Category: I Learn to Waltz

I Learn to Waltz, Part IV

“Closing the Deal with the Right Fork”

Javi‘s POV

Every man here is in a panic.

Numbers come out in three days. We’re desperate to know if we tipped Trenton. I’ll have an office full of pissed off men if we didn’t.

Steph sent her pre-visit info yesterday.

Our review? In two weeks.

Conducted by who? The entire Leadership Core!

Ranger, Tank, Les, Bobby and Hector on-site, Tank, Bobby, and Steph doing the review, and Ranger and Hector meeting with the leadership.

So now the pressure is on. For Jorge, Drake, and Mack, this is extra special and nerve-wracking. This is the first time Jorge will meet the entire LC and he’s dreading it. I kept reminding him that he’s met Les, Hector and Steph. He knows them. It’ll be OK. Continue reading →

Chapter 104.5: I Learn to Waltz, Part III

A/N: Don’t flay me alive. I’m basing part of this story on a real life situation I’m keeping my eyes on.
Slanged: sold drugs.
La Cubana: A Greyhound-style bus service that run between Miami and New York.

Lesson Two: Dress for Success

Mack’s POV

“Mommy! Mommy!”

Yala sinks to her knees in the middle of the Rikers visiting area and grabs the boys in a tight hug. I see the tears in her eyes and I kneel and wipe her face with my hankie.

She opens one eye and peers at me. “Thank you,” she whispers.

I nod and back away. This is her time. I know how she feels.

-oOo-

Earlier

Javi has my ass working like a cheap trick. I’m starting to get a flava, a style to work the streets, and I’m pulling back bigger and bigger contracts. The street guys are thrilled. We’re certain we’re gonna push past Trenton this month. We just know it.

After watching me handle that, Javi changes my job again! Now he wants me to handle more of Jorge’s stuff while Jorge works with Hector and Danny to get the technical setup for the Business Investigations group really moving. I start participating in the strategist calls and learn my new teammates across the company are good peeps. Continue reading →

I Learn to Waltz, Part II

OZ: Oswald State Penitentiary (NY)
Candy Land: Green Haven Correctional (NY)
13 1/2:12 jurors, 1 judge, and 1/2 a chance

A/N: This takes place while Les is moving up and down the East Coast (A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste). Blame my Muse for the late arrival on this one.

I EARN my promotion

Mack’s POV

Javi is losing his fucking mind.

“How does he do it?” He’s standing in front of the ball case, staring at it. The ball ain’t there. Jorge is shaking his head and even I’m confused.

Javi’s gone mad trying to figure out how to protect his ball. Les keeps stealing the damn thing and we can’t figure out how he does it. Javi’s started locking his door and Les still steals the damn ball.

I’m stumped. Les is a fucking great burglar. Levi is pissed.

“Man, I coulda used him in my crew,” he mutters. Les left no fingerprints. The motion activated sensor was not disturbed. The pressure sensor Javi put on the ball’s base wasn’t disturbed.

It’s like the ball disappeared into thin air and landed on Les’s dining room table.

We know there’s a lesson here but we’ll be damned to figure out what it is. Continue reading →

I Learn to Waltz, Part I

A/N: OK, so this is Part I of a new series entitled: I Learn to Waltz. Many thanks to Lisa Trent, who suggested this One-Shot, but once I started writing, it was like writing for the Housekeepers’ War all over again!
Also, in this context: ‘swing my balls’ means bragging. Versatile phrase, huh? LOL.

Mack’s POV

Jorge and Javi are major! Homies who went through the first session of business etiquette classes said it was major. Worth it. They been using the skills and we hittin’ major numbers with the contracts. Javi said he expect us to take the crown this month. We asked what’s keeping us from takin’ it now.

Trenton. Continue reading →