The Associate (Part 1)

     "So let me get this straight," I asked, "You're okay with me becoming a member of the family?"

     Bekka said, "You can't become one.  You're not Italian.  However, you can be an associate, and that's okay with me.  Not much would change for you, since you're already running Inana like a champ.  At most they'd have you run errands that you're used to, after all the time you spent dealing."

The Associate (Part 2)

     I got a hold of Angel a little past four.  Strange how methamphetamine can relax you.... or at least steel your nerves.  I came right to the point.

     "Angel, you've wanted me in the organization, so I'm in.  And no, I'm not getting divorced, it's okay with Bekka if I hook up with you gentlemen."

     "Lenny, this is wonderful news!  I'm delighted with your decision.  You're in."  All news with Angel was either "wonderful" or "not good."  Not good news meant serious trouble for all those involved with its delivery.

The Associate (Part 3)

     They were right about my jobs being boring, initially.  My first assignment was to drive out to Montrose, out past Burbank, and pick up a suitcase to be delivered to Frankie's house.  This was all conducted past ten p.m. for some reason, but that --- like the contents of the briefcase --- was none of my business.  I made the delivery, was thanked by Frankie, and went the hell home.

     The next one was along the same lines: pick up a duffel bag in Irvine and take it to Vinny's house, at night.  Hell, if this was all they wanted me to do, I could adjust very quickly.

     The one after that became complicated.

The Associate (Part 4)

    Saturday morning Bekka woke me up, announcing her plans to get an early start up to Encino for her usual lunch and gossip session with the guys' wives.  I rolled over and went back to sleep as the front door closed....

     .... Then snapped awake and dived for the phone when I realized where she was headed.  I hadn't told her what had happened to  me in Lawndale, with Angel and I sticking to our story about why I hadn't driven the Acura home the day before.  I quickly dialed Angel's number, hoping he wasn't sleeping in.  He wasn't.

The Associate (Part 5)

     We walked in the house still laughing at the efforts of the Mighty Mulvoney.  "And you wondered why I didn't want to own a BMW.  I'd be associated with the likes of that guy.  Shit, I'm embarrassed to share the same ethnic makeup as him."

     "So you blue-eyes don't all stick together?" asked Bekka.

     "Hell no.  Look how much  time England and France spent at war with each other.  The only way we appear to have any advantage is we're the ones who always get elected to office.  Other than that, being a white boy can be as much of a drag as it can for anyone else.  Except the blacks.  And  the Mexicans.  Oh, and the Southeast Asians.  Okay, I guess being a white boy ain't that bad a gig."