The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
63
me?” 
Michael said gently, “That’s not really the question. Will your parents approve of me?” 
Kay shrugged. “I don’t care,” she said. 
Michael said, “I even thought of changing my name, legally, but if something happened, 
that wouldn’t really help. You sure you want to be a Corleone?” He said it only 
half-jokingly. 
“Yes,” she said without smiling. They pressed against each other. They had decided to 
get married during Christmas week, a quiet civil ceremony at City Hall with just two 
friends as witnesses. But Michael had insisted he must tell his father. He had explained 
that his father would not object in any way as long as it was not done in secrecy. Kay 
was doubtful. She said she could not tell her parents until after the marriage. “Of course 
they’ll think I’m pregnant,” she said. Michael grinned. “So will my parents,” he said. 
What neither of them mentioned was the fact that Michael would have to cut his close 
ties with his family. They both understood that Michael had already done so to some 
extent and yet they both felt guilty about this fact. They planned to finish college, seeing 
each other weekends and living together during summer vacations. It seemed like a 
happy life. 
The play was a musical called Carousel and its sentimental story of a braggart thief 
made them smile at each other with amusement. When they came out of the theater it 
had turned cold. Kay snuggled up to him and said, “After we’re married, will you beat me 
and then steal a star for a present?” 
Michael laughed. “I’m going to be a mathematics professor,” he said. Then he asked, 
“Do you want something to eat before we go to the hotel?” 
Kay shook her head. She looked up at him meaningfully. As always he was touched by 
her eagerness to make love. He smiled down at her, and they kissed in the cold street. 
Michael felt hungry, and he decided to order sandwiches sent up to the room. 
In the hotel lobby Michael pushed Kay toward the newsstand and said, “Get the papers 
while I get the key.” He had to wait in a small line; the hotel was still short of help despite 
the end of the war. Michael got his room key and looked around impatiently for Kay. She 
was standing by the newsstand, staring down at a newspaper she held in her hand. He 
walked toward her. She looked up at him. Her eyes were filled with tears. “Oh, Mike,” 
she said, “oh, Mike.” He took the paper from her hands. The first thing he saw was a 

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