Крестный отец

           AndtheguestssoexclaimedathowwellhelookedinhistuxthataninexperiencedobservermighteasilyhavethoughttheDonhimselfwastheluckygroom.

           Standingatthedoorwithhimweretwoofhisthreesons.Theeldest,baptizedSantinobutcalledSonnybyeveryoneexcepthisfather,waslookedataskancebytheolderItalianmen;withadmirationbytheyounger.SonnyCorleonewastallforafirst-generationAmericanofItalianparentage,almostsixfeet,andhiscropofbushy,curlyhairmadehimlookeventaller.HisfacewasthatofagrossCupid,thefeaturesevenbutthebow-shapedlipsthicklysensual,thedimpledcleftchininsomecuriouswayobscene.Hewasbuiltaspowerfullyasabullanditwascommonknowledgethathewassogenerouslyendowedbynaturethathismartyredwifefearedthemarriagebedasunbelieversoncefearedtherack.Itwaswhisperedthatwhenasayouthhehadvisitedhousesofillfame,eventhemosthardenedandfearlessputain,afteranawedinspectionofhismassiveorgan,demandeddoubleprice.

           Hereattheweddingfeast,someyoungmatrons,wide-hipped,wide-mouthed,measuredSonnyCorleonewithcoollyconfidenteyes.Butonthisparticulardaytheywerewastingtheirtime.SonnyCorleone,despitethepresenceofhiswifeandthreesmallchildren,hadplansforhissister’smaidofhonor,LucyMancini.Thisyounggirl,fullyaware,satatagardentableinherpinkformalgown,atiaraofflowersinherglossyblackhair.ShehadflirtedwithSonnyinthepastweekofrehearsalsandsqueezedhishandthatmorningatthealtar.