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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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw8oOQRyTv
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaLxHTfMXi
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bXmaIraFu
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmznAWC2K6
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy0PjRU16T
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!285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLdqZTMFvj
But,285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7xMmGpJHJ
I rescued the duck and started strolling with the intent of returning it to my next door neighbor's pond,285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpurh6m3x6
but, really, Quite honestly I did entertain the thought of some Mallard duck soup...
Heh, heh, heh!285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSInfokoNqi
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsExJnBPrj
I cleared my throat and said, "Excuse me, miss. I think this belongs to you."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPaD3dBdel
The woman looked up and gasped. She saw Johnny holding her duck by its neck, and Rocky sitting behind him, licking his chops...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS7MiEQSmA
She jumped up from her chair and ran towards him, screaming, "You monster! You killed my duck! How could you do such a thing?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa67K21xPUf
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."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4ruNEQuFl
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!"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHPjEO3bbJ
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."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfAZ7vKZgP
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."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNaR12c8UV
Johnny rolled his eyes and said, "Daisy? Seriously? That's a stupid name for a duck."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolu4YXmtVR
What's your name sweetheart?285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGHuHdeBIj
"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!"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFqJp3eilP
Johnny snorted and said, "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say lady!"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaoKmP0Vju
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."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCSZYoRRQ
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."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqZi0jghmU
Eva said, "Oh yeah? Well, you don't deserve to have a dog."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6DyQrhied
Johnny grinned, saying, "Well, you don't deserve to have a bikini." Eva said, "What does that even mean?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT2Yn7Kxlq
Johnny begin chuckling, "It means you look terrible in it."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mriTuxjC8
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.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA0Qeofstn
Eva cried, "No, I'm not! You're disturbing the peace!"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORBFVsDI6h
Johnny said, "No, you are!"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8t4VoIxUe
The woman said, "No, you are!"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BzESm2Q44
They continued to argue like this for several minutes until they were interrupted by another voice.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XfKI4xBdK
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What's going on here?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvqfhZm6gr
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.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJdv6nlpuU
He said, "I'm Officer Brad. I'm responding to a noise complaint. What's the problem?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJeHZfTze3
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.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FzM4tLQsf
"Who are you two?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriNRbHpA3s
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. 285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj61ilcGMl2
"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?" 285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3NIB0NTvD
"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. 285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa8RtepQLH
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.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEmLNSVAgY
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?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhYhiWpyx8
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."285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZvFJIDprB
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?"285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0pyExr1Mj
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.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZZK8o1Dbx
Officer Brad then stated that no real harm had been done and that they needed to work it out.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAlmLTS8jp
And left the scene in his patrol car...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwYXHlYg3S
I said to Eva, "Hey I'm sorry about your duck. There's no point in my not being cordial.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPooO6ALKz
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!285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7fE1h4wkk
(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.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYwi4YbFjR
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6CVe85jnM
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...285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwoXVVe4Fx
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,285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjxwi7hHPX
by his wife Eva's loving side.285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnOZAY7bRI
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© Charles Kemp
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