Category: Change in the Wind

The Full Story, with all Side Stories and the Housekeepers’ War series integrated in.

Chapter 118: Perhaps I Should Explain . . .

Ranger’s POV

Boston looks good, as always. I’ve confirmed Mark went after Hospitality contracts. Nice healthy ones too. At the moment, his ass is grass with me, but Steph kept him for some reason. I’m waiting to hear why because it’s the only thing saving him from time on the mats with the entire LC before I dismiss him.

We return from the downtown office and I go in search of Mike again. He’s in Mark’s office, watching the monitors and reading.

“Problem?”

His head jerks up. “No, sir. Reading through the information Mark left for me. He left a series of articles for me to read, one each day, to teach me how to be an XO.”

I motion for the binder. He hands it over and I look. Good job. Detailed, broad range of topics, perfect to teach someone new to management how to perform his duties. “Useful?”

Mike barks a laugh. “Somewhat.” I wait. “I mean, it’s the difference between reading about how to drive and driving.” I nod, amused. “That binder is factually correct in everything it covers, but until you sit in this seat with twenty different things flying at you, you don’t understand the brilliance and the limitations of that book.” Continue reading →

Chapter 117: Surprise Me

Ranger‘s POV

I’m staring at the trunk of the Miata.

My personal choice? A Porsche 911. I wanted my Babe to match me but I knew not to buy that. I bought her a Miata and I heard she cried. I’d gotten the right thing.

I’m glad, because this car has shit for storage. Babe overpacked for a weeklong trip and nothing I said could get her to remove clothes. I wish Ella had been here, but she was in Newark with our family for Thanksgiving.

Les said it was the usual speculation on my life. Mom is worried about me. She and Abuela have worn a rosary away praying for me and Papa is praying that I come home safe and sound. My siblings had the usual comments, complaints and digressions.

He and Bobby enjoyed laughing at how wrong they were. Continue reading →

I Learned My Lesson

Friday after Thanksgiving

Les‘s POV

I’m staring at my computer screen, trying to make sense of what I’m reading, when Bobby walks in.

“Turn it off.” I look at him. He looks amused. “You’ve been staring at the screen for ten minutes. You aren’t reading. You’re brooding.” He hops on the other end of my bed and stares at me. “Talk, bro.”

I stare out of the window to the bleak Trenton skyline. It’s nearly midnight and the stars can barely be seen. I’ve been thinking about this problem for the past two hours and I’m no closer to a resolution. Bobby walked in at the right moment.

“How goes the paperwork?”

“Ric’s an ass,” he mutters, flexing his fingers. I smirk; nice payback, primo. “I’m nearly finished. I’d like to hand him the stack before he leaves for Miami.”

“Good luck.” Continue reading →

Your Struggle is Just Like Mine

A/N: The Final Thanksgiving story! I hope everyone enjoyed this. One Christmas story is done, but I’m still thinking about who to write for. The individuals who made this cut will be excluded from Christmas!
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Mack‘s POV

I head out to Rikers to schedule a Thanksgiving visit for the boys to visit Yala. I checked the schedule online. Black Friday and the Wednesday before. Thanksgiving is A-L. I sign us up for both days and head back to the SUV. Jorge’s with me this time and we head back to Brooklyn. We just signed a new contract but we’re not celebrating.

I’m not sure about continuing to do this. The boys are angry and unhappy after every visit. I know it’s important, not just to Yala, but to them to have contact with their mamí, but I’m not sure how to handle it. I finally called Candy and asked for some help. So did Jorge. His ex is making his life miserable, accusing him of sexually harassing his daughter. The ex hates him. She don’t want him to have any contact with his daughter. Jorge’s in and out of court right now fighting the charges.

We gotta be the most miserable daddies in all of NYC. We fucked the wrong women. Continue reading →

Cooking Lessons

Edna‘s POV

Helen waves at me from baggage claim. “Mother!”

I’m kissed and hugged but I’m tired and ready to go. “Let’s get my luggage and go, Helen.”

“What’s wrong?”

Nothing. Everything. I love Miami and I hate Miami. I love Larry and I hate Larry.

