La Familia

Prologue

Fuck!!! Where dat Nigguh at, his ass always on this corner, screamed Jake?

He’s here or under that fucking bridge. We finally got money and this motherfucker on vacation, barked Slim.

It used to be better than this, there was always a pusher when you needed one.

Amen, praised Slim.

In Saigon, we bought dope from grocery stores, restaurants, SHIT! We bought it from the commanding officer, he had the best dope in country.

Was it good?

Was it good, Nigguh please, you got high looking at the shit. We were on guard duty I rigged up under my poncho. Young Blood that was the best high I had during the war. The rain glistened like diamonds, the moons looked like I could reach up and touch them, and when the shooting started I could see the bullets flying around like fire flies, man it was fantastic.

You mean moon?

What, Nigguh, I mean moons, I saw two of them, I wasn’t gonna let the war blow my high.

Both men laughed hysterically.

There he is!

Damn pusher man, it’s cold out here where the fuck you been, asked Slim.

Minding my own business, now mind yours, how many times?

Calm down young blood, hit me 4 times.

Where’s the money?

I got it black man, I got it.

The pusher handed Slim the brown powder that helped him chase his Dragon.

Is the weight off or something, this shit look kind of small, asked Slim?

You want it or not, I know people that do.

Shit, nigguh, do I have a choice?

The duo entered the parking garage finding a secluded spot.

Hook it up, feed me Slim.

Slim reached inside his faded green army jacket retrieving a leather pouch, inside were a sterling silver syringe, a silver spoon, a zippo, a rubber tube, and cotton balls. Slim meticulously cleaned the spoon placing the heroin inside. He filled the syringe with water, squirting it over the tan powder. The zippo heated the spoon, mixing it thoroughly. Slim sucked the solution out of the spoon with the syringe.

Time for dinner, smiled Slim.

Jake took the rubber tube wrapping it tightly around his right bicep and the basilica vein popped up like a large worm. Slim flattened Jake’s arm to a level position placing the needle flush against the forearm, he pushed the needle into the vein with the precision of a nurse. While holding the needle steady inside the vein, Slim pulled back on the plunger watching carefully to see if any blood was drawn. There was blood, he slowly pushed the mixture into Jake’s vein. Jake removed the tube from his bicep and sat against a wall with a look of euphoria that was heavenly. Slim repeated the process for himself dropping his pants to find his dope vein, he sat pushing down on the plunger and like Jake, the bliss carried him to a very special place. Slim had to shoot in his groin, it would have taken him too long to find a vein in his arms or feet. The two men sat there for a while until Slim said, We have to get to work. Slim helped Jake to his feet and they both stumbled to the service elevator. The door read employees only, they adorned their door-man uniforms taking their posts in front of the fancy hotel.

Welcome to the Hotel Bastille, said Slim loud and proud!

The Beginning

1

Cienfuegos, Cuba

1979

A massive cloud impeded the sun’s rays providing temporary relief from its awesome power. I taste the salt in the air, hear the surf pounding the beach, see the green tree tops, and tan hills adorning the countryside igniting my childhood memories. I thank God for his fingerprints surrounding me, allowing me to be Cuban.

Angel! Angel! Let us continue it will be dinnertime soon.

I take a deep breath admiring my country’s beauty, my home, I’m on my way.

Striding up hill to the seaside section of the Hacienda I recognize the hearts and souls of my homeland: Minister of Defense, Eduardo Pizzaro; Economic Minister, Carlos Loaiza; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Estabon Gallarraga; Minister of Internal Security, Paulo Cortez; Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander, Alejandro Rodriguez; and Minister of Health, Isabella Heavon, my mother. The English oak mahogany table has been in my family since the turn of the century, maintained by a Scottish craftsman it’s my mother’s pride and joy. Papers, graphs, and charts strewn over every inch of the massive table; mother emphatically making eye contact with Minister’s personal assistants, ensuring they put their boss’s drinks on coasters preventing damage to her prized heirloom. The Economic Minister continued with his report as he sipped his drink and returned the crystal goblet to its coaster, acknowledging my mother with a nod and smile.

Our government’s financial situation is, there’s no money, we are figuratively if not literally broke! Without financial aid from allies and cash crop sales, we would be destitute. Gross Domestic Product is the market value of all officially recognized goods and services produced within our country. We provide little to no damn services and we are selling only a quarter of our most wanted commodities and that’s on the black market because of the U.S. embargo. We are in a dire situation, presenting a façade of strength for the world.

Don’t be so melodramatic, smirked the Minister of Defense.

Maybe we should ask our friends to the north for aid, said the Foreign Minister.

Fuck the arrogant ego driven asshole Americans, they would make us grovel at their feet in full view of the world. They will extend their tit breastfeeding us as if we are children. We would be like the Puerto Ricans or the Mexicans, said the Health Minister.

Gentlemen and Lady this is an emotional subject and I know tempers will flair however we should stay focused on the task at hand, said Angel.

