Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2022 15:15:35 +0000 (UTC) From: Mike Simmons Subject: It was always about the bets 316 I was certain that the team was worried but I knew I would play the part I intended. Which would be the very disappointed executive who given no choice would simply move on in another part of the region. The Mayor and City Council would take a huge PR hit. If I played this right and things could change in a hurry. Then JJ asked, what's up with you? You don't look like you need a doctor. I smiled and whispered stop over around 9:00 tonight and you can examine my holes. He laughed out loud and quietly said cool, I'll bring latex gloves. It was reasonably warm and when we went out on the field Dr. Johnson was there watching with someone I didn't recognize. We started practice but Coach Weston wasn't there. Just as warmups were over coach appeared with a guy who was huge and we were called together and introduced to Brian Blankensmith, a current Pittsburgh Steeler. He said good afternoon and for those of you who don't know, I'm from Nebraska and went to the University of Nebraska. I learned early how to lineup against big strong farm boys. He started with the defensive line and said you need to hit them low and as soon as you make contact lift up as hard as you can and that will force them to straighten up then their backs will be blocked by their linemen. Try to keep it straight on and there will be no hole. The linebackers will actually be free to clean up the backs. On pass plays, from the films I just saw, the line stands up and forms a pocket. If you double team the tackle one of backers can get at the QB as he is smaller and needs to throw over the line requiring him to drop back a bit further. Stay away from the tight end side. We spent the next hour practicing and learning new techniques. It was one of the best practices of the year. I made a point to thank Brian and he said well I have known Wyatt's grandfather for a long time and it was my pleasure. I ran to the locker and changed clothes, no shower, and drove to my place. There it was a very hot shower and black jeans and a light grey crew neck and black canvas shoes. I pulled into my "special" parking space and had to admit I liked that. Inside Chief Evans said, there is a hell of a lot going on tonight. I said yup you should stop up and watch me wow the media. She smiled and said, I'm not missing this. Upstairs, I took my letterman's jack off and hung it on the back of my chair and the Major said we need to get you a fashion consultant. Then he said hang that jacket in the closet as you don't want to be viewed as a young high school kid. Jim, it fine where it is and it goes with the wall. Where did you stick the media? They are on a tour with Dillon and security. There are about 15 reporters here. Mike, the only people who have been in here are the technicians and the camera crew and they have footage of the office and outside. I said thanks and I'm ready when they get back from the tour. With that I went to my desk and booted my computer. I knew Dillon well enough to know that the tour would end at my office at 7:00 and not before so I had 15 minutes. I ignored the flashing message light on my desk phone and motioned for Liam to have a seat. So that I wasn't over thinking things I asked about the golf trip to Florida and was told that AP was picking them up at 3:30 and that Cole would most likely practice till they turned the lights off and that he had a 9:30 tee time and then more practice and that Saturday they were in the last group with AP, Fred and that Woods kid and Cole. I opened a cabinet behind me and wrote Liam a check for $1,000. I handed to him and said bets and spending money. He simply said thanks. I told him to take the day off tomorrow and he laughed and said, with all the shit going on here, no way. We chatted about a bunch of stuff and then I heard the noise of the people coming down the hall. All of a sudden the door to my office was held open by Chief Evans and the reporters entered and were looking around. I shook hands with everyone and then said good evening and thanks for coming let's start outside. The Major pulled me aside and handed me a fob and said it will light a lot of shit up, if you want to do that. I smiled and went outside. It was cold but not unreasonable and I leaned against the railing and asked, what's on your mind? The first question was simply blurted out and a newspaper guy asked Mike, was all that security necessary? I simply replied, yes and called on Patty. Mike, I would like to rephrase that question but I will have another. I smiled and said deal. Mike, why was all the security necessary. Patti, we have a number of government contracts and everyone here has a security clearance and those clean workspaces were because we never leave things laying around and not because we cleaned for you guys. Patti said thanks, so what happened today and how do you feel about it? Well for the first time in a very long time I lost and didn't get something that I wanted. As to how I feel, frustration comes to mind as does disappointment but people and government have every right to disagree with my vision and sadly I will accept that. As we broke ground a bit more than a year ago for this building and the smaller one I challenged our city, county and state leaders to move forward or to get out of the way. This evening you toured a building constructed by Union workers which is nominated for new building of the