Крестный отец

           Beforethefrightenedeyesofthetwowomen,AlNerigavehisnephewamerciless,careful,physicalbeating.Atfirsttheyouthmadeanattemptatself-defensebutsoongavethatupandbeggedformercy.Nerislappedhisfaceuntilthelipswereswollenandbloody.Herockedthekid’sheadbackandslammedhimagainstthewall.Hepunchedhiminthestomach,thengothimproneonthefloorandslappedhisfaceintothecarpet.HetoldthetwowomentowaitandmadeTommygodownthestreetandgetintohiscar.ThereheputthefearofGodintohim."Ifmysisterevertellsmeyoutalklikethattoheragain,thisbeatingwillseemlikekissesfromabroad,"hetoldTommy."Iwanttoseeyoustraightenout.NowgoupthehouseandtellmywifeI’mwaitingforher."

           ItwastwomonthsafterthisthatAlNerigotbackfromalateshiftontheforceandfoundhiswifehadlefthim.Shehadpackedallherclothesandgonebacktoherfamily.HerfathertoldhimthatRitawasafraidofhim,thatshewasafraidtolivewithhimbecauseofhistemper.Alwasstunnedwithdisbelief.Hehadneverstruckhiswife,neverthreatenedherinanyway,hadneverfeltanythingbutaffectionforher.Buthewassobewilderedbyheractionthathedecidedtoletafewdaysgobybeforehewentovertoherfamily’shousetotalktoher.

           Itwasunfortunatethatthenextnightheranintotroubleonhisshift.HiscaransweredacallinHarlem,areportofadeadlyassault.AsusualNerijumpedoutofthepatrolcarwhileitwasstillrollingtoastop.