Крестный отец

           HewasalreadyinNewYork,andhehadcalledfromaroomintheHotelPennsylvanialessthantenblocksaway.Whenhehungupthephone,KayAdamsputouthercigaretteandsaid,"Mike,whatagoodfibberyouare."

           Michaelsatdownbesideheronthebed."Allforyou,honey;ifItoldmyfamilywewereintownwe’dhavetogothererightaway.Thenwecouldn’tgoouttodinner,wecouldn’tgotothetheater,andwecouldn’tsleeptogethertonight.Notinmyfather’shouse,notwhenwe’renotmarried."Heputhisarmsaroundherandkissedhergentlyonthelips.Hermouthwassweetandhegentlypulledherdownonthebed.Sheclosedhereyes,waitingforhimtomakelovetoherandMichaelfeltanenormoushappiness.HehadspentthewaryearsfightinginthePacific,andonthosebloodyislandshehaddreamedofagirllikeKayAdams.Ofabeautylikehers.Afairandfragilebody,milky-skinnedandelectrifiedbypassion.Sheopenedhereyesandthenpulledhisheaddowntokisshim.Theymadeloveuntilitwastimefordinnerandthetheater.

           AfterdinnertheywalkedpastthebrightlylitdepartmentstoresfullofholidayshoppersandMichaelsaidtoher,"WhatshallIgetyouforChristmas?"

           Shepressedagainsthim."Justyou,"shesaid."Doyouthinkyourfatherwillapproveofme?"

           Michaelsaidgently,"That’snotreallythequestion.Willyourparentsapproveofme?"

           Kayshrugged."Idon’tcare,"shesaid.