Brava, Valentine

Gram takes Alfred’s arm on one side, and mine on the other. “This is nice, just the three of us,” she says.

When it comes to Alfred and me, Gram is on a peacekeeping mission at all times. Even though I’m her longtime partner at the Angelini Shoe Company, and she confides in me, Gram had a lot of decisions to make, big and small, personal and professional, when she accepted Dominic’s proposal to marry. Alfred has become a sounding board for all the arrangements, and has helped her shape her life plan moving forward.

Alfred holds the place of authority in our family universe. He is our grandmother’s only grandson. He is also the eldest and only son in our family, which gives him the advantage thanks to the ancient Roman law of primogeniture. Alfred is “the prince,” and our de facto leader. A decision is never final until my brother gives it his stamp of approval.

“What a day.” Gram sighs.

“We’ll remember the good parts, Gram,” I tell her.

“I hope so.” Gram smiles. “I’m relieved my sister is going to be all right.”

“She’ll be fine,” I assure her.

“You know, I count on both of you.” Gram tightens her grip on my arm.

Gram had pla

I was four years into my apprenticeship when he attempted his takeover. The economic collapse of the American banking system last fall helped me throw him off his plan. As real estate values plummeted, he became less eager to sell Gram’s building, but I can tell from his demeanor that he’s still up to something. My brother always has a plan B.

In the world of Manhattan real estate, Gram’s building is still prime, with its West Village location and spectacular Hudson River views. But Gram could never sell it now for the price she would have gotten only one year ago. This has only made Alfred more resentful toward me. Now that Gram has a new life in Italy, it’s clear I’m on my own again. I’m the only thing that stands between Alfred and a hefty sale on Perry Street. I accept that I will be in the fight of my life when the plane lands at JFK tomorrow night.

“I hope you’ll look out for Aunt Feen,” she begins.

“I will,” Alfred promises.

“We all will,” I amend. I’m always amending my brother. Plus, I know the truth of the situation. It won’t be Pamela and Alfred ru

“I didn’t mean you wouldn’t-I was just assuring Gram that she can count on me.”

Alfred’s tone is insulting.

“Great,” I snark.

“That’s enough. Listen to me. I have given a lot of thought to what’s to become of the Angelini Shoe Company. And I’ve come up with a plan. I’m going to make you partners.”

“Alfred and me? You can’t be serious. We’d have to call the company Chalk and Cheese, because we couldn’t be more different.”

Alfred puts his hands in his pockets and looks away.

“It’s the Angelini Shoe Company now and forever,” Gram says firmly.

“All of sudden you’re nostalgic? How could this work?” I point to my brother. “Ever?”

“It has to work. I trained you, Valentine, and you’ve proven you’re at the start of a great career as a shoemaker-a designer-an artist, which, really, I never was. But you need help.”

“I don’t need his help. I don’t want his help. I’m doing fine without him.”

“You need help on the financial end of things.”

“The financials are easier than the design,” I say defensively.

“That statement alone shows that you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alfred jabs.

“What don’t I know, Alfred?”

Alfred faces me. “We should have sold that building last year, when we could have gotten a fantastic price. We could have been proactive and moved the company to a cheaper site, like Jersey. Now, because we waited, because you made us wait, we have to ride this bad economy out until it turns!”

“I’m not riding out my design career! I’m in it for life!”

“No, he means the value of the building versus the debt,” Gram says calmly. “Valentine, I wouldn’t be comfortable saddling you with everything involving the business. But you’ve been right on two counts.” Gram looks at Alfred to make certain he is listening. She turns back to me. “The custom bridal shoe business should not move from Perry Street-it’s been there nearly a hundred years and it should stay there. It’s important to keep the original shoe business going as you develop your new line. There is power in the name, and in our tradition, so exploit it. I think you’re brilliant to have come up with a design for an everyday shoe. It never dawned on me to expand the company in this way. But you thought of the Bella Rosa, and you’re doing it, and good for you-good for all of us.”

“Thanks,” I mumble.

Gram continues, “Now, I’ve worked everything out with my attorney, Ray Rinaldi. Alfred, I’ve made my decision, and I expect you to honor my wishes. The workshop and the business will remain in the building. Valentine, you may also continue to live in the building. You will be the chief executive officer of Angelini Shoes. You will be in charge of everything creative, and of the day-to-day operation of the shop. And Alfred, you will be the chief financial officer.”

“Don’t do this to me, please!” I beg her.

“Valentine, you have to trust me,” she says.

“But this is a huge mistake!” I stop and throw up my hands. Jaclyn is right. My family is always yelling-inside the hotel, on the quiet streets of Arezzo-it doesn’t matter, anywhere you look, no matter what time of day or night, we are ready for a fight.

“It’s what Gram wants.” Alfred turns to face me. “It’s her decision.”

My mind reels. I don’t want this, but it seems if I don’t agree to it, Gram will be forced to devise another strategy-and it won’t be in my favor. On the other hand, Alfred has a full-time job-so really, how much would he be around? Not much. I take a deep breath. “Okay, Gram, if this is what you want…”

“It’s what’s best,” Gram says.

“But there have to be conditions to this deal.”

“Oh, now you have terms.” Alfred folds his arms across his chest.

“I work there, I’ve been working there for over five years, and I intend to stay.”

“Fair enough,” Alfred concedes.

“I run the shop. On the custom side, I buy the materials, make the deals with the vendors, and maintain the stock. I meet with the customer, design the shoe to her liking, and then put it through the construction process on a schedule. I oversee the pattern cutting, and I build the shoe. I’ve developed the secondary line, and I don’t intend to share the copyright of the Bella Rosa with anyone. Anything that I design belongs to me. At the moment, I also keep the books, pay the bills, and juggle the loans. If you want to take over the books, handle the loans, and structure the debt and the taxes, great. The time I save with you doing all of that will free me up to do more design work. I’m not interested in being your boss, and I won’t have you be mine.”

“Fair enough,” he says quietly.

“And…I’m not going to agree to any of this unless you agree that you will not be directly involved in the creative side-”

“Fine.” Alfred cuts me off, not because he doesn’t want to argue, but the truth is, he could not care less about the shoes. He could as easily be CFO of a company that makes bricks-Angelini shoes are just a product to him, numbers on a ledger. Legacy is a cross to my brother, not a crown.