Chapter 16

           CarloRizziwaspunksoreattheworld.OncemarriedintotheCorleoneFamily,he’dbeenshuntedasidewithasmallbookmaker’sbusinessontheUpperEastSideofManhattan.He’dcountedononeofthehousesinthemallonLongBeach,heknewtheDoncouldmoveretainerfamiliesoutwhenhepleasedandhehadbeensureitwouldhappenandhewouldbeontheinsideofeverything.ButtheDonwasn’ttreatinghimright.The"GreatDon,"hethoughtwithscorn.AnoldMoustachePetewho’dbeencaughtoutonthestreetbygunmenlikeanydumbsmall-timehood.Hehopedtheoldbastardcroaked.SonnyhadbeenhisfriendonceandifSonnybecametheheadoftheFamilymaybehe’dgetabreak,getontheinside.

           Hewatchedhiswifepourhiscoffee.Christ,whatamesssheturnedouttobe.Fivemonthsofmarriageandshewasalreadyspreading,besidesblowingup.RealguineabroadsalltheseItaliansintheEast.

           HereachedoutandfeltConnie’ssoftspreadingbuttocks.Shesmiledathimandhesaidcontemptuously,"Yougotmorehamthanahog."Itpleasedhimtoseethehurtlookonherface,thetearsspringingintohereyes.ShemightbeadaughteroftheGreatDonbutshewashiswife,shewashispropertynowandhecouldtreatherashepleased.ItmadehimfeelpowerfulthatoneoftheCorleoneswashisdoormat.

           Hehadstartedheroffjustright.Shehadtriedtokeepthatpursefullofmoneypresentsforherselfandhehadgivenheraniceblackeyeandtakenthemoneyfromher.Nevertoldherwhathe’ddonewithit,either.