year by a large architectural group. You also see parking and green space and outside seating areas near the river. I hit the button on the fob that said building and said, see for yourselves. Both buildings lit up as did the parking and the green space. Today the City Zoning Board opted for more of this and lights lit up the vacant lot. What happened today was a return to the 1950's and early 60's where rivers are blocked and polluted by very functional industrial buildings and our air is polluted. I'm simply sadden by that approach. Then I pointed to a local newspaper reporter who asked Mike, what has your company done in the 18 months that you have accomplished? Well, we successfully completed three projects for NASA, a rover, new space suits and a repair on the shuttles as well as managing their mission communications. Oh, our director of Robotics is on the current shuttle mission. There has been in the works a grade book program for the Naval Academy and that will be a National Introduction shortly. We are working with Textronics and their Bell Helicopter division and they will soon own Cessna. There is the Giant Eagle project and today I hired a new director of Robotics. There is the work with Highmark. Is that enough or should I go on. While all this was going one we maintained our existing operations. We employ over 500 people and we could hire the entire graduating class of CMU's Comp. Sci. class. It's not just technology that's important in the region as we have one of the best health care organizations in the country, our scientists cured polio and we lead in organ transplants. We have many top Universities and yet we do this, today? It's sad and frustrating. Mike, why Moon Twp? Well it's close to the airport and I have a Cessna Citation jet on order and it will be the second one off the line, it seems that's someone with the last name of Palmer has more clout than I do. It is tax friendly and open to change. Mike, how soon can that happen? In about 60 day. Mike, if things change here will you build here? I shook my head and said I don't deal with hypotheticals. Mike, do you feel that the Mayor could have been more helpful? I immediately said, I feel that every part of City Government could have and should have been more helpful. Look, industry is important but we should not abuse our rivers again. There are industrial parks and cities upstream that are dying hoping that when the Phoenix is reborn again in their communities it will be Coal and Steel and not the Phoenix you see here. Sadly, they are misinformed and living in the past. I said THANK YOU and started inside. Someone yelled, why the sudden interest in the environment? I stopped and asked who asked that? Someone said, I did but I'm sure we all want to know. Ok, I turned the outside lights on again and said, you have an hour to walk around here and see if it's sudden or has been here from the start. I went directly to Liam's office so I wouldn't have to answer any further questions. I was just starting out the window looking at the city and I sensed someone in the room and it was Patti from KDKA. Mike, you hid it very well but how pissed are you, OFF THE RECORD. Patti, I'm not mad but I love this building and yet I can't have two locations. If I have to sell it I'll be selling part of me. If that happens, I'll sell everything and play football and be a normal college kid. When that's over move to my cabin in New York and raise a family and grow grapes and make wine. She laughed and asked, will that be enough? I smiled and said, I don't know. Mike, will you move to the city and run for Mayor? Patti, off the record, no. There isn't hope for this place, I have bigger plans. They just forced me into that. Patti, was there something on the record? Mike, what you did tonight will change the vote, does it matter? I thought for a minute and said nope, this spoiled rich kid it taking his toys and jet and going to VT. Mike, can I say that on the air? Patti, it was on the record, do what you feel is appropriate. She smiled and said, I'll pass as you don't mean it and if you do, I'll have it. I said goodnight and went to my office. My arrival emptied the place out except for my team. I was pleasantly surprised when Liam spoke up immediately and said, Mike, we all know how pissed you are but you hid it so well it came off as disappointment. I said thanks but Patti got the anger. We discussed that off the record. Dad asked so Mike, what's next. I looked at Tim and said Technologies needs the 4th floor of the other building so have Heidkamp sign the lease. Same terms as we have here and include hall of the first floor for start-ups and let Kyle know we did that. Then tell Heidkamp to get his ass in gear and get a bar type restaurant in there as well. As for the new property cancel the meeting with the firm we discussed last night. This decision won't be reversed anytime soon. Oh, Robotics is going in the other building and I'm turning my phone off and watching the 11:00 news. Thanks and I'll see you all tomorrow. At my place JJ was already there drinking a beer and I simply went to my room stripped and laid on the bed. He eventually came in and said, so it went that bad? JJ it went well but this ONE has nothing else to give to the ALL. He stripped and said roll over and he sat on my ass and started with a massage that was fucking awesome. I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep and JJ climbed off slapped my ass and said get on you back. As relaxed as I was I was hard