Крестный отец

           Whenhehadbeenyounger,hehaddonejustsuchthingsandtheresulthadalwaysbeenstagy,thegirlstryingtolooksexyandmelting,makingtheireyesswimwithdesireforanimaginedfantasycamera.Hewouldneverdreamofsingingtoagirlnow;foronething,hehadn’tsungformonths,hedidn’ttrusthisvoice.Foranotherthing,amateursdidn’trealizehowmuchprofessionalsdependedontechnicalhelptosoundasgoodastheydid.Hecouldhaveplayedhisrecordsbuthefeltthesameshynessabouthearinghisyouthfulpassionatevoiceasanaging,baldingmanrunningtofatfeelsaboutshowingpicturesofhimselfasayouthinthefullbloomofmanhood.

           "Myvoiceisoutofshape,"hesaid."Andhonestly,I’msickofhearingmyselfsing."

           Theybothsippedtheirdrinks."Ihearyou’regreatinthispicture,"shesaid."Isittrueyoudiditfornothing?"

           "Justatokenpayment,"Johnnysaid.

           Hegotuptogiveherarefillonherbrandyglass,gaveheragold-monogrammedcigaretteandflashedhislighterouttoholdthelightforher.Shepuffedonthecigaretteandsippedherdrinkandhesatdownbesideheragain.Hisglasshadconsiderablymorebrandyinitthanhers,heneededittowarmhimself,tocheerhimself,tochargehimselfup.Hissituationwasthereverseofthelover’susualone.Hehadtogethimselfdrunkinsteadofthegirl.Thegirlwasusuallytoowillingwherehewasnot.