JJ and I got to my place and he headed up the street for home and I went inside grabbed a bottle of water and opened the paper to the sports. There were only two teams from our district still playing Class A champs Aliquippa and us. Hell the Quipps are there every year and we were a big time exception to that as it is our first time in the state finals. The summary of our game edited the officials for a poor performance. Then to my relief the article said the only divergent opinion came from Captain Mike Simmons who stated that teams and officials need to adjust to each other and sometimes that is hard. Tonight these guys were consistent and adjusting was easy. That game was won or lost on the field by the teams, officiating had nothing to do with it. Then there was a shot at me as the writer stated you have to remember Mike's team won. Then there was an article about next week's game and that there were 13 players with D1offers or being heavily recruited by D1 schools and that did not include Freshman sensation Wyatt Carson. Then it said look for a close hard fought low scoring game with Central Bucks willing 14 - 10. I smiled to my self and will have that last line blown up and pasted all over school. This would be a fun week.
I went to the loveseat and stretch out thinking about the girls and last night and fell asleep. I was jarred awake by a pounding on the door. At the door, which I somehow had locked, I found dad. I unlocked the door and asked, so what's up? Mike, your inability to answer your phone and we have had calls from 2 coaches at VT, the head coach at Penn State, 2 different reporters from the Philadelphia Inquirer and one that matters to me and that is Tim's urgent need to talk with you. Mike, you were awesome last night and this morning I saw you and JJ leaving with two girls, so I'm guessing you didn't get much sleep last night and I hope you are being careful. Dad, no issues as I didn't use the baby making hole, I used the other two. Dad said WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? I laughed and said I was just responding to you uncalled for remark about birth control, of course we were safe.
I was still shaking my head when I called Tim. I said dad is here and I'm putting us on the speaker so he can hear. Mike, that's fine and they made a counter offer. I screamed NOW WHAT? Mike they will remove the request for a lease and have agreed to partial zoning. Mike, they want 10k more. I just started to laugh and said Tim, I'm done and I'm not paying a penny more. They still have till noon on Monday. Oh, and we close in 10 days. Mike, you could end this for 10 K why not just do it. Tim, I'm ready to move on one way or the other. You can simply tell them, I'm not interested or I can call them and tell them and the Mayor to go fuck themselves. It's the deal as written or no deal. Tim, is there anything else? Mike, next time you dad can't listen in as he changes you. Tim, we can talk Monday when I get to the office but understand, dad has nothing to do with this and the money is coming from Enterprises and this sale amounts to WAM. Mike, what is WAM? Tim it's walking around money. Enjoy your weekend. I looked at dad and said, well you said to reign TIm in and I'll finish that Monday afternoon. So dad are there any other calls you want to listen to? Mike, you scare the fucking shit out of me but I'm good. Dad, I'm leaving early in the morning and spending the day at Tech. Dad, looked and I said yup, JJ and I are taking the jet. Once I was alone I laughed out loud and I hoped dad realized that Tim wasn't the only one that needed reigned in. That safe sex shit was over the line and she is on the pill and I continue to fill condoms. Then last night opened a couple of options that she seemed to enjoy.
My next call went to the Major and I asked if the Jet was flight ready and he laughed and said, well JJ said you would be asking that. Major I want to go to VT for the day and I need a copilot so is it you or JJ. The Major laughed and said well are the girls joining you or are you as drained out as JJ? Jim, I had the same discussion with dad so let's just say it's JJ and I. Well, I'll make sure it's ready at 8:00. I said thanks and let JJ know. My next call went to Coach Conn, defensive coordinator, at VT. When he answered he raved about how well and how controlled we played last night. Then he surprised me and said we were at the game as Josh has become one of our top recruits. Mike, he is a lot like you, well attitude wise and he gets better every game. I laughed and said well the Prince of Wales is a good dude. There was no response to that so I said coach, I just want to let you know JJ and I will be in Blacksburg for the day tomorrow. Mike, that's a lot of driving for one day. I laughed and said well, it would be but I had a new toy delivered Thursday and we have a free day so we are trying it out. Mike, you two are flying down? Yup we are leaving here around 8:00 and it should be about an hour flight time, sure beats 6 hours in the car each way. Coach said, hold on for a second and Coach B got on and said Mike, is there a reason for this one day event? Coach, we are just getting the feel for the place. After the New Year we will both be down for a few days and an official visit. Coach, I have a new jet and we both need hours and we picked VT. We don't need to see you guys and Coach laughed and said well, how about we meet at my office and we can do lunch. I said well that will be awesome. Then he said if you can get Josh to tag along that would be great. Coach, I'll check on that and we hung up.
