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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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDhLFZQcJx
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdytaIQmpt
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJszVyoIWt
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ3OT3QGLL
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNhtfhS4KN
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!283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lSE1C5ZFe
But,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomGZU5LvUB
I rescued the duck and started strolling with the intent of returning it to my next door neighbor's pond,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ6oB0UCQl
but, really, Quite honestly I did entertain the thought of some Mallard duck soup...
Heh, heh, heh!283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU44h2kR4a
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpnPEoZVQv
I cleared my throat and said, "Excuse me, miss. I think this belongs to you."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGqSrWoTcG
The woman looked up and gasped. She saw Johnny holding her duck by its neck, and Rocky sitting behind him, licking his chops...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT9Khot9Ei
She jumped up from her chair and ran towards him, screaming, "You monster! You killed my duck! How could you do such a thing?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtsGGTovgV
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."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIbElKM9a6
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!"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbmXs3Wrja
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."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l1dRvDRys
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."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC9G8fEGFk
Johnny rolled his eyes and said, "Daisy? Seriously? That's a stupid name for a duck."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWSLZ6zfma
What's your name sweetheart?283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx2HavHOot
"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!"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVIhpFIlfn
Johnny snorted and said, "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say lady!"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJNaSsgcaq
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."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl11VKOaYbR
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."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPIRXg6Tj0
Eva said, "Oh yeah? Well, you don't deserve to have a dog."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUgTlohjDl
Johnny grinned, saying, "Well, you don't deserve to have a bikini." Eva said, "What does that even mean?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAzTyRdY6C
Johnny begin chuckling, "It means you look terrible in it."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXVhCwzvQx
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.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxICoJhhjng
Eva cried, "No, I'm not! You're disturbing the peace!"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUPH4AQwtE
Johnny said, "No, you are!"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWEN26aQVt
The woman said, "No, you are!"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v4U2iP5wM
They continued to argue like this for several minutes until they were interrupted by another voice.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpPvM4WOBS
"Hey! Hey! Hey! What's going on here?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOPVBWf8is
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.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56UUtUbOSN
He said, "I'm Officer Brad. I'm responding to a noise complaint. What's the problem?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmrWiovU8C
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.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqVOv00uUK
"Who are you two?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqLx4xMgDc
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. 283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4JIvVerb6
"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?" 283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVINnXJ18Z
"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. 283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq8FJH0H5J
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.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoswh0ieVF
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?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiB7EFsSJb
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."283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lroCK1D84
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?"283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9aJD8eFbt
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.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs5ZA7cdAQ
Officer Brad then stated that no real harm had been done and that they needed to work it out.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWgxKBkUAE
And left the scene in his patrol car...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlZgGA4jk6
I said to Eva, "Hey I'm sorry about your duck. There's no point in my not being cordial.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfoqP60qt8
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!283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaYGyeaFzj
(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.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13COJA8u7I
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuQW8rzwtv
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...283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7y5NtqMGZ
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,283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMUalwXWUW
by his wife Eva's loving side.283Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZwI5XuNq6
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© Charles Kemp
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