The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
268
Fontane was obviously irritated but trying. to be polite for Lucy’s sake. “About eighteen 
months ago.” he said. 
“Does your own doctor take a look once in a while?” Jules asked. 
“Sure he does,” Johnny Fontane said irritably. “He gives me a codeine spray and checks 
me out. He told me it’s just my voice aging, that all the drinking and smoking and other 
stuff. Maybe you know more than he does?” 
Jules asked, “What’s his name?” 
Fontane said with just a faint flicker of pride, “Tucker, Dr. James Tucker. What do you 
think of him?” 
The name was familiar, linked to famous movie stars, female, and to an expensive 
health farm. 
“He’s a sharp dresser,” Jules said with a grin. 
Fontane was angry now. “You think you’re a better doctor than he is?” 
Jules laughed. “Are you a better singer than Carmen Lombardo?” He was surprised to 
see Nino Valenti break up in laughter, banging his head on his chair. The joke hadn’t 
been that good. Then on the wings of those guffaws he caught the smell of bourbon and 
knew that even this early in the morning Mr. Valenti, whoever the hell he was, was at 
least half drunk. 
Fontane was grinning at his friend. “Hey, you’re supposed to be laughing at my jokes, 
not his.” Meanwhile Lucy stretched out her hand to Jules and drew him to her bedside. 
“He looks like a bum but he’s a brilliant surgeon,” LUCY told them. “If he says he’s better 
than Dr. Tucker then he’s better than Dr. Tucker. You listen to him, Johnny.” 
The nurse came in and told them they would have to leave. The resident was going to 
do some work on Lucy and needed privacy. Jules was amused to see Lucy turn her 
head away so when Johnny Fontane and Nino Valenti kissed her they would hit her 
cheek instead of her mouth, but they seemed to expect it. She let Jules kiss her on the 
mouth and whispered, “Come back this afternoon, please?” he nodded. 
Out in the corridor, Valenti asked him, “What was the operation for? Anything serious?” 
Jules shook his head. “Just a little female plumbing. Absolutely routine, please believe 
me. I’m more concerned than you are, I hope to marry the girl.” 
They were looking at him appraisingly so he asked, “How did you find out she was in the 

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