I really wanted to talk with Winnie, well actually I needed to talk with her, and figure out what last night was about. I simply punched in her digits and she answered with Mike, I'm glad you called, I thought you might be mad about last night. I laughed and said did I seem mad in my room last night? She laughed and said you were too horny to be mad but often the morning brings a different perspective. However, we do need to talk and set some boundaries. How about we grab a bite of dinner say the Olive Garden and I'll Nick you up at 5:30. She agreed and we hung up.
I had 2 more calls to make and the hardest one was to Tim as I was pretty hard on him. I simply hit his number on the phone and he answered with now what? I laughed and said Tim, I was a bit abrupt earlier and didn't want that to simmer all weekend. Mike, you have clobbered these guys with this passive resistance for weeks and then you nail their asses to the wall with the damn open house, they need a win. Don't you always say no total victories, just give them something. Mike, the Unions, the environmentalist, the local representatives and a few congressmen are all over them and the Mayor will be lucky to be elected dog catcher, let alone Governor. Give them the 10 K and keep the peace, well for now. I thought for a second and said Tim you are right, just do it and I want them to close before the Holidays. I heard him take a deep breath and he said thanks and we hung up.
The final call went to Josh who was surprised by the call. Josh, I have a question for you and I don't give a fuck about how you answer it, I just have to ask. Josh said sure and I won't be mad. Josh, JJ and I are flying to Blacksburg tomorrow morning, for the day. When I informed the coaches we were coming they asked if I could bring you along. Mike, I appreciate the candor and I talked with them last night for a bit and there are about 20 schools wanting my time and I have told them all that we can talk after the holidays and that I just want to to enjoy the rest of the season and this game. I smiled and said Josh, I totally get that and I'll tell them you have family obligations? Mike, simply remind them that 24 hours ago I said after the holidays. I laughed and said, you got it and we hung up.
It was still mid afternoon and I quickly showered and dressed for dinner and drove to the airport. I found the jet and retrieved the specks and all the paperwork. Damn I needed to get the damn thing painted as it had NASA in big blue letters on both sided and was a dirty light grey everywhere else. Looking around in the cabin it had 8 blue leather seats and was very comfortable. I went in the building to the flight school and ask if there was simulator time available for that NASA jet. The guy laughed and said what's up with that jet? First we get a call to get it ready for wheels up at 8:00 then some dude, a smaller version of you with short hair and a scruffy trimmed beard asking for simulator time. I was taken aback by the "smaller version of you" comment and asked again about simulator time. I was told 8:30 and that they were open till 10:00. I booked the time and drove to my place and started to read the manual. I noticed that the Jet used Jet-A fuel which was a refined kerosene and that the cost per hour in the air would be just under $250 so this little trip with airport fees and all the other shit would cost me almost $700. (REMEMBER THIS IS 1992 MONEY) While that was not an issue, I realized for the first time that those expenses need to be considered. Joy rides in this new toy would need to be limited. I read through the Manuel quickly twice and then hand wrote a check list for both the exterior of the jet and for the start up. We would simply check each item off. The top speed was .092 Mach which was around 550 mph. The ceiling was 45,000 feet and I knew that we would be at about 41,000 feet which was higher that the commercial flights and less traffic and more direct routes. Finally, I reviewed the maintenance report and the craft was in excellent shape.
Feeling good about the flight and the trip, I put everything and my log book in the back seat and left to pick up Winnie. When I pulled into the driveway the door opened and Winnie jogged do the steps and climbed in the car. I laughed and said so, you don't want me to say hello to the rents. Well Mickey, it isn't a good day with me and the rents. Winnie, don't do that again? What keep you away from the rents? Don't ever call me Mickey again I'm not a fucking mouse or a Disney character. She laughed and said ok MJ, I get it. I reached over and puller her close and kissed her and it was an intense tongue fight. When we stopped she asked, didn't you have enough last night? I said, more than enough and there are only two other people who call me MJ and you are the first broad that had the guts to try. But you know what, I'm ok with that. I started the car and we drove to the Olive Garden which was in a strip mall that housed the shops that didn't fit in or couldn't afford Century III Mall.
At the restaurant there was a line but I went right up to the receptionist station and gave them my name and said I had reservations. We were quickly seated and I simply could not understand why people didn't just get a reservation. We were quickly waited on and iced teas were ordered and Winnie didn't even look at the menu and reached for my hand and asked, so last night? Winnie last night was awesome once we got to my room and closed the door. She laughed and whispered, no shit as you were a fucking cum machine and you are right it was awesome. So what about the other part? Winnie, I'm thinking that won't happen again, well except watching you and Mia make out was hot as fuck. MJ, well I thought you and JJ making out was hot as well and I enjoyed the part that you two pretended it was disgusting. Winnie, it was. Michael, cut the crap besides I have hooked up with chicks before. Hell, I've wanted you since 9th grade but damn it is hard to catch you between women. Just then the salad came and once we dealt with the waitress and the ground pepper and cheese I said well we don't need to discuss that but you are not hooking up with another guy or we are done. She looked me right in the eye and said, I'm good with your guy time and the same goes with you and another woman. So we good? I squeezed her hand and said yes and I'm assuming we are both very discrete. Mickey, absolutely and I just burst out laughing. With that things turned much less serious. Once dinner was over I drove her home and went to the airport.
