JJ just a started packing and was more quiet than usual so I just started packing as well. JJ was very careful and neatly folded everything. On the other hand I laid out clothed for the return trip and they were jeans and a club shirt. I knew it was pushing the dress code at work but it would be what or would be, as I needed to meet with Kyle, Dillon and Tim. As for the packing I just bumped things in the suitcases and forced the lids closed. Everything needed washed or taken to the dry cleaners and I would make the time to do get that done. I was sitting on the bed with my elbows on my knees and my chin on my hands. I was just zoning out and trying to relax. It would be a bitchy two days. JJ sat beside me and he smiled and said MJ, let's go in the other room as we need to talk. With that JJ got up and went to the common room.
I took a deep breath and got up and found JJ sitting in the club chair. I sat on the sofa and asked, what's up. JJ smiled and said MJ, I don't really want to talk, I want you to listen. I just look and JJ and JJ said ok MJ. I'm not going to Kew West for spring break. We had discussed Jacksonville and made plans and with out even mentioning it to me you simply changed the plans. Hell I was good with Jacksonville because I could afford that trip. I could pay my half and as us sharing that was my part of that and I know you would find a way to white that off. Hell I couldn't afford the tip on the cost of that stupid rich kid trip to Key West. MJ, I'm thinking you couldn't go to Jacksonville as a typical kid. MJ, there is that and then there is the fact that you complain about your dad comparing me to Adam. MJ, what you did was to treat me the same way your dad treats Adam. Throw money and gifts and let Adam skate through life. MJ, I can't believe I'm needing to say this but I'm a lot better than that and can make my way in life without your charity.
JJ, so next are you going to accuse me of setting you up for a comfortable life by giving you 20% of Technologies? MJ, I knew from your reaction that you were more surprised than me about that. Then Megan chatted with me and said it was her idea as now the 4 of us; you, me, Cole and Ashley had more than a head start. While I never expected you were involved in that Megan provided the proof all with out me asking. MJ, that was a good try and don't ever use one of you famous pivots on me. Why did you change the trip to Key West and not even involve me? JJ, I simply fucked up, I was pissed off about everything this week. Fuck is was to be about golf and a few meeting. Then both our dads had chats and my dad pissed me off for at least the hundredth time and thought what the fuck, let's send them a message and go all out. JJ, laughed out loud and said damn JJ, if you would have said something I would have been all in. I simply want to do what we agreed t together. I shrugged and said well JJ, I'm good with that. JJ, you are not Adam and I'll be more careful going forward. JJ smiled and said MJ, as you would say that's strike one. I laughed and got up and said JJ, I'll see you in the morning. We have a flight tomorrow and I have a full afternoon and evening at the office. Besides we are never doing makeup sex, while it is fun and really hot,, it's the first step to a break up and I'm not going down that path. JJ, laughed and said, well I guess that what I've had a lot of make up sex. MJ, thanks for the chat, I'll see you in the morning.
With that we went to separate bedrooms, I set the alarm on my phone, stripped and was quickly in bed but not asleep. My head was running wild with all kinds of shit about what dad was up to, who Adam's replacement would be and what connection did that person have with Adam. Then there was the reaction at work and what Tim would have for me when we talked and if any of that would possibly me off. I actually laughed at JJ's comment about strike one as dad was on strike 15 and I kept giving him foul balls, well that was over. With that thought I rolled over and fell asleep. I was up just before the alarm and that was a great omen for the day. JJ was up and the coffee was on and his luggage was by the door. With the coffee I was more than ready to get this day underway. Our ride to the van to the airport was on time and I smiled when JJ tipped the driver. We met JJ's dad and our luggage was loaded into the van and it was off to the airport. JJ and his dad were chatting and JJ asked me to start the pre check as there was a storm and the flight plan needed revised. It helped that The Major was having the same issue as he was scheduled for takeoff 30 minutes after JJ and I. I was halfway through the pre-check when a large van appeared and it had Cole and Jessica and Doc and his wife then I saw the rest of the group that was flying with the Major. I just kept going the pre-check and I saw dad heading towards me. I didn't want disturbed and I didn't want to do this here. When dad got close I said, dad 7:00 Oakmont. Mike, why not South Hills, it's close? Dad my turf not yours, if that's inconvenient then call my secretary and you will be fit into my schedule. Mike, we died this already you don't have a secretary. Well dad if I were you I would be at Oakmont 7:30 besides it's Monday and South Hills is closed. Mike, it isn't closed for me. Dad Oakmont isn't closed for me, I need a yes or no, now. Dad walked away saying fine, don't me late. I ignored that and finished the pre-check. There was still no sign of JJ so, I opened the cargo hatch and Cole helped me load the luggage in and that included his clubs. We chatted a bit and he said he would be home for two weeks. He smiled and said MJ, I'm tired loosing to Fred. I just shook my head and said please get everyone one board or do you need time with Jessica? He smiled and said MJ, I'm good, real good and we both laughed. JJ appeared and said MJ, it's a bad storm moving quickly and we can head west and at the Mississippi or a bit before it head north and stay behind the storm. Flying time should be 30 or 45 minutes longer. I'll give you some time when we are in the air to change your schedule. JJ, I'm good I built in a few hours. JJ smiled and said, it's good to have you back. I laughed and said well once I'm back home you might be the only one that feels that way. JJ just shook his head and handed me the revised flight plan and said let get in the air, you are not the only one that wants to get home.
