Крестный отец

           Youwereasbigasahouse."

           Ninosippedhisdrinkandsaidinhisnaturaloff-handmanner,"That’sthewayitalwaysis.YoushouldseeitwhenIgetexcited."

           Shelaughedalittleandkeptquietfortherestofthepicture.Finallyitwasoverandthelightswenton.Ninotookalookaround.Hecouldseetherehadbeenaballhereinthedarknessthoughoddlyenoughhehadn’theardathing.Butsomeofthedameshadthathard,shiny,brighteyedlookofwomenwhohadjustbeenworkedoverrealgood.Theysaunteredoutoftheprojectionroom.DeannaDunnlefthimimmediatelytogooverandtalktoanoldermanNinorecognizedasafamousfeaturedplayer,onlynow,seeingtheguyinperson,herealizedthathewasafag.Hesippedhisdrinkthoughtfully.

           JohnnyFontanecameupbesidehimandsaid,"Hi,oldbuddy,havingagoodtime?"

           Ninogrinned."Idon’tknow.It’sdifferent.NowwhenIgobacktotheoldneighborhoodIcansayDeannaDunnhadme."

           Johnnylaughed."Shecanbebetterthanthatifshe-invitesyouhomewithher.Didshe?"

           Ninoshookhishead."Igottoointerestedinthemovie,"hesaid.ButthistimeJohnnydidn’tlaugh.

           "Getserious,kid,"hesaid."Adamelikethatcndoyoualotofgood.Andyouusedtoboffanything.Man,sometimesIstillgetnightmareswhenIrememberthoseuglybroadsyouusedtobang."

           Ninowavedhisglassdrunkenlyandsaidveryloud,"Yeah,theywereuglybuttheywerewomen."DeannaDunn,inthecorner,turnedherheadtolookatthem.Ninowavedhisglassatheringreeting.