Helen grabs my suitcase and we walk out to the car. Frank’s there, with a RangeMan, and he has a smirk on his face.

He knows.

“Hey, Jailbird. How’s freedom?”

I glare at him and Helen looks at me. “Jailbird? Mother? What does Frank mean?”

Thanks, Frank. You and your big mouth. “Nothing, Helen.” Continue reading →

Nobody’s Perfect

Hal’s POV

Junior agreed to step in as XO for the week of Thanksgiving so I could take Candy home to meet my parents. I’m looking forward to it.

Candy’s nervous.

I’ve told her that my parents are conservative and traditional and she’s interpreting that as ‘judgmental’. I don’t think my family is judgmental but . . . let’s just say that the values of faith, family, and hard work are big in my family.

Candy’s upbringing was a little more . . . ‘bohemian’ might be the word my mother uses. Both of her parents are on their third marriages, she has a bunch of siblings and her family isn’t close.

My parents are big believers in the idea that you don’t marry a person. You marry a family. Continue reading →

Uneasy Truce, Part II

All conversations from here until further notice in Spanish. Conversations in Italics are English.

Mark’s POV

I wake at 0530 and go downstairs.

Hector’s there sipping coffee. I nod, he nods and I pour a cup.

Good coffee. I wait to see what he’ll say.

“I need to get started on the bread pudding. Fifteen minutes, maybe twenty. Just need to get the bread soaking.”

“OK. Nikki should be down in a moment. She has one turkey, I have the other.”

Nothing more is said. Nikki comes down, still yawning, and we prep Thanksgiving dinner and start on breakfast.

By 1330 I’m stuffed. Everything was excellent. Nikki’s a great cook and my tamale technique was given a tentative thumbs up.

“Nothing exploded,” Nando mutters, eating his fifth one.

Hector walks into the kitchen and every member of the family watches. Manny immediately runs in and climbs into a stool. Hector immediately checks to see he’s safe, but Manny’s clearly done this before. He’s in the seat and watching.

“Tío?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you gonna make bwead pudding now?”

Hector smiles. “I’m going to make the sauce. The bread pudding and the flan are almost done.” Continue reading →

Uneasy Truce, Part I

A/N: So brownc0at thinks that this behemoth of a chapter (which initially clocked in at 61 pages! Send her some love!) should be broken up into a two-parter. I bow to my beta’s wisdom. Part II will post tomorrow.

Mark‘s POV

I’m packing when Nikki calls. Boxers? Boxer briefs? Commando? I’m more comfortable commando but I pack one pair of each. Hector Manuel doesn’t need to see me nude.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Iceman!”

She’s the only person who can get away with calling me that. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Hector’s coming for Thanksgiving.”

My balls relocate somewhere near my throat before settling. Tough. Hector’s going to learn to put up with another man in Nikki’s life. I promised to come. I’m not avoiding her just because of him.

Besides, what’s the worst he could do to me? Beat me up? Slice me? Disappear me?

OK, time to stop thinking about Hector’s options. Continue reading →

Home is Where the Horror is

Armando‘s POV

“Is it wrong of me not to be excited about going to Miami for Thanksgiving?” Mari murmurs.

Nope. I don’t particularly want to be there either, but I’m going for my siblings. It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and we’re in the Charlotte airport, one of the most confusing airports I’ve ever seen, boarding our plane.

“Well, technically we’re spending Thanksgiving with your family. My family is getting Black Friday.”

Mari sighs and smiles. “I know. First time in . . .” She looks at me. “Have we ever spent a holiday with my family?”

I shake my head. “Nope. We always hosted the holidays for my family.” I smile at her. “First time ever that you don’t have to cook, no one is in our house, and we get to come and go as we please.” Continue reading →

Blinds: A Holiday Story in Three Scenes

A/N: Updated. Thanks to Mary and MantLady for pointing out gaffes! I initially had Ram hunting deer and forgot to make the relevant changes for elk.

Ram’s POV

Scene One

Steady hands.

Steady hands, soldier.

Target is about 500 yards away. I’ve been watching for at least twenty minutes.

My phone beeps. I flick my eyes at the display.

What are you waiting for?

I grin and take aim.

Squawk!

We’re having the traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. Continue reading →