Storymania - Eviction Leads To A New Life by Jock Pichette

Eviction Leads To A New Life
Jock Pichette

One day during the month of October nineteen fifty-three, Mr.Paquette who was Jocko's landlord called Jocko to one side, and informed the little blond kid that he could no longer let his mom and him stay at 1429 Wellington Street. Jocko's mom was six weeks behind in rent money, and that he would be talking to her shortly about leaving, he also told Jocko that this would be the third time he spoke to her, and the last time, she just about through me down the stairs. Jocko understood exactly what Mr.Paquette was talking about, because in the past she did throw a drunk down the backstairs when he tried to enter our back door, and on more than one occasion Jocko would be awaken by his mom using a broom across his butt, and yet ten minutes later, everything was fine. Although Jocko was the last child in the family of five, he rarely saw his two sisters, or two brothers. Jocko's mom was born in the mountains to an Indian family, and they called her Rose-Anna, she had a rough time, lost her husband Ovila shortly after Jocko was born, worked all her life as a cleaning women, and suffered through her menopause. When an opportunity arose to ask his oldest sister Laurence what happened?, the response was always I don't know.

Fearing the worse, Jocko remained around the house. Sitting on the top stairs at the back of the house, Jocko was definitely worried, looking glum with palms of his tiny hands holding his head up, he dreamed for a miracle. Mr.Paquette spotted Jocko, and waved him down. He apologized one more time, he was so sorry for Jocko, after all here was a little boy who spent so much time in his tireshop, running errands, cleaning the floors, now the little blond kid who he nicked named "Poshton", would be gone as early as tonight. He said Poshton, the police will be here at six o'clock, please stay by your mom. He continued, by saying they will take you, and your mom away tonight, be brave. There was another incident Jocko regretted, a few weeks before this incident , the number one crook in the area was planning to rob the tireshop, and he asked Jocko to get involved, but nothing doing. Mr.Paquette was more than a landlord, he told the crook, he was a good friend, please don't rob the tireshop he told the crook! Unfortunately they robbed the place, and the very next day Mr.Paquette asked Jocko, do you know who did it?, and Jocko said no. Mr.Paquette knew that he was aware, and the friendship became sour for awhile.

Jocko, went into the house, and started pacing the floor, every time a car would stop he would look out the window. At six o'clock exactly the black police van pulled up to the door, and walked over to Mr.Paquette, Tireshop. It was only a matter of minutes before footsteps were heard coming up the stairs, and then this final knock of authority. Jocko's mom went to the front door, and two strapping undercover agents, asked if they could come in. They read the eviction notice, and requested that we leave immediately!

With the undercover agents on one side of a dilapidated table, Jocko and his mom on the other side, and close to the mantle piece on which sat a statue of the Venus de Milo, a particular favourite of his mother's. Jocko's mom moved a chair to one side, and yelled for Jocko to get behind her. As the agent closest to her lunged at her, she picked up the statue, and whacked him over the head, and as he was falling to the floor along with millions of pieces of porcelain, the other agent, jumped her sending Jocko through the hole under the mantle piece. Within seconds, Jocko's mom was in handcuffs. The embarrassed agent, slightly groggy, lifted himself from the debris littered floor, and informed his partner to take down the boy, and that he would follow. Jocko was placed in the front seat, by now a crowd gathered not to mention the whole Lamouche family peeking through the front window of their house. The agent supporting a bruised head, was still having his problem getting Jocko mom out from the front door, and eventually with the help of his partner, she was placed in the back of the paddy wagon.

We arrived at the police station, and Jocko was placed in a waiting room, while they brought his mom in through the backdoor. Jocko's mom could be heard yapping away, when a thud reached Jocko's ears, and not a peep followed. Two other officers approached Jocko to informed a confused little boy what was happening. He was told that they found his oldest sister, Laurence, and that she was waiting for them. That was not the greatest news for Jocko, but its better than a convent for the time being. Laurence lived in Cartiertown about twenty minutes by police car. When they arrived, Jocko walked towards the back door of the house, while the officers were at the front door talking to his sister Laurence and husband Rolland. Jocko did not feel welcomed here, so he slowly opened the back door, and slipped down the stairs. Laurence lived a few hundred yards from the Amusement park, a place Jocko frequented with his buddies, so he did have an idea how to get back home. With enough coins in his pocket to get on the tramway car, he managed to jump on without getting noticed.

