Крестный отец

           OnChristmas,onfamilybirthdays,richcreamypastriesproclaimedtheNazorines’respect.Andallthroughtheyears,leanandfat,NazorinecheerfullypaidhisduestothebakeryunionorganizedbytheDoninhissaladdays.Neveraskingforafavorinreturnexceptforthechancetobuyblack-marketOPAsugarcouponsduringthewar.Nowthetimehadcomeforthebakertoclaimhisrightsasaloyalfriend,andDonCorleonelookedforwardwithgreatpleasuretograntinghisrequest.

           HegavethebakeraDiNobilicigarandaglassofyellowStregaandputhishandontheman’sshouldertourgehimon.ThatwasthemarkoftheDon’shumanity.Heknewfrombitterexperiencewhatcourageittooktoaskafavorfromafellowman.

           ThebakertoldthestoryofhisdaughterandEnzo.AfineItalianladfromSicily;capturedbytheAmericanArmy;senttotheUnitedStatesasaprisonerofwar;givenparoletohelpourwareffort!ApureandhonorablelovehadsprungupbetweenhonestEnzoandhisshelteredKatherinebutnowthatthewarwasendedthepoorladwouldberepatriatedtoItalyandNazorine’sdaughterwouldsurelydieofabrokenheart.OnlyGodfatherCorleonecouldhelpthisafflictedcouple.Hewastheirlasthope.

           TheDonwalkedNazorineupanddowntheroom,hishandonthebaker’sshoulder,hisheadnoddingwithunderstandingtokeepuptheman’scourage.Whenthebakerhadfinished,DonCorleonesmiledathimandsaid,"Mydearfriend,putallyourworriesaside."Hewentontoexplainverycarefullywhatmustbedone.