as a rock and leaking. He smiled and said good, I won't need lube. He slowly lowered himself on my cock and started to ride and at one point he leaned down and kissed me and my cock head was barely in his ass but when he broke off the kiss and I was all the way in I exploded. He leaned forward again and we kiss and when my cock slid out of his ass he said how about a quick hot shower and we watch you on the news. In the shower I got on my knees and looked up and smiled and said, just use my throat. I opened my mouth and JJ wasted no time and positioned his cock at my lips and grabbed the back of my head pulled me on his cock. I gagged and he looked down and said fuck, you look so sexy with my cock in your mouth. He then continued to face fuck me until he shot a load so deep in my throat, I didn't taste it. He helped me to my feet and said damn you can be a sexy slut. I laughed and we kissed and dried off, put clothes on and waited for the news. I opted for KDKA and Patti. It started with the Anchor saying in a little noticed and seemingly insignificant decision late this morning the City Zoning Board turned down a zoning change request along Second Avenue. It wasn't so insignificant as Patti Burns reports form MJS Technologies. The lights were still on and I knew she did this right away. Tonight a disappointed and somewhat frustrated Mike Simmons the young Chairman of the rapidly growing technology company expressed his concerns about the rejection of the change from Industrial to Commercial and his two building expansion is on indefinite hold. When asked Mike outlined the advances in the company in the last 18 months form NASA to Jets and helicopters to Government work and local work with the Giant Eagle. There was also mention of a revamped Robotics Division and work with the Naval Academy. The company employing 500 people needs to expand. Mike also said that health care and education were strengths of the region. He left no doubt that he felt Steel and Coal were in the past. The current building according to Mike was nominated for National New Building of the year by American Architect, in this reporters opinion Mike was correct about the backward thinking of this city's government his only mistake this evening was that late this afternoon his building won that award. Patti Burns KDKA News. I laughed and said that bitch, she knew and didn't tell me. We switched to other stations but our story was over as it was the lead on all three stations. JJ said goodnight and the he would see me for the run. With that, I stripped and jumped into bed with multiple blankets and was so excited sleep did not arrive easily. I jumped out of bed in the morning hearing multiple car doors slam. When I looked out the media was there in full force. I simply got dressed and went right up to the reporters and said, any comment today will be from the company's press office, go have a nice breakfast. Cole appeared and asked, what did you do now? I said won a national award. Cole shook his head and started to run. 4 houses up JJ was waiting and we had a great run but we're followed by a press car. It was a quick shower and I dressed for school and threw khakis and a blue shirt in the car and drove to school. I saw the media was there as well and Heather who came up and said, so dad taught you a thing or two yesterday. I shrugged and she said I'll need that Jacket before you leave for the day. I pulled her aside and said babe, I'm tired of this shit. It isn't happening and I have said that 4 or 5 times already ready. So if you want out, have at it but understand there will be no return. Tomorrow they will be lined up at the door. You need to make up your mind before practice and I went to English. English lasted all of about 4 minutes and the teacher's phone rang and he looked at me and said Mike you know the drill. I smiled and asked Principals office? He shrugged and said yup. At the office the secretary said Mike, just go back, they are waiting for you. Inside was the Superintendent and Dr. Johnson. I was immediately told that the reporters would not leave until they talked with you and I really don't want the cops to deal with it as there are national reporters in the mix. I went out the door by administration and it was a zoo and everyone had a question and they asked it at the same time and the damn flash bulbs. I just stood there and they finally got the message and were quiet. I quietly said , you pulled me out of class, the administration is unhappy, but more importantly the 900 other kids in the building don't need the distraction. I asked those of you standing outside my house this morning to go to the office and there will be updated press reports. I will have no comment at all today. So please get to the company or better yet go get statements from the Mayor and City Council. Please just quietly leave. No one is getting an exclusive. I said thanks and they started to leave as I went back inside. Back inside the Superintendent said thanks and went about his day but Dr. Johnson asked, so how did you do that. Well I told them that I didn't like any of them enough to give an exclusive and the a Press Release would be issued around noon at the office. Then I addd well, something like that. Doc asked if I had seen the paper this morning and I said not yet. Mike, I would have loved to have been at that Press Event. You turned everyone to your side but I'll bet there is no one happy at City Hall. Doc, I definitely have a point of view on this but they are