Крестный отец

           Thetoneswerecomingoutmutedbutwithproperbody.Helookedatthepatio.Tinawasstilloutthere,theglassdoorwasclosed,shewouldn’thearhim.Forsomereasonhedidn’twantanybodytohearhim.Hestartedofffreshonanoldballadthatwashisfavorite.Hesangfulloutasifheweresinginginpublic,lettinghimselfgo,waitingforthefamiliarburningraspinhisthroatbuttherewasnone.Helistenedtohisvoice,itwasdiferentsomehow,buthelikedit.Itwasdarker,itwasaman’svoice,notakid’s,richhethought,darkrich.Hefinishedthesongeasingupandsatthereatthepianothinkingaboutit.

           BehindhimNinosaid,"Notbad,oldbuddy,notbadatall."

           Johnnyswiveledhisbodyaround.Ninowasstandinginthedoorway,alone.Hisgirlwasn’twithhim.Johnnywasrelieved.Hedidn’tmindNinohearinghim.

           "Yeah,"Johnnysaid."Let’sgetridofthosetwobroads.Sendthemhome."

           Ninosaid,"Yousendthemhome.They’renicekids,I’mnotgonnahurttheirfeelings.BesidesIjustbangedminetwice.HowwoulditlookifIsentherawaywithoutevengivingherdinner?"Thehellwithit,Johnnythought.Letthegirlslistenevenifhesoundedlousy.HecalledupabandleaderheknewinPalmSpringsandaskedhimtosendoveramandolinforNino.Thebandleaderprotested,"Hell,nobodyplaysamandolininCalifornia."Johnnyyelled,"Justgetone."

           ThehousewasloadedwithrecordingequipmentandJohnnyhadthetwogirlsworktheturn-offandvolumes.Aftertheyhaddinner,Johnnywenttowork.