Крестный отец

           JohnnyFontanejumpeduponthebandstandandthrewhisarmsaroundNino.Theyhadbeeninseparable,singingtogether,goingoutwithgirlstogether,untilJohnnyhadstartedtobecomefamousandsingontheradio.WhenhehadgonetoHollywoodtomakemoviesJohnnyhadphonedNinoacoupleoftimesjusttotalkandhadpromisedtogethimaclubsingingdate.Buthehadneverdoneso.SeeingNinonow,hischeerful,mocking,drunkengrin,alltheaffectionreturned.

           Ninobeganstrummingonthemandolin.JohnnyFontaneputhishandonNino’sshoulder."Thisisforthebride,"hesaid,andstampinghisfoot,chantedthewordstoanobsceneSicilianlovesong.Ashesang,Ninomadesuggestivemotionswithhisbody.Thebrideblushedproudly,thethrongofguestsroareditsapproval.Beforethesongendedtheywereallstampingwiththeirfeetandroaringoutthesly,double-meaningtaglinethatfinishedeachstanza.AttheendtheywouldnotstopapplaudinguntilJohnnyclearedhisthroattosinganothersong.

           Theywereallproudofhim.Hewasofthemandhehadbecomeafamoussinger,amoviestarwhosleptwiththemostdesiredwomenintheworld.AndyethehadshownproperrespectforhisGodfatherbytravelingthreethousandmilestoattendthiswedding.HestilllovedoldfriendslikeNinoValenti.ManyofthepeopletherehadseenJohnnyandNinosingingtogetherwhentheywerejustboys,whennoonedreamedthatJohnnyFontanewouldgrowuptoholdtheheartsoffiftymillionwomeninhishands.