Крестный отец

           "Father,youdidn’t,youcouldn’thave."

           Mr.Adamssmiledather."Idebatedwhichwasthegreatersin,openingyourmail,orgoinginignoranceofsomehazardmyonlychildmightbeincurring.Thechoicewassimple,andvirtuous."

           Mrs.Adamssaidbetweenmouthfulsofboiledchicken,"Afterall,mydear,youareterriblyinnocentforyourage.Wehadtobeaware.Andyouneverspokeabouthim."

           ForthefirsttimeKaywasgratefulthatMichaelwasneveraffectionateinhisletters.Shewasgratefulthatherparentshadn’tseensomeofherletters."InevertoldyouabouthimbecauseIthoughtyou’dbehorrifiedabouthisfamily."

           "Wewere,"Mr.Adamssaidcheerfully."Bytheway,hasMichaelgottenintouchwithyou?"

           Kayshookherhead."Idon’tbelievehe’sguiltyofanything."

           Shesawherparentsexchangeaglanceoverthetable.ThenMr.Adamssaidgently,"Ifhe’snotguiltyandhe’svanished,thenperhapssomethingelsehappenedtohim."

           AtfirstKaydidn’tunderstand.Thenshegotupfromthetableandrantoherroom.

           ThreedayslaterKayAdamsgotoutofataxiinfrontoftheCorleonemallinLongBeach.Shehadphoned,shewasexpected.TomHagenmetheratthedoorandshewasdisappointedthatitwashim.Sheknewhewouldtellhernothing.

           Inthelivingroomhegaveheradrink.ShehadseenacoupleofothermenloungingaroundthehousebutnotSonny.