Крестный отец

           AndKay,whohadwantjusttosay"Hello,howareyou,"inthecoolestpossibleway,slippedoutofherseattorunintohisarms,buryherfaceagainsthisshoulder.Hekissedherwetcheekandheldheruntilshefinishedweepingandthenhewalkedherouttohiscar,wavedhisbodyguardawayanddroveoffwithherbesidehim,sherepairinghermakeupbysimplywipingwhatwasleftofitawaywithherhandkerchief.

           "Inevermeanttodothat,"Kaysaid."It’sjustthatnobodytoldmehowbadlytheyhurtyou."

           Michaellaughedandtouchedthebrokensideofhisface."Youmeanthis?That’snothing.Justgivesmesinustrouble.NowthatI’mhomeI’llprobablygetitfixed.Icouldn’twriteyouoranything,"Michaelsaid."Youhavetounderstandthatbeforeanythingelse."

           "OK,"shesaid.

           "I’vegotaplaceinthecity,"Michaelsaid."Isitallrightifwegothereorshoulditbedinneranddrinksatarestaurant?"

           "I’mnothungry,"Kaysaid.

           TheydrovetowardNewYorkinsilenceforawhile."Didyougetyourdegree?"Michaelasked.

           "Yes,"Kaysaid."I’mteachinggradeschoolinmyhometownnow.Didtheyfindthemanwhoreallykilledthepoliceman,isthatwhyyouwereabletocomehome?"

           ForamomentMichaeldidn’tanswer."Yes,theydid,"hesaid."ItwasinalltheNewYorkpapers.Didn’tyoureadaboutit?"

           Kaylaughedwiththereliefofhimdenyinghewasamurderer."WeonlygetTheNewYorkTimesupinourtown,"shesaid."Iguessitwasburiedbackinpageeighty-nine.