The Shoemaker’s Son Part Two

The Shoemaker’s Son Part Two

The story continues now as Antonio returns to the Bowery, his assignment was clear…

Antonio understood, there was to be no overnight stay at the White House this time. No early morning warmed milk with the President. His new valise was replenished with orders on how these dignitaries were to be treated. A military cargo transport would be his return flight back. Gone were the luxuries of the President’s plane as he sat in a jump seat with cargo straps dangling about. It was cold and noisy with the smell of the Pratt Whitney engines wheezing along. Antonio pulled the collar of his overcoat up close to his fedora and closed his eyes. He blew on his gloveless fingers, trying to escape the frost bite. For the first time since becoming an American citizen, he silently cursed his lot in life.

Antonio was taken back to his shop without incident. After passing the documents to the basement handlers, he immediately started to make himself a wool lined pair of calves skin gloves. These were to remain in his pocket at all times.

Although Antonio was not a smoker, a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes was to be involved in the plan. He was to light up at the foot of the dock so he would be seen from the water. His grandfather Enzo had smoked and although Antonio had tried it, he never took up the habit.

The following day Antonio arrived early at Coney Island. The sights and sounds of the children’s laughter as they rode the Steeplechase ride filled the air. Observing young couples in love, some in uniform. This might be their best memory before going off to the uncertainty of war. He wondered if he would ever find a woman to share his life with. Being in the service of the President, it was for the time being something he could only dream about.

He wanted to familiarize himself with the dock area if things went bad. He was to have back up agents at a distance, but the success of this introduction was up to him. Evening descended as the park visitors returned to the city. Antonio was more nervous than ever before. He lit up a cigarette even though it was too early to signal the submarine just to calm his nerves. Filthy habit he thought.

The marquee lights from the giant coaster and Ferris wheel were now darkened. There would be no doubt a surfaced U-boat could witness the same. The half moon night provided some cover for the submarine as it moved in closer. The Coast Guard shore batteries could easily sink this boat at this distance, but were ordered to stand down.

Antonio wondered how many lives could be saved and ships not sunk if they were to be blown to kingdom come. Still his orders were clear and if peace was achieved through these meetings, then it was worth it.

Antonio could clearly see five figures enter a rubber raft, paddled by two of the men. As they approached, Antonio lit another cigarette, then reached for the hand line to pull the raft in. The three dignitaries made it ashore without getting their feet wet. The smell of diesel fuel permeated their clothing as Antonio was certain they were relieved to be off the cramped quarters of the sub. Tensions were high as Antonio reached into his overcoat. One of the men nervously pulled out a Luger pistol pointing it at Antonio. With one hand raised, he used the German word “entspannen” meaning to relax! Slowly he removed two cartons of Camel cigarettes from his overcoat. He tossed them down to the raft to the delighted smiles of the submariners. “Danke Danke!” came the reply as Antonio smiled and waved goodbye to these men and relieved the fear of the three, none of which spoke English. All the while thinking he would have rather watched their Uboat go down into a watery grave. The nervous man with the gun was shivering from the cold night air, his hand slowly withdrew to his jacket. Once again Antonio extended friendship by passing his newly made gloves to the gunman, who accepted them most appreciatively.

Antonio offered a smoke to all three as he escorted them down the boardwalk to an awaiting car. They would soon be on a flight to Washington. Their bags were checked for explosives and any weapons were seized. This was not a trip Antonio would make. His duties ended at the gate.

There was no ride supplied back for Antonio so he hailed a cab that was sitting not far away from the cab stand. There was something about the cabby but Antonio couldn’t put his finger on it. Everyone was to be under suspicion. Instead of giving him the address of his shop, he had the driver drop him off at the Carnegie Club some two blocks away. There he sat at the bar alone. He enjoyed listening to the music but soon finished his drink then slipped out the back door. From his vantage point behind a fence, that same cab was still observing from a distance waiting. Antonio took the back alley. For a man without any training, he had become very skilled and useful to his new country.

