Крестный отец

           MichaelsawApollonialookingathimwithdoubtinherhugedoe-browneyes.Hesmiledatherandnodded.

           AndsoitcameaboutthattheydrovebacktothevillaoutsideCorleonewiththemother-in-lawinthecar.ButtheolderwomanimmediatelyputherheadtogetherwiththeservantsofDr.Taza,gaveherdaughterahugandakissanddisappearedfromthescene.Michaelandhisbridewereallowedtogototheirhugebedroomalone.

           Apolloniawasstillwearingherbridalcostumewithacloakthrownoverit.Hertrunkandcasehadbeenbroughtuptotheroomfromthecar.Onasmalltablewasabottleofwineandaplateofsmallweddingcakes.Thehugecanopiedbedwasneveroutoftheirvision.TheyounggirlinthecenteroftheroomwaitedforMichaeltomakethefirstmove.

           Andnowthathehadheralone,nowthathelegallypossessedher,nowthattherewasnobarriertohisenjoyingthatbodyandfacehehaddreamedabouteverynight,Michaelcouldnotbringhimselftoapproachher.Hewatchedasshetookoffthebridalshawlanddrapeditoverachair,andplacedthebridalcrownonthesmalldressingtable.ThattablehadanarrayofperfumesandcreamsthatMichaelhadhadsentfromPalermo.Thegirltalliedthemwithhereyesforamoment.

           Michaelturnedoffthelights,thinkingthegirlwaswaitingforsomedarknesstoshieldherbodywhilesheundressed.ButtheSicilianmooncamethroughtheunshutteredwindows,brightasgold,andMichaelwenttoclosetheshuttersbutnotalltheway,theroomwouldbetoowarm.