The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
359
“If I need help, I’ll get in touch,” Neri said. 
“Good, good,” Michael said. He looked at his watch and Neri took this for his dismissal. 
He rose to go. Again he was surprised. 
“Lunchtime,” Michael said. “Come on and eat with me and my family. My father said 
he’d like to meet you. We’ll walk over to his house. My mother should have some fried 
peppers and eggs and sausages. Real Sicilian style.” 
That afternoon was the most agreeable Albert Neri had spent since he was a small boy, 
since the days before his parents had died when he was only fifteen. Don Corleone was 
at his most amiable and was delighted when he discovered that Neri’s parents had 
originally come from a small village only a few minutes from his own. The talk was good, 
the food was delicious, the wine robustly red. Neri was struck by the thought that he was 
finally with his own true people. He understood that he was only a casual guest but he 
knew he could find a permanent place and be hazy in such a world. 
Michael and the Don walked him out to his car. The Don shook his hand and said, 
“You’re a fine fellow. My son Michael here, I’ve been teaching him the olive business, 
I’m getting old, I want to retire. And he comes to me and he says he wants to interfere in 
your little affair. I tell him to just learn about the olive oil. But he won’t leave me alone. 
He says, here is this fine fellow, a Sicilian and they are doing this dirty trick to him. He 
kept on, he gave me no peace until I interested myself in it. I tell you this to tell that he 
was right. Now that I’ve met you, I’m glad we took the trouble. So if we can do anything 
further for you, just ask the favor. Understand? We’re at your service.” (Remembering 
the Don’s kindness, Neri wished the great man was still alive to see the service that 
would be done this day.) 
It took Neri less than three days to make up his mind. He understood he was being 
courted but understood more. That the Corleone Family approved that act of his which 
society condemned and had punished him for. The Corleone Family valued him, society 
did not. He understood that he would be happier in the world the Corleones had created 
than in the world outside. And he understood that the Corleone Family was the more 
powerful, within its narrower limits. 
He visited Michael again and put his cards on the table. He did not want to work in 
Vegas but he would take a job with the Family in New York. He made his loyalty clear. 
Michael was touched, Neri could see that. It was arranged. But Michael insisted that 
Neri take a vacation first, down in Miami at the Family hotel there, all expenses paid and 

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