Крестный отец

           Freddiewasleaningagainstthefender,armsfolded,watchingthethrongofChristmasshoppers.DonCorleoneputonhisjacket.Theofficemanagerhelpedhimwithhisovercoat.DonCorleonegruntedhisthanksandwentoutthedoorandstarteddownthetwoflightsofsteps.

           Outinthestreettheearlywinterlightwasfailing.FreddieleanedcasuallyagainstthefenderoftheheavyBuick.WhenhesawhisfathercomeoutofthebuildingFreddiewentoutintothestreettothedriver’ssideofthecarandgotin.DonCorleonewasabouttogetinonthesidewalksideofthecarwhenhehesitatedandthenturnedbacktothelongopenfruitstandnearthecorner.Thishadbeenhishabitlately,helovedthebigout-of-seasonfruits,yellowpeachesandoranges,thatglowedintheirgreenboxes.Theproprietorsprangtoservehim.DonCorleonedidnothandlethefruit.Hepointed.Thefruitmandisputedhisdecisionsonlyonce,toshowhimthatoneofhischoiceshadarottenunderside.DonCorleonetookthepaperbaginhislefthandandpaidthemanwithafive-dollarbill.Hetookhischangeand,asheturnedtogobacktothewaitingcar,twomensteppedfromaroundthecorner.DonCorleoneknewimmediatelywhatwastohappen.

           Thetwomenworeblackovercoatsandblackhatspulledlowtopreventidentificationbywitnesses.TheyhadnotexpectedDonCorleone’salertreaction.Hedroppedthebagoffruitanddartedtowardtheparkedcarwithstartlingquicknessforamanofhisbulk.Atthesametimeheshouted,"Fredo,Fredo."