Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:20:36 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mike Simmons <illuminati12353@yahoo.com>
Subject: It was always about the bets 334

I looked at the tree and thought it looked good and it already it smelled
really good. Then I realized that I had forgot to use the tree bag and if
I didn't attach that there would be pine needles all over the place when
I took the decorations off. With that I had to take the tree out of the
stand attach the bag, reinsert the tree in the stand and tighten it in
place. Then I remembered the water and added that to the stand. The white
bag was then arranged as a skirt to hide the stand. After dealing with
the tree I showered and put on sweats and was going commando. Then I
poured a small scotch which was more ice than anything else. I went
looking for Christmas music and finally settled on a local radio station
which was Christmas music all the time till the 26th. Then I sat on the
loveseat and was sipping my drink.


I had no idea how the others would react with the tree trimming but I was
really happy an I would bet that none of them would believe that this was
my first tree in 6 or 7 years. Then I remembered all the fights with mom
and Bill and it was like that every time there was a holiday or a special
event. Dad would try but mom pushed every button dad had and Bill would
alway side with mom. It was mom and Bill and me and dad. I was always
simply glad to get through the day and get to bed. Then I laughed and
thought NOT TONIGHT and NEVER AGAIN. Just then the door opened and Winnie
was standing there. I immediately grabbed her and gave her a big hug. She
looked at me and asked Mick, what's up? I smiled and  said well just
ghosts of Christmas past but I'm over it. She looked at the tree and
laughed and said Mick, nobody said we were trimming a tree. I thought we
were drinking and hanging out? Winnie, humor me as I haven't had a tree
sine I was 10 or 11 and I'm hoping you and my best friend and his girl
will help make this special.  She smiled and said, well I can do that but
I'm not sure about JJ as he wants to simply get drunk and fuck. Winnie,
what about you? There was no answer but she went to counter and made a
gin and tonic took a sip and grabbed my hand and led me to the bedroom.


Once in the room she shut the door pointed to the bed and said sit. Then
she took another sip of her drink and placed the glass on my desk and sat
beside me. We were both quiet for awhile and then she asked, so do you
want to talk about those ghosts? I smiled and said nope, mom and Bill, my
brother, make an occasional visit and they are locked in their box in my
head. She smiled and asked, so has anyone else escaped their box? Winnie,
Carrie doesn't have a box as I am totally over that. Actually I put that
box in a dumpster. Mick, I accept that but you need to know I watched you
two and you were head over heals for her and I have to tell you I was
jealous. So I accept all that happened between the two of you, just
don't bull shit me about her. Even an occasional appearance of her would
cause an issue with me. Fuck, I can deal with the other exes but not her
as I can't compete with a dead person. On the other issue JJ can revert
to his Texas life. As for me, I like to experience all of you sober or
just a little buzzed, besides I'm hoping you have a couple of sessions
in you. With that she was all over me and it was romantic and intense.
When we were done, I gave her a flannel shirt and we went and joined JJ
and Mia who were putting the lights on the tree. JJ laughed when he saw
us and said well I figured you didn't know how to do this. I laughed and
we had a great time and the tree looked great. JJ and I had the girls top
the tree with a star.


After the tree was finished we were having a great time and JJ was
pounding the beers and Mia was deep into the wine. The other unusual
thing was that JJ trying to get me to bet. I was running out of ways to
avoid that when he said MJ, I give up. Mia wants to see you shirtless.
Winnie said well JJ, we can do that if you go shirtless as well. Mia
laughed and said fuck, that sounds like fun. I unzipped the jacket to my
sweatsuit and Mia helped JJ with his shirt and undershirt. We were asked
to stand by the tree and I was afraid about what might happen next. Then
Winnie came over and looked us over and grabbed my hand and said well, I
want this one and we went to my room. As she closed the door she yelled
good night to JJ and Mia. Once the door was closed I hugged Winnie and
said thanks as that was as far as I was going to go. I took her hand and
we sat on the bed and I got really close and said said Winnie, JJ and I
are ver close as he is my best friend and teammate and will be for three
more years. We will share an apartment and I hope enjoy college life and
football. One thing I will never share with him is you. She smiled and
said well just so you know I told that to Mia before we all got here and
she simply want to fuck you. Winnie, that will never happen as I find 3
or 4 somes repulsive. Mick, have you ever done something like that? Babe,
Jeff tried and I found it repulsive and he was so high I simply left.
Jeff is no longer an issue. Then there was the time I was making out with
Sean's sister and I stopped as soon as he took his shirt off. So Winnie,
what about you? Mick, I'll do almost anything with you but never more
than one at a time. Besides I know if I do something like that or hookup
with another guy while we are together I would be dead to you. Then she
stood up and stripped and looked at me sitting there and asked, so what
are you still dressed? All I had on was sweatpants and she reached for
the bottom of each pant leg and pulled and I was naked with a hard on. I
just wanted to please her and I tasted every part of her and she was
begging for my cock and I slowly entered her and as I did that she
reached up and pinched my nips and that was all it took. We just laid
there and fell asleep in each other's arms.