The quietness of the shop was broken by the jingle sound of the small bell above the door. It was the baker's daughter Mary bringing her father’s shoes to have the soles replaced. “Hello Antonio, is Tommaso here?” She asked. Antonio was happy to see her but explained Tommaso was off on errands that morning. Looking down on Mary’s footwear he noticed her shoes were in need of serious repair. The war had brought on rationing for most everything including shoes that a coupon was needed for to buy.

With his gentle demeanor, he asked Mary to slip her shoes off and put them on the counter and take a chair. “Antonio, I did not come to you seeking charity!” Mary said sternly. Antonio sat down beside her and spoke. “When I first arrived here in America, I was penniless and could barely feed myself. Your Papa would leave me bread and sometimes pastries that were the only things I had to eat that day.” “Look up on that wall Mary, these are all famous people that I have made shoes for and still do. They have paid me well.” “So please, this is not charity!” With that, she smiled. She had been unaware that her father had been so kind to Antonio.

He expertly repaired her fathers shoes with new soles and added new laces. He finished them by buffing them to a high gloss. Mary’s were barely fixable with the leather worn out at a toe broken down backs and stitching that required reinforcement. From his back room Antonio brought out a pair of sample shoes. These were not made for anyone, just a sample to show customers. Antonio was nearing thirty years of age. Mary was younger, having just turned nineteen. Ten years seemed like a lot but as he recalled in his hometown in Italy, it was not uncommon for older men to seek out younger women. “Here, let’s try these on.” Sliding her lovely foot into the shoe, then lacing them up, she stood and walked around beaming with excitement that they were wonderful! Antonio was happy that she liked them however they were a half size too big for her delicate foot which troubled the perfectionist in him.

Still, it was the best option he could offer her that day.

Both Antonio and Mary were socially awkward. Having to work long hours in the bakery left Mary little time to date anyone. Whereas Antonio and the secret natures of his travels could not be shared even amongst loved ones. Besides, it was clear that Tommaso had caught her eye as she was much closer in age to him.

On a warm summer afternoon, Antonio enjoyed some sunshine on his door stoop.

Passing by was a neighborhood woman holding several grocery bags precariously. A bag of potatoes slipped from her grasp and spilled at his feet. Quickly he began to help the woman gather them up. She thanked him for his kindness, but he insisted he would escort her to her home.

Antonio introduced himself, learning her name was Doris. She lived just two blocks from the shoe shop but they had never met.

It was a simple conversation now ending at her doorstep. Antonio tipped his fedora and said goodbye. Glancing back, he could not help but notice the Gold Star tapestry in her window. Doris was still at the front door when she looked to Antonio and said “Guadalcanal, that’s where my husband died.” Antonio removed his fedora placing it over his heart, head bowed, stepping back mouthing the words “My sympathies.”

The following day Antonio returned to the widow's door. He had sewn two leather grocery satchels for her shopping trips. There was no answer so he tucked the bags into her mail slot and left.

Later that day, as Doris was walking past the shop, she tapped on the glass seeing Antonio inside working. She held up one of the new leather satchels with a smile thanking him. Antonio rushed to meet her at the door and invited her in. “I’m sorry I missed you at your house when I dropped them off. I’m glad you find them useful.”

“Oh yes” she replied “Before Ray left for the service, we would shop together.These beautiful bags are very helpful.” “In fact I have received many compliments on them, you could sell these for a pretty penny! I would call them designer bags by Armani!” she laughed.

Changing to a more personal topic, Doris said “It has been nearly three years now since Ray was killed and I have yet to remove his clothes from the dresser. He was buried on the Island so there is no closure for me.”

Antonio listened with a sympathetic ear. He reached over and gently took her hand as she spoke. “We had plans to start a family when he returned home” She tearfully confided. “Doris, it is good you can talk to me about him. I’m sure he was a good man.” Doris smiled, Antonio was the first man she had confided in since her husband's death.The next few weeks brought Antonio and Doris seeing each other on a regular basis. The Bambino himself gave Antonio two tickets to a baseball game at the Polo Grounds. It was to be a big fundraiser for the war bonds. Antonio asked Doris to join him. She accepted and a wonderful exhibition game was enjoyed that day.

