Shoe’s like Grandpa’s

He wakes up, it’s early in the morning. The sun’s already risen. It’s the day of his Prom, and he’s nervous as ever. As the day goes on, the meticulous grooming begins. The Flowers are picked up, the family’s a buzz. It’s their Son’s Prom- their only Son’s Prom. The grandfather comes, and he says “Hello Grandpa, I’m so glad you’re here.”

He was his parent’s only son, his Grandpa’s last grandson. The Grandpa was so proud of him- his whole family was. With a scholarship for college, many accomplishments already in hand, and on top of that, a bright future ahead- even if he couldn’t quite see it himself. The best they could do for him, was his family’s desire. And a pair of Florsheim shoes were the best, nothing short would do.

As the clock strikes fifteen past five, a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, pulls up to the house, the cameras flashes glow so debonair. He stands, in his tuxedo- tailed and a top hat on top- no cummerbund- not how Fred Astaire would be dressed (Vests were Fred’s style, way and care). On his feet were a pair of Florsheim shoes, like his Grandpa used to wear.

The most expensive shoes, they used to be. One was the tops, like Pepsodent, when they had a pair of these shoes. A time long gone, his Grandpa, at age eighteen, saved a hundred dollars, for a pair of Florsheim shoes. He got his for eighty-five, sixty-six years hence. Black, shining in a soft- out of focus way, well crafted, with tastefully elaborate leather work around the toes, and stitched in black. Tan insides- well stitched and well fitted, well made. They fit his feet like well formed clouds- fitting since he was riding in a Mark I Cloud.

His date was dressed like a flapper girl- good reason here too- Prom was the Roaring Twenties- Gatsby and all. Time was turned back, and they were the bell of the ball! They danced the Lindy, the Charleston, and some ballroom too. Foxtrotting the night away. All too soon the affair was over, and away they were whisked, by a Daimler, back to the present.

To say the least, he could have had less- had it not been for Gatsby, the era of speakeasy jazz excess. But the Florsheim shoes- those Florsheim shoes, he continued to wear them- formally of-course. He looked up to his Grandpa, and he made it a point, to carry aspects of his old dad, and his Grandpa in his life. Be honest, be kind, understanding, and do your best to carry yourself descent in life. These lessons, these pillars, and others he carried in his life, as he searched for his humanity, his place, as he began his college life.

Months later, in the cold of December- on break from school, blue leather boat shoes of Florsheim, stitched in white, to fit his feet true; he was hot on their size twelve, forty-dollar clearance trail. Florsheim had faded, from main stream views- but to him, they are as prestigious as Pierce-Arrow, Packard, Peerless, Locomobile, and Hudson had been, as Cadillac, Mercedes and Audi are now. I guess it goes to show you, what influence and impact of people you look up to does, as they know some wisdom, that age usually does. It’s not about the flash or latest for him. A good and solid pair shoes like Grandpa’s, helps get you going- going very, very far.

Written by Nikolaus Bautista

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