living in the past. Doc, it's a good thing I'm going away for school or I would move to Oakland and run for City Council. Doc laughed and said get to class. As soon as I stepped out of the Administrative Area the bell rand ending first period. I was walking and chatting when all of a sudden Heather was in front of me and asked so do I get the jacket? Having had enough, I simply turned and started towards History. There was a tug on my shoulder and Heather yelled, YOU DON'T GET TO JUST WALK AWAY FROM ME. Dad is right about you, your a spoiled kid with too much of daddies money and don't know your ass from a hole in the ground. I shook my head and asked what's with you? Just then I noticed she was going to hit me and just before her hand hit my face I raised my text book and there was a loud thud as her hand hit the book hard. She screamed FUCK THAT HURT. Then she looked around and asked, did you all see Mike, hit me with his book. Just then I heard Doc say Miss Kirkpatrick my office now. No one saw Mike hit you as that was a pretty good right hook you tried to land. We will be calling your dad, as if he doesn't have enough to do today. Then he said, the rest of you get to class. He led a crying Heather to the offIce. I was physically in History but my mind entirely on Carrie and her issues. I knew it wasn't the fucking jacket or what it might indicated to the minions. I knew this was a big issue and that her dad and brother simply disliked me. That was unfair to Heather and now that it appears her dad was winning. I was sure both of them were saying a lot more than I didn't know my ass from a hole in the ground. Basically, I knew that Heather and I were finished and I had to admit that her dad was right about one thing, I didn't love her and lately with her and the others it was simple casual sex. Then I thought about Carrie and how special the sex was. Then I realized it was special to me but not her as it was a means of getting what she wanted. I thought damn her. Well it must have been more than a thought as the teacher asked, Mike are you ok? I said sorry, I'm fine. He replied well we are in 1959, where are you? I said June 6, 1992 and the entire class burst out laughing as that was the date for graduation. The class went along with no further issues and I headed for Physics. Winnie and I simply started working and were getting close as we had the height of a wave right 2 times out of 3 and there was the usual give and take and banter we thought it was quiet but were called to see the teacher. He said look you two have a choice and I don't care what you pick but you either change lab partners or one of you ask the other out of a date. Winnie looked at me and said well I need this jerk as a lab partner so Mike, those 8 words. I laughed and said great how about dinner after practice tonight. Would South Hills work? She shook her head and asked, is that the best you can do? Well Winnie, actually it isn't we can do Oakmont. She whispered, how about Eat N fucking Park? I said how about a local bar in Greentree and she smiled and said perfect. After that I got her address which amazed me as it was close and on a very upscale street in Whitehall. We lived in a very nice compound in Whitehall and it was on a great street her house was on THE street. Then again dad bought our place when he had less money. I was just hoping her dad would be a conflict, if there was going to be something between us. Just as the period ended there was an announcement for all football players to report to the gym. On the way out of class Winnie handed me a note with her phone number and I asked is that your number or the home number. She smiled and said mine. The meeting in the gym was total bull shit and we were told there was no walk through today and that we had a 9:00 curfew. Someone said Coach, are you serious. No notice and some of us work and the rest have a date. Besides you haven't done this all year. You can't bench the entire team. We will agree to 11:00. The Offensive Coordinator had a chat with Coach Weston and then the coordinator asked if we would please agree to 10:30. I thought a win, win. I didn't want any additional pressure for tonight. Not doing the walk thru made no sense to me and if we made a special team mistake it would be caused by this. We were told about the pep rally which would be an hour early and a quick dinner and bus ride. The upside was that the two Charlie's were arriving at 8:30. That was an easy pickup at the county airport and the motel was minutes away. I could leave at 10:15 and meet the damn curfew. The captains gathered and one of the assistants came over and said, you don't need a walk through, it's a hang on from the past, just safely enjoy the time off. JJ caught up to me walking to my ride and said, so how is the drama king? I laughed and said, I'm innocent and I was just walking to class. Well MJ, Mia will break up with me most likely tonight and you are taking care of my blue balls. Well buddy, that's a two way street as I bet it's a long time before I get Winnie nude in bed but we have a date tonight. JJ laughed and said please don't ask her if she a friend for me. I simply drove to work and the press was still there. I just walk by the press and was very grateful for the special parking. The security checks were a pain but I assumed that would lighten up, eventually. When I got off the elevator Amy handed me a stack of pink papers and I asked what they were and she said phone messages and your voicemail mail