Doris worked as a seamstress at a local shirt factory. With the war effort still on, Doris sewed marine fatigues, finishing the pants using an unseen final stitch in the shape of an “R” in memory of her late Marine husband Ray. Although she was curious as to why Antonia had not signed up or been drafted, he assured her he was serving in a capacity with the government that he could not speak of. She understood the need not to ask questions regarding the Nation's security. His disappearance was explained only as “away on business.” This was perfectly acceptable to Doris noting he would be home for Christmas to share the holiday with her.

Antonio was delighted to be asked to join the Roosevelt’s for a few days over the holiday season. The White House was adorned in Christmas Greenery and lights. Although there was no snow on the ground, Antonio was just fine without it. He had made three new sets of shoes as gifts for Christmas. A pair for each of the Roosevelt’s and a pair for his friend Alonzo, the President’s personal butler. It was a festive yet reserved holiday season as Franklin lamented his sadness that so many families were now fractured with the service men and women off to war. The halls were filled with piano music playing holiday favorites. At the President’s request, their dinner was to reflect more of a National feel of unity, rather than an elegant dinner party. Still, it was certainly more lavish than anything Antonio had ever been invited to. After the festivities, Franklin again met with Antonio with another request. The President explained he was to be going overseas on a top secret mission to meet with the allied powers of Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. The trip would be a very dangerous one. Heading across the Atlantic ocean through enemy submarine infested waters, it was to be done in complete secrecy, where only the ship’s captain would know the President

was onboard, however the man’s entourage was hard to miss.

“Antonio, I would like you to accompany me on this voyage. If for any reason our ship became disabled, you must understand that under no circumstances can I be taken hostage by the Axis Powers. Do you see what I am asking of you?”

Antonio sat stunned then shook his head saying “Sir I will do all in my ability to save you, but I understand what you ask of me. I swear it will be done.” FDR breathed a sigh of relief. If he was to die to prevent his capture, he would rather the fatal shot be administered by his loyal friend Antonio.

As far as the world was to know Franklin was in residence at the White House. The convoy of ships made their way veiled in secrecy. Antonio accompanied the President onboard, bringing with him the boots he had made for Winston Churchill.

Antonio’s trip from Italy, was made coming to America under more strenuous, crowded conditions. Here in fact, he enjoyed a cabin of his own, next door to the President. Under the cover of darkness, Antonio joined FDR on the deck of the ship. The Officer of the watch reminded them there was to be no smoking as the smallest flame could be detected in the blackness of the night. Gazing out into the turbulent ocean, Antonio spoke of his childhood, never knowing his parents but was thankful to a grandfather that raised him alone. Reflecting himself, the President informed Antonio he was raised in Hyde Park NY just a two hour drive from Brooklyn. He came from an affluent family and received a wonderful education. He married Eleanor who was a distant cousin to him. Just then a Claxton bell chimed signifying the flotilla of ships were starting their zig zag pattern to avoid German submarines. The President was ushered back to his cabin now. An around the clock detail surrounded him. If his ship was attacked, their duties were to get him safely off the ship into a lifeboat or transferred to another vessel. They were well aware of the President's orders that he was not to be taken alive.

The sea was rough with Roosevelt becoming somewhat sea sick. The journey would be seven thousand miles and several days to arrive in Iran. There, he was to meet with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.

The evening before the historic meeting, Antonio presented Winston Churchill with his new boots just as he had requested. The Prime Minister was delighted and immediately fitted his Webley pistol into the boot sheath, hidden by his trouser leg.

Antonio was not privy to the actual meetings and found himself exploring Tehran City over the next few days. He was accompanied by agent Mitchel to see to it Antonio didn’t get himself in trouble. Iran was in the throes of a deep depression as the country was flooded with Jewish immigrants looking for a better life. He understood their plight and sympathized with them. While there, he searched the street Bazaar’s for shoe making materials. Fine hides of goat, camel and water buffalo were purchased and brought back to his quarters aboard the USS Iowa. There was something about the leather smells that gave pause to his thoughts as he wandered back to his days in Calabria Italy with his grandfather. Shortly before Grandfather Enzo died, he presented him with a small book. It belonged to his Mother whom he had never known. Whenever Antonio felt lonely for his home Country, he would open the diary and read passages of her marriage to his Father. Afterwards, he wrapped it neatly back in a leather satchel he had made from his late fathers work apron. It was the only item he owned that had been touched by his Fathers hands.

