Visions (Hell Portals, Book One)

Chapter Nine: Phyllis the Evil Surgeon-Bitch

THE BOYS CHECKED OUT OF THE MOTEL AND SADDLED UP THEIR INDIANS. The rain had subsided, which made them both feel better about the ride. They weren't sissy-boys about riding in the rain, but it sure was a lot more pleasurable when not getting pelted by cold, hard rain. They geared up, gave each other the thumbs up, and brought their engines to life. It was turning into a good day for a ride, even though they both felt a sense of dread when it came to having to go see Jack's mom. Was she about to die? Be attacked by demons? A number of possibilities crossed both of their minds but they didn't discuss it. They just knew what the next move was, to ride to Santa Cruz and see what they would find. At least it wasn't a major diversion from the ride to San Francisco. And maybe they could take in some beach action while they were there. Jack was certain Nate would like to see the ocean. At least that was something to look forward to.

Getting onto Highway 89 the guys kicked up the speed. The highway was nice and curvy the way they liked it. As they rode, the clouds started burning off and with the cool mountain air the ride was glorious. For a time the guys even forgot about the scary things they had been up against recently, and the even scarier things they would most likely find ahead. It was just the road, the curves, the air, and the thunderous sound of their engines. Pure heaven. Green rolling foothills, quaint old barns and homes, and lots of cows and pastures. This was the life. Or in their case, the death.

I-5 wasn't as nice as 89, but kicking back on their bikes and cruising the straight highway with cruise control was a pleasure in its own right. The further south they traveled, the warmer it got.

Fueling up at a gas station in Castle Crag, the guys bought some Coke and chips and took a break, sitting on their bikes admiring a busload of hotties that looked like a college cheer squad on their way to some kind of over-the-top, school-spirit competition.

A few of the girls waved and catcalled the guys, which made them feel real good for sure. As the bus pulled away, a blond, sassy-looking cheerleader even raised her t-shirt for the guys, flashing a perky set of 19-year-old breasts. "Oh my god, I love you!" was the only thing Nate could say as he smiled his charming smile and blew her a kiss.

"If we didn't have standing orders to check on my mom, I'd want to follow that titty-bus, dude." Jack said with high-school-boy enthusiasm.

"True that my man, true that." Nate agreed.

* * *

Pulling up to Jack's mom's house, Jack was nervous. He had mixed feelings. He hadn't talked to her in a couple months, after they had traded some uncomfortable words about his deciding to quit his position at the software company, liquidate his assets, buy motorcycles and get ready for Jack and Nate's Big Adventure.

Jack's mom had been unhappy about his choice and had expended zero effort to hide it. Jack wasn't used to hearing her yell and cry and cry and yell, not since he was perhaps in high school, too many years ago to keep track of. But this choice of his had bothered her to the extent that she reverted to verbal and emotional diarrhea. And that kind of diarrhea, coming from a little, sweet 74-year-old woman was just not pretty. Her shaky voice, her words descending to the level of a shipyard-worker—it was just plain ugly and depressing for Jack.

In her opinion (which was always the correct one of course) he was making many bad choices. She'd always been against riding motorcycles—that choice was enough to send her over the edge all on its own. She pictured Jack's brains splattered on the road and worse. Jack grinned as he realized her fears had not been without merit, as he had just a few days ago been decapitated in a motorcycle accident. Life has a fucking sense of humor, he thought.

Then there was the idea of quitting his job. He had certainly been successful at software engineering, rising to senior-level and making some sweet bank. Why on earth would he leave such a good career for what, a buddy-ride across the country? What a foolish thing to do. It didn't make any sense to her and that was obviously deeply troubling.