Крестный отец

           Aman’svoicechangeswhenhegetsolder."

           Fontaneignoredhimafterthat,payingattentiontoLucy,charmingherashecharmedallwomen.Juleskeptlisteningtothevoice.Therehadtobeagrowthonthosevocalcords.Butthenwhythehellhadn’tthespecialistsspottedit?Wasitmalignantandinoperable?Thentherewasotherstuff.

           HeinterruptedFontanetoask,"Whenwasthelasttimeyougotexaminedbyaspecialist?"

           Fontanewasobviouslyirritatedbuttrying.tobepoliteforLucy’ssake."Abouteighteenmonthsago."hesaid.

           "Doesyourowndoctortakealookonceinawhile?"Julesasked.

           "Surehedoes,"JohnnyFontanesaidirritably."Hegivesmeacodeinesprayandchecksmeout.Hetoldmeit’sjustmyvoiceaging,thatallthedrinkingandsmokingandotherstuff.Maybeyouknowmorethanhedoes?"

           Julesasked,"What’shisname?"

           Fontanesaidwithjustafaintflickerofpride,"Tucker,Dr.JamesTucker.Whatdoyouthinkofhim?"

           Thenamewasfamiliar,linkedtofamousmoviestars,female,andtoanexpensivehealthfarm.

           "He’sasharpdresser,"Julessaidwithagrin.

           Fontanewasangrynow."Youthinkyou’reabetterdoctorthanheis?"

           Juleslaughed."AreyouabettersingerthanCarmenLombardo?"HewassurprisedtoseeNinoValentibreakupinlaughter,banginghisheadonhischair.Thejokehadn’tbeenthatgood.ThenonthewingsofthoseguffawshecaughtthesmellofbourbonandknewthateventhisearlyinthemorningMr.Valenti,whoeverthehellhewas,wasatleasthalfdrunk.