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Johnny Wise was never known for his good manners. He was a rough and gruff man, who always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. Despite his less than charming demeanor, Johnny was a well-respected member of the Mafia...
He had worked his way up the ranks over the years, and was now one of the top enforcers for the New York branch of the organized crime syndicate...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzCgJdsjiG
However, Johnny had grown tired of the life of a gangster. The violence and deceit had taken a toll on him, and he longed for something more meaningful. So, he made the bold decision to quit the Mafia and become a private detective...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lDmoMtXyI
Johnny set up shop in the heart of the city and quickly made a name for himself. He was tough and relentless, and he always got the job done. But despite his success, Johnny remained a loner. He lived in a small house and spent most of his free time drinking and playing cards with his buddies at the local bar...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTsSLs5gk6
That all changed one summer day when Johnny was grilling in his backyard. He heard the sounds of laughter and chatter coming from the neighboring yard...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiFFjzrjI6
Meanwhile Rocky, his dog had gone over to the pond and seized one of their ducks and brought it back placing it at his feet. Rocky looked at him, wagging his tail expectantly. Johnny shook his head and picked up the duck, hoping it was still alive...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9p1pnZOsn
Rocky looked at me, I honestly think that he wanted me to cook the duck for him. He got that sweet, crazy, delightful odor of barbecue chicken and now wanted some barbecue duck!305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVNbdcgSge
But,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX12lkik3fF
I rescued the duck and started strolling with the intent of returning it to my next door neighbor's pond,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaYhBBAKar
but, really, Quite honestly I did entertain the thought of some Mallard duck soup...
Heh, heh, heh!305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEufDP0pROZ
Anyway, I gave Rocky several hotdogs off the grill, then walked over to the fence that separated my yard from the neighbor's and saw a woman sitting on a lawn chair, reading a book. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slim figure. And was wearing a red bikini that left little to the imagination...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6fjGorbjb
I cleared my throat and said, "Excuse me, miss. I think this belongs to you."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Dn3bnFBt
The woman looked up and gasped. She saw Johnny holding her duck by its neck, and Rocky sitting behind him, licking his chops...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIMJtuxyiZ
She jumped up from her chair and ran towards him, screaming, "You monster! You killed my duck! How could you do such a thing?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX08hETGWg2
Johnny was taken aback by her reaction. He said, "Hey, calm down. I didn't kill your duck. My dog almost did. And he didn't mean any harm. He's just a playful pup."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDTHTUu0Lp
The woman reached the fence and snatched the duck from Johnny's hands. She cradled it in her arms and checked for signs of life. She said, "You liar! Your dog is a killer! And you're an accomplice! You should be ashamed of yourself!"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0p5FG5Rm3
Johnny felt a surge of anger. He said, "Look lady, I don't know who you are or what your problem is, but you need to chill out. It's just a duck. It's not like it's your child or something."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kbFtl2jNa
The woman glared at him and said, "How dare you? This duck is more than just an animal. It's my pet. It's my friend. It has a name. It's Daisy."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2bwRtDJrw
Johnny rolled his eyes and said, "Daisy? Seriously? That's a stupid name for a duck."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4VrpscUwS
What's your name sweetheart?305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyesowzCxu
"The name is Eva and I'm definitely not your sweetheart. Idiot! And you havn't any taste either. Daisy is a beautiful name for a beautiful duck!"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdsbkHCAl1
Johnny snorted and said, "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say lady!"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7oXDDxmyk
Eva exclaimed, "You know what? You're not worth my time. You're rude and insensitive and ignorant. You don't deserve to live next to me."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk2rIus6n0
Johnny said, "Fine by me. I don't want to live next to you either. You're annoying, hysterical and crazy. You didn't deserve to have any ducks."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7a5GbiDPM
Eva said, "Oh yeah? Well, you don't deserve to have a dog."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGp9uHZ4mB
Johnny grinned, saying, "Well, you don't deserve to have a bikini." Eva said, "What does that even mean?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPqf3AoZXg
Johnny begin chuckling, "It means you look terrible in it."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a3Tm2ug7P
She said, "That's it! You've crossed the line! I'm going to report you to the authorities!" Johnny said, "Go ahead! See if I care!" Eva said, "I will! And I hope they lock you up!" Johnny said, "Yeah? Well, I hope they lock you up for being a Loony Toon!" And disturbing the peace.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYapVeBT9JD
Eva cried, "No, I'm not! You're disturbing the peace!"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeou4vQGvCc
Johnny said, "No, you are!"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy31hCY7mSK
The woman said, "No, you are!"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMN3XS1aJj
They continued to argue like this for several minutes until they were interrupted by another voice.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsH9CM52o9
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What's going on here?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3smFGVccR
They turned and saw a man standing on the other side of the fence. He had short brown hair, green eyes, and a muscular build. He was wearing a blue shirt, khaki pants, and a badge. He was a cop.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcu4i1KYAR
He said, "I'm Officer Brad. I'm responding to a noise complaint. What's the problem?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBUvwR63zc
Johnny and the woman looked at each other and then at the cop. They both said, "He/she started it!"
