Крестный отец

           Shelaughedsoftlyandsaid,"Tomwon’tnoticethedifference."

           Thethreewomenofthefamilywalkedhimtothedoorandoutonthedrivewaytohiscar.Thetwolittlegirlsheldhishands,oneoneachside.Hiswifewalkedalittlebehindhim.Shewasgettingpleasureoutofhowhappyhelooked.Whenhereachedhiscarheturnedaroundandswungeachgirlinturnhighupintheairandkissedheronthewaydown.Thenhekissedhiswifeandgotintothecar.Heneverlikeddrawn-outgood-byes.

           ***

           ArrangementshadbeenmadebyhisPRmanandaide.Athishouseachauffeuredcarwaswaiting,arentedcar.InitwerethePRmanandanothermemberofhisentourage.Johnnyparkedhiscarandhoppedinandtheywereontheirwaytotheairport.HewaitedinsidethecarwhilethePRmanwentouttomeetTomHagen’splane.WhenTomgotintothecartheyshookhandsanddrovebacktohishouse.

           FinallyheandTomwerealoneinthelivingroom.Therewasacoolnessbetweenthem.JohnnyhadneverforgivenHagenforactingasabarriertohisgettingintouchwiththeDonwhentheDonwasangrywithhim,inthosebaddaysbeforeConnie’swedding.Hagennevermadeexcusesforhisactions.Hecouldnot.ItwaspartofhisjobtoadasalightningrodforresentmentswhichpeopleweretooawedtofeeltowardtheDonhimseifthoughhehadearnedthem.

           "YourGodfathersentmeoutheretogiveyouahandonsomethings,"Hagensaid."IwantedtogetitoutofthewaybeforeChristmas."

           JohnnyFontaneshrugged."Thepictureisfinished.