Крестный отец

           WhenKaycameoutofthebathroom,Michaelwasproppeduponhispillowsmokingacigarette."Whythehelldoyouhavetogotochurcheverymorning?"hesaid."Idon’tmindSundays,butwhythehellduringtheweek?You’reasbadasmymother."Hereachedoverinthedarknessandswitchedonthetablelight.

           Kaysatattheedgeofthebedtopullonherstockings."YouknowhowconvertedCatholicsare,"shesaid."Theytakeitmoreseriously."

           Michaelreachedovertotouchherthigh,onthewarmskinwherethetopofhernylonhoseended."Don’t,"shesaid."I’mtakingCommunionthismorning."

           Hedidn’ttrytoholdherwhenshegotupfromthebed.Hesaid,smilingslightly,"Ifyou’resuchastrictCatholic,howcomeyouletthekidsduckgoingtochurchsomuch?"

           Shefeltuncomfortableandshewaswary.Hewasstudyingherwithwhatshethoughtofprivatelyashis"Don’s"eye."Theyhaveplentyoftime,"shesate."Whenwegetbackhome,I’llmakethemattendmore."

           Shekissedhimgood-byebeforesheleft.Outsidethehousetheairwasalreadygettingwarm.Thesummersunrisingintheeastwasred.Kaywalkedtowherehercarwasparkednearthegatesofthemall.MamaCorleone,dressedinherwidowblack,wasalreadysittinginit,waitingforher.Ithadbecomeasetroutine,earlyMass,everymorning,together.

           Kaykissedtheoldwoman’swrinkledcheek,thengotbehindthewheel.MamaCorleoneaskedsuspiciously,"Youeatabreakfast?"

           "No,"Kaysaid.

           Theoldwomannoddedherheadapprovingly.