Before I went up front I went into the chat with our passengers and updated them about the weather and that the flight would be a bit longer and I asked that they stay strapped in unless they needed to use the facilities. Upfront I strapped my ass into the right seat and figured out JJ was in the process. We were pushed away from the service area and I checked the right side and gave JJ the thumbs up to start the right engine. JJ checked the left side and started that engine and immediately checked the instruments and contacted the ground controller. We were in the air very quickly as we were first in line for takeoff. JJ had us going west, north west and he was constantly watching for the storm. We were flying really high and when I said something about it JJ smiled and said smooth air and a comfortable ride. MJ, I'll keep it that way. We almost alway fly the jet using instruments and stay to the flight plan. This was no exception as the Major had provided us with a plan that would get us home as quickly and safely as possible. JJ always had options and I just watched in amazement at how serious he was and focused when he was flying. I was thinking he would be a jet fighter pilot but the military life wasn't for him as he had had enough.
Once the storm appeared on the radar and it was to the east of us I could tell that JJ was a bit more relaxed. He turned us more north and we were making good time. We actually chatted some and I knew he wasn't mad at me but I knew where he stood and I was glad he confronted me about how he felt about money and this being a 50/50 partnership. Then as we became quiet I was thinking about dad. He was who and what he was. A born fucking salesman with a degree in Computer Science, a strange combination, with a need to sell. He made a couple of boatloads of money and I was betting that when Tim showed me his financials I would fine out that MJS Technologies was only a small part of his wealth. Not quite pocket change but a small part. I couldn't let him off the hook again and while my meeting with him tonight had to be a win for me I wanted to leave him something so it wasn't a total victory. Just then I heard JJ I'm my head set and he said MJ, I've been thinking about Erin and her friend and I think we should ask them to come to Pittsburgh a week later and we could take them to a few graduation partied, show them around town and fuck the shit out of them and see how it goes when we get to campus. I laughed out loud and said JJ, we should just take them to the prom, fuck the shit out of them then dump them. Isn't that what happens after the prom? JJ laughed and said MJ, you bitch is the daughter of the President of the university you are attending. JJ, I'll call her from Jacksonville after we have a chance to talk about this. I didn't decide to spend time with her, she sought me out. Next time I go down there, I'm not letting Sean know in advance that I'm on campus. I had a great visit with the Coach and the Dean. JJ smiled and gave me a thumbs up and focused on the task at hand. Which was getting our asses safely on the ground in Pittsburgh. That task was easily accomplished as JJ did a more than fantastic job keeping us comfortable. The cost of that comfort was an insignificant 45 additional minutes in the air.
On the ground we quickly unloaded our baggage and Cole and Jessica were going home and JJ was driving. Doc and his wife thanks me for a relaxing weekend and I headed to the office. Before I left the parking lot I called Tim and told him I was back in town and would like to meet with him in my office in about an hour. I stopped at a Wendy's on Lebanon Church Road and ordered a double with cheese, tomato, lettuce and a side of fries and a coffee to drink. I sat in the parking lot eating and collecting my thoughts for the day. I wanted to put as good a face on things as possible and say dad was just finalizing a plan that he set in motion a couple of years ago. That would be for the employees there would be total honesty with Kyle, Dillon, Jordan and Maggie in HR. I wanted business as usual with no changes to my team. Also, I saw no need to throw more money at them. A lot of what happens at the 3:00 meeting would determine how I dealt with dad this evening. What I knew was that I was ready for all this and all I needed to do was to select an option. I could stay the course, take the company public or simply sell it and make Cole and JJ wealthy. It would be what the fuck it became.
