The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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said, “you busy tonight? Can I come over for a little while?” 
“All right,” she said. “The kids are sleeping though; I don’t want to wake them up.” 
“That’s OK,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to you.” 
Her voice hesitated slightly, then carefully controlled not to show any concern, she 
asked, “Is it anything serious, anything important?” 
“No,” Johnny said. “I finished the picture today and I thought maybe I could just see you 
and talk to you. Maybe I could take a look at the kids if you’re sure they won’t wake up.” 
“OK,” she said. “I’m glad you got that part you wanted.” 
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll see you in about a half hour.” 
When he got to what had been his home in Beverly Hills, Johnny Fontane sat in the car 
for a moment staring at the house. He remembered what his Godfather had said, that he 
could make his own life what he wanted. Great chance if you knew what you wanted. 
But what did he want? 
His first wife was waiting for him at the door. She was pretty, petite and brunette, a nice 
Italian girl, the girl next door who would never fool around with another man and that 
had been important to him. Did he still want her, he asked himself, and the answer was 
no. For one thing, he could no longer make love to her, their affection had grown too old. 
And there were some things, nothing to do with sex, she could never forgive him. But 
they were no longer enemies. 
She made him coffee and served him homemade cookies in the living room. “Stretch out 
on the sofa,” she said, “you look tired.” He took off his jacket and his shoes and 
loosened his tie while she sat in the chair opposite him with a grave little smile on her 
face. “It’s funny,” she said. 
“What’s funny?” he asked her, sipping coffee and spilling some of it on his shirt. 
“The great Johnny Fontane stuck without a date,” she said. 
“The great Johnny Fontane is lucky if he can even get it up anymore,” he said. 
It was unusual for him to be so direct. Ginny asked, “Is there something really the 
matter?” 
Johnny grinned at her. “I had a date with a girl in my apartment and she brushed me off. 
And you know, I was relieved.” 

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