'll go to the conference room. That left me with some time and only one meeting with dad on the schedule.
I went to my schedule and saw it was scheduled for the conference room. Thinking that strange I saw while I was scheduled for the conference room dad had it reserved for an executive meeting. Upon further checking every one was scheduled and it was for 30 minutes. Now, I had radar blaring in my head. What the fuck was dad up to? Right at 3:00 I walked into the conference room and said while this isn't my meeting, I want to bring you up to speed on the Ruth situation. She is on paid leave, a temp will be there tomorrow and I have asked HR to advertise the position. Weather or not she returns is up to her but there are conditions. Understand racial, ethnic or sexual bias will not be tolerated weather intentional or unconscious, thanks. Kyle took over and asked Mike, Sr. why the meeting? Dad replied, well last week it was decided that the video game segment would bu up for sale and I have put together a couple of investors and I would like to offer 3.5 million for the division. You maintain ownership of the few items currently on the market and I would like the employees, should they wish to make the move. They will be housed in Harmerville. Everyone looked at me and I said this is all news to me. Dad immediately added and Mike is not an investor. The offer is good for 48 hours, he said thanks and left the room. I immediately said guys, I agreed to a sale last week and at this point I will back whatever you recommend. Right now I want no input it's your decision. Enjoy the evening and I walked out? I went right to dad's office and said what the fuck? So you want out of here because your bored? He said, I'm still involved here but yes, I need something different. Then it hit me, so your not upset about Ruth as you will hire here for the startup and this new adventure? He smiled and said possibly. Dad, why not just ask and not put me through that? Well that message needed sent and actually Ruth is more than a bit that way. So dad, you don't care about that? Michael, I do and I'll address it with her. You taught her a very big lesson and you need a more younger and dynamic person in that position. Mike, your group will want 4 and I am good with that. I laughed and said, see you for dinner.
I was in my office planning what I would say at the meeting tonight and I I would deal with one certain drama with Sam. We would finally see how big is gang of loyal followers actually were. I was just getting ready to go home when my phone rang and I was asked to come to the conference room. Once there I was told that they had come to a decision. Kyle said as President he is authorizing the sale of the video game segment for 4.25 million and as a condition of the sale that I would have no financial stake in the company. I smiled and said well I'm actually good with that and Kyle as President you can do all that. I asked, what if there is a counter to your offer. Dillion said Mike, we will counter back with something like 4.5 and p burst out laughing as it was a page right out of my book. With that I drove home hoping for dinner.
I pulled in the driveway and JJ and Jim were standing there chatting. When I got out JJ said get out of those work clothes and we are going to have a quick dinner. I was changed in a flash and JJ was driving and it was off to the Tavern. It was real iced tea and sandwiches and we laughed and told stories and it was great to have Jim back again. We left for the meeting with just enough time to get there on time. At the field I went to the pavilion and jumped on a table and yelled GATHER AROUND. First, we have a great and very unique opportunity of you agree we will be followed all year starting next week. There will be individual interviews, if you and your parents agree. If not there is no issue and your picture will be blurred out on all film and videos. Someone yelled, Mike in all this will we be able to say what we think and what we feel? I said absolutely, just be real and exercise your free speech rights responsibility. I said, understand if you agree it will be a pain in the ass and very distracting. Just be yourselves and yes there will be a ton of exposure. There was another question and it was, so who get that exposure? I said all of us and if we take care of business all of us get on the field. The underclassmen get early college exposure and those of us who are upperclassman could get new attention. I asked for a show of hands if they wanted to do this, understanding if we agree there is no going back. Hands shot up and it was way more than than was needed.
I said please pick up a permission slip and return it to the coach the first day of camp. Then I said Coach has chosen Jim and Adam and me as captains and we are to elect one on offense and one on defense. We will vote and the results will be posted at school tomorrow. Sam yelled so you have enough time to change the votes? I said, FINE anyone who wants to hang around we will count the votes and for those who don't want to hang around they will still be posted at school in the workout area. Jim, Adam and I will count the votes. That's not up for discussion. Sam yelled WELL THAT'S FUCKING TYPICAL. I didn't react and said nominations please. The nominations for offense was JJ and Sam and I found that hysterical. The nominations for defense was Josh and Cam. Cam was one of Sam's henchmen. Paper was not an issue but pencils and pens were short on supply, so it took a while. Everyone was asked to write the two names on the paper and it was obvious who was offense and who was defense. There were 78 people there so there were a lot of votes to count. Then there was a right in on offense. A hour later we had the results. JJ had 60 votes the write in kid, Alex had 11 and Sam had 7 votes. Josh had 68 votes and Cam had 10 votes. I stood on the table and said that the elected captains were JJ and Josh. Sam immediately yelled, what were the numbers?
