Крестный отец

           Clemenzawasgettingthemessage.Tomakeitalittlemorenatural,Sonnyasked,"WherethehellwasPaulieanyway?Whatthehellwashedoing?"

           Therewasnolongeranywheezingontheotherendoftheline.Clemenza’svoicewasguarded."Pauliewassick,hehadacold,sohestayedhome.He’sbeenalittlesickallwinter."

           Sonnywasinstantlyalert."Howmanytimesdidhestayhomethelastcoupleofmonths?"

           "Maybethreeorfourtimes,"Clemenzasaid."IalwaysaskedFreddieifhewantedanotherguybuthesaidno.There’sbeennocause,thelasttenyearsthingsbeensmooth,youknow."

           "Yeah,"Sonnysaid."I’llseeyouatmyfather’shouse.BesureyoubringPaulie.Pickhimuponyourwayover.Idon’tcarehowsickheis.Yougotthat?"Heslammeddownthephonewithoutwaitingforananswer.

           Hiswifewasweepingsilently.Hestaredatherforamoment,thensaidinaharshvoice,"Anyofourpeoplecall,tellthemtogetmeinmyfather’shouseonhisspecialphone.Anybodyelsecall,youdon’tknownothing.IfTom’swifecalls,tellherthatTomwon’tbehomeforawhile,he’sonbusiness."

           Heponderedforamoment."Acoupleofourpeoplewillcometostayhere."Hesawherlookoffrightandsaidimpatiently,"Youdon’thavetobescared,Ijustwantthemhere.Dowhatevertheytellyoutodo.Ifyouwantatalktome,getmeonPop’sspecialphonebutdon’tcallmeunlessit’sreallyimportant.Anddon’tworry."Hewentoutofthehouse.