I was a bit early at the airport but the simulator was free and the jet software was loaded and I was set to go. I revered to my written checklist and started both engines. You start one at a time like the twin that I have flown a lot. There is a difference as the battery starts a miter that spins the blades and once the RPM's are sufficient fuel is introduced and the engine is set. The procedure is the same for the second engine. At this point things appear to be similar. I easily took off and was amazed at how fast we got to 41,000 feet. I simply flew around for 10 minutes and then started the landing procedure. When the wheels hit the ground I was standing on the break and wasn't slowing down fast enough and I turned off the engines and managed to stop at the very edge of the runway. In real life that was an issue as I would have had to be turned around by a toe truck and the runway would have been closed till that happened. There were two issues one I approached at too high of a speed and then there was the need to reverse thrusters. The only thing I did right was stand on the breaks, that however should be unnecessary. There were 15 more takeoffs and 15 more landing and by the time I finished I had 7 perfect landings and the takeoffs were all good. I was much more comfortable with the trip. I put the paperwork in the Jet as it was parked at the service line and drove to my place.
I pulled in the driveway and even though it was a bit after 10:00 went into the house and dad, Megan and Cole we in the game room talking and watching TV. Cole got up and I thought he was leaving but he returned and handed me a beer and I just shook my head indicating no as JJ and I were flying to VT tomorrow morning and Cole laughed and said well I guess I'll be forced to have another. Cole laughed and Megan shook her head. Megan said Mike, I hope you are taking something other than the jet. Megan, we are taking the jet as it is a much quicker trip and I promise we will be back before dark. Michael, just how many hours do you have in that type of plane? Megan about 2 but none in this version. Megan, I have 16 takeoffs and landings and only, well almost crashed landing the first time. Look, I've had no problems in anything I flew and that includes an F-18, it will be fine. Then she asked so what do you know about this particular plane? Cole said mom, relax if MJ read the manual twice the dude has it memorized, his memory is off the charts good. Megan looked at me and asked so have you done that? I smiled and said yes, twice and the landing segment a third time and I have this. Then I said, the flight time will be just under an hour. We will be at 41,000 feet and traveling at about 525 MPH. There will be little traffic as we will be a bit higher than commercial jets and there will be a flight plan and we with be using IFR. Mike, that a lot more than I understand but I'm glad you seem prepared. Just so you know, you scare the shit out of me. Dad chimed in for the first time and said, me too. Then Megan asked what does this one day joy ride cost? I said well about $700 but coach is buying lunch. Then I added Megan I'm saving about 60k by playing football and flying is my only vice. Cole laughed and asked, what about the new girl? Cold, don't even go there as you have golf and Jessica. He smiled and said, yup and none of that will be changing anytime soon. I looked at Megan and said mom, thanks for caring and then added, you to dad and started for my place. I stopped at the door and asked dad for a minute. In his office I told him about the land deal and that I had accepted their offer. He smiled and said well you gave them a small win and that will be rewarded down the road. Dad, me thanking you for caring was sincere, it just that I have limited experience with your wife giving a fuck about me. He smiled and said, be safe tomorrow and have fun. With that I left and set the alarm for 6:00, prepped the coffee and jumped into bed.
I was up just before the alarm and it was a quick shower and dressed in new jeans and a sweatshirt with a Nike logo and casual shoes and grappled a coffee and went outside at 6:00 and JJ was almost at the car. We stopped at MCDonalds so JJ could eat and I could stock up on coffee. At the airport we filed the flight plan and JJ laughed out loud when I handed him a written checklist and a pen. Following the items on the list it was a very complete check. I was standing there looking at the plane and how ugly it was with NASA on both sides in navy blue and a grey rest of the craft. JJ had just finished checking the fuel and I turned to get on board and there stood JJ's dad. JJ handed him the written checklist with each item being marked off and I handed him the written startup procedure and when he looked at me I started to recite it from memory. 6 items in I was stopped and the Major said ok, I get it, you guys have done the homework. Then he said, flight plan. I handed him a copy and he looked it over and said well that's straight forward so I'm good. He turned and boarded the plane. JJ and I just looked at each other. We got on board and JJ asked dad, you are coming? The Major said well if you two think I'm letting you do this with a combined 3-1/2 hours of simulator training and 0 hours in this, you both need your head examined. I plan of sleeping the entire way and if you need to wake me you are driving back. We both laughed and went upfront. Just before I strapped in, I leaned out the door and said Jim, thanks.