To hell with that they treat us like shit while offering a hand of friendship patting us on the head while kicking us in the ass. We should be angry, very angry, the Americans can kiss my entire ass, passionately said the Health Minister!

I was stunned but smiling inside, my Mom still has fire.

Then let us discuss the plan, before we begin there are realizations we must accept, said Angel.

The Problems:

1. We have warehouses filled with Cocaine and Marijuana with no market for selling.

2. The time in storage will make the crops unusable.

3. Two thirds of our deliveries or seized by the Coast Guard or lost at sea because of incompetence.

4. Our rivals, the Colombians, and Mexicans, are far better at this business.

5. Finally, we have no distribution network in the United States that extends past Florida.

The Advantages:

1. We have Patriots advancing our cause.

2. We have military support who are skilled, trained, and disciplined.

3. Finally, we are a hell of a lot smarter than the opposition.

The Solution:

The Louisiana Delta Region and its heart, New Orleans!

Minister Gallaraga, if we ask the Americans for aid how much cash can we expect, asked Angel?

$25 to $50 million dollars with other intangibles but if we do it on a world stage $100 million easy; we would also receive half of any amount the Americans would give from the Russians and Chinese. It would embarrass the two Communist superpowers if we solicited aid from the Democratic beacon of freedom for the world.

I would need a quarter of that to make my plan work, said Angel.

Ok, what do we have to do to get started, asked Minister Pizzaro?

Convince the BEARD of the plan’s guaranteed success and give control of the Russian/Chinese aid money to his office, said Chief of Staff Rodriquez.

An actual timeframe is what I need, said Angel.

Two months, said Rodriguez, I can get our allies answer and ask for financial assistance from the United Nations Trust Fund Committee.

What will happen to the money from the mission, asked Minister Cortez.

75% of the money will be controlled by this Consortium the other 25% will be controlled by Angel to support his Delta operation, said the Defense Minister.

I was more than confident that my plan would work as I watched the caravan of vehicles depart Casa de Heavon flanked by military jeeps.

I’m going for a walk through the arboretum would you like to join me, as he took his mother’s hand.

You go ahead I wouldn’t make it back up the hill, said Ms. Heavon. She put her hands on his cheeks pulled him to her kissing his forehead, You remind me of your father, he would be proud of you, as I am now.

The silver haired fireball broke into politics by caring for the underprivileged by speaking against a government who overlooked its people. She’s my hero, my inspiration.

My grandfather’s Hacienda is 15,000 square feet sitting on 300 acres of fertile land. He defended this land from rebels, politicians, the Church, Central Intelligence Agency, and defeated them all. When my parents married his gift to them was ‘Heaven’, this ranch. My favorite path has two life size statues of my grandfather and father, I wonder what they would think of my plan. Would they approve? They would! It’s patriotic, I am putting Cuba first. How did they get an African Violet to grow here is beyond me, is that a Magnolia Blossom, a Cactus Lilly, this arboretum is amazing!

2

Fuck them and their money! Are we peasants to fucking American Imperialism, screamed the Beard? They will want more than us kissing their asses on BBC.

As always, you’re correct, the Americans require any Atlantic communication frequencies used by Russia and the Caribbean banks China’s using for its money, replied the Foreign Minister.

Sons of Bitches, yelled the Beard, are you sure this plan will work, I want to strike a blow on American soil even if it will be considered just a thorn in their asses.

As the Foreign Minister cleared his throat which caught everyone’s attention, If I may Hefe, I know my endorsement means nothing to you when policy decisions are made but consider this, the father’s tenacity was a significant asset during your victories over American imperialists. The mother did not blink when she challenged the government’s mishandling of Cuban health policies. Let us not forget the three successful surgeries she performed on you. Angel Heavon is just as dogmatic stubborn and successful as his parents.

It was now, the Foreign Minister recognized all eyes were on him, some with sympathy, others with pride, and a handful wondering are we going to feed this dumbass to the sharks.

Well said Estabon, don’t do it again, snarled the Beard.

He knew the Foreign Minister was correct that’s why he gave approval to support Angel’s plan.

Make sure our comrades moneys are in my accounts as soon as possible, barked the Beard.

Sweating profusely needing to take a piss, the Foreign Minister conceded by saying, As you command Hefe, as he removed himself from the conference room smartly. The Cuban leader smiled thinking of how impressed he was with Minister Estabon.

With briefcase in hand, Estabon climbed the wooden staircase clinching the cast iron railing as he ascended to his office. The modernization of buildings in the nation’s capital is wanting. Well maintained and manicured the Spanish Colonial styles of the 18th Century are apparent, soaring ceilings, tall windows, hand crafted molding, and ceiling fans in every room. It seems Hemingway was extremely accurate with his description of Cuba’s raw beauty. Nevertheless, this was the 20th Century, technology and security has trumped artistic beauty.

