Connie's True Love
part one:
"Prologue: Friendship"
It was June 6, 1932. It was the great depression. Worst time in history to be exact. In an elementary that went to the sixth grade, ten year old Constanzia Corleone, daughter of Don Vito Corleone, known to many as "Connie", was out on the playground all alone. She did not have many friends due to her father being a respected and feared mob boss. However, there was a twelve year old kid who wasn't afraid of Vito, but, was shy and kept to himself. His name was James J. McMurphy, known to many as either "Jim" or "Jimmy". As Connie continued to sit alone, Jimmy decided to quit being shy and go up to her.
"Hi." Jimmy greeted.
"Hello." Connie's eyes lit up, as she was taken by surprise. She didn't expect anyone to come up to her and give her the time of day. This was a surprise and a nice one at that.
"What's your name?" Jimmy asked.
"My name is Constanzia Corleone. People call me Connie. What's yours?" Connie moved over and patted the spot next to her.
"I'm James McMurphy. I go by either Jim or Jimmy. It's very nice to meet you Connie." Jimmy shook her hand, before sitting down next to her.
"Nice to meet you too, Jimmy. If I may ask, what made you want to sit by me?" Connie stared out into the field.
"Well, I saw that you were alone and I felt that you needed a friend, because, everybody needs a friend." Jimmy shrugged.
"Do you know my brothers Sonny, Fredo, Tom, and Michael?" Connie asked.
"Yes, I do. I'm friends with them. They are very cool. Especially Michael and Sonny. Now, I've met you and I find you even cooler." Jimmy nodded.
Connie smiled and even blushed after Jimmy said that. Nobody ever called her cool, especially not a boy. Despite only knowing him for a few seconds or minutes, give or take, she was starting to crush on him and she never crushed on anyone beforehand. Something about him just drew her attractions almost instantly. The same could be said about Jimmy. Being friends with Tom Hagen and the Corleone brothers, he felt he hit the jackpot by meeting Connie. He found her to be very pretty, despite only knowing her for a short time. Something just clicked between these two.
Later on after school had ended and homework was finished, the two got permission to hang out with each other at the local park just as long as Connie got back before nightfall. However, unbeknownst to Jimmy and Connie, Sonny and Michael followed close behind in order to make sure that they were safe and that they behaved themselves. After all, Connie was the only girl of the family and she was the baby, too. On the other hand, Jimmy was an only child and he came to view the Corleones as family due to his broken household that consisted of him, a flaky mother, and an abusive father. Of course, none of the Corleones nor Tom Hagen were aware of this, since Jimmy never talked about his home life. He was more of a reserved, quiet, and shy kid until he built up the courage to meet Connie and sit with her.
"What grade are you in?" Jimmy was bouncing a ball.
"I'm in fifth grade. You?" Connie was swinging back and forth on the swing.
"I'm sixth and-" Jimmy stopped when he saw a group of rowdy boys headed their way.
"What is it, Jimmy?" Connie stopped swinging.
"Those are the neighborhood bullies. I am usually their punching bag right about now." Jimmy was preparing himself for the possible beating the boys were going to inflict on him, despite being sore from last week.
"Neighborhood bullies? That's mean! Why, I'll have a talk with them for hurting you." Connie got off the swing and stood next to Jimmy.
"Hi, McMurphy! I see that you got a girlfriend there!" said one of the boys.
"We're in elementary school, I doubt there's dating." Jimmy shot back.
"Oh, you're speaking up? The pipsqueak finally says a word to us and sasses us." the second bully scoffed.
"I think you know what's next." the third punk cracked his knuckles.
"Hi, cutie. My, my, you're exotic and boy, I would love some of that." the first bully went to grab at Connie's chest, only to be stopped by Jimmy.
"You leave her alone! You hear?!" Jimmy held the boy's hand very tightly.
"What're you going to do?!" the second bully got close to him, grabbed him by the shirt, and raised his fist.
"You leave him alone!" Connie tried to intervene.
"What are you going to do, twig?!" the dirtbag pushed her to the ground.
As Connie laid on the ground in shock, something in Jimmy snapped, because, the next thing that happened was that he tackled the punk to the ground and started beating him up."Take that!", "How does it feel?", and "Payback!" were heard repeatedly. The bully looked up at his buddies for help, but, they done bailed on him after the little Irish boy started beating the bully to a pulp.
Once all was done, Jimmy helped Connie up, spat on the bully, kicked him in the face, and told him that if he was to ever see his face again and if he ever hurt Connie again, he'd kill him. At that moment, Jimmy became a man and somewhat reminded Connie of Sonny, because, Sonny was just as protective of her. In fact, this was a true honor to her, because, aside from Sonny and occasionally Tom and Michael, no other boy ever defended her, so, for this, she was eternally grateful. Seeing that Jimmy's knuckles were broken, bruised, and bloody, Connie took him over to the drinking fountain and tried her best to wash away the blood. Jimmy was moved by this gesture, as no other girl ever paid him the time of day.