The officer sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Alright, alright. Calm down. Let's start with some introductions.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDKVdd2aU5
"Who are you two?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPQVdG6bZ1
Johnny stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Hi there. I'm John, and this is my dog Rocky. We live next door." The woman stepped forward as well, still clutching her dead duck. "My name is Evelina and this," she gestured to the lifeless bird, "Is Daisy. We also live next door." Officer Brad nodded, scribbling notes into his pad. 305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCnOtkRkOn
"And what seems to be the issue, folks?" Johnny spoke first. "Well, my dog got loose earlier and ended up in umm...Miss Evelina's backyard where he unfortunately, accidentally killed her duck." The officer raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a bit of a mouthful Mr. ... uh ... John?" 305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxTaOAnT7h
"Call me Johnny. Sorry about that."
The officer smiled slightly. "Apology accepted Johnny. Now, let's hear from Miss Evelina." Evelina took a deep breath before speaking. "Mr. Officer, Johnny's dog attacked and killed my beloved pet Daisy without provocation. 305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2C0680H8J
Not only has he caused immense emotional distress upon me, but now my family won't have fresh eggs or companionship because of HIM!" Both Johnny and Officer Brad stared blankly at Evelina for a few moments before bursting into laughter.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDTdyYxMms
After gaining composure again, the Officer Brad began writing furiously in his note pad once more. Evelina narrowed her gaze, staring quite menacingly. "I assume you find my situation amusing, sir?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBbieoN8Uc
May I remind the both of you, that someone just lost their life today due to his stupid negligence!" Officer Brad held up his hand to placate Evelina.
"Miss Evelina, I apologize if our reactions seemed disrespectful."305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmA7fMWOUH
However, it appears that there may have been some issues regarding the nature of Daisy's death. He winked and turned to face Johnny again. "Is that correct, Johnny? Did you witness exactly how Daisy passed away?"305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2ZwlzDzXF
Johnny scratched the back of his head and smiled. "Uh, no sir. I actually wasn't present when the murder took place."
Sir!
All I can tell you is that when I found them together, Daisy the duck was probably deceased.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMixoTYxvN
Officer Brad then stated that no real harm had been done and that they needed to work it out.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bFYFc8xaa
And left the scene in his patrol car...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY3CNJ6YKJ
I said to Eva, "Hey I'm sorry about your duck. There's no point in my not being cordial.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGeEyl9lRJ
Sweetheart, won't you please come over and have some marvelous chicken with me. Yeah, maybe I was a little too rash, you're a sweet looking doll!305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VxIPpQHbu
(Still frowning, she looked at Johnny and hesitated but decided to join him)
It turned out that Eva was married to her husband named Jim, they had moved from Miami a year ago and had few friends...
Over the next few weeks, they grew quite close, some would say that they became almost inseparable. They spend hours chatting, barbecuing together, and Johnny finally felt like he had found someone who understood him.
But, one day when Eva's husband suddenly disappeared, Johnny knew he had to help her.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OOSaWkjjd
He threw himself into the case, determined to uncover the truth. Following up on every lead, and interviewed every witness, putting together every clue. It turn out ironically enough that he was actually a hitman in the mafia but the bosses at the top decided when he got busted by a narc, that he was a liability and had to go!
Eva was absolutely taken aback by this tragic news because she had absolutely no idea of her husband line of work inside the mafia. Johnny and Eva became even closer after that tragic occurence and they soon grew very attached to each other...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4gHXHEYKV
Johnny started to change, he was kinder, gentler and even more patient than before. He finally had the serene, meaningful life he had been searching for, and he owed it all to Eva...305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVLjNB94wj
Years later, Johnny and Eva were still together. They got married and had a family of their own. As Johnny sat on their porch, sipping cold lemonade and silently watching their children play, he couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come. From a rude and brutish gangster to a loving husband and father. It was a transformation he never could have imagined before...
But he was grateful for every step of his tough journey, for it had brought him to the place where he truly belonged,305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8unPRZw0l
by his wife Eva's loving side.305Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCW43t63Ta
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© Charles Kemp
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