Seventeen

Jimmy had been waiting anxiously for Walsh’s men. He’d organised an early meetup and promised it was all going to be over.

“You’ve got the rest of it then, hey?” Jimmy whirled and was greeted by the two henchmen.

“Yeah. Yes, I do. Here.” Jimmy thrust an old leather briefcase at them.

“Check it, Holden.” The smaller of the two threw the briefcase at the hulking brute.

“Its all here, Judge. And he’s given a little extra on top too.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Sorry, I should’ve said so. Mr. Walsh was incredibly nice and understanding and gave me a lot of chances. I gave a little extra as a thanks. I hope it isn’t rude or anything.” Jimmy started to tremble.

“Oh, not at all mate. I reckon you’re one of four people that have paid extra back to Mr. Walsh. I can tell you he’ll be more than pleased, and you will be left alone. Mr. Walsh is true to his word.” The smaller one known as Judge extended a hand and Jimmy shook it.

“Word is you got the money from cockfights.” Judge stared at Jimmy.

“Ahyup. I got really lucky.”

“I’d say. I made money off Norman.” Judge smile and he and Holden left Jimmy where he stood.

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Jimmy made his way to Scott’s and was pulled over by a cop car. Jimmy’s heart sunk as Thomerson stepped out.

“Surely this isn’t a coincidence by now,” Jimmy whispered to himself.

“Hello there Jimmy.” Thomerson took off his pair of sunglasses and stared at Jimmy.

“Hi there officer Thomerson. How can I help you today? I wasn’t speeding, was I?” Jimmy gulped as he stared at Thomerson.

“I know what you’ve been doing. I know why you had a rooster in your car.”

“Oh?” Jimmy continued to stare Thomerson down.

“I can’t get you for anything. Right now. My higher ups warned me away from you. Its an uphill battle for sure. But I will get you.” Thomerson put his sunglasses back on. “Have a good day, Jimmy.”

Jimmy found Scott in the back supply room of the store. A small radio played the horse races, and he circled names on a piece of paper.

“Thomerson just straight up threatened he was coming after me.”

“He’s done that to me too. You’ll be right. You pay Walsh back?”

“Yep. Debt free.”

“What are you gonna do now?”

“Make more money.” Jimmy and Scott both cracked a smile.

“With Norman?”

“You bet! I’ve just lined up another fight for him.”

When he got home, Jimmy was shocked his mother wasn’t in her usual chair.

“Ma!” He stormed through the house as he screamed for her. He found her locked up in a supply shed outside.

“That rooster has gone bad. He’s missing an eye. What’s happening with him? Jimmy?”

“Ma, what happened?” Jimmy grabbed her hand and led her into the house.

“He attacked me. Look at my legs.” Trembling, Jimmy’s mother lifted her dress and showed her shins. “He needs to be put down.”

“Okay ma.” Jimmy went out to the shed and grabbed the shotgun.

He found Norman in the barn. He’d killed three hens and the elderly rooster. Jimmy looked at his rooster and was shaken by what he saw.

The once proud rooster with a large chest was balding and withered away to almost nothing. Sores covered his legs, and his comb was all but gone and his face was matted with blood.

Jimmy took him around the back and chained him up. Norman looked at him, and Jimmy felt weak. In that moment, it wasn’t a rooster looking at him, but a soul in pain.

“I’m sorry mate, it was all my fault.” Jimmy pulled the trigger, and the deed was done.