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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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzliNuTKFJ0
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovyD48XgGw
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NkiVNAAD1
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnGYbZUZq5
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzltQJoqrs0
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!170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRktTTmlE0E
But,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2ffNlfMt8
I rescued the duck and started strolling with the intent of returning it to my next door neighbor's pond,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVioym8sx3g
but, really, Quite honestly I did entertain the thought of some Mallard duck soup...
Heh, heh, heh!170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxLknVhULT
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6jVjp87tD
I cleared my throat and said, "Excuse me, miss. I think this belongs to you."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JOGQz3HRj
The woman looked up and gasped. She saw Johnny holding her duck by its neck, and Rocky sitting behind him, licking his chops...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs87A0uPh5
She jumped up from her chair and ran towards him, screaming, "You monster! You killed my duck! How could you do such a thing?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcvefvpkPU
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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMgHoKp7rn
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!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38PSrTxYM2
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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicG5I4Lhgn
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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlcZ1BVKHJ
Johnny rolled his eyes and said, "Daisy? Seriously? That's a stupid name for a duck."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwty3n0tiMh
What's your name sweetheart?170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoU6819fcB
"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!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp08WFJYxac
Johnny snorted and said, "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say lady!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVzPs5re1N
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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNgVOI4JPE
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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzSxdshYQE
Eva said, "Oh yeah? Well, you don't deserve to have a dog."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjrISnEl0t
Johnny grinned, saying, "Well, you don't deserve to have a bikini." Eva said, "What does that even mean?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxh5W4apiD
Johnny begin chuckling, "It means you look terrible in it."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsi7QJj5Jx
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW25EBSEmN
Eva cried, "No, I'm not! You're disturbing the peace!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FdKDr0nBL
Johnny said, "No, you are!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89RVQomjUk
The woman said, "No, you are!"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvURmaLUS6
They continued to argue like this for several minutes until they were interrupted by another voice.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl3Sh9uJMx
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What's going on here?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiuYq1ExgY
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyyoqAtKyI
He said, "I'm Officer Brad. I'm responding to a noise complaint. What's the problem?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pq0PFVvSj
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj32PkB6Q1o
"Who are you two?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxHL8e4arZ
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. 170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEEnvEkndz
"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?" 170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ5poNYkFW
"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. 170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhq2ijxnf3
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAgYYmBu0z
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?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv8sh47QfW
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."170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFIYkizmSY
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?"170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEbqZAqqIB
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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UWFZtIFiP
Officer Brad then stated that no real harm had been done and that they needed to work it out.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCKmDwZ2ZH
And left the scene in his patrol car...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk833JDzE1
I said to Eva, "Hey I'm sorry about your duck. There's no point in my not being cordial.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTLmmwnHES
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!170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbiZQ7zbNs
(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.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykURwxLp2n
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJAXZccaEj
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...170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxypWWqE7KG
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,170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlupnAAGRn
by his wife Eva's loving side.170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CQ5abcjFR
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© Charles Kemp
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