We followed up the cold start procedure and at 7:58 we were cleared for take off. The plane was just like the simulator and was not awful to fly. It was just that it was so fast that you don't have time to think and your reactions needed to spot on. It was wheels down a tad after 9:00 and the only issue was that the landing was long and the Major was rent no time point that out and offered a suggestion to correct that. We secured the jet and the three of us started toward campus and I offered to buy breakfast and everyone thought that was great. Once we were finished with breakfast and standing outside the restaurant the Major said guys, I'm good just give me 30 minutes notice when you are finished. JJ went over to his dad and said thanks for doing this but we are not abandoning you, well just yet. We are simply walk around campus and have lunch with Coach so I hope you will spend the morning with us and I'm making Coach feed you as well. Jim smiled and said son, that would be great. As we walked along I let JJ and his dad have time together and walked just a bit away. JJ was telling his dad about the buildings all being built using was is called KOKIE STONE. Actually it all comes from the same quarry and make all the buildings look the same and old. All the resident buildings were on one side of a giant drill field and the academic builds were on the other. I smiled when I realized that JJ was was leading us towards the duck pond and I wondered it that was something he wanted to do or if it was simply on the tour. It was about this point that I started to wonder if this was the Major's first time on campus. In fact I had no idea how many time JJ had been here. At the duck pond the Major enjoyed it but wasn't all that impressed.
We walked along the drill field on the residence side and we were heading to the Athletic Office but stopped at the Chapel. Inside it is a somewhat spartan nondenominational chapel with stone flooring and wooden pillars. It was when we went to the Memorial Court on top of the chapel, that the Major was really impressed. There are 8 sculptured Indiana limestone pylons representing, Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty and one in Latin UT PROSIM. That was the University motto "That I May Serve". The Major just stood there staring out at the campus. All of a sudden the Major snapped back to reality and said you two have a meeting we better get at it. The walk to the stadium and the offices took less that 10 minutes and JJ went up to the kid manning the desk and said Good Morning, we have a meeting with Coach B. Before the guy could contact Coach he appeared saying Pat, I got these guys and he walked right by JJ and I and stuck out his hand and said Major Messer, it is an honor to finally meet you. Both JJ and you wife have told me a lot about you. The Major smiled and said damn, I would like to hear that bull shit from JJ and everyone laughed.
So Major, how did you get those two to let you tag along? Coach, they didn't know I was coming. You see with a combined 3-1/2 hours of simulator experience they assumed they would simply climb-in a jet and fly here. I decide to surprise them this morning and tag along in case I need to save their asses. Turned out that one knew enough to get us here and I guess we will find out if the other one can get us home. JJ, simply shook his head. Then Coach said well I want to show you the new field house and as we earlier this season renamed the field as Worsham Field as we got a million dollar donation. I laughed and said Coach, so what would it cost to name the field Simmons Worshman field. Coach stopped walking and said well a great career and 2 mill. I smiled and said well Coach, lets plan on that. The new field house and weight room were out of this world. I knew I was going to sweat my ass of there and I was happy about that and looking forward to it. Lunch was at the Sports Bar that I had been to before. Coach was glad that we were there even for a day and we spent most of the time talking about the championship game. I told him exactly what Josh had said. Coach took that well and simply said well, I guess we have more work to do. I was pleased that he didn't ask for help, well yet. As lunch ended Sean appeared and Coach said, I asked Sean to show you two your living arrangements for next year. Sean smiled and I thought fuck that and JJ shook his head.
Outside Sean said well the Athletic dorms are really nice, they are 4 private rooms and a common room. I said Sean that's all good but how do you get an apartment? He laughed and said well as first year players officially you don't. Guys the deal is that they want you there about half the time but only check if your grades are less than satisfactory. Oh an that you are there the night before any trip to an away game or a home game. Look guys the other two guys will be thrilled to have you two away a lot. Besides you can always say you spent the night with some team tramp. Just work hard, keep the weight training schedule, don't be late for practice and keep the grades up and your golden. The tour was good and the housing was actually very nice. When we finished Sean said, if you are serious about an apartment then you should talk with this guy in early April. Most of the team use him and he has a number of places very near campus. The rest of the day was us hanging out and meeting future teammates. Finally JJ called his dad and gave him the 30 minute warning he had requested.
We met the Major at the Memorial above the chapel and he pulled JJ aside and they had a private chat which ended with a hug. It was another easy short flight back an a very relaxing and interesting day. Somehow I knew there wouldn't be another relaxing day this week and that a lot of issues would be resolved.
Please keep the comments coming and thanks for reading.
Also, remember Nifty if possible as it is important to keep these stories coming.