Wednesday was a beautiful morning and started with JJ, Cole and I doing the usual run and Cole bitching some about the pace. JJ was in a much better mood and as I was meeting Kyle close to home I had time to change and dressed in clothes that stretched the dress code to the very limit. At school, I parked in my usual spot and started toward the building and there was Heather standing in that spot, I started to walk by and stopped, grabbed her and stuck my tongue as far down her throat as I could. She pulled away swung and this time I simply moved back and she missed my face. I looked at here and said babe, I asked you to find a different spot, or simply ignore me. Then I simply went to class and was fully engaged in the poetry shit when the classroom door opened and Dr. Johnson said, excuse me but I need Mr. Simmons. This time the sexy teacher said whatever. Dr. Johnson said Miss Abrams a word later when you are free. I thought shit, now what. In the hall Dr. Johnson said Mike walk with me. Then he asked what would happen if you got a 3 day suspension for that display earlier today? I shrugged and said, well I would get caught up at work and we would lose a football game Friday. He laughed and said, please find another place not around school for that activity. When we got to the administrative area I was led into the conference room and there was the network crew with a camera and Dr. Johnson simply left saying have fun.
I was totally pissed off but calmly sat down. The producer said Mike, I'm sorry for the short notice but we have a special tonight and what to hear from a few student athletes about their year and since we were here we asked for an hour of your time. I looked right at him and said well let's get this done as the student part of this athlete would very much like to be in class. They attached a microphone to my tee shirt collar. I immediately took it off and cupped it in my hand and calmly asked what are the ground rules? Mike, this isn't complicated, we have a number of questions we will ask and expand on those answers. I asked and edited how? This session will be edited not for content, in any way but for time. I said fine but understand poor questions get poor answers and will everyone be as unprepared as me? The answer was well no one has more notice than anyone else. You are by nature and experience more prepared. I reattached the microphone and said fire away.
There was an introduction and bit of a background on me and the first question was; Mike you are on a very good team and have won all the games, yet there has been drama all season, why is that. I smiled and said well we are very experienced and lost once last year the state semi final game. We have grown and matured and have become a very tight team. It took some adjusting by us and by the coaches. It is pretty much resolved and we are in a great direction.
Mike, you were one of the most recruited athletes in the country can you tell us about that? Sure, my dad and coach and I controlled that process. I am different as I have no intention of playing beyond college as education was first and foremost a consideration. I simply eliminated a lot of schools because their emphasis was not education. Mike, would you list some of those schools? No I won't, please move on. Well Mike why VT. Well first of all their graduation rate and that when I went too far they actually pushed back. I intentionally pushed and they pushed back. Then the Dean of the computer science department agreed to count any credits I earned at CMU. Mike as a follow up, how many credit will you have going in to VT? I simply said 22. Mike that's very unusual. I looked right at the camera and said well I am very unusual and shocked I was chosen for this project. Mike, you were chosen because you are so different and you are a tough interview.
Mike, with all you have going on in your life why is football important to you is it fun? Great question, last year was a blast, we were undefeated district champs and snuck up on everyone and managed a final win at the stadium. This year, we are expected to win. Those expectations by everyone are not fun. Sure we have placed that on our shoulders and have worked hard and gotten bigger and stronger and 2 kids moved in from out of state and if they were looking for a football powerhouse, that's not us. We could be a one trick pony as we until last year never won anything. It's our senior class, a once in a generation group of over achievers who thrive on success and demand the things we need to be successful. Academically we have been like that since 1st grade. We surprised the crap out of everyone athletically. Mike, to be fair you lost some key players as well, I believe a QB and a receiver. I simply replied correct. Then I said, you simply play with what you have.
Mike, beside expectations what's different? You have won every game by big numbers. That may be true and we are injury free, so far and we all know that won't continue. We are very tight and react when an athlete in any sport is treated unfairly. We simply expect to win and anything else is unacceptable and that's a pressure we put on ourselves.
Mike, do you hang with your teammates outside of football. I said nope, we all have our own lives. And we come together for football and when the season is over we will collectively support the other teams. You couldn't find a football party here ever. I'm not the best one to ask as I have a lot going on outside of school and football.
