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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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSj3QcxUER
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kidtceOqE
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MnzFRwfam
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQXDb4HPWt
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHXJgODCG4
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!381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0bIRTk5FH
But,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rJJgINwy4
I rescued the duck and started strolling with the intent of returning it to my next door neighbor's pond,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes8DbenoMT
but, really, Quite honestly I did entertain the thought of some Mallard duck soup...
Heh, heh, heh!381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNq90Z9Za6
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXertB6YpJ
I cleared my throat and said, "Excuse me, miss. I think this belongs to you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeoG9NIPkr
The woman looked up and gasped. She saw Johnny holding her duck by its neck, and Rocky sitting behind him, licking his chops...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOxzQsJJDO
She jumped up from her chair and ran towards him, screaming, "You monster! You killed my duck! How could you do such a thing?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rtn7c3Pz9
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftblKfVzFK
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!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AoRquhAeU
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIsMiui6iA
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tsqswf6Ow
Johnny rolled his eyes and said, "Daisy? Seriously? That's a stupid name for a duck."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00EDp10k7x
What's your name sweetheart?381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTh1nGyGwF
"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!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHxHICRXiB
Johnny snorted and said, "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say lady!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hrdsx7dsJ
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA3V14jlfG
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPz6u9Y20o
Eva said, "Oh yeah? Well, you don't deserve to have a dog."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNs96wVMBP
Johnny grinned, saying, "Well, you don't deserve to have a bikini." Eva said, "What does that even mean?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h8OG0n5Gl
Johnny begin chuckling, "It means you look terrible in it."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq10dj86Sta
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.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOPq80ZmQ6
Eva cried, "No, I'm not! You're disturbing the peace!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvLjw4CnWv
Johnny said, "No, you are!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJJQ2sFfGB
The woman said, "No, you are!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ALEcoTFL
They continued to argue like this for several minutes until they were interrupted by another voice.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbtDiWTUtT
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What's going on here?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGOJbevtnQ
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.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl6iUP8k7b
He said, "I'm Officer Brad. I'm responding to a noise complaint. What's the problem?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzHsbwucEx
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.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jPZPxOGSK
"Who are you two?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz2ca50Qa1
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. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl0OgLYwF0
"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?" 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ctPRnWGn
"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. 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ApLHnkxb
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.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RCj713pdq
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?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBOuN0l5Ah
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."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bOG11OBl8
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?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUVB4KjY5E
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.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF3uxVgM0O
Officer Brad then stated that no real harm had been done and that they needed to work it out.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkE4GruzYG
And left the scene in his patrol car...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMfA3E8OZy
I said to Eva, "Hey I'm sorry about your duck. There's no point in my not being cordial.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMquiE1zlC
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!381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kTc9Nya66
(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.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvbPbxZh3y
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtqOoNH4ux
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...381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tw75Cnxvz
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,381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqAksp1GQq
by his wife Eva's loving side.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUPrUvqd90
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© Charles Kemp
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