is full so please clear it and I won't have to deal the messages. The 25 messaged contained 5 that mattered and in the pile of written messages not would be returned. Dillon appeared and I was surprised and asked what's up? He smiled and said well Liam has me baby sitting and he handed me the morning paper. The headline was CITY ZONING DECISION STOPS DEVELOPMENT. While the paper was supportive the Zoning Board Chair was much less so. He said we simply will not permit the people's riverfront to be lined with office buildings that block the view and use of the rivers like the mills did. Then he was quoted as saying just because you have money you don't always get what you want. I wasn't amused but realized they were going to play the spoiled rich kid card. That, however, bothered me as I was hoping I wasn't view that way. I looked at Dillon and asked don't you have something more important to do? Mike, most of my time today is spent hiding from the reporters. Well, hide out in your office and thanks for the papers. Just then Amy was on the intercom and said Mike, there is this woman on the phone wanting to talk with you, she is very polite but insistent, says her name is Winnie. I laughed and said, please put her through. When I answered I asked, shouldn't you be in school? Mike, I get out on work release like you the difference is I'm smart enough to stay off the media circus. Wendy, that's fair enough, so what's up? Mike we were kinda forced into this thing tonight, if you want we can just skip it and tell everyone we had a fun night. So Wendy, you are canceling on me? She laughed and said, nope just giving you a way out. Wendy, you mean you were hoping I would let you off the hook? There was no reply so I said, I'll pick you up at 5 as there is no practice. She replied fine and we hung up. The call to the office was my fault as I didn't give her my number. Then my day got very interesting as it was Amy again saying that the Mayor was on the phone. Amy, you can jut put all my calls directly through, well except for the media. Mike, thanks as this place is a total mess today. When my phone rang I pleasantly answered with Good Afternoon Mr. Mayor. That threw him off balance and he asked if I wanted this to end? Well that depends on the cost. Well Mike, how about you agree, at the appropriate time, you endorse me for Governor? That would go a long way. I thought for a minute and hit a pad on the phone and it beeped. Mike, what was that? Oh, I'm sorry Pete I turned off the recorder and didn't realize it made a noise. He screamed, YOU CANT RECORD ME WITHOUT MY CONSENT. Well Mr. Mayor that's correct but it isn't for a legal event, I'm just going outside and playing it to the media people, enjoy your day and I hung up. I laughed out loud to my self and thought that dumb shit thinks I would do that. Advantage Mike. Tim, showed up and said, I guess you didn't see the noon news. Tim, I rarely watch the news, what happened. Well Mike, you buddy Rocco held a press conference on the steps of City Hall and went ape shit on City Council and then the Mayor. He invited anyone interested to see how accessible the riverfront was outside the new building and how there was green space for the first time in over a century. To back that up KDKA showed the space around us and the reporter wondered how the industrial zoning would increase that. Mike, people are starting to show up to look, do you want to setup and say something? Tim, I do not. Let's let others carry that water. I'm so good with large crowds that I would motivate them further and we won't need that. When I told him what I did to the Mayor he shook his head and said don't you dare tell that conversation to the press. Tim, I have no intention but fuck that's a nice card to hold and there is no tape but him thinking there is, well that's just as good. Michael, you are bringing a fake recording to a street fight. Tim, exactly. That why I'm getting the fuck out of here, call if you need anything. I closed up the office and started for the car and was mobbed by the media and I went back inside and grabbed two security guards who escorted me to the car. The ride home was uneventful but there were a couple of reporters outside. I ignored them and went inside and called Winnie. When she answered I said, I'm sorry but if we go to the bar in Greentree we won't have a minute alone. I really don't want to make this a big deal and overly fancy but can we please do South Hills or Oakmont? Mike, I don't want to get all dressed up. Ok Winnie we can do Greentree and it is a cool place. Hopefully, the paparazzi will have their stories filed and it won't be too bad. I'll see you in an hour. She said thanks and I jumped into a very hot shower. I checked myself in the mirror and was not pleased and yet not all that unhappy. Serious workouts were only a few weeks away. I put on black jeans, they were rapidly becoming my go to pants and decided against a turtleneck and opted for a sweatshirt type loose fitting long sleeve shirt with a zipper about a quarter of the way down and I chose a light grey one. The shoes were a very casual grey canvas. I grabbed a leather jacket and headed for the car. The media was still there and I approached and said, damn you guys lead a boring life. Here's an exclusive, I have a date tonight and with that I headed to the car. It was about a five minute drive and it was a very large 2-1/2 story wood frame house painted a cream color with taupe trim and forest green shutters and the lawn was