Mike we are aware but will you give the viewers a short summary. Well, I am building 2 buildings, I am Chairman of a large computer company, I own a commercial real estate company and am principal owner of a winery in New York. Oh, I almost forgot I'm on the USGA Committee for the two US Opens to be held at Oakmont.
Mike, what do you do for fun? I love to pilot a plane. What do you fly? Well for now it is a twin engine Cessna but we have on order the newest Cessna Citation IV jet and we talk possession in February. I'll be cleared and trained to fly that by the time it is delivered.
Mike who is your favorite team? The Stanley Cup Champ, Penguins. Well any Pittsburgh team.
Mike what is the one thing you would change about high school sports? That the adults who run things see us as developing teens, with some real issues and not as players or people to be idolized.
Mike, thanks for your time and cooperation.
I simply took off the microphone and placed it on the conference table and started to class. As I got to the reception desk I was asked to see Dr. Johnson. I knocked on the door and he yelled Mike, come in. There sitting in the guest chair was Miss Abrams. I was asked to sit down and Dr.Johnson asked about the interview. I said doc it was ok and I simply answered all their inane questions nicely. He laughed and said thanks. Miss Abrams was shaking her head and Dr. Johnson asked what didn't you like about Mike's answer. There isn't a student who should think a question asked by a veteran reporter was inane. I shook my head and said Miss Abrams obviously you haven't been interviewed much. She said that's true. Well Miss Abrams I have booked many hours on TV and even the most successful reporters ask inane questions and I usually answer them with inane responses, today I elected not to do that.
Then Dr. Johnson asked if I would tell her a few thing about who you are and what you do? I just spit back what I told the media people and added the foundation. When I finished she laughed and said well I get that your dad gave you a boat load of money and you run around pretending you are in charge. What I want to know is how the USGA put you on those committees. Dr. Johnson said Mike, please count to 20 before you answer. I said nope and said well I am a member at Oakmont, Latrobe and South Hills. The Oakmont members put me on the committee. Again Mike, your dad's money. I looked at Dr. Johnson and asked would you please enlighten her, I might simply explode. Dr. Johnson said well you are correct Mike's dad gave him a substantial trust. Mike has in a very short time inked deals with NASA, DOD, Annapolis, the local grocery chain and is in the process of moving the company to new buildings on the Mon. river. He is by his latest tax filings the second largest tax payer in our district and could buy either of us with pocket money. He is one of the wealthiest individuals in the county and yet here he sits the best student in this school and has never asked for a single favor or exception. In return for all that we as administrators have relied on him for years and on a regular basis pull him out of class. So I suggest you deal with it as I am sure he will. You may go but Mike please stay. Once we were alone Dr. Johnson said please just deal with her and hopefully she will develop some people skills and realize that some of you guys are her equals. The he asked about football and I said they are fine and yesterday's issues was JJ wanting to play defense as college coaches are on him again as he is a better d-back than wideout. He acted out as he wasn't sure about VT. We are going there this weekend and things will be fine. How did you know about that? Mike, I told all of you that I'm watching. If you say things are good I'll take your word for that. I said thanks and asked if I could practice today as I haven't been to class all day. He laughed and said get to gym.
I did the gym class thing which was sitting there and watching and simply signed out for work and drove to my place. I quickly showered and dressed in appropriate clothes for the Club and grabbed an iced tea and was relaxing. It was another complicated day and I was hoping the meeting with Kyle would be good and a drama free day. I was actually relaxing and enjoying the day. Then I picked up the phone and called dad. When he answered I asked if he could be free for dinner. He was quiet for a few seconds and said sure and I said perfect we can go to my club. He said that's fine but what's up? I laughed and said nothing we haven't hung out in ages and I'm free tonight. With that done I drove to the club and got an outside patio table, the weather would be changing and these opportunities would come to an end.
