Крестный отец

           ItwasonlythenthatCarlodaredtogetoutofhiscrouchagainstthestonestepsofthestoopandunlockhishandsfromtherailing.Standingup,hecouldseethekidslookathimwiththestaring,sickenedfacesofpeoplewhohadwitnessedthedegradationofafellowhumanbeing.Hewasalittledizzybutifwasmorefromshock,therawfearthathadtakencommandofhisbody;hewasnotbadlyhurtdespitetheshowerofheavyblows.HeletCoachleadhimbythearmintothebackroomofthecandystoreandputiceonhisface,which,thoughitwasnotcutorbleeding,waslumpywithswellingbruises.Thefearwassubsidingnowandthehumiliationhehadsufferedmadehimsicktohisstomachsothathehadtothrowup.Coachheldhisheadoverthesink,supportedhimasifheweredrunk,thenhelpedhimupstairstotheapartmentandmadehimliedowninoneofthebedrooms.CarlonevernoticedthatSallyRagshaddisappeared.

           SallyRagshadwalkeddowntoThirdAvenueandcalledRoccoLamponetoreportwhathadhappened.Roccotookthenewscalmlyandinhisturncalledhiscaporegime,PeteClemenza.Clemenzagroanedandsaid,"Oh,Christ,thatgoddamnSonnyandhistemper,"buthisfingerhadprudentlyclickeddownonthehooksothatRocconeverheardhisremark.

           ClemenzacalledthehouseinLongBeachandgotTomHagen.Hagenwassilentforamomentandthenhesaid,"SendsomeofyourpeopleandcarsoutontheroadtoLongBeachassoonasyoucan,justincaseSonnygetsheldupbytrafficoranaccident