Winnie and I were the first awake and as she was showering I put the
coffee on and just as that finished JJ and Mia appeared. I thought they
were in remarkable good shape for what they had been drinking. JJ asked
if Winnie and I wanted to grab a bite to eat and I simply passed and they
were quickly gone. While waiting for Winnie i stripped the bed in the
room JJ and Mia used and  threw clean sheets on the bed to be put on once
Winnie left. When she appeared we had coffee and just chatted. Then she
asked if we could have lunch tomorrow as she would be leaving Monday
evening for Columbus and she wanted to exchange gifts. I said that would
work as I was staying away from the office. Then she said well I need to
get home as mom is helping me find a dress for the wedding. We kissed
good bye and I finished making the bed and stripped mine and took the
dirty sheets to the washer.


I went upstairs and found Megan reading the paper. I poured a cup of
coffee and Megan smiled and said, laundry this early, it must have been a
fun night? Well mom, we trimmed a tree for my place. She laughed and
asked, is that what you call it now days. I laughed and started to read
the part of the paper that she wasn't involved with. There was nothing
that interested me in the paper and I asked about the family plans for
for Christmas and she asked if I wanted to trim another tree tonight? I
said sure and she said, great and dinner is at 6:00 and it is nothing
fancy. I told her I was good with that and went to my place. There I
spent time making beds and cleaning up then it was a very long and hot
shower. I dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, grabbed my Walkman and put
on some holiday music and sat on the loveseat, looking at the tree and
fell asleep. I was jarred awake whit a knock on the door and JJ entering.
He sat down beside me and asked MJ, are you mad about last night? JJ, we
have never discussed it but I'm not into sharing women I'm dating and I
found the shirtless thing humiliating. JJ laughed and said, shit at least
you got picked and we both laughed. Then I asked JJ was that you or Mia?
MJ, I have ever had a 4 way but didn't object when Mia mentioned it. I
was pretty sure it wouldn't happen. So JJ, did you have fun last night?
MJ, we did but we had both had a bit too much to drink. I laughed and
said just so you had safer fun. JJ just shrugged and said, always dad.
Then he said well I need to get home and we are leaving early tomorrow
for Houston. He said MJ, Merry Christmas and I'll see you Friday. We
hugged and he was off.


With that I went to the house and everyone was home. I started for some
coffee and dad said ok boys, let's go find us a tree. Cole and I looked
at each other and he went to the closet for a coat and I said well, I'll
be right back and grabbed my letterman's jacket. When I got back to the
house Megan was giving instructions on the tree. I was to be no taller
than Cole and had to fit in the trunk and then se added and that is a
closed trunk. With that Cole yelled SHOTGUN. I somehow found that
hysterical and climbed into the back seat. Dad apparently had something
in mind as we drove for almost an hour and we pulled into this farm just
past Washington, PA. It was obviously a tree farm and dad parked out and
there was a guy dad obviously knew. There was some small talk and dad
introduced Cole and when he got to me, there was a big smile and the guy
said, damn you really grew up into a specimen. I laughed and said thanks,
I think. Then dad said, so Ken do you have any trees left after all these
years. Ken looked at dad and said Mike, you cut one down and I plant two,
so the ones I planted last time you were here should be about perfect.
Ken said, we will take the truck and you two can run behind or ride in
the bed. At the same time Cole and I said, we're riding. It was an old
truck and in the bed there were two bales of hay and we climbed in and
sat there looking at each other. We drover a hill and at the bottom of
the hill was about 3 acres or neatly planted pine trees. We got off the
truck and Ken was telling dad that he stopped selling trees about 3 years
ago when his wife passed and it was not fun anymore. Then dad looked at
us and said pick a damn tree that will keep Megan happy.