I sat down and as I was early and Jake appeared and we chatted about his wife and the kid. I asked for an Arnold Palmer and he looked and I nodded and just Kyle arrived and when asked about his drink he said I'll just have what Mike is having. He sat down and we just chatted about things in general. The drinks came and we ordered food. When Kyle tasted his drink he just shook his head and said, that figures. Then Kyle was all business and said Mike, I know you look at the financials and things are very good but there is an issue of a health care increase. It will be about 8% and we should really shop it. The problem with that is the relationship with Highmark and our desire to keep things local. Then we could start making the employees pay a small part. Kyle the turnover will get out of hand. Mike, I know that and that option is an absolute last choice. Kyle, what does this cost us in real dollars? Mike, Maggie says 1.5. Kyle, let me bring it up to John Carson tomorrow at lunch and see what happens. Kyle agreed and the food arrived. The next topic was Liam and Kyle was very impressed with the firm yet reasonable way he deals with people. 100% no bull shit and yet no one gets pissed. Then he added, he won't be an assistant long. I looked at Kyle and said he will be a very well paid assistant for at least 4 years. I hoping he is a mini me. Kyle smiled and said well he is on the right track, but it's early and I'm not afraid to clip some wings. Kyle, I'm glad to hear that, better you than me. Then he said speaking of clipping wings you should tell Dillon and Riley since they are sharing a position it should be half pay. I need Dillon as CEO and Riley as COO, I'm really not caring what they want or what games they are playing. I thought for a minute and said I'll chat with Maggie and we will get that done. Kyle laughed and said you mean Maggie will do it? I got serious and said Kyle, I said we and I mean that. Dillon is too important to have this fuck things up. He immediately asked and Riley? I smiled and said pregnant in a year or less and we will have to see where that leaves us. We finished eating and I suggested that he simply go home and hug the wife for me. He smiled and said well going home was already in the works. I thank him for making the trip to the club as it made thing easier for me. He smiled and said just settle the thing with Dillon and Riley and I'll come here every week. I just laughed and we walked to the cars.
As soon as I got home I called Maggie and we talked about Riley and Dillon. She said Riley was important and very good but that Dillon was absolutely necessary. Then I was told no matter what keep both. I was glad to hear that and we discussed a plan and that Dillon would be CEO and Riley would be COO. I thanked her for the time and called Liam and asked that he set up a meeting with Dillon and then Riley a half hour each starting at 11:00. He asked if he should be there and I said yes. I also asked him to cancel my meetings with John Carson and Scott Cleary Then I called Kyle and asked what his title was and he replied well I'm President but our structure is fucked up. In reality you are chairman, I am CEO, Dillon should be President and Riley should be cOO. Mike that's how it works everywhere but here and to be honest I don't give a fuck about the titles, just so the works get done. Thanks Kyle as of now you are CEO with a $5,000 raise and I will, tomorrow make the other adjustments. He laughed and asked if he could watch. I said sure and with that done I got ready for practice for practice.
On the drive to school for practice I realized that I needed to get out of study hall and sign out for work a bit early. I thought about clearing it at the office and decided to simply sign out. This school shit was getting old very fast and a January graduation was looking more and more like the thing to do. At school I quickly dressed for practice and it was the typical last live practice of the week. Once again I was only on offense and JJ was on both and was cooperating and at full speed. It was looking like the drama for the week was finished. Then Wyatt came up to me and said Mike, my grandfather said I shouldn't engineer things so people can play more. He also said dudes bet on our games. Wyatt that is all correct. We need you to just play every down like it matters and coach will deal with playing time. We never want it to look like you are controlling the score, do you understand? He said, well now I do thanks.
JJ and I walked to our vehicles together and he said he was hanging with Mia tonight and did I want to call Heather and meet up. JJ, I'm not making that mistake again and I will call Heather but a lot of double dates are not a good thing, remember the last two. He shook his head and said got it. At my place I dressed in grey slacks, blue shirt and blazer and put on a tie and went looking for dad. In the house I found dad and Megan chatting and Ashley asleep. DD looked at me and smiled and asked, so how bad was the thing you did? I laughed out loud and said well I restructured the company to make it like everyone else in the business world, gave Kyle a small raise and will deal with the rest tomorrow. Tonight it is simply boys night out, let's go I changed thing to Oakmont.
