Крестный отец

           Conniecalledhimwhileyouwereasleepandhewasonhiswayoverthere,butIdon’twanthertoknowthat,evenifsheguessesit,Idon’twanthertoknowitforsure.She’llstartthinkingit’sallherfault.NowIwantyoutostaywithhertonightandnottellheranything.Iwantyoutomakeupwithher.Iwantyoutobetheperfectlovinghusband.AndIwantyoutostaythatwayuntilshehasherbabyatleast.Tomorrowmorningsomebody,maybeyou,maybetheDon,maybehermother,willtellConniethatherbrothergotkilled.AndIwantyoubyherside.DomethisfavorandI’lltakecareofyouinthetimestocome.Yougotthat?"

           Carlo’svoicewasalittleshaky."Sure,Tom,sure.Listen,meandyoualwaysgotalong.I’mgrateful.Understand?"

           "Yeah,"Hagensaid."NobodywillblameyourfightwithConnieforcausingthis,don’tworryaboutthat.I’lltakecareofthat."Hepausedandsoftly,encouragingly,"Goaheadnow,takecareofConnie."Hebroketheconnection.

           Hehadlearnednevertomakeathreat,theDonhadtaughthimthat,butCarlohadgottenthemessageallright:hewasahairawayfromdeath.

           HagenmadeanothercalltoTessio,tellinghimtocometothemallinLongBeachimmediately.Hedidn’tsaywhyandTessiodidnotask.Hagensighed.Nowwouldcometheparthedreaded.

           HewouldhavetowakentheDonfromhisdruggedslumber.Hewouldhavetotellthemanhemostlovedintheworldthathehadfailedhim,thathehadfailedtoguardhisdomainandthelifeofhiseldestson.