Cole and I were off and we disagreed on every tree we looked at. Finally
Cole said MJ, it's fucking cold out here and I have a tree every year
and you haven't had one in a long time, please just pick one. I laughed
and said Cole, there is already one in my place and JJ and I along with
the girls trimmed it last night. Cole laughed and pointed and said fine,
let's take this one. We easily found dad and Ken as they were leaning
against talking and smocking a cigar. I laughed out loud and said, so old
habits are never set aside. Ken smiled and said, we were just discussing
when or if you would remember. Well guys it is hard to forget how much
those cigars stink nd how that always set mom off. Ken laughed out loud
and said, well if it wasn't the cigars it would have been something
else. Wanting to pivot it away from mom and Bill, as I knew he was next.
I said, we picked a tree. Ken went to the truck and produced a small gas
chain saw and handed it to me, I immediately handed it to Cole. Cole
looked at it for a second and handed it to dad and said dad, I'll most
likely cut a finger or two off and that wouldn't be good for my golf
game. Dad laughed nd handed it back to Ken who asked, where is the tree?
Cole and dad started off and Ken asked, did the smell of the cigars make
you remember? Ken, it was you and dad standing there chatting that caused
me to remember, so when did you retire from teaching, wasn't it math
that you taught? Mike, that's correct and 25 years and the pension was
enough and I just love this farm. I don't work it like I used to but
this year there is hay and corn or will be. Then I surprised him and
asked and how is Nick, he must be finishing up his first semester at
college? Mike, that's correct and he is at MIT studying computers or
something, all I know is that it's free. We arrived at the tree, we had
selected, there were two tries to start the chainsaw and 15 seconds later
the tree fell to the ground. I looked at Cole and we both grabbed an end
and left dad and Ken to talk on the way back to the truck.


At the truck Cole and I jumped in and dad and Ken threw the tree in the
bed with us and Ken asked that we try not to let it fall out. Cole and I
laughed and we were quickly back at the car. Dad opened the trunk and we
all laughed as there was no way it would fit. Ken opened the large garage
and there was a machine of sorts and he pulled the tree through the
opening and it was wrapped tight enough to just barely fit in the trunk.
We all shook hands and I asked Ken for Nick's phone number and he
started looking for something to write with and Cole shook his head and
said, don't bother writing it down the jerk will remember it, even if he
has a hard time remembering the past. Ken gave me the number and then
looked at Cole and said son, if you had a mother like his you wouldn't
remember much of the past either. Then Ken said, you two should come help
with the hay in June, Nick will be here and we could use the help. I
smiled and told Ken to count on me and couple of friends. With that we
jumped in the car and I made Cole get in the back. Before we pulled away
Ken appeared waving and dad stopped and Cole and I were given cigars. I
said thanks and was thinking it would have to be a damn special occasion
with dad before I ever lit one of these up.


We pulled into the driveway as Megan was taking Ashley out of the car
seat, when we popped the trunk Megan shook her head and looked at dad and
said, you guys cheated. She popped the trunk on her car and it was filled
completely full with decorations. You guys can unload that as well as I
bought extras as I knew you would get something bigger. Cole and dad
dragged the tree in and placed it in the stand and I unloaded the car and
it took 6 trips. Just then Cole's phone rang and he looked at it and let
it ring until it stopped. It changed his mood a bit and Megan asked for a
moment with Cole and dad pointed to his office. Megan a a pouting Cole
went inside and Megan closed the door. Almost immediately Cole reappeared
and grabbed his phone and went back in the office, closing the door. I
was having a more than great time as the day had been drama free and I
was hoping that nothing changed for Cole. Then there was someone at the
door and I answered it and it was dinner, three racks of ribs, a mountain
of fries and a salmon salad. Cole and Megan appeared and both were in a
good mood and whatever it was was resolve. Dinner was fun and I hadn't
had ribs in a long time. Cole and I cleaned up and dad and Megan along
with Ashley went in the game/family room and Ashley was being fed and dad
and Megan had drinks.


There was all types of decorations to deal with but we concentrated on
the tree. There were 600 multicolored lights and a bunch of ornaments. It
was going well and Megan handed me an ornament and I looked at it and
started to laugh as it was a Hokie Bird. I set it on the table and
grabbed Megan and lifted her off her feet and gave her a giant hug. I put
her back on her feet and simply said, thanks mom that is awesome. Then
Cole was handed a Demon Deacon mascot which was Wake Forest. Cole, simply
put it on an end table and flew to his room. Megan started to follow him
and I asked she give him a minute and if necessary I would talk with him.
A few minutes later Cole appeared holding an envelop. He sat beside his
mother and said mom, I was going to discuss this with you tomorrow but
this envelop is a 4 year scholarship to play golf at Wake Forest and it
is the Palmer Scholarship. Mom, I'm home before you every day and last
week Colleen handed me this and said it looks important. Mom, I thought
about it all week and yesterday I call Mr. Palmer and we talked for 2
hours. You know I want to turn Pro as soon as possible and I know you
want me in college. Please listen and don't react until I'm finished. I
turned the scholarship down. However, I have accepted the offer to attend
Wake Forest. I might play college golf and I might not. I figured and AP
agreed that if I turned Pro I could select the tournaments I want to play
in. With College golf I would miss a lot of school so it's a trade. If I
decide to play college golf I would simply try out, they keep a spot open
for that possibility. What I promise you is that no matter what it takes,
I get a 4 year degree from Wake Forest. Cole immediately got a big hug
and Megan asked, so what did you do with my sone. Cole shrugged and said
I grew the fuck up. By the time we were done with the decorations it was
late and I thanked everyone for a great day and went to my place and was
quickly in bed.


