Chapter 1.7

It was nearly twilight before the wedding cake was shown, exclaimed over and eaten.

Specially baked by Nazorine, it was cleverly decorated with shells of cream so

dizzyingly delicious that the bride greedily plucked them from the corpse of the cake

before she whizzed away on her honeymoon with her blond groom. The Don politely

sped his guests' departure, noting meanwhile that the black sedan with its FBI men was

no longer visible.

Finally the only car left in the driveway was the long black Cadillac with Freddie at the

wheel. The Don got into the front seat, moving with quick coordination for his age and

bulk. Sonny, Michael and Johnny Fontane got into the back seat. Don Corleone said to

his son Michael, "Your girl friend, she'll get back to the city by herself all right?"

Michael nodded. "Tom said he'd take care of it." Don Corleone nodded with satisfaction

at Hagen's efficiency.

Because of the gas rationing still in effect, there was little traffic on the Belt Parkway to

Manhattan. In less than an hour the Cadillac rolled into the street of French Hospital.

During the ride Don Corleone asked his youngest son if he was doing well in school.

Michael nodded. Then Sonny in the back seat asked his father, "Johnny says you're

getting him squared away with that Hollywood business. Do you want me to go out there

and help?"

Don Corleone was curt. "Tom is going tonight. He won't need any help, it's a simple

affair."

Sonny Corleone laughed. "Johnny thinks you can't fix it, that's why I thought you might

want me to go out there."

Don Corleone turned his head. "Why do you doubt me?" he asked Johnny Fontane.

"Hasn't your Godfather always done what he said he would do? Have I ever been taken

for a fool?"

Johnny apologized nervously. "Godfather, the man who runs it is a real.90 caliber

pezzonovante. You can't budge him, not even with money. He has big connections. And

he hates me. I just don't know how you can swing it."

The Don spoke with affectionate amusement. "I say to you: you shall have it." He

nudged Michael with his elbow. "We won't disappoint my godson, eh, Michael?"

Michael, who never doubted his father for a moment, shook his head.

As they walked toward the hospital entrance, Don Corleone put his hand on Michael's

arm so that the others forged ahead. "When you get through with college, come and talk

to me," the Don said. "I have some plans you will like."

Michael didn't say anything. Don Corleone grunted in exasperation. "I know how you

are. I won't ask you to do anything you don't approve of. This is something special. Go

your own way now, you're a man after all. But come to me as a son should when you

have finished with your schooling."