Крестный отец

           Hepulledawayfromhertorundownthestairsandgoafterherhusband.Rageflamedupinhim,contortinghisownface.Conniesawtherageandclungtohim,notlettinghimgo,makinghimcomeintotheapartment.Shewasweepingoutofterrornow.Sheknewherolderbrother’stemperandfearedit.ShehadnevercomplainedtohimaboutCarloforthatreason.Nowshemadehimcomeintotheapartmentwithher.

           "Itwasmyfault,"shesaid."IstartedafightwithhimandItriedtohithimsohehitme.Hereallydidn’ttrytohitmethathard.Iwalkedintoit."

           Sonny’sheavyCupidfacewasundercontrol."Yougoingtoseetheoldmantoday?"

           Shedidn’tanswer,soheadded,"Ithoughtyouwere,soIdroppedovertogiveyoualift.Iwasinthecityanyway."

           Sheshookherhead."Idon’twantthemtoseemethisway.I’llcomenextweek."

           "OK,"Sonnysaid.Hepickedupherkitchenphoneanddialedanumber."I’mgettingadoctortocomeoverhereandtakealookatyouandfixyouup.Inyourconditionyouhavetobecareful.Howmanymonthsbeforeyouhavethekid?"

           "Twomonths,"Conniesaid."Sonny,pleasedon’tdoanything.Pleasedon’t."

           Sonnylaughed.Hisfacewascruellyintentwhenhesaid,"Don’tworry,Iwon’tmakeyourkidanorphanbeforehe’sborn."Helefttheapartmentafterkissingherlightlyonheruninjuredcheek.

           OnEast112thStreetalonglineofcarsweredoubleparkedinfrontofacandystorethatwastheheadquartersofCarloRizzi’sbook.