Крестный отец

           BothdoctorandDonsmiledatthiswitticism.

           BySunday,MichaelhadanAlfaRomeo,batteredbutserviceable.HehadalsomadeabustriptoPalermotobuypresentsforthegirlandherfamily.Hehadlearnedthatthegirl’snamewasApolloniaandeverynighthethoughtofherlovelyfaceandherlovelyname.Hehadtodrinkagooddealofwinetogetsomesleepandordersweregiventotheoldwomenservantsinthehousetoleaveachilledbottleathisbedside.Hedrank.itemptyeverynight.

           OnSunday,tothetollingofchurchbellsthatcoveredallofSicily,hedrovetheAlfaRomeotothevillageandparkeditjustoutsidethecafe.CaloandFabrizziowereinthebackseatwiththeirluparasandMichaeltoldthemtheyweretowaitinthecafe,theywerenottocometothehouse.ThecafewasclosedbutVitelliwastherewaitingforthem,leaningagainsttherailingofhisemptyterrace.

           TheyshookhandsallaroundandMichaeltookthethreepackages,thepresents,andtrudgedupthehillwithVitellitohishome.Thisprovedtobelargerthantheusualvillagehut,theVitelliswerenotpoverty-stricken.

           InsidethehousewasfamiliarwithstatuesoftheMadonnaentombedinglass,votivelightsflickeringredlyattheirfeet.Thetwosonswerewaiting,alsodressedintheirSundayblack.Theyweretwosturdyyoungmenjustoutoftheirteensbutlikingolderbecauseoftheirhardworkonthefarm.Themotherwasavigorouswoman,asstoutasherhusband.Therewasnosignofthegirl.