Крестный отец

           Shewentoutthedoorandthoughshefeltthestickywetnessbetweenherthighsshedidnotgotothebathroomtowashbutranstraightondownthestepsandintothegarden.ShetookherseatatthebridaltablenexttoConnie,whoexclaimedpetulantly,"Lucy,wherewereyou?Youlookdrunk.Staybesidemenow."

           TheblondgroompouredLucyaglassofwineandsmiledknowingly.Lucydidn’tcare.Sheliftedthegrapey,darkredjuicetoherparchedmouthanddrank.Shefeltthestickywetnessbetweenherthighsandpressedherlegstogether.Herbodywastrembling.Overtheglassrim,asshedrank,hereyessearchedhungrilytofindSonnyCorleone.Therewasnooneelseshecaredtosee.SlylyshewhisperedinConnie’sear,"Onlyafewhoursmoreandyou’llknowwhatit’sallabout."Conniegiggled.Lucydemurelyfoldedherhandsonthetable,treacherouslytriumphant,asifshehadstolenatreasurefromthebride.

           ***

           AmerigoBonaserafollowedHagenintothecornerroomofthehouseandfoundDonCorleonesittingbehindahugedesk.SonnyCorleonewasstandingbythewindow,lookingoutintothegarden.ForthefirsttimethatafternoontheDonbehavedcoolly.Hedidnotembracethevisitororshakehands.Thesallow-facedundertakerowedhisinvitationtothefactthathiswifeandthewifeoftheDonweretheclosestoffriends.AmerigoBonaserahimselfwasinseveredisfavorwithDonCorleone.

           Bonaserabeganhisrequestobliquelyandcleverly.