I had enough and said Sam, I am glad to do that but you should consider changing your mind. He said fuck you and let's see if we need a recount. I laughed and said dude Josh had 68 votes and Cam had 10 votes. Then I said JJ had 60 votes, Alex had 11 votes and Sam had 7 votes. I said the results will be posted at school and the ballots will be given to coach. I jumped off the table and headed right for Sam and JJ and Josh stopped me saying he is done just let him be. I was glad they did that as I wanted to just beat the shit out of him. However I went up to Sam and said dude, there is a saying "you either lead, follow or felt out of the way". You can't lead as you have no followers, you don't want to follow so you chose the only one left. Would you please get out of the way and let us win a championship or two?
After that the Captains hung around and talked. We were a group of all the best players and all Juniors and Seniors. Naturally my phone rang and it was Coach. I said hi and told him that his Captains were sitting around at Snyder field chatting, why didn't he stop buy. He said, so it was that good? I replied every bit that good and he said I'll be there in 10 and hung up. Josh said, look guys anything we do will look like hazing and I won't get into that. Coach has avoided the Sam problem all year. I say tell him that it's his problem. Put up with it all year, on National TV, get him on board or cut his fucking ass. If it was me I would cut him. He is like a pimple you either medicate it, pop it or let it fester. We all found that hysterical as the Junior with a perfect completion had a point. Everyone was in agreement that this was a coaching issue and that we were out of it.
When coach came he shook all our hands and said thanks for doing this. I handed him the votes and the summary sheet and he looked and just shook his head. Adam said coach, Mike tried to just tell everyone who won and Sam wanted the numbers to see if a recount was needed. Coach laughed and I looked at him and said, for the record you are the only one that finds that funny. Jim said coach, are you going to medicate that pimple, pop it or let it fester on National TV? We all laughed at that and coach just looked. Ok guys, I have tried to let him grow up and get on board and if this message, sent by his peers, didn't get through I have this. While you guys were meeting my staff and I were meeting. We discussed a lot of thing and Sam was one of them. We will be moving him to defensive sack and he won't be with the offense. There will be no discussion he will simply be told to go with the defense. We will have a Freshman as the back up and we have already moved him to the JV as starting QB. Jim, just don't get hurt. That kid at 15 is 6'2", 185 and knows the game and I have chatted with the people at his former school in Columbus, Ohio and when his dad was transferred to Pittsburgh they chose us because of the school and the developing program. We did not recruit him and thankfully neither parent works for Mike or his dad.
Once coach left, we hung around and Jim said guys, that kid is the real deal and if he gets playing time the college coaches will be all over the place and that will be good for everyone. I said, well that's great but Sam will not put up with this and camp will be a complete and total mess. Josh, just laughed and said, after today I bet he transfers to a private school or to a smaller Catholic school. I just shook my head and Adam said Mike, coach will sign off on that in a minute. I know for a fact that Sam is looking around. His parents as well as they want or need the scholarship for college. It was a good group of guys and I was hoping we stayed close.
On the way home, I was thinking about Sam and that I could have done to avoid this becoming what it had to become. We had a decent relationship when I was dating Carrie. Damn that relationships has caused a lot of hurt and it isn't just Carrie and I who were hurt. Fuck, I hate that bitch more every day. It was J & J Architects and now Sam. At home I went right to my room filled a glass with ice and poured scotch until the ice flooded and sat on the sofa and simply tried to get drunk. I was just sitting there, trying not to think about anything and sipping the drink when all of a sudden it was taken out of my hand. I looked at Jace as he went to the sink and dumped the drink. He handed me an iced tea and said try this but dude you are scaring the shit out of me. Mike, whatever happened today could not have been that bad that you would sit here and get drunk alone. With you family history you need to be careful. Yes, I know about your mom and your brother so get a fucking grip. Jace, I'm the reason my mother was a drunk and she is the reason bill couldn't cope with life. Jace said ok, and just so you know, I'm one of the reasons you won't go down that path. JJ and I both think you need help. I stood up gave him a hug and said well I have a head doctor appointment tomorrow and tell JJ I said thanks. I was grabbed and he looked me in the eye and said you tell him yourself and until you're head is right make that a regular appointment. I said good night and thanks.
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