Крестный отец

           ItoccurredtohimthatFabrizziohadbeenfollowingApolloniatoomuchwithhiseyesthelastfewweeks.NotthathewoulddareevertomakeanadvancetowardthewifeofafriendoftheDon’s.InSicilytherewasnosurerroadtodeath.Michaelsaidcoldly,"No,she’sgoinghometoherfamilyfirst,she’lljoinusinafewdays."HewatchedFabrizziohurryintothestonehutthatservedasagaragefortheAlfaRomeo.

           Michaelwentdownthehalltowash.Apolloniawasgone.ShewasmostlikelyinthekitchenpreparinghisbreakfastwithherownhandstowashouttheguiltshefeltbecauseshewantedtoseeherfamilyonemoretimebeforegoingsofarawaytotheotherendofSicily.DonTommasinowouldarrangetransportationforhertowhereMichaelwouldbe.

           DowninthekitchentheoldwomanFilomenabroughthimhiscoffeeandshylybidhimagoodbye.‘I’llrememberyoutomyfather,"Michaelsaidandshenodded.

           CalocameintothekitchenandsaidtoMichael,"Thecar’soutside,shallIgetyourbag?"

           "No,I’llgetit,"Michaelsaid."Where’sApolla?"

           Calo’sfacebrokeintoanamusedgrin."She’ssittinginthedriver’sseatofthecar,dyingtosteponthegas.She’llbearealAmericanwomanbeforeshegetstoAmerica."ItwasunheardofforoneofthepeasantwomeninSicilytoattemptdrivingacar.ButMichaelsometimesletApolloniaguidetheAlfaRomeoaroundtheinsideofthevillawalls,alwaysbesideherhoweverbecauseshesometimessteppedonthegaswhenshemeanttosteponthebrake.