The Minister entered his office to applause from his staff, he smiled, Thank you, thank you. I am alive, Thank God. Then with an executive’s tone, We have work to do, contact the Russian and Chinese Liaisons, request a meeting as soon as possible, make sure I meet the Chinese after I meet with the Russians. Mrs. Contreras contact my friend up north for a meeting at his earliest convenience, be very conciliatory.

3

Havana, Cuba

It was an easy sell to the Russians/Chinese, I played them against the Americans, they didn’t want to be outdone by the United States. The harder sale was to the Americans not because they were smarter but to work my side deal would take some maneuvering. The meeting was taking place at a small island estate in the Florida Keys. This was a safe house used by the U.S. for our informal meetings. You had to admire American strength, I counted 2 Coast Guard Cutters, 2 Navy Sea Stallion helicopters, 4 new attack helicopters that looked as menacing as anything that I have ever seen, Apaches, I think they were called. That is only what I could see. What I could not see, the AWACS Air Platform, AC 130 Specter Gunship along with the Army Airborne Ranger Regimental Reconnaissance team, Navy Seal team, and Delta Force operatives that secured the estate. For a country hell bent on peace, killing was an art form of the United States military.

This seems like a reunion, cheerfully spoke Minister Estabon.

He shook hands with Secretary of State Jonathan Kaplan and Director of Central Intelligence Agency Henry Lynchburg, all 3 men were graduates of an Ivy League Law School and members of the same fraternity.

Smiles and 1955 Glenfarclas for everyone, screamed Secretary Kaplan.

Did you have to bring the Seventh Fleet, laughed Estabon with a shit-eating grin on his face?

It’s protocol when meeting with representatives of a rogue Communist state, said Director Lynchburg.

How are you Ricky Ricardo, asked Kaplan as he smiled knowing Estabon hated his fraternity name?

I have a problem the U.S. can help me with and come out looking like the ‘Eagle Scouts’ that you are, said the Foreign Minister. The Supreme Commander….

You mean dictator, smiled Kaplan.

Semantics, said Estabon as he rolled his eyes at his old roommate. The Supreme Commander is willing to accept aid from the U.S. to assist with growing domestic issues.

And what do we get in return, asked Lynchburg?

Us kissing your ass in front of the United Nations Security Council, said Estabon.

Now that is something I would like to see, laughed Lynchburg.

The Secretary excused himself to the next room to use a secure phone.

Lynchburg asked, Where are my items?

You already have them, as the Minister pointed to the boat the U.S. Special Ops were searching.

Are we good, asked the Minister?

The Director confirmed with a nod.

What is on the shopping list, asked Kaplan?

$50 million dollars…, said Estabon.

Bullshit! You got to be kidding, replied Lynchburg?

You got to give us something more than a peck on the ass, laughed Kaplan.

How about political capital, asked Estabon?

We are listening, said Kaplan.

A diversion, we will send you our best and brightest, call them refugees, washing up on your white sand beaches of Miami. This would drive your presidential candidate’s agenda. When your candidate installs his new administration, they can exploit the refugee situation pushing its conservative agenda while simultaneously passing policies to further that agenda, said Estabon.

The Secretary’s gaze met the Directors, there was silence until a voice spoke through the intercom on the desk.

How soon can you do this, said the campaign manager for the Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States.

Immediately, said Estabon as he smiled recognizing the voice.

The funds will be transferred to your accounts in Cayman and it’s the 5th Fleet not 7th Fleet.

Bastards, when did you transfer the money?

Yesterday, smiled the duo.

Intelligence is power, said Lynchburg!

Another drink anyone, asked Kaplan?

4

Office of the Minister of Internal Security

Dossier on Angel Michael Heavon

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the Earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it

-Isaiah 55:10-11

Here are the passports, full diplomatic credentials, access to accounts in Cayman, Sweden, Canada, South Africa, and New York, said Agent Maria Jimenez.

Midnight black hair, 16-inch waistline, breasts like melons, hips that would make Marilyn Monroe’s self-esteem drop, perfect caramel color and those feet those beautiful feet. My Lord she is driving me crazy thought the Internal Security Minister.

Excuse me Sir I have completed the profile of Mr. Heavon, said Agent Maria Jimenez.

May I see it please, asked the Security Minister as he undressed the beautiful young woman with his eyes wishing he were thirty years younger?

Miami International Airport

Miami, Florida

We live happily indeed, though we call nothing our own! We shall be like the bright Gods, feeding on happiness!

-Buddha

It has been a while since I visited my second home. Going through customs was interesting they scrutinized my credentials, if looks could kill! The U.S. Coast Guard has been pulling thousands of Cubans from the ocean placing them in internment camps. The Americans were not happy, not at all! They couldn’t leave the Cubans on the ocean, the current U.S. administration was clueless to handling the situation, they were caught unprepared. After gathering my bags, I saw him 6’4 250lbs. militarily trained in America and Russia, how our government