Крестный отец

           Thatmighthavereallycausedsometrouble.Evennowhefeltjusttheslightesttwingeofremorse.Christ,he’dblownnearlyfifteengrandonthetrackandshowgirlbimbos.

           HecouldfeelConniewatchinghisbackandsoheflexedhismusclesashereachedfortheplateofsweetbunsontheothersideofthetable.He’djustpolishedoffhamandeggsbuthewasabigmanandneededabigbreakfast.Hewaspleasedwiththepictureheknewhepresentedtohiswife.Nottheusualgreasydarkguinzohusbandbutcrew-cutblond,hugegolden-hairedforearmsandbroadshouldersandthinwaist.Andheknewhewasphysicallystrongerthananyofthoseso-calledhardguysthatworkedforthefamily.GuyslikeClemenza,Tessio,RoccoLampone,andthatguyPauliethatsomebodyhadknockedoff.Hewonderedwhatthestorywasaboutthat.ThenforsomereasonhethoughtaboutSonny.MantomanhecouldtakeSonny,hethought,eventhoughSonnywasalittlebiggerandalittleheavier.ButwhatscaredhimwasSonny’srep,thoughhehimselfhadneverseenSonnyanythingbutgood-naturedandkiddingaround.Yeah,Sonnywashisbuddy.MaybewiththeoldDongone,thingswouldopenup.

           Hedawdledoverhiscoffee.Hehatedthisapartment.HewasusedtothebiggerlivingquartersoftheWestandinalittlewhilehewouldhavetogocrosstowntohis"book"torunthenoontimeaction.ItwasaSunday,theheaviestactionoftheweek,whatwithbaseballgoingalreadyandthetailendofbasketballandthenighttrottersstartingup.