“You have three days, then I’ll give you three more days to take whatever belongings you have and leave.”

“How much is it again?”

“It’s 500 pounds, remember it’s 250 a month.”

“Okay I’ll get it to you by Friday.”

I only had three days to give him the money and no time to lose.  The only job I could think of doing was working at the docks, which required me to risk my life, so I ruled it out.  I could not leave the apartment because I needed to keep Jimmy safe from the landlord, or he’ll never take my rent money even if I paid in full.  I had to find a job that paid well and fast.

Jimmy Theodore Dean was my best friend since I was in grade school, I got him as a present from my father before the big fire at the barn.  I remember everything I ever did with him.  My fondest memories come from all of the times we had together.

I looked at the advertisements in the newspaper for any jobs, there weren’t any except for that plumbing job that required me to clean johns and it didn’t pay on time.  I asked my friend James if he had any money to lend me, but only had about 100 pounds to lend.  I accepted the loan and told him I would pay him back as soon as I got a real good paying job.

That still left me at 400 pounds to pay the landlord for the rent.  I had to talk to Jimmy to see what he would want to do.

“I need 400 pounds by Friday and I don’t have a job to earn the money, what do I do?”

He just stared at me blankly.

It felt like the only person I could talk to was just there only when he needed me.

. . .

Thursday came along and I needed to find some food for the morning, I went to the butcher near the apartment to get some fresh meat.  The butcher shop had always been there, although I never went there for anything until that day.

The shop was quite empty with only the quiet buzz of the cold cases for the meat, keeping it the correct temperature, so it doesn’t spoil.

”Top of the morning, what can I cut for you?”

“Sure I’ll have some of the bologna.”

His name tag read ‘Piers M.’

I only knew one person in my life with the name of Piers, and his last name was Montgomery.  I met him at the school camp which only lasted a week, but long enough to be able to remember his name.  He had the best stories; after the lights went out, he told us stories of how he used to travel the world and how he’s seen the great Pyramids of Egypt, and how he walked the entire Great Wall of China.  I don’t know how much of it was true, but as an adolescent, all of it was absolutely amazing.  I had to ask.

“So are you from around here?”

“Yes sir, I own this little shop, have been for 5 years now,” He replied.

“Have you ever worked anywhere else?”

“Actually, get this, I used to work at an old camp over near Sheffield.”

“Is your last name Montgomery?”

“Why yes it is, how did you know that?”

“I remember it from that exact camp that you worked at.  I remember all of the stories you told us, about the great pyramids and The Great Wall... Oh how I wished to be like you some day, to travel the world.”

“Yes sir, those were the years when I had all of the time in the world.  What brought you out here to Liverpool?”

“Well when I was in the seventh grade, I lived on a small farm with my family, until one night, the cow in the barn knocked over the candle, and started a fire, set the whole house on fire.  I was the only one who made it out, along with my pet pig which my father gave me for my birthday present a year before.  He let me keep it in my room where I was.”

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry to hear that; so then you moved out here?”

“Yes sir, I worked many odd jobs to try to get some money for food and other things.  I got enough to rent an apartment, but now I’m late on the rent for a couple months, and I need to pay the landlord 400 pounds by tomorrow.”

“Well I am the owner of this shop, and understanding my profession, I am able to pay you 700 pounds for the pig of yours.”

My heart stopped.

“How could you ask something like that!?! I cannot believe you could ask me that!  I’m sorry Mr. Montgomery but I cannot do that for you.”

The next thing I knew, I was out the door with the bologna in my hand and shoving my wallet back in my pocket.  On my way back to the apartment, I was almost bawling from the idea that I will not have somewhere to sleep, in the coldest months of the year.

. . .

It was Friday and the Landlord was sure to kick me out.  With the circumstances, I took a rope and tied it around Jimmy as a leash, and started walking.