The midday ride to the office as easily accomplished as I took the back way and there was no traffic and it was a beautiful Spring day as the storm didn't hit the area hard. Just enough rain to clean things off and I noticed that the trees were just starting to produce buds. At the office is checked in with security and took the elevator to the 4th floor and just walked through chatting with a few people, I took the back stairs to the 5th floor and went to my office. I turned on my desktop computer and went outside and waited for Tim. I was looking at the 2 construction project and it was quiet as the rain has halted work this morning. I knew I need to check in with Allen about the project but that would wait till after Easter and I was back from Spring Break. I knew that things were moving along and that there were very few problems if any as Allen hadn't contacted me. I was going to hate to lose him but I knew I was was done with new building and real estate. I put that out of my head. I heard something and saw Tim put a pile of folders on the conference table. He looked around and saw me outside and I waved indicating he should join me.
When Tim came outside we shook hands and I looked right at him and said Tim, I'm sorry I ruined your weekend. Tim laughed and said Mike, you have been quiet for so long I knew it would blow up sooner than later, besides it was fun. I just shook my head and said you have a strange concept of fun. Tim, how about the Cliff Notes version of the papers you just piled on my conference table. Ok Mike, where do you want to start? I smiled and said Adam. Well Mike, you picked the easiest one as he has some money, an awful reputation. He listed his house for sale and it sold immediately. I laughed out loud and said, so dad bought it and over paid for it using cash. Tim laughed and asked, so why do you need me? That's exactly what happened. Mike, I'm not sure till it closes but I'm thinking around 300k. Tim, can dad afford all this as he just gave the company away? Mike, I checked into your dad, as best I could and I stopped at 11 million dollars. One thing I can tell you is that he has made a lot of money and has very solid investments. He is sitting pretty as he has a lot of money in startups and he hasn't missed yet. He simply sells off his stake and move on to the next one. Two things you need to know is that he has more invested in Apple than you do. Then he has shares in a little know thing called MJS Enterprises. You familiar with that? I laughed out loud and said yup and there hasn't been a dividend yet and there isn't going to be. Tim smiled and said Mike, your dad knows that and doesn't care, it's his way of keeping track on how well you are doing. In fact he somehow follows your investments, how the hell do you think he found Apple? Mike, you and him shared
A financial adviser, well a stock broker and he knew what you invested in. He can't touch it he just checks the market and watches. You will have to ask him why, but he has a lot of the same investments you do, his numbers are just way bigger. Mike, I don't know how or why but your dad has more money than he could ever spend and he continues to grow his wealth. Mike, I stopped looking into your dad as if I pushed any further he would know someone was snooping. Tim, that's great and I appreciate how you do what you do. Mike, just don't do this too often and don't ask how. Ok Tim, I get it but what about Megan. Tim laughed and said other that the divorce settlement with Wes, I have no idea as I'm not fucking around with a Federal judge. I shrugged and said, understood. Mike, she makes a lot of money, made a tone as a lawyer and took her ex to the cleaners with the divorce as he was fucking around and has another kid besides Cole.
Tim, dad's new company, is it legit? Tim laughed and said Mike, very much so and his partner, not Adam, is very good at this moving things around the country, hell the world. He needed financial backing to go it alone and as a Frat brother you dad did what he does and stepped in. Equal partners and a very small company, will do very well. Mike, your dad want you out there on you own two feet, basically he trusts you but is watching over you. If you want proof do something stupid and see how he reacts. My guess is that he will be in your face immediately. I thought for a minute and said Tim, float it out there that I want to sell Standard Property. I don't want to do that as it prints money but let dad's people know. Let's do that right now, if you can. Mike, you dad will know in 30 minutes. I laughed and said thanks. Then Tim said Mike, I'll seek you at three as now I have a call to make. Thanks Tim but one more thing, is dad's new attorney Brian? Mike, that's correct and I continue to wonder why you need me. Tim, I'm not in jail. Tim shook his hand and when to make that call. Once I was alone I laughed out loud as fuck, I was having fun.