Jocko sitting just behind the driver, he faced the doors of the tramway car, that way he could keep an eye out for the police. With heavy eyes, he became melancholy, and wondered about his poor mom, what did they do with her, is she walking the streets?, and for that matter where would Jocko stay tonight. As the tramway car reached the underpass, his adrenalin began to flow with fear, because within minutes he would be back in his neighbourhood, and a decision had to be made, where to get off. Knowing the area like the back of his hand, he decided that he would get off two stops away from his regular stop, and use the many arteries kids find when they want to sneak around. Using the laneway, he found his favourite hideout, a shed located off of St.Agnes Lane. The shed was perfect, because there was a hole at the back big enough for Jocko to sneak through, with a patch of rhubarb large and tall enough to miss the hole if a police or truant officer would investigate. Once inside the shed, Jocko had the luxury of a small wooden box to sit on, and a wheel barrow which came in handy a few years back when with his jackrabbit speed, managed to lose a truant officer. The truant officer found the shed, but when he looked in, all he saw was the wheel barrow standing on end, with Jocko cuddled within the bucket part.

As the night got darker, and Jocko feeling safer, he roamed the area like a raccoon, and found his good friend Moe sitting on his front steps. Moe was a sensitive friend, and liked Jocko, for his fighting spirit.
Moe, asked, how did you get away from the police? Well Moe, when I was standing at the back door of my sisters house in Cartiertown, her husband Rolland was yapping away, I presumed that he did not like the idea, I was now in his house. That was fine with me Moe, because my mom never had a good word for this man, so he could yap all he wants, I hit the pavement, and the rest his history. What about tonight, what are you going to do? Moe, please don't worry, I have a plan. The shed behind my old house has no lock, so I will sneak in for the night, and leave early the next day. It would not be the first time, he used that shed, for resting, or hiding. Moe, asked me to wait for a minute, and when he returned he had a jacket, here Jocko this will help you keep warm tonight. At about midnight, feeling confident, he worked his way back towards home, using the backstairs, he gingerly reached the second floor, and scooted into the shed. Cardboard already existed on the wooden floor of this eight square foot shed, only because the homeless would use the same shed on rainy or cold nights. This would be a tough night, scared, teary, but happy to be free. Early next morning, Jocko headed towards the Lachine canal, a spot friends often used as a swimming hole. Kept out of sight, with only Moe, knowing where he could be found. The gang brought him some food, and stuck around, all trying to find a solution, so that Jocko could remain in the Point.

Three day's after losing everything, Bill Clahane spotted Jocko coming down Bridge Street. He lived above the Arawana Club with his wife Geraldine, and a bunch of kids, one of which was a good friend of Jocko's, Timmy. An extremely talented family of song and music, all trained by their mom Geraldine.
He called me over, and to my surprise, he said Jocko would you like to go back to school?, I would like to help! Without hesitation, Jocko said no Mr.Clahane. It was obvious to Jocko, that his good buddy Tim talked to his Dad about my predicament, and even though Jocko was only twelve years old, he realized Mr.Clahane's generosity was from his heart. Pointe St.Charles Mothers and Fathers were like that, they protected the neighbourhood kids.

Then one Friday, Moe asked Jocko if he would like to watch the Friday night fights from Madison Square Garden, where he asked?, my uncle's on Wellington streets. Are you sure it's ok Moe, yes, I told him about you, and he told me to bring you along. The only time Jocko looked at a television, was when he would visit the corner Furniture store, and watch en-mute, through a pane of glass. So this night would be special, a first. Jocko never forgot that night, when his buddy Moe introduced Jocko to Mr.Gleason, he was speechless, just thank you, and followed Moe into the television room. The fight was just about to start, and the main event included Rocky Marciano, the heavyweight champions of the world. When told to sit down, Jocko slid under a curio, so that he would not take up a seat on the sofa. What a tremendous night, what a great feeling, and when they needed something at the corner store, Jocko volunteered. Jocko was invited on many other nights to join the Gleason's, and watch Hockey Night in Canada, a sport Jocko excelled at.

