Крестный отец

           Shecouldseehewasscaredandthatfilledherwithcontemptuousdelight."You’restayinghome,"shesaid,"you’renotgoingout."

           "OK,OK,"hesaid.Hewasstillundressed,onlywearinghisshorts.Helikedtogoaroundthehouselikethat,hewasproudofhisV-shapedbody,thegoldenskin.Connielookedathimhungrily.Hetriedtolaugh."Yougonnagivemesomethingtoeatatleast?"

           Thatmollifiedher,hiscallingonherduties,oneofthematleast.Shewasagoodcook,shehadlearnedthatfromhermother.Shesauteedvealandpeppers,preparingamixedsaladwhilethepansimmered.MeanwhileCarlostretchedoutonhisbedtoreadthenextday’sracingform.Hehadawaterglassfullofwhiskeybesidehimwhichhekeptsippingat.

           Conniecameintothebedroom.Shestoodinthedoorwayasifshecouldnotcomeclosetothebedwithoutbeinginvited."Thefoodisonthetable,"shesaid.

           "I’mnothungryyet,"hesaid,stillreadingtheracingform.

           "It’sonthetable,"Conniesaidstubbornly.

           "Stickitupyourass,"Carlosaid.Hedrankofftherestofthewhiskeyinthewaterglass,tiltedthebottletofillitagain.Hepaidnomoreattentiontoher.

           Conniewentintothekitchen,pickeduptheplatesfilledwithfoodandsmashedthemagainstthesink.TheloudcrashesbroughtCarloinfromthebedroom.Helookedatthegreasyvealandpepperssplatteredalloverthekitchenwallsandhisfinickyneatnesswasoutraged."Youfilthyguineaspoiledbrat,"hesaidvenomously.