The Sicilian - Mario Puzo [38]
The Abbot was pleased and all his affection returned. This was a fine fellow, he had enjoyed his company the past few months, and it was comforting to know that the man was deeply in his debt. And he would not be ungrateful; he had already shown a noble heart. He expressed in word and deed, every day, his respect and gratitude to the Abbot. He did not have the hard heart of an outlaw. What would happen to such a man in this present-day Sicily, full of informers, poverty, bandits, and sundry sinners? Ah, well, the Abbot thought, a man who has murdered once can do it again, in a pinch. The Abbot decided that Don Croce should counsel Turi Guiliano on the right path to life.
One day, while resting on his bed, Turi Guiliano had a strange visitor. The Abbot presented him as Father Benjamino Malo, a very dear friend, then left them alone together.
Father Benjamino said solicitously, “My dear young man, I hope you have recovered from your wound. The Holy Abbot tells me it was truly a miracle.”
Guiliano said politely, “God’s mercy.” And Father Benjamino bowed his head as if he himself had received that benediction.
Guiliano studied him. This was a priest who had never labored in the fields. His cassock was too clean at the hem, his face too puffily white, his hands too soft. But the countenance was holy enough; it was meek and had a Christlike resignation, a Christian humility.
The voice, too, was soft and gentle when Father Benjamino said, “My son, I will hear your confession and give you Holy Communion. Shriven of sin, you can go out into the world with a pure heart.”
Turi Guiliano studied this priest who wielded such sublime power. “Forgive me, Father,” he said. “I am not yet in a state of contrition and it would be false of me to make a confession at this time. But thank you for your blessing.”
The priest nodded and said, “Yes, that would compound your sins. But I have another offer that is perhaps more practical in this world. My brother, Don Croce, has sent me to ask if you would like to take refuge with him in Villaba. You would be paid a good wage, and of course, as you must know, the authorities would never dare molest you while you are under his protection.”
Guiliano was astonished that word of his deed had reached such a man as Don Croce. He knew he had to be careful. He detested the Mafia, and did not wish to be caught in their web.
“This is a very great honor,” he said. “I thank you and your brother. But I must consult with my family, I must honor the wishes of my parents. So for now permit me to refuse your kind offer.”
He saw the priest was surprised. Who in Sicily would refuse the protection of the great Don? So he added, “Perhaps in a few weeks, I will think differently and come to see you in Villaba.”
Father Benjamino had recovered. He raised his hands in benediction. “Go with God, my son,” he said. “You will always be welcome in my brother’s house.” He made the sign of the cross and left.
Turi Guiliano knew it was time to leave. When Aspanu Pisciotta came to visit that evening Guiliano instructed him on what preparations to make for his return to the outside world. He saw that as he had changed, so had his friend. Pisciotta did not flinch or make any protest at receiving orders that he knew would profoundly alter his life. Finally Guiliano told him, “Aspanu, you can come with me or you can remain with your family. Do what you feel you must do.”
Pisciotta smiled. “Do you think I’m going to let you have all the fun and glory? Let you play in the mountains while I bring donkeys out to work and pick olives? And what about our friendship? Am I to let you live in the mountains alone when we have played and worked together since we were children? Only when you return to Montelepre in freedom will I return there too. So no more foolish talk. I’ll come to get you in four days. It will take a little time to do all