Dillon was the first one to show up for the meet as he was early as usual. He handed me a hot cup of coffee and when I looked at him he smiled and said, deal with it. I simply said thanks. Then I said, Dillon you are moving into dad's old office. Mike, I'm fine where I am. I smiled and said, deal with it as your office needs to represent you position. Then I added, I want Doc, in you current office. Dillon shrugged and said, ok. The others filed in one at a time but we were missing Tim. We chatted about things and it was friendly as everyone seemed to get along. Tim was about 10 minutes late and when he came in I got a thumbs up and I simply said thanks. I immediately started on what dad had done and gave a bit of a background on Cole, James Messer and Megan and laid out in detail their ownership stakes. There was very little reaction so I went into dad's new company and his new partner and new attorney. I noticed that Kyle and Jordan remembered Brian. I was very matter of fact and still there was no reaction. I asked if there were questions and Kyle said Mike, there isn't really a change as you actually have a larger percentage of the company and as long as that is the case and as long as I don't have to answer to a Board of Directors, I'm good. Maggie, asked so Mike, your dad no longer get a check every month for doing nothing? I shook my head and said correct. Then she asked will there be any other goats employees. Maggie, I'll let you know but everyone around here pulls their weight and does so pleasantly. You need to remember that.Dill burst out laughing and said, see nothing has changed. We meet and Maggie pisses Mike off and we all go back to work. Well, since I have to move my office I'm going to find maintenance. I asked Kyle to stay for a few and everyone else left.
Once we were alone I thanked Kyle for the continued support and I assured him that the only way I would divest in the company or take it public would be if you if you resigned. Kyle, any change in my thoughts will be conveyed to you and Dillon way in advance. Kyle I wanted to tell you that any time now you will hear that I'm selling Standard Properties. That is a rumor I had Tim start to help me deal with my dad. It could be over tonight as I'm meeting with him at Oakmont. Kyle laughed and asked, so you having fun with this? Well Kyle, it didn't start out as fun but I'm having a blast and becoming more independent in the process.
With that done I went to the car and opened the suitcase and pulled out everything that needed to go to the dry cleaners and headed to drop that stuff off. With that done I drove home, showered and found clothes to wear to the club. I knew it could be casual as we would meet in the men's grill and I was thinking a blazer and no tie. I didn't give a fuck what dad would wear. I was calmer about things with him but not to the point that I would let him up. Well, I would leave him breathing room. I spent an hour reading the stuff that Tim had left me and there were a few more details but nothing major. It was now approaching 6:00 so I grabbed my blazer and jumped into the Mustang and headed to the club. The long drive gave me time to think and to relax. I was determined to stay calm, professional and detached.
When I pulled into the parking lot I saw dad's car so I headed for the grill. I found dad seated at a table right in the middle of the room and I would rather had a table more out of the way but knew that was dad's way of controlling the environment. He was hoping that I would be bothered like he was at South Hills. I smiled knowing that we didn't do that and we would not be overly disturbed. Dad already had a drink which was obviously a scotch. I just went to the table and sat down with dad barely acknowledging me. A waiter appeared and I ordered an Arnold Palmer, I knew it wouldn't be spiked. I looked at dad and said thanks for making the trip. Dad, didn't react just took a sip of his drink. I didn't say a word and just focused on the room. I wasn't doing these games. Finally dad asked Mike, why are we here? Well dad you wanted a meeting so you tell me. My drink arrived and I took a drink and waited for an answer. There was no answer so I called the waiter over and said please get my dad another drink and close out the tap to my account. Oh, he has a long drive so please don't get him anything else to drink, I'll be leaving. With that I got up and started to the parking lot. I got in my car and drove to my place. What surprised me was that I was totally calm. At my place I changed to jeans and a polo shirt. I was sitting on the loveseat when the door flew open and dad was there in a range. I looked at him and said you could have knocked. Well this is my place and I don't need to knock. I got up grabbed some shit from the bathroom and my laptop and went right past dad and said, I'll have my stuff moved out in the morning. Dad said Michael, where do you think you are going? I said a motel and tomorrow I'll get an apartment till I move to Blacksburg. I'm tired of your shit. I got in the Mustang and drove to a motel along Route 51, where I got a room for the night. I was barely in the room when my phone rang and it was Megan. I answered by saying Megan, not this time. I'm done and hung up. The phone rand again and again it was Megan and again I answered this time I simply said what? Mike, where are you? I'm in a motel and if you would stop calling me I would be making arrangements to be out dad's property. Mike is that necessary? Yes, I'm done. He asked to talk and I went out of my way to meet and he was surely. Megan that's an understatement. Mike, is there any way you can come back here and meet with me and your dad? Megan, there isn't and I am definitely moving out. I have given dad many, many opportunities to do what he agreed to and every time he has failed me, look I'm out of patients and you know that's true. I'm glad he is done with what is my company.
