Chapter 2

We had some time before training camp began; enough so that we made a list of things to do, things to buy or pay others to do and things we would not do, no matter what. All this did was add another catagory to the list, things still undecided; since the rule was we each had to agree on anything.

When Tracie took us on a tour of the house, no one wanted to live on the ship anymore; even me. The 14 miles or so, maybe an hour’s drive or less if Sandi was not the driver, was an easy decision to make. When the girls figured out that they would have more bathrooms and an entire bedroom free to keep even more clothes in; well, it was a done deal, me, I did not care. Tracie wanted to keep the ship, it would be featured in the business, along with the marina ads.(I must have mentioned she owned the marina too)

I learned long ago to never argue with a pretty girl. Once in the house several things happened. One, I now had an address for the bank accounts, three days later a California Income Tax form to pay estimated tax came in the mail. I never even notified the mail people of my new address. I guess I should add Tax folk to the ‘Do not argue with’ list. Dee-Dee asked me if I needed to change the car registration and get a California drivers license. My answer: “Ha!” and pointed to Sandi; I had the car put in her name.

We did get new beds, linen, pillows, towels, blankets, toothbrushes, etc. Why? don’t ask me, I’m just a man. Tracie indicated my $30,000 a month contribution was probably not needed, half of that would pay the taxes and expenses on the house and ship. Remember this was California, I think she meant $180,000, ($15,000 times 12) not half of $30,000. It was a nice gesture of her anyway but she forgot about the food bill for what I wanted. I also got the feeling Sandi, Dee-Dee and Jessie had no regular contribution expected of them.

The house had been Tracie’s parents, now hers; not certain where she lived when she was married.

TC(Training Camp) started. Its seemed each day there were new faces in it. I think I said a lot of the Ram’s players from last year were not returning. By the end of June, there were a few players I knew, also a couple I wished were gone and forgotten; my right and left offensive tackles. I guess the feeling was mutual about me for them. It became even worse when the girls showed up to watch a practice. Maybe them(The girls) holding their nose and waving a hand when they(The two idiots) got near did not help them(The two stupid, ugly idiots) change their opinions.

I knew now there was a higher power in LA when low and behold my old Quarterback showed up in camp. Not that I needed it but it did give me some extra incentive to do good. It would be an important plus as the season un-folded. The team now had a QB that could run and one who could throw over my head. My stock was rising.