Крестный отец

           Sheflinchedalittleandsaidjokingly,"Stoptorturingme,Iwon’ttalk."

           Michaeldidn’tlaugh.Hisvoicesoundedabsentminded."Youknow,whenIcamehomeIwasn’tthatgladwhenIsawmyfamily,myfather,mymother,mysisterConnie,andTom.ItwasnicebutIdidn’treallygiveadamn.ThenIcamehometonightandsawyouinthekitchenandIwasglad.Isthatwhatyoumeanbylove?"

           "That’scloseenoughforme,"Kaysaid.

           Theymadeloveagainforawhile.Michaelwasmoretenderthistime.Andthenhewentouttogetthembothadrink.Whenhecamebackhesatonanarmchairfacingthebed."Let’sgetserious,"hesaid."Howdoyoufeelaboutmarryingme?"Kaysmiledathimandmotionedhimintothebed.Michaelsmiledbackather."Beserious,"hesaid."Ican’ttellyouaboutanythingthathappened.I’mworkingformyfathernow.I’mbeingtrainedtotakeoverthefamilyoliveoilbusiness.Butyouknowmyfamilyhasenemies,myfatherhasenemies.Youmightbeaveryyoungwidow,there’sachance,notmuchofone,butitcouldhappen.AndIwon’tbetellingyouwhathappenedattheofficeeveryday.Iwon’tbetellingyouanythingaboutmybusiness.You’llbemywifebutyouwon’tbemypartnerinlife,asIthinktheysay.Notanequalpartner.Thatcan’tbe."

           Kaysatupinbed.Sheswitchedonahugelampstandingonthenighttableandthenshelitacigarette.