Sixteen

The next meeting with Mr. Walsh’s men, Jimmy gave them four hundred pounds. They were visibly impressed, and Jimmy promised there’d be more on the next payment.

The days leading up to Norman’s next fight, Jimmy noticed that Norman was becoming aggressive.

He’d attacked the elderly rooster and drawn blood. Jimmy had to take him to the vet, and now the vet decided to start asking questions. In a fit of panic, Jimmy mentioned the gambling and rooster fights. The vet just said he hadn’t been there for a while, and figured he should watch Norman’s next fight, and hope to make some money.

The vet offered a discount, and Jimmy’s thoughts ran wild on the sorts of connections he could make with powerful people.

“I went outside today. I haven’t seen the chickens in such a long time. Silly Norman kept chasing after me, like he didn’t want me to be there. He didn’t do anything to me, but I didn’t know he could be so aggressive. We need to be careful with him.” Jimmy’s mother sat in her usual chair and had knitted three more baby outfits.

“You sure you’re okay?” Jimmy asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. He just flapped his wings and clucked as he kept running and jumping at me. Keep an eye on him Jimmy, you know what happens to animals when they go wild.”

“Of course, ma, I’ll be careful with him.”

Jimmy and Niamh’s second date went well. They went to the movie theatre and watched a crummy horror movie about a killer bear that attacked campers. Jimmy didn’t think much of it, but Niamh loved horror movies. She explained the tension and the scares made her feel alive.

For dinner, they had fish and chips and walked along a river.

“These fish and chips are good, but have you ever been to Burdock’s in Dublin?” Niamh asked.

“Never even been to Dublin.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me. You’ve never been? Why?”

“Never felt the need.”

“How much do you still owe Mr. Walsh?” Niamh finally asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Just under six thousand. I’ve got four thousand on me that I want to double in Norman’s next fight. That’ll be more than enough to pay him back and leave me a little extra to hold onto, in case something else crops up.”

“Will Norman keep fighting after that?”

“What? No. Lucky for me, he’s getting us out of this stupid debt. He’s earned a peaceful life for the rest of his days after this, for sure.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Good.”

Jimmy drove Niamh home and the ride was filled with light conversation. Jimmy felt at ease with Niamh, and hoped she did with him.

“This is my stop. Thank you for a lovely night. I had a great time.”

“So did I. How’s next fortnight sound?”

“Sounds great.”

“I was thinking, what if we went into Dublin and you can show me how good Burdock’s is.”

“Sounds like a date.” Jimmy noticed that Niamh was leaning in closer to him and looking him in the eyes, but was unsure of what it all meant. “This is the part where you can give me a kiss.” Niamh smiled and leaned in. Jimmy met her lips and felt firecrackers light up through his body. She exited the car.

The day had come for what was hopefully Norman’s last fight. Jimmy needed the win. He could taste the pride of victory and visualised holding the cash in his hands.

In his hands, Norman twitched and clucked. He threw his neck around to see everything, and when he caught eye of the rooster on the other side, he tried to leap from Jimmy’s hands.

“Easy there, buddy. Save it for the ring. Victory means the most right now. Are you ready?” Jimmy felt Norman’s racing heartbeat ready to explode in his hands.

Across from him was a middle-aged man Jimmy recognised. His hair was going grey, and he sported a fine moustache and goatee. He wore a grey suit with a black undershirt. He was an actor from Hollywood. Jimmy couldn’t believe his eyes.

“I’m willing to bet whatever you want. I can see you’re a desperate man.” He shot Jimmy a curt grin. Jimmy eyed his rooster and gulped as he took in the feral, fighting machine.

“You that confident you’ll win?” Jimmy asked. “Fine, four thousand.”

“Are you that confident you’ll win?” the man laughed. “Not a problem. Rocky will beat you.”

“Get ready! Place your bets!”

“One thousand says Norman dies.”

“Three hundred says Norman wins in under three minutes.”

“Go!”

Both roosters jumped from their owner’s hands. Norman sped toward Rocky. His neck was stretched, ready for an attack. His beak sliced through the wind.

Rocky sidestepped and bit into Norman’s neck. Norman let out a cry. He flicked his foot up to scratch at Rocky, but missed.

Rocky pecked at Norman’s comb and tore flesh. Norman let out a cry and Jimmy watched as fierce fire burned in his eyes.

“Win you bastard. We need this,” whispered Jimmy.

“Whoa, Norman looks wild,” said Scott.

“He’s taken on a fierceness that makes Rocky look normal,” said Aisling.

Rocky flapped down on Norman to pin him down, but Norman scuttled out of the way. Norman snapped around and plucked a few of Rocky’s tail feathers.

Rocky let out a small noise. Rocky contorted his neck in a strange way and was able to bite into Norman’s chest. Blood dripped from the wound.

“You sure you still wanna go ahead with the fight?” asked the actor.

“You’re fucking kidding, right?” Jimmy screamed. Scott was taken aback by the fierceness of his timid friend.

“Okay, okay.” The actor waved his hands at Jimmy and laughed. “Rocky, quite playing around. Finish him.” Rocky looked at his owner as though he knew what he was being told.

Rocky exploded into a flurry of scratches, flaps and pecks. Most hits connected with their target and Jimmy knuckles went white as he gripped the wall of the pen. Was he about to lose?

“Don’t just stand there, Norman. Kill him!”

Norman managed to break free from the onslaught and after a few precise pecks, was able to pin Rocky. Norman ripped at the flesh of Rocky’s throat. Blood sprayed everywhere and the crowd looked on in feverish support.

“Cut it,” said the actor. He looked at Rocky in horror. Norman had cleaved through the flesh and managed to decapitate Rocky.

“Ha! Bet you wish you hadn’t made that bet now,” jeered Jimmy.

“Eh. Its all a part of it.” The actor shrugged and walked over to Jimmy and paid him the money.

“You’re not even upset?” Jimmy asked.

“Nope. Like I said, its all a part of it. You can’t be making your animals do stuff like this and have attachments to them. Good fight.” The actor extended his arm and Jimmy shook it.