Крестный отец

           Thesmashingontheleftsiteofhisfacehadcompletelyhealedbutthebonehadformedimproperlyandthepressureonhissinusesmadehislefteyehurt.Italsomadehisnoseruncontinually,hefilleduphandkerchiefswithmucusandoftenblewhisnoseoutontothegroundasthelocalpeasantsdid,ahabitthathaddisgustedhimwhenhewasaboyandhadseenoldItalians,disdaininghandkerchiefsasEnglishfoppery,blowouttheirnosesintheasphaltgutters.

           Hisfacetoofelt"heavy."Dr.Tazahadtoldhimthatthiswasduetothepressureonhissinusescausedbythebadlyhealedfracture.Dr.Tazacalleditaneggshellfractureofthezygoma;thatifithadbeentreatedbeforethebonesknitted,itcouldhavebeeneasilyremediedbyaminorsurgicalprocedureusinganinstrumentlikeaspoontopushoutthebonetoitspropershape.Now,however,saidthedootor,hewouldhavetocheckintoaPalermohospitalandundergoamajorprocedurecalledmaxillo-facialsurgerywherethebonewouldbebrokenagain.ThatwasenoughforMichael.Herefused.Andyetmorethanthepain,morethanthenosedripping,hewasbotheredbythefeelingofheavinessinhisface.

           Heneverreachedthecoastthatday.Aftergoingaboutfifteenmilesheandhisshepherdsstoppedinthecoolgreenwateryshadeofanorangegrovetoeatlunchanddrinktheirwine.FabrizziowaschatteringabouthowhewouldsomedaygettoAmerica.AfterdrinkingandeatingtheylolledintheshadeandFabrizziounbuttonedhisshirtandcontractedhisstomachmusclestomakethetattoocomealive.