Family is Everything (eBook)

la famiglia e tutto

Bob Farina (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
208 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-9293-9 (ISBN)

Infos

'The Family is Everything' is a multigenerational saga following the Volpe family's journey from the late19th-century New York to modern times. A parallel narrative introduces the Farrell family, whose morally dubious business practices and personal betrayals serve as a foil to the Volpe family's integrity and unity. The contrasting Volpe and Farrell narratives explore the interplay of ambition, loyalty, and ethical dilemmas in personal and professional life.

As a native New Yorker, Bob Farina is a graduate of St. John's University and enjoyed a 30-year corporate executive career with Bloomingdales Department Store, followed by a 10-year career as President and COO of Hart Systems. Bob relocated to Charleston, SC in 2006 and now is a real estate professional servicing the greater Charleston area. Bob and his wife Mary Ann reside on Daniel Island in Charleston. Their daughter Allison and grandson live nearby, while their other daughter Carolyn and their three granddaughters have made Charlotte, NC, their home. An avid golfer, Bob enjoys many of Charleston's great courses. 'The Family is Everything' is Bob's fifth novel. His first four novels and his memoir are available for purchase on most eBook sites.

---

Mother Cabrini strives to help Italian immigrants in New York City, especially orphan Salvatore Russo. Her care and influence play a pivotal role in Salvatore's survival and personal development, and her mantra, "e;The Family is Everything,"e; resonates throughout Salvatore's life. He is adopted by the Volpe family, thrives under their guidance and later expands their family business-Volpe Concrete Company-through hard work and resilience. The Volpes navigate challenges like the Great Depression, showcasing loyalty to employees and community. Salvatore's relationship with his grandson, Michael, highlights generational wisdom and the importance of pursuing dreams. Michael Volpe's passion for engineering leads him to success beyond the family business. The novel explores his personal growth, his love for classic cars, and the continuation of family values as he carves his own path while maintaining close ties with his roots. The novel introduces contrasting storylines, such as Tom Farrell's unscrupulous dealings in Charleston, exposing ethical conflicts in the construction industry. Across decades, the Volpe family's Italian heritage and sense of loyalty bind them, with "e;The Family is Everything"e; serving as both a literal and figurative anchor. It underscores the central role of family in shaping identities and decisions. The narrative is rich with historical context, moral lessons, and a celebration of family as the cornerstone of life.

Textauszug

Chapter
13

1988

“Where the hell did this Brown, Simpson, & Hyatt Engineering Group come from?” yelled Tom Farrell to his management team sitting around the Farrell Construction Company conference table.

One of his managers said, “They are from New York, Tom.”

“I know that dumbass. I want to know how they set up an engineering design and construction management company right here in my town without our awareness!”

This time no one risked a response.

Tom continued, “We’ve been here for over one hundred and sixty years and there’s no way I’m going to let some Yankee company take over our construction projects.”

Total silence permeated the room.

“Do you hear me?” he yelled.

One of his brave managers sheepishly said, “What do you want us to do?”

“First, find out who is Michael Volpe? Next, I want a complete analysis of their company, Brown, Simpson, & Hyatt Engineering Group in New York… ownership, office location, reputation, construction projects, and anything else you can find out for me. We have to know who we are dealing with. We’re done here. Let’s meet first thing on Friday morning. You have three days to do you research.”

Michael picked up Elena at Charleston Airport and made it back to their condominium on East Bay Street by mid-afternoon. It was her birthday, and Michael had decorated the unit with a dozen colorful balloons and flickering scented candles.

“Let me freshen up. I’ll be right out,” Elena said as she headed to the master bedroom suite.

Michael played a CD by Boney James, a twenty-seven year old saxophonist who was a new artist in the world of contemporary smooth jazz. He set the volume to low. It was easily heard but would not interfere with any conversation. Before he left for the airport, Michael had decanted their favorite Barolo, a 1969 Fontanafredda.

Elena joined him on the sofa wearing a red pair of running shorts and a navy blue t-shirt with white scripted lettering that read:

Vintage

Limited Edition

1943

Premium Quality

All Original Parts

“Oh, wow, I love it!” and he began laughing. “Where did you get that?”

“Two days ago, I was walking on Fifth Avenue and was about to enter Central Park. There was this vendor who was selling them and had the shirts going back to 1930. I knew you would love it!”

“Today is your special day. Here, you have to wear this,” and handed Elena a tiara headband with one-inch high characters, each with a distinct color, that read, “It’s My Birthday.”

“I feel so silly,” but she put it on.

Michael gave Elena a glass of the Barolo and toasted her, “To the love of my life. Happy Birthday!” After they sipped their wines, Michael kissed her neck on one side then the other. He played with each of her ear lobes that ended with kisses, then slowly planted more kisses to the sides of her lips before finally resting his lips on hers. Their lovemaking on the sofa was slow and incredibly erotic. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Elena was on the edge of the sofa and the first to stir. She quietly stood, picked up her clothes, and moved to the master bathroom. Five minutes later, Michael poked his head into the steam-filled room and said “We have a dinner reservation tonight at 82 Queen. You’ve got one hour before we have to leave.”