"Thank you, Connie. I-I really appreciate it. Usually I'd do it myself or I would be the one laying on the ground until the pain went away, then I'd go home." Jimmy tried his best not to wince at the stinging sensation of the water hitting the fresh cuts on his knuckles.
"It's no trouble. You see, Sonny would've come out about now, as he usually hangs around here, but, I don't see him and I am honored that you stuck up for me. What made you decide to stand up to those stupid jerks and beat the one to oblivion?" Connie let Jimmy's hand go.
"I just couldn't bear to see them possibly hurt you. I mean I don't care about what they do to me. I'm used to it, because, I get it at ho-" Jimmy quickly put his hands over his mouth.
"You what? You get it at home?" Connie looked confused.
"No, I-I don't get it at home. I mean I get hurt at home due to being a klutz. However, it made me mad when the jerk pushed you down. I don't like seeing girls or anyone or anything getting hurt." Jimmy explained.
"Well, I thank you." Connie gave him a hug.
"Hey, Connie, Hey, Jimmy, what're you both up to?" Michael came around the corner and hopped the fence.
"Oh, hey, Michael, we were just hanging out after school, because mama and papa said we could just as long as I came back before nighttime." Connie told him.
"How's it going, Mike?" Jimmy turned to Michael.
"Good. Hey, did you cut your hand or something?" Michael asked, after noticing Jimmy's wounded knuckles.
"No, truth be told, I got into a fight with the neighborhood bullies and after one of them pushed Connie, I pummeled his face into the pavement. Left a lot of blood as you could see." Jimmy said with a smile, clearly wearing it as a badge of courage.
"I wonder who taught you those moves." Michael pondered for a brief moment.
"I think we all know." Jimmy added.
"Sonny." all three of them said in unison.
"That's my name, don't wear it out." Sonny said, as he jumped the fence and came up to the trio, "So, what do we have here?".
"Looks like o'l Jimmy defended Connie from the neighborhood bullies. He learned some of your moves." Michael looked at him.
"Taught you everything I know." Sonny said in a cocky manner, after looking at the blood on the pavement.
"Thanks, for doing that, Jimmy." Michael patted Jimmy on the back and smiled, while ignoring Sonny's cockiness.
"Hey, pleasure's all my mine. I'm glad I could help. I mean after all, Connie is a good friend and I'd do anything for her or any of you." Jimmy gave a thumbs up.
Connie stared affectionately at Jimmy and even started blushing. Deep inside, she was hoping for two things: One, her brothers wouldn't notice or poke fun and Two, that Jimmy would notice and hopefully return the affections. One could tell that Connie had a crush on Jimmy despite only knowing him for a day.
'Oh, Jimmy is cute. Quite frankly, he is very cute and tough and I love guys who are cute and tough. I just hope to God that Sonny and Michael don't notice that I am blushing, because they'll tease me forever. I cannot be teased for simply crushing on someone. It's the life. I hope Jimmy notices. That'd be A-OK.' Connie thought.
Jimmy stared back into Connie's eyes, returning her affectionate gaze with a smile. Likewise to her, he was also developing a crush on her and hoped that she would notice. Also, like Connie, he hoped Sonny and Michael wouldn't catch wind, otherwise it would be never-ending teasing and they just didn't find that necessary, but Sonny and Michael were boys who were Jimmy's friends and Connie's brothers, so, it'd be natural for them to tease the two.
'I just barely met Connie Corleone and already I find her beautiful. I just hope she somehow notices my feelings for her. I mean, I'm going to be in Junior High soon, so, she has to notice or at least catch wind of my feelings or just get a vibe. One could hope. I just hope Sonny and Michael don't notice, otherwise they'd tease and even make kissing sounds and say things like: "Jimmy and Connie sittin' under a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!". We really don't need that. I just hope she somehow knows that I find her beautiful.' Jimmy thought.
"Hello, earth to Connie and Jimmy." Sonny waved his hand in front of them.
Connie snapped out of what appeared to a trance and looked completely dazed, while Jimmy flat out screamed like a girl.
"Clearly, puberty hasn't hit him, yet." Michael quietly snickered to Sonny, who let out a quiet chuckle at the remark.
Connie, who apparently heard what Michael just said, gave him the "really?" look, followed by tapping her foot on the ground. She was offended and annoyed that her brother would make a crack like the one he just did. Jimmy rolled his eyes, as he was used to hearing stuff like that, because, he even poked fun at himself for the high pitched scream and his squeaky voice. Despite Jimmy's two minor flaws, Sonny and Michael could agree that he became a man today after he defended Connie and stood up to the neighborhood bullies. In fact, he exhibited the same traits Sonny and Michael had; One, he had Sonny's toughness lurking within himself until today and Two, he was just as intelligent and suave like Michael. Jimmy was Michael and Sonny combined and Connie was the first to notice. Anyways, as the four of them continued to have their playful banter, the sun was beginning to set.
"I hate to break up your little date with our sister, but it is starting to become dusk and like our parents said, we have to be in before dark." Sonny quickly noticed that it was sunset and remembered Vito and Carmela's rule of being out.