It was a 32 minute drive to the club and we got there right at 6:45 as per my reservations. Clark, immediately appeared and said Mike, it's good to see you, we haven't seen you in weeks. I have a table for you a bit out of the way as you requested and he looked at dad and said Mr. Simmons welcome to Oakmont. Dad said thanks and we sat down. The table was a bit more than out of the way and I appreciated that. Dad ordered a scotch and I asked for an iced tea. It was a very nice and relaxing start and dad ordered a steak, packed potato and a small salad. I was tempted to just ordered the same and at the last minute ordered halibut and rice with a salad. This was like old times and I had to laugh as this time it was at my club and he was my guest. It was amazing that the only intrusion was when Clark reappeared and asked how he could order more of that wine. I gave him Jace's number and said ask him to simply fly it down. Dad had an after dinner drink, well more scotch and I ordered a cappuccino. We had talked about everything, work, family, football, my grades and he laughed about the sexy English teacher who was actually a bitch. I even broached the January graduation and he was only mildly displeased. When we were finished dad thanked Clark for the hospitality and we drove home. In the car dad asked if I did anything special so that we were not interrupted? I smiled and said nope, you see none of us are special, well except AP and Carole. We are simply members.
At home we hugged in the driveway and dad went to the house and I went to my place, that was strange but how it was and I was finally adjusting to the way things had become. Inside I called Heather and she answered with Mike, I'm glad you called. I asked what what's up? Oh, nothing but it the first time you called and I thought I was simply a dance date. I found that absolutely hysterical and replied, please do bo that. Mike, do what? Heather, be insecure. I had dinner with dad at the club. Mike, don't get mad but we had dinner at South Hills and I didn't see you. Heather, tonight it was my treat so dad and I were at my club. She laughed and said, so you took him to The Tavern? I laughed again and said not by any stretch of your uninformed imagination, I took dad to Oakmont. Babe, I told you I belonged there and Latrobe. Mike honest to God I thought you were fucking with me, can I please play golf there? I said sure but finding time to do that will be hard. JJ and I need to go to the VT game on Saturday so we are flying down on Saturday morning early and flying back on Sunday. Then next weekend is the dance and I was going to ask if on Sunday you wanted to fly to the Winery in New York. It would be early morning and back late same day. So bottom line if JJ can get up early Sunday we can do a 2:00 tee time at Oakmont and if that happens understand we are walking with caddies. She laughed and I said we don't ride at Oakmont with out an excuse from a doctor. She laughed and said damn, I need to absorb all this and I promise I'll be in a spot at school tomorrow that can become our special spot. I shook my head and simply said goodnight.
I had an hour before I needed to be in bed and started English reading, I was absolutely going to be more than ready. That took about 15 minutes and then I put the Walkman on and listened to classical music and laid on my bed and zoned out. I must have fallen asleep because a loud blast of thunder woke me and it was still dark and my Walkman had stopped as the tape had ended. I ran to the bathroom and set the alarm and was quickly asleep. The alarm woke me and it was still storming so there was no run. That gave me time and I took a long hot and relaxing shower. I dressed for a very professional day at work but left my jacked and tie in the car. At school with the rain continuing there was no one outside and I didn't see Heather and just went to English. I was early and just sat down and started to reread the assignment. Miss Abrams came in looked at me and asked Mr. Simmons are you here for the day or do you have a business meeting. I simply smiled and said, I'm not sure why don't you simply call Dr. Johnson and ask? She glared at me and said well this is my classroom so that's up to me. I shook my head and continued reading, I wasn't going down this rabbit hole and deeper. People started to come in and she moved to other concerns. Once class started I was peppered with questions and was called on constantly. It was actually comical as she couldn't get me to trip up. When class was over I went upfront and asked for a minute and was told she had just that. I smiled and said well it won't take that long but you need to know that I don't take well to being unfairly singled out. Besides there are other students in your class who deserve your attention. Then I said thanks for the 40 minutes and 45 seconds of your time, I enjoyed it. I simply left her standing there and went to class.
