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Edward
“Thanks a lot Luigi. The place looks fantastic. I love all of your Armani food and wine displays. I think you’re going to do extremely well in this location.”
“Thank you very much Edward. It’s always a pleasure doing business with you and your family. So sorry to hear about your grandfather’s passing. He was a fine world-class businessman. They don’t make ‘em like him anymore.”
“I appreciate you saying that. Thanks again. He was certainly well-respected. I only hope I can do him proud. Please call me if you need anything at all Luigi.”
“Will do! I think the Armani company is in excellent hands with you at the helm Edward!”
I smiled and waved good-bye to Luigi as I exited the old brick Cannery Building out onto Jefferson Street. It was 7 o’clock on a Friday night and I was starving. I had already let Julia and Nigel know that I’d be coming home late tonight, so I decided to grab some dinner at Louie’s Pier 55; the supper club where Julia’s brother’s band played. I was hoping to not only catch their act but also to have a civilized conversation with Michael regarding Julia.
I nabbed an inconspicuous table in an out of the way corner and ordered a double martini and a bleu cheese, Kobe beef burger topped with Portobello mushrooms. Michael and the other guys were still setting everything up for their gig and tuning their instruments. Just as I took an oversized bite of my burger, Michael headed my way. And just my luck, my table happened to be near the restroom. Naturally he saw me and stopped to give me some more attitude.
“Well well well Mr. Armani…….slumming tonight are we? What brings you into a club that doesn’t require an exclusive six-figure membership fee?”
“You really think I’m a snob don’t you Michael?”
“Well aren’t you? You were born with a silver spoon in your rich mouth.”
“Ya know I have to say I’m rather surprised at your level of prejudice. I would’ve thought that you, being a minority, would try harder to avoid that type of intolerant short-sighted thinking. I mean whatever happened to the old ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ proverb? Doesn’t that apply to everybody?”
“Well since my sister works for you, I already have plenty of insight into what’s beyond your glossy cover. And I’d say your fucking book stinks!”
“You may not like who I am or what I stand for but I still contend I’m not a slob. I don’t feel like I’m better than other people simply because I have money. But your sister on the other hand…..”
I had Michael’s attention now. He pulled a chair out from my table and sat down in it defiantly.
“What about my sister?”
“Haven’t you noticed Julia becoming increasingly materialistic lately?”
“Of course I have! And I don’t like it. She’s not acting like the sister I know and love. But I blame you for that!”
“Well that’s where you’re wrong Michael. Don’t blame me. You know a person can have a lot of money and still believe that there are more important things in life. I happen to be of that mindset. And I think you are too. So we should be working together to help Julia see that, instead of working against each other.”
“But it’s your fuckin’ money and lifestyle that’s changing her!”
“There’s no denying that money has a way of changing people. I’m trying to be patient with Julia and cut her some slack while at the same time trying to keep her firmly grounded if that’s possible. It’d be easier if I had a little help from someone else who loves her and cares about her. You seem like a pretty reasonable guy who has his head on straight.”
“I’m almost starting to think you might actually have my sister’s best interest at heart, but I still don’t like that pretend marriage bullshit!”
“Hey I don’t like it either. That was my recently deceased crazy old grandfather’s idea, not mine. But lemme ask you this Michael: Put yourself in my place now. If you stood to inherit billions of dollars, and a beautiful wonderful woman like Julia was willing to help you get it by marrying you and having your baby, would you say, ‘Thanks but no thanks’?”
“Not on your fuckin’ life!”
“Thank you. I rest my case.”
