Swan Song by Tracey

Author:Tracey [Tracey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

“Did we get the cases of bourbon in yet?” Ralph asks the room.

Tommy and two other guys, Mickey and Hal, nod their heads.

“It came in last night.” Mickey tells him.

“It was late.” Ralph says bitingly. “Tell them we ain’t paying full price for product that shows up late. We needed it for Halloween and it’s come and gone now.”

“Seems like we did alright without it.” Hal says, leaning back and puffing lazily on a cig.

“Tell that to Al. Senator asked twice for bourbon. Imagine how fuckin’ happy he wasn’t when we couldn’t produce.”

“Besides,” Tommy tells him darkly. “Doin’ alright ain’t the same as doin’ great and we coulda done great that night. Holidays are a time to make a killing and we won’t have another shot at one until New Year’s.”

“Which reminds me,” Ralph says, looking up and pointing at Mickey. “Make sure we got champagne on hand for New Years and lots of it. Start ordering more and hiding what we got.”

“You got it, boss.”

“Tommy, who you got lined up for New Year’s entertainment?”

I feel my pulse quicken at the question but I don’t move. I stay stock still in my place tucked in an arm chair in the corner of the big office. The fact that I’m invited in to hear when they’re talking business is a big deal. It shows a lot of trust on their part and while it’s flattering, even a little exciting, it’s scary too. I won’t ever repeat a word I hear in here but if anyone else ever does, my name is coming up as a possible leak just like the rest of them. It’s a terrifying thought and shows a lot of trust on my part as well. By being here I’m banking on none of these boys ratting each other out.

“We got the Duke.” Tommy says seriously.

Ralph puts down his pen and stares at him. “Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?”

“No laughs. We got him on loan from the Harlem Cotton Club.”

“No shit.” Hal mutters.

“What witchcraft did you have to pull to manage that?” Mickey asks.

Tommy smiles darkly. “I have people skills.”

The room fills with laughter. Tommy glances back at me and I smile, ear to ear. I knew I wouldn’t be singing on New Year’s Eve. If I got the boot on Halloween, no way I was headlining a night like New Years. But every time there’s a guest in the club there’s always a chance I’ll get to do a number with them. I just have to be there and you better believe that if Duke Ellington and his boys are coming to my club, I will be there that night. A chance to sing with him is the closest I’ve ever come to my dream of hitting it big in New York and taking the stage of the Harlem CC.

But for some reason, Tommy doesn’t smile back.

“Adrian!” Ralph says loudly and I don’t think it’s the first time he called my name.

I snap to attention. “Yes, Mr.

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