Крестный отец

           Carlosaidlaughingly,"Ihadtobatmywifearoundagaintoday,teachherwho’sboss."

           Coachsaidcasually,"She’sknockedupprettybignow,ain’tshe?"

           "Ahh,Ijustslappedherfaceafewtimes,"Carlosaid."Ididn’thurther."Hebroodedforamoment."Shethinksshecanbossmearound,Idon’tstandforthat."

           Therewerestillafewbettorshangingaroundshootingthebreeze,talkingbaseball,someofthemsittingonthestepsabovethetwowritersandCarlo.Suddenlythekidsplayingstickballinthestreetscattered.Acarcamescreechinguptheblockandtoahaltinfrontofthecandystore.Itstoppedsoabruptlythatthetiresscreamedandbeforeithadstopped,almost,amancamehurtlingoutofthedriver’sseat,movingsofastthateverybodywasparalyzed.ThemanwasSonnyCorleone.

           HisheavyCupid-featuredfacewithitsthick,curvedmouthwasanuglymaskoffury.InasplitsecondhewasatthestoopandhadgrabbedCarloRizzibythethroat.HepulledCarloawayfromtheothers,tryingtodraghimintothestreet,butCarlowrappedhishugemusculararmsaroundtheironrailingsofthestoopandhungon.Hecringedaway,tryingtohidehisheadandfaceinthehollowofhisshoulders.HisshirtrippedawayinSonny’shand.

           Whatfollowedthenwassickening.SonnybeganbeatingthecoweringCarlowithhisfists,cursinghiminathick,rage-chokedvoice.Carlo,despitehistremendousphysique,offerednoresistance,gavenocryformercyorprotest.CoachandSallyRagsdarednotinterfere.