"Shut up, Sonny! It wasn't a date." Connie brushed him off.
"Time sure flies when you're having fun and pounding someone's face into the pavement for bullying someone." Jimmy remarked, before he walked out of the park.
"Atta boy." Sonny winked at him, before going off to head home.
"Well, see you tomorrow, Jimmy." Connie waved at Jimmy, as she followed Sonny.
Michael followed his brother and sister and the three Corleone siblings were off to go home.
Moments later
On their way home and even after they got home, all Connie could talk about was Jimmy and how she was glad that she had him as a friend, considering that he was friends with Sonny, Michael, Tom, and believe it or not, Fredo. As expected, Tom, Fredo, Carmela, and even Vito started to suspect that the youngest member of the family was falling head over heels for the little Irish boy, despite barely meeting him and only knowing him for a day. However, they, especially, Carmela and Fredo, in secret, were glad that it was someone who was very close to her brothers and hoped that when the two were older, their friendship would eventually blossom into a relationship, but for now, they should just remain friends.
Meanwhile, over in Jimmy's home, his dad gave him a black eye and belted him for being later than usual and for getting into a fight with the neighborhood bullies. To make matters worse, his father was drunk and whenever his father was intoxicated, the beatings were worse. After another dose of beatings, Jimmy ran to his bedroom and locked the door. He looked into a mirror and silently cried for three reasons: One, he desperately wished the Corleones were his family instead, Two, he wanted Connie right then and there to be with him, and Three, he wished he was tough enough to stand up to his father for once and for all.
'How in the world am I going to explain this to Connie, Sonny, and Michael tomorrow? They've never seen me with a black eye and bruises before. How am I going to explain this?' Jimmy said to himself, as he tried to make up a possible excuse for the black eye and bruises.
As he continued to come up with an explanation good and believable enough, he managed to drift off to dream land.
The next day and soon many more days and years afterward, Connie and Jimmy's friendship started to evolve over time. However, they never pursued a romantic relationship for their own reasons: Jimmy thought that Vito and Carmela wouldn't approve due to the fact that he wasn't Italian and he feared that Connie would think he was weird. Connie, on the other hand, feared that he might think she was weird and she was afraid that his parents wouldn't think she was good enough for him. With those doubts and fears in mind, they remained friends for an extremely long time until the summer of 1938 when Jimmy moved away. Connie was devastated by him moving away from Staten Island, New York to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The move was forced onto him, despite all of his efforts to fight it. However, once he arrived to the sunshine state, he wrote a letter to Connie stating:
'Although we may have parted ways for now, I'll never forget you, Connie and the fun times we had together. In fact, I am enlisting into the United States Marines just to get away from my parents. The part about my parents, I'll disclose at another time. Anyways, I feel that our paths will cross again sometime soon. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but, soon. Even if I have to get official leave from the military, it won't stop me from seeing you again. Well, I have to go.
Take Care.
Jimmy.'
Connie held this letter close to her heart and smiled. She was relieved that he hadn't forgotten her and in turn, she started to write him a letter. However, it was interrupted when there was knocking at her door.
"Come in." Connie shoved the paper and pen into a drawer.
"Hey sis, what was that you got in the mail?" Sonny opened the door and walked in, suspicion filling his voice.
"Remember our friend, Jimmy McMurphy?" Connie asked.
Sonny looked off to the side for a moment, before returning Connie's question with a nod of the head and a smile.
"He wrote me." Connie started blushing.
"That sly dog. Where is he living now?" Sonny put his hands on his hips.
"Florida." Connie answered.
"It's a shame he moved. He was a great kid." Sonny started reminiscing about old times, before looking up at the clock, "Love to stay by and chat, but, I've got to go."
"Go? Where?" Connie was curious.
"I just have to go." Sonny brushed her off and left.
"Sandra isn't that nagging. Then again, he's probably with another woman. Anyways, back to my letter." Connie rolled her eyes, took out the pen and paper, and started writing her letter to Jimmy.
Once finished, she headed to the post office and dumped it off. Pretty soon, that letter was off to Jimmy McMurphy.
Two weeks later in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Inside his barracks, Jimmy was making his bed when the mailman came in and delivered letters to his bunk mates and him. His eyes lit up when he saw who the letter was from. He opened it and the letter read:
'Jimmy, I got your letter and I just have to say that I fully support you being in the military. I just wonder what has been going on between you and your parents, since you put that, but, like you said, you'll disclose that some other time. I do miss you a lot and I miss the old days. However, I just want you to know that I'll never forget you either. I do hope that we meet up soon, because, it'd be a breath of fresh air for both of us. Well, being a girl of a few words, there has been something I have been needing to tell you, but, it'll be better in person.
Anyways, see you soon and be safe.
Love, Connie.'
Jimmy smiled and even kissed the letter, before quickly putting it away, as the commanding officer was walking into the barracks.
"I'll see you soon, Constanzia. Real soon." Jimmy said under his breath.
To Be Continued...