Крестный отец

           Shealwaysmetherhusbandwhenhearrivedfromoutoftown,mostlybecauseshefeltlonelywithouthim,livingasshedidinthefortifiedmall.

           ShesawhimcomeofftheplanewithTomHagenandthenewmanhehadworkingforhim,AlbertNeri.Kaydidn’tcaremuchforNeri,heremindedherofLucaBrasiinhisquietferociousness.ShesawNeridropbehindMichaelandofftotheside,sawhisquickpenetratingglanceashiseyessweptovereverybodynearby.ItwasNeriwhofirstspottedKayandtouchedMichael’sshouldertomakehimlookintheproperdirection.

           Kayranintoherhusband’sarmsandhequicklykissedherandlethergo.HeandTomHagenandKaygotintothelimousineandAlbertNerivanished.KaydidnotnoticethatNerihadgottenintoanothercarwithtwoothermenandthatthiscarrodebehindthelimousineuntilitreachedLongBeach.

           KayneveraskedMichaelhowhisbusinesshadgone.Evensuchpolitequestionswereunderstoodtobeawkward,notthathewouldn’tgiveheranequallypoliteanswer,butitwouldremindthembothoftheforbiddenterritorytheirmarriagecouldneverinclude.Kaydidn’tmindanymore.ButwhenMichaeltoldherhewouldhavetospendtheeveningwithhisfathertotellhimabouttheVegastrip,shecouldn’thelpmakingalittlefrownofdisappointment.

           "I’msorry,"Michaelsaid."Tomorrownightwe’llgointoNewYorkandseeashowandhavedinner,OK?"Hepattedherstomach,shewasalmostsevenmonthspregnant."Afterthekidcomesyou’llbetieddownagain.Hell,you’remoreItalianthanYankee.