immaculate and there were a lot of well maintained bushes. The driveway was pavers and there was parking for at least 5 cars and a three car detached garage. I rang the bell and it was quickly opened and I stood there staring at a totally different person. She had blond hair and it was all fixed up in the latest Princess Diana style she had a light calfskin jacket on and very tight jeans and I managed to say well it's a damn good thing you didn't want to get dressed up. She smiled and said let's go, I'm starving. Traffic for the first part of the trip was in the opposite direction and we made good time until we turned onto the Parkway West. It was only one exit but three lanes of traffic. She was pretty quiet and simply looked around and a lot at me. This was really different and so far I liked it. We parked in the small lot and she was out of the car before I could open her door. I let her go in first and she looked around and said well this is certainly different than that stuffy Country Club. I was possibly 15 feet inside looking for a booth and I was spun around and got a big hug from the owner. He said, holy shit I was about to send out a search party, it's been so long. What have you been up to, besides pissing off the City Government. I laughed and said football. I introduced Winnie and he looked her over a bit too long. Winnie smiled and asked can we eat or do you need to look me over some more. We all laughed and I quietly asked wine or beer and she said here, beer. When the water came over I ordered two iced tea's. Then I said well just so you know whatever you order, it's a lot of food. The drinks came in large red plastic glasses and Winnie started to laugh then said, it's been ages since I had beer in a plastic container. I said well enjoy it as there is only one, unless dad is here and driving. She ordered a cheeseburger and fries and I ordered half an Italian delight and fries. Once we were done she asked Mike, when did we first meet? I thought for a minute and said 8th grade and you were the new kid. Yup and you made sure I felt at home and fit in and moved on, why? I don't know it's how I am. Well actually you asked me out and I said no. You haven't even looked at me till I was assigned your lab partner almost 4 years later. I smiled and said I guess I don't deal well with rejection. She laughed and said well I'm glad it's over. I was stunned and asked so why did it take a teacher to get us here? Well apparently my punishment for something I did in 8th grade is over. I laughed out loud and said you mean Heather? Mike, that's correct. The food came and things lighten up a lot and it became fun. We had both ordered fries and that was changed to a giant bowl of fries. I asked what she did for fun and she said well, golf and I play at South Hills, the course is fun but generally I hate the place. When I'm there with mom and dad, there is no peace. I laughed and said, well I felt the same way but I use it for business. I like the other two clubs much better. Before we got into my things I asked what her parents did for work. Mike mom is an attorney and dad is the managing partner, well owner, of an accounting firm and a while back his company at your request did an audit of your company. I thought shit and said Winnie, ever relationship I have had has been impacted by my job and my money. Should we just not start this. Mike, the only thing I care about is that according to dad your company and you by association are, in his words, squeaky clean. Look Mike, I know that you have as much money as God, I'm an only child and I, like you, had a Trust fun set up and like you I'm set for life. Mike, if this works it won't be a business deal and I don't need you 24/7. So now what we doing tonight? I told her about Charlie and his grandfather and she asked if she could tag along. Winnie that doesn't happen till 8:30 but your welcome to come along and I have a 10:30 football Curfew and coach will check me first. She laughed and said well that's the life you chose. Winnie, why do you want to tag along? Mike, I want to see you interact with people you care about and see if that's real or what. Mike, you are so going through the motions at school and care about very little. Ok Winnie, why are we together? Mike, in 8th grade you were to ask a second time and you didn't. I like you and you are never without a girl. Just be warned, I'm a step above the girls you have been dating and I don't need money. Oh, you are a couple of steps up and very different from my last couple of dates as well. So Winnie, when we doing this again she laughed and said well tomorrow in school. I shook my head and asked, and then? She laughed and asked about my plans for the weekend. I told her I had planned to fly to the cabin so that Old Charlie didn't have to drive but that had changed as he is going back to DC. She asked how long it took to get to the cabin and I said a couple of hours depending on the plane I took. Then I asked if she wanted to go to the Hockey game Sunday? She smiled and said, well sure if the cabin is out. I said well let me know which you want to do and I'll need to know in school tomorrow if I have to reserve a plane. With that I tried to pay the bill and that went nowhere. We got in the car and drove to the airport and a complicated, interesting and awkward first date continued. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter in the saga. Thanks for the notes, I enjoy reading them. PLEASE, if possible, find a way to support NIFTY.