Unknown to Jocko, the invitations to the Gleason's was part of the plan to take care of him, and it all started three to four months before November twenty-first, nineteen hundred and fifty three, which would be Jocko's thirteenth birthday. Wheels were working overtime for the benefit of a lost and confused little blond boy. Moe had informed his uncle that Jocko would be placed into a convent, if a decent home was not found. Moe's uncle John Gleason born of Irish decent, was a popular railroad union man, belonged to the Knights of Columbus, and a commissioner of the superior court. Jocko also had Leo Mell, a truant officer on his side. John & Kathleen Gleason lived at 1459 Wellington, some fifteen houses west of his old address. Already a full house, the Gleason's had six daughters, and they adopted two boys not to mention Aunt Maude living under one roof.

One evening, Moe informed me that Mr. Gleason wanted to talk to me, Jocko asked Moe, did I do something wrong?, no he said, he just has some good news for you, and we should go over now.
Moe walked me over to the Gleason's, but did not come up with me, he just said, Mr.Gleason is waiting for you! Good luck. I knocked on the upstairs door, and John Gleason greeted me, and asked that I step into the living room. Is everything Ok, Mr.Gleason?, yes, I have some good news for you. Please sit down. Son, as he would call Jocko so often, would you liked to live with us?, excuse me, would you like to live with us? Mr.Gleason continued and informed Jocko that for awhile now, he has been meeting with the church, the authorities, on my behalf, and would accept the role of Guardian. Would you like to live with us?, flabbergasted, he shrieked out, a yes! He continued by telling me that as soon as Bernice get's married, a place in the house would be available. Meanwhile, he made arrangements with the Miller's and the Fee's for a room, until the wedding. What a relief, and what a great home, the Gleason's on Wellington Street. Tonight you will have a fresh bed waiting for you at the Fee's, don't be scared, ask Moe to bring you over, he is related, and you won't be so shy. He called Kathleen over, and mentioned that Jocko would be moving in after the wedding. She brushed my hair back, and said welcome, son.
Jocko was on cloud nine, so happy, feeling great as he ran into Moe at the cigar store. What happen, don't you know?, I have an idea, but tell me, Jocko waited, and then said, we are almost related, Mr.Gleason is officially my guardian. Great news, moe screamed out, I'm so happy for you. But, now I must find work to pay for my room and board, and Mr.Gleason also told me that he would help with the papers, and if possible even find me a job. Mr.Gleason, suggested that you introduce me to your Aunt Fee tonight, she has a room for me until Bernice get's married. Let's go find the gang, and tell them what happened. Great.

Two weeks latter, Jocko had his papers, and was going for an interview for a job as a messenger boy with an American company located on St.James Street. While sitting at the dinner table, with Mr.Gleason, informed Jocko that he received a call from Mr.Baily, and that you have the job starting November twenty-first, and to be on time for eight thirty in the morning. For a change, good news, good news, and more good news reached Jocko's ear's. He was a proud little boy, and he could not be with a better family, a family with values, not to mention a bath, soap, towels, and a real size bed, with clean white linen.

Approximately two years later, the doorbell rang, and Joan Gleason answered, opening the door, she spotted my mom, and ran towards Jocko, your mom is at the door, we all looked at each other, when Mr.Gleason went to the door, and invited her upstairs. Jocko's mom did not speak English, and said non merci, Jacques sil-vous-plait. Mr.Gleason called me, your mom want to see you downstairs. From the top stairs, I saw her face for the first time, since our eviction. She was so happy to see me, her face so bright and rosy, and the closer I got, the more I could see her wonderful eye's, watery, but so happy. She put down a large brown paper bag on the bottom step, and gave me a hug, something she had not done since the age of eight. How did you find me, Jocko asked, I saw you one night while driving on the tramway car going into this house, so I checked a few more night's, before coming. She asked that I return home with her, and Jocko explained that he was now working, she did not understand, to her I was still a little boy, and needed her care. Jocko changed the subject by asking, what was in the brown bag, clothes she said, I have socks, tee's, shirts, and a pair of pants. She informed Jocko that she lived about twenty minutes from here, and gave me her address. This would be the first of many mutual visits. Jocko thought for a minute, and wondered about his Angel of bond?