The return trip was uneventful as the convoy docked at Hampton Roads, Virginia. Antonio observed that the overseas trip had taken a toll on the President. He was fatigued and ashen faced. He was also angry that his friend, Winston Churchill was open to forming an alliance with Stalin which he did not approve.

Antonio was happy to return to his shop. It had been more than two weeks and new shoe orders were beginning to pile up. Tommaso was a good student but not yet qualified for the shoe business.

His promised pair to Actress Gene Teriney sat half finished on his bench. His first priority would be to finish them and see to their delivery to her.

He was told Miss Tierney was now on a war bonds tour out west but was soon to be in New York City and was advised she would see him soon in his shop.

Weeks passed since Antonio was last called to Washington. It was early April 1945 and clearly the war in Europe was nearing an end. The allied forces were closing in on Berlin. Instead of a trip to Washington he was summoned to the President's residence in Warm Springs Georgia. Strange he thought, but he had been invited here before.

Upon his arrival, he found Franklin looking tired and drawn out. The normal sparkle in his eye was gone, it was concerning to Antonio. Although he was expecting to pick up documents, this was to be a social visit on the bequest of the President. He joined Franklin on his front porch on this chilly day. Franklin was wearing a thick sweater, wool cap and a blanket covering his legs in his wheelchair. No longer was his difficulty walking a secret. Antonio did his best to cheer Franklin up, including playing cards. It was as if the president wished to reminisce about their friendship and how grateful he was to him. He was seemingly saying goodbye to his friend. How he treasured their late night chats at the White House with warm mugs of milk. They recalled the instance of waking a Supreme Court Judge from his slumber to swear Antonio in as a United States Citizen!

Franklin expressed his hope that Antonio would find a wonderful woman to spend his life with. The next day they said their goodbyes, leaving to return to New York City. He had barely opened the door of his shop when he learned President Rosevelt suffered a massive stroke and had died in Warm Springs. Antonio was devastated that his friend was now gone. He sat down in that heavy wooden chair with arms that he had sat the President in on their first meeting. Tears flowed from his eyes as he grasped the chair arms tightly listening to the radio providing details of the death. The neighborhood was exceptionally quiet. Word of the President's death had cast a pawl on the American people. His untimely death had caught everyone by surprise.

Antonio moved outside to breathe in the fresh air. How ironic he thought, the wars end being so close and FDR would not be alive to announce the victory in Europe.

On her way home from work Doris stopped into the shop, also stunned by the President's death. She noticed Antonio was taking the news rather hard. Although he had never told anyone of his years serving the President, she wondered if his business was somehow connected.

“I just lost someone very near and dear to me.” “Oh I’m so sorry Antonio, was it sudden?” “Yes you might say that” without saying it was Franklin. The listening post was top secret and he didn’t want to raise or answer questions. Doris left it at that.

May 8,1945 V-E Day

The City of New York erupted with the news that the War in Europe was over. Celebrations took to the streets to levels never seen before. Antonio was overwhelmed with happiness. He raced down to the shirt factory where Doris worked. The owner, in his jubilation, just sent everyone home for the day. She had already left but he caught up with her walking home. Antonio picked her up off her feet, asking an important question. “Doris,” he said. “I’m not a man of many words but I ask you this day to marry me.” Without hesitation, Doris immediately said yes! They proceeded to St. Michael’s where Father O’Neil gave them the blessings of the church.

Although their love story continued for years to come, it will eventually be lost. Their union did give birth to a boy named Giorgio. Perhaps he will be remembered but not as a shoemaker. Giorgio Armani was to become an Italian Fashion Designer.

THE END