Крестный отец

           OnenightinthegardenanoldvillagewomanwhoworkedinthehouseasaservantbroughtadishoffresholivesandthenturnedtoMichaelandsaid,"IsittruewhateverybodyissayingthatyouarethesonofDonCorleoneinNewYorkCity,theGodfather?"

           MichaelsawDonTommasinoshakinghisheadindisgustatthegeneralknowledgeoftheirsecret.Buttheoldcronewaslookingathiminsoconcernedafashion,asifitwasimportantforhertoknowthetruth,thatMichaelnodded."Doyouknowmyfather?"heasked.

           Thewoman’snamewasFilomenaandherfacewasaswrinkledandbrownasawalnut,herbrown-stainedteethshowingthroughtheshellofherflesh.Forthefirsttimesincehehadbeeninthevillashesmiledathim."TheGodfathersavedmylifeonce,"shesaid,"andmybrainstoo."Shemadeagesturetowardherhead.

           SheobviouslywantedtosaysomethingelsesoMichaelsmiledtoencourageher.Sheaskedalmostfearfully,"IsittruethatLucaBrasiisdead?"

           Michaelnoddedagainandwassurprisedatthelookofreleaseontheoldwoman’sface.Filomenacrossedherselfandsaid,"Godforgiveme,butmayhissoulroastinhellforeternity."

           MichaelrememberedhisoldcuriosityaboutBrasi,andhadthesuddenintuitionthatthiswomanknewthestoryHagenandSonnyhadrefusedtotellhim.Hepouredthewomanaglassofwineandmadehersitdown."TellmeaboutmyfatherandLucaBrasi,"hesaidgently.