Mike, this isn't my consent but are you selling or spinning off Standard Properties? Megan, dad has a list of my investments and he is monitoring everything I do. So I thought I'd send a message that I know he is watching. I floated a humor and he bit. That place prints money and I'm not boing anything with that asset. Dad has become a sneaky, sly guardian angle and all he had to do was what we always did and sit in his office and talk about things. I didn't stop those things. Now he busts into my space and tells me he can do what he wants and that I have to put up with it because he is the owner. Megan, I gave up my room in the house to accommodate your needs. Megan, I'm sorry, you can't fix this. There was a moment of silence and she said Mike, I understand. In the morning, I hope you reconsider and stay. Megan, I'm leaving for Florida's Wednesday morning so I'm staying here. At some point tomorrow I'll pick up enough things for the trip. I'll see how I feel when I get back. That is the best I can do. Thanks for the concern. I hung up and just laid on the bed and tried to sleep and that barely happened. I didn't need the alarm and I checked out and drove to my place hoping to change clothes. What I found was a locked door and I didn't have keys with me so I just got back in the car and and drove to Denny's for breakfast. With that I drove to school, hoping for a quiet morning.
As soon as I parked at school JJ came up to ma and asked, MJ why no run this morning? Well JJ, I moved out last night after a fight with dad. He cam and burst open the door and said it was his place and he would do what he wanted. He didn't need to knock. I spent the night at a motel and this moning was locked out. I'll either buy new clothes or find a way in but the trip is on, I talked with Megan last night but I'm not going back. I just want to go to class and we can talk tonight. I did make it through all 3 classes and drove to work after stopping for some food.
At the building I parked in my spot and saw a car in dad's spot. Inside I went right into the see the Chief and she told me that dad had demanded to see me and made a scene so they put him in the conference room. I just laughed and said, I'll deal with it but have an officer with me at the door. Oh, please remove the reserved parking sign and have it replace with a handicapped space. Mike, I'll just have it reserved for Doc Johnson. I said fine and went with a security guy to the conference room. I asked the officer to stay outside. I opened the door and went in. I didn't say a word and just sat down. So Michael, is your little temper tantrum over? I laughed and said well you blew up your meeting last night. You burst open my door, locked me out of where I was living, then show up at my building and make a scene and I'm the one having a temper tantrum? You are misinformed.
I'm misinformed because you had you flunky, Tim, float a roomer that you were selling off an important part of Enterprises. Dad, if you insult another member of my team again I'm leaving and you will be escorted or dragged to your car. If you weren't keeping tabs on my finances you wouldn't have known that. There was a time when you would have asked me about things now you have people keeping tabs on me, I resent that. Mike, I made you? Dad you dumped shit on me and I revived it and put it in one of the best buildings East of the Mississippi and I have the awards to prove it. More importantly it grows in an organized way and make a lot of money. Dad, you gave it to me because you couldn't manage it and didn't need it anymore. You made 25 million or so and now you launder money so you could give Adam some. Buying his house at twice the market value and paying cash. Does Megan know about that? Never mind dad, I don't need to know that and we could go on for hours throwing barbs at each other. What do you want? I can't do this all day.
Mike, I want you to respect me for what I have done and accomplished. Dad the fact that you question that astounds me. What else? Understand what I had to go through living with your mom and for you to learn to get along with Adam. Dad, those are two very big asks. Mom abused me for almost 16 years and you let it happen. Mike, I'm aware and I'm sorry but I had no choice and I saw that you are set for life. Dad, I still see a head doctor on occasion because of those scars and the fact that we are discussing her now will lead to another appointment with her. As for understanding about mom, I'll work on that. I can't stand to even hear Adam's name so that's a nonstarter. Dad I respect you as a businessman, salesperson and an investor. I'll work on understanding about mom and Bill and that relationship. I hope that's enough because that's all I got to give. As for me I need you to trust me and for you to stop watching over me and my finances. Can we agree on that. Dad smiled and said well that's a good start. We hugged and on the way out I said oh dad you owe me a thank you for the Apple stock tip. Dad stopped and I kept going asking the security guy to get him to his car.
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