I was up at the usual time and it was warm enough so I dressed for a run
and found Cole waiting for me. It was a casual run and we chatted some
about the previous night and then he asked if I was going into the office
later? Cole, I should but I promised Winnie lunch as she is leaving for
Ohio. MJ, just let me know as I'm free till Friday. Inside I made coffee
and showered and dressed in nicer clothes in case I went to the office.
At school I went right to the guidance office and told the secretary that
I had an appointment with Mr. Ramo. I was told to have a seat and that he
would be right with me. Mr. Ramo could be a real bastard or charm the
pants off you. When I was told he was ready for me it was obvious he was
in a charming mood. He waved me to a seat and said Mike, we have had you
for 11 and a half years and you could simply walk away leaving behind a
legacy that will be remembered for a very long time, why stay? I laughed
and said a few more gold metals, just to piss the powers to be off. Mr.
Rambo laughed so hard at that I thought he hurt himself. So Mike, what do
you need? Well, how about what I had first semester as I need to keep up
for the AP tests. That brought another laugh and he said and third period
science or wood shop. I said well science. This time there was a smirk
and he said well that's your worst subject and you know your lab partner
will be changed. It was my turn to laugh and I said well we will have to
flirt from across the room. Then the conversations turned casual and we
agreed on the same schedule and I went to History and then Science. There
was no lunch so we signed out of study hall and started to the car.


We decided ok Max & Erma's at the mall and it was an easy drive. Once we
were seated and drinks were ordered she smiled and said, me first and
handed me a small box. I opened it and it was a gold chain with a Hokie
Bird on it and it was long enough that it hung just below my number 24.
Two chains were a bit much but I actually liked it a lot. I handed her my
gift and when she opened it and saw the heart with the diamond chips she
went wow, dad is going to shit when he sees this. Mick, will you please
put it on for me. I said sure and she said well you can take off the one
I'm wearing. I leaned over and when I saw her necklace, I gasped and
dropped the one I was about to put on her. When I recovered I asked, so
when did this happen.  Mick, I wanted to surprise you. I was offered
early acceptance to VT and I talked it over with the rents and my UNCLE
and everyone thought it was a good choice. Relax, you were not a
consideration and their architectural school is 5 years and is highly
regarded. Winnie would you like the heart changed to a 24? Mick, first of
all you are more than a number or football player and if you weren't you
would be sitting here with someone else. Mick, I'll be in a dorm and you
will be in a football dorm and if we are together it will work out and if
we are not the place is big enough that we don't have to see each other.
Mick, it will be what it becomes. Hey, that's my line. It morphed into a
fun lunch and I drove her home and we kissed Merry Christmas.


 I went right to the house and found Cole in sweatpants and ate and asked
if he still wanted to go to the office? He jumped up and ran upstairs and
was back in minutes dressed appropriately. We jumped in the car and he
threw something in the back seat. At the office, he laughed at my parking
space and inside security put on a real show and Cole cooperated. Even
when they looked inside the bag he had with him. When we got off the
elevator, I introduced him to Amy and Kyle and for the most part the
place was deserted. I showed him dad's office and went into my office.
He looked around and was in awe of the view and loved the open "patio"
area. I was here today because he asked me to take him and I had no
intention of staying long. We were seated in the club chairs and I
finally asked what's up? He tossed me the bag and said Merry Christmas.
So Cole, you slaved over the gift wrap? He just laughed and said well
it's a one of a kind thing and there will never be another one like it.
I opened the bag and looked in and it was a flag from a golf pin. Looking
at it closely it was from the 18th hole at Southern Hills. Then I looked
at the writing and it said to my brother on my first Pro win and it was
signed Cole Simmons. I actually had tears in my eyes as we hugged. His
signature was very clear and neatly done. Then Cole said MJ, it's
tradition that the winner gets this flag and it usually goes to the
caddie but Liam said he is only interested in flags from the majors. I
laughed at that. I was already rearranging the wall but I still needed
the stuff from the frame shop. We talked for a wild about Pinehurst and
finally I said lets head home but I have a stop to make. We drove to to
the mall and it was a zoo and parking was a bitch and I went straight to
the frame shop and introduced Cole and then told the manager I would need
one of my special frames for this and handed him the flag. He looked at
it nd said no problem. With that we drove home.


Thanks for reading and the comments, sorry for the delay in posting a
short vacation was the cause.


Please remember nifty and what it takes to keep these stories coming.