“What! That’s crazy. I won’t be ready.”

“Sure, you will. I know you. If you put your mind to it, you can do it!”

“Michael Volpe! That’s not fair. I want to look my best for you.”

“Elena, I love you just the way you are,” and closed the door without waiting for her reply.

An hour later, Elena opened the bedroom door and walked out in a burnout illusion purple cocktail dress that was stunning and sophisticated with its intricate and delicate lace see-through design. Her wet-looking jet black hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and held in place with a lavender silk scrunchie. Completing her look was a pair of black leather high heels with a thin black ankle strap.

“Wow, the birthday girl looks amazing! See, I knew you would be ready in an hour.”

“Don’t push your luck, Michael.”

They walked from East Bay Street and headed west on Queen Street. 82 Queen opened six years ago and was now regarded as one of the finest restaurants in Charleston. The menu was a mixture of classic French cuisine complemented by South Carolina’s lowcountry southern cooking. Michael enjoyed the Coq Au Vin… braised chicken parts in a red wine based reduction, and served with pearl onions, bacon lardons, and mushrooms on a bed of buttered grits. Elena opted for the roasted trout amandine… a local whole trout, seared and served with pommes purée, pecan-crusted fried okra, and almond-infused brown butter. They skipped dessert and walked off their dinner weaving in and out of the French Quarter neighborhood of downtown Charleston. When Elena and Michael arrived back at their condo, Elena headed for the bedroom and Michael retrieved a bottle of chilled limoncello made from the renown sfusato lemons of the Amalfi coast cliffside groves, and two small dessert wine glasses.

Michael sat on the sofa and awaited Elena’s arrival.

The door to the bedroom slowly opened but there were no lights on except for a small nightlight that was coming from the bathroom off to the side.

Elena’s voice beckoned Michael, “I would love some limoncello!”

He saw her walk from one side of the bedroom to the other wearing nothing but her “It’s My Birthday” tiara.

“I’ll be right there…. can’t keep the birthday girl waiting!”

Michael had a broad smile on his face as he picked up the limoncello and glasses and headed to a rendezvous with his Venus.

The Farrell Construction company conference room wooden racetrack table was a 1940 creation that had numerous nicks, scratches, and coffee cup rings that marred its once luxurious mahogany finish. At the far end of the table, Tom Farrell sat in the only executive armchair in the room. It too was a relic that had numerous cracks in its brown leather seat and back, like that of an old man’s face who worked his whole life outside in the sun. By Tom’s decision, the others sat in rigid plastic side chairs. He wanted to make them uncomfortable and maintain his control.

The meeting was set for 9:00 A.M. Tom entered the room fifteen minutes late and offered no apology for his tardiness. Yet, if it were someone else arriving just five minutes late, let alone fifteen minutes late, Tom would have verbally chastised the offender. He took his position at the head of the table. “Okay, what do you have for me about the Brown, Simpson, & Hyatt Engineering Group?”

The conversation went back and forth between his managers with Tom asking many clarifying questions. Finally, Tom said, “Let me summarize everything. The company is located in Manhattan on Park Avenue and has roots back to the 1920s and the building boom in New York City. Initially, they provided only architectural and engineering services with concentrations in office buildings and manufacturing plants but in the 1960s they added a team to actually supervise the construction process itself and established a network of subcontractors. Do I have it right so far?”

“Yes, that sounds about right,” was the response from Sandy Robinson, Vice President of Construction.”

“What do mean ‘It sounds about right.’ It’s either right or wrong, Sandy.”

Sandy replied, “Yes. It’s right.”

Tom continued, “The company then expanded their work into the world of roads with projects encompassing the addition of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on highways and new roadway interchanges and overcrossings. Following that, a few years ago they completed construction of a massive container marine terminal in New Jersey and are an integral part of the revamping of the JFK airport roadway and terminals.”

This time Sandy was a bit firmer, “Yes, that is correct.”

Tom moved on. “What do you have for me on Michael Volpe?”

This time Donnie Gibson, lead engineer spoke. “Michael is forty-seven years old and a graduate of Manhattan School of Engineering. He is Senior Vice President responsible for marketing and major program management. He has a Professional Engineering license in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. He’s married and has no children. Michael grew up in Brooklyn. His grandfather was an immigrant from Italy and owned the Volpe Company, a concrete enterprise.”

Tom interrupted Donnie, “Hold on. Are you telling me we are possibly dealing with the Mafia?”

“No,” answered Donny. “Michael’s heritage is Italian, but he works for a large engineering company based in New York owned by long-standing American families. Also, the Volpe Company was bought by the T. R. Hudson Concrete Company a few years ago. The Volpes have no stake in that company.”

Tom said, “I hear you but at this point we really cannot be sure of the behind-the-scenes players and backers. I want everyone to be discreet but whenever you are talking to our contacts in the City of Charleston’s planning department or to the subcontractors we use, I want you to mention that there is talk that the Brown, Simpson, & Hyatt Engineering Group is somehow connected to the Mafia. Just drop it out there.”

Tom looked around the room. “Does...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.4.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3509-9293-9 / 9798350992939