Крестный отец

           Andbecausethegirlwasnotonlyfascinatedbyhimbutknewhemustberich,aweddingdatewassetfortheSundaytwoweeksaway.

           NowDonTommasinotookahand.HehadreceivedwordfromAmericathatMichaelwasnotsubjecttoordersbutthatallelementaryprecautionsshouldbetaken.SoDonTommasinoappointedhimselftheparentofthebridegroomtoinsurethepresenceofhisownbodyguards.CaloandFabrizziowerealsomembersoftheweddingpartyfromCorieoneaswasDr.Taza.ThebrideandgroomwouldliveinDr.Taza’svillasurroundedbyitsstonewall.

           Theweddingwastheusualpeasantone.Thevillagersstoodinthestreetsandthrewflowersasthebridalparty,principalsandguests,wentonfootfromthechurchtothebride’shome.Theweddingprocessionpeltedtheneighborswithsugar-coatedalmonds,thetraditionalweddingcandies,andwithcandiesleftovermadesugarywhitemountainonthebride’sweddingbed,inthiscaseonlyasymboliconesincethefirstnightwouldbespentinthevillaoutsideCorleone.TheweddingfeastwentonuntilmidnightbutbrideandgroomwouldleavebeforethatintheAlfaRomeo.WhenthattimecameMichaelwassurprisedtofindthatthemotherwascomingwiththemtotheCorleonevillaattherequestofthebride.Thefatherexplained:thegirlwasyoung,avirgin,alittlefrightened,shewouldneedsomeonetotalktoonthemorningfollowingherbridalnight;toputherontherighttrackifthingswentwrong.Thesematterscouldsometimesgetverytricky.