Крестный отец

           ItwasthatmorethananythingelsethatgavehertheideaofcallingMichael’smotheroutinLongBeach.

           Thephonewasansweredbyaroughmasculinevoicewithatypical,toher,NewYorkaccent.KayaskedtospeaktoMrs.Corelone.Therewasafewminutes’silenceandthenKayheardtheheavilyaccentedvoiceaskingwhoitwas.

           Kaywasalittleembarrassednow."ThisisKayAdams,Mrs.Corleone,"shesaid."Doyourememberme?"

           "Sure,sure,Irememberyou,"Mrs.Corleonesaid."Howcomeyounocallupnomore?Yougetamarried?"

           "Oh,no,"Kaysaid."I’vebeenbusy."Shewassurprisedatthemotherobviouslybeingannoyedthatshehadstoppedcalling."HaveyouheardanythingfromMichael?Isheallright"

           TherewassilenceattheotherendofthephoneandthenMrs.Corleorie’svoicecamestrong."Mikeyisahome.Henocallyouup?Henoseeyou?"

           Kayfeltherstomachgoweakfromshockandahumiliatingdesiretoweep.Hervoicebrokealittlewhensheasked,"Howlonghashebeenhome?"

           Mrs.Corleonesaid,"Sixmonths."

           "Oh,Isee,"Kaysaid.Andshedid.ShefelthotwavesofshamethatMichael’smotherknewhewastreatinghersocheaply.Andthenshewasangry.AngryatMichael,athismother,angryatallforeigners,Italianswhodidn’thavethecommoncourtesytokeepupadecentshowoffriendshipevenifaloveaffairwasover.