Well history class was 10 minutes and Dr. Johnson was at the door asking for me. In the hall he said Mike, I hate to ask but did you threaten Miss Abrams. I got very serious and said my exact conversation was: Miss Abrams do you have a minute and she said I have just that. Then I said "well it won't take that long but you need to know that I don't take well to being unfairly singled out. Besides there are other students in your class who deserve your attention. Then I said thanks for the 40 minutes and 45 seconds of your time, I enjoyed it." He smiled and said that's what I expected but AP English teachers are not that easy to find. I shrugged and asked if there was a way to test out of the class, as I want the college credits and need English to graduate. Then I added could you please check and see if I could graduate at the semester. There was this sick smile and he said Mike, we both know you can but I would rather you didn't exercise that option. This school is better with you here, even part time. I said thanks and I'll make a special effort to get along with her but in my option she simply needs - I was stopped in mid sentence and he said I agree but please don't finish that thought. I went back to history finished my classes, skipped study hall and signed out for work. I was there long enough to find out that practice was cancelled as there was a varsity girls' volleyball match after school and the weather was too bad to be outside.
It was still raining hard and parking at work was a bitch and thankfully I had an umbrella in the trunk. I was barely on time and found Liam waiting in my area. He immediately asked, so what's going on you have people upset. I laughed and said well that happens when Kyle and I are upset. I'm restructuring the company and ending some drama. If Major Jim is around please ask him to sit in as he will need a press release, if he isn't available you can take notes and give it to him. Please have Dillon wait outside till you get back. Liam laughed and said sure and I hope I don't see this side of you very often. I actually felt sorry for Dillon as he was pacing and I could see him through the glass wall. Liam returned without the Major and I waved Dillon in and said have a seat. To ease the tension I got up and sat beside him and there was a faint smile. I said Dillon, you can relax and we, well I am about to make a few changes to the management structure of the company. Let's start with the easy one, I am chairman and principal owner. Dillon sat there very calmly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Dillon, Kyle's duties will not change and his title will be the more tradition one. He as of last night is CEO, so we are clear he runs the fucking place. Dillon's eyes got big but he showed no emotion. Just to be clear Kyle reports to me. To be clearer Kyle and I meet every week and it will be a very rare occasion when I say no to him.
I took a drink of my coffee and looked at Dillon and said well that gets me to the position of President. That position will along with Kyle be the face of the company and be responsible for making sure the company follows its mission, policies and procedures that are in place. Also that we are making money. That person is third in command and all the executives report to the President. The President reports directly to the CEO. There was still no reaction and I asked Dillon, would you like to be the President of Technologies? That brought a reaction and he leaned back in his chair and started at the ceiling. I wasn't saying another word. Then Dillon asked what did you just say? Liam just laughed and said dude he just made you president of this company and was nice enough to ask if wanted the job. Then he said oops, that was not for me to say, sorry. Dillon then asked if he could hear the other changes and I was pissed and said, look I just told you you were third in command and as such you can deal with whoever and whatever however you want if it's a responsible and reasonable manner. Also, with this change there is a bonus based on profitability. So is that a yes or no? Mike, I need to know about Riley, does she get a job? Dillon, she will be asked to be COO and be in charge with the day to day operation of the company.
Look Dillon, you are both important to me and vital to this company, now please accept the position and get to work so I can talk with Riley. Mike, thanks so much for trusting me. Dillon go talk with Kyle as he is expecting you. Once Dillon got up and started to the door I asked Dillon were the issues between you and Riley about who would report to whom? Dillon immediately sat down and started to answer. I stopped him and said, you just answered the question. Understand, that was childish and unacceptable and if you ever act like that again you will find your ass escorted out of the building. I have offered and you have accepted a position that a lot or people would kill to get. Your new position means that you are always professional and put the company before any childish feudes. Dillon do you understand? He looked right at me and said, I get it. I smiled and said Riley will be reporting to Kyle and she is getting the same talk. Go find Kyle and good luck.
As soon as Dillon left Riley appeared. Unlike Dillon she was very relaxed and comfortable. I went through things the same way and explained things exactly the same way I did with Dillon. When I brought up the issue with Dillon she said it was complicated and completely unnecessary. I looked right at her and said well if it continues you will both he escorted out of here. She shrugged and said it won't be an issue. Then she said thanks for dealing with the issue. I said good luck and she left.
Once we were alone I asked Dillon to give me 30 minutes as I wanted to check the financials and check emails. It was only 2:00 and I had a lot of with no practice. I looked outside and damn it was still raining hard and then I wondered about the river.
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