Page 21 of Red's Peril: Part 1

With that thought in mind, I leave the bar and start walking the short distance to the motel. When I reach my bike, I hear the sound of multiple motorbikes. Pausing, I turn my head, then sink back into the shadows.

Hardened men in formation ride past me. A motorcycle gang by the looks of them, all wearing leather cuts.What do they say?Ah, yes,Satan’s Devils MC.I shudder. I’ve heard about biker gangs and never had any inclination to join them. They treat their women abysmally from what I’ve heard and earn money running drugs and guns. Not the kind of group I’d want to be associated with, even if I do admire some of their bikes. I wait until they’ve all gone past, then emerge into the light and take the room key out of my pocket.

I might ride a bike, but I’ll never be a member of an outlaw club. Uh-uh. No way.

Once secure on the inside of the door, I strip off, venture into the bathroom and stare into the mirror.Tucson,I remind myself once more, the thought of where I could be this time tomorrow erasing thoughts of the probably murderous bikers from my mind.

Feeling I’m truly beginning my future, I go to bed with a smile on my face for the first time since Cheryl and I had parted. Now I’ve a place to head for, there’s no room for regrets about her anymore. Or that’s what I tell myself.

Tucson.

I might be out of my mind, but for some reason the place I’ve never been and which I know nothing about, doesn’t just start calling to me, it’s screaming into my ear.

It’s early morning when I awake and rise. Shivering in the chill of the morning, I treat myself to a scalding shower, then venture out to grab some breakfast. It’s only seven by the time my stomach and bike are both topped off. A quarter of an hour later, I’m leaving Pueblo in my rearview.

And wouldn’t you know I’ve made it just in time? There’s a light snow falling, not settling, but not boding well for those bikers I saw last night.

I grin, face into the wind, and think that by the end of the day, I’ll be in the desert, and winter riding a thing of the past.

Shoving down the thought that I miss having warm arms around me, I twist my throttle and settle in for the ride. When I finally cross into Arizona, for some inexplicable reason, I feel like I’m coming home. I grin as a hawk swoops down, flying alongside me for a moment. It seems like an omen. When it tilts its wings and soars away into the heavens above, it’s as though I’ve been welcomed. This is my time now. A chance to live for myself, to do things right.

I feel lighter than I have in months, scrap that, years. Although I still regret not having Cheryl beside me, I vow to put thoughts of her behind me. The world’s my oyster as the saying goes, and there’s no one but me to fuck my chances up.

Hey!Will you look at that?I grin as I see one of the cacti that must have formed the backdrop for numerous westerns I’d watched with my dad. What are they called? Ah, yes, saguaro. The sight’s certainly not like any I’ve seen in the flesh before and represents the warmer climate I’ve been seeking.

Yeah, that old guy was right. Arizona’s warm, bike friendly, and a good place to stop.

Chapter Eight

After a long day on the road, my only thought when I finally reach my destination is to find a place to crash, quickly followed by somewhere to eat. Tired and aching after my longest ride to date, I stop at the first chain motel I find.

It’s cheap, basic, but will do the job. This time, however, I book myself in for a few days. Apart from visiting the nearest place to fill my stomach and wet my throat, I don’t take much notice of my surroundings, and am almost asleep before I drop into bed.

It’s different when I wake the next day with feelings of excitement and anticipation throbbing inside me.What will I find when I step out of the door?

Before I leave my room, I flick through some leaflets which have been left for tourists. I grin when I see there’s the Old Tucson film studio here, especially when I read on and find a lot of the programs I used to watch as a kid were filmed there.Little House on the Prairie,would you fuckin’ believe it? Loads of films too. That’s somewhere I’d like to go and explore. Then there’s Tombstone, not too far from here. A desert life museum, well, I’m not too certain I want to get up close and personal with some of the native creatures, but whatever, it looks like I won’t be at a loss for entertainment.

But first, I’ve got to get my priorities straight. If I don’t get employment, I won’t be staying here long.I’ll be returning with my tail between my legs to Manny.

Back home, everything that had seemed easy feels daunting now. A moment’s hesitation hits me as I go out to my bike. Will I really be so lucky as to walk into a job? Good mechanics are needed everywhere, aren’t they?

Of course, they are,I reassure myself.

As I treat myself to a fortifying breakfast, I decide to drive around, stop at any auto-shops I come across and see if any have an opening. I prefer to work on bikes rather than cars if I have my choice, but beggars can’t be choosers. After I’ve got a steady paycheck in my hand, I can look around for something else. Once nourished, I head down into the city. The temperature is in the low seventies.T-shirt weather,I think with a grin. As I ride through the streets, I realise my pale skin will stick out like a sore thumb. Everyone I pass has a decent tan.

Tucson isn’t an intimidating city, there are no huge skyscrapers, and the business area seems to be concentrated in just a few blocks. Housing developments, many single story, sprawl out into the surrounding area. Leaving my exploration for later, I spy a sign to an auto-shop, and head off in that direction.

Having made my enquiries and having had no success, I tell myself I’d be too lucky to walk into a job immediately. The second’s also a bust, and the third, and I start to have misgivings about just how easy it will be to find work. I didn’t even have a chance to offer up my credentials. However impressive they might be, it’s no good if there are no vacancies.

Maybe I need to rethink my plans. It’s money I need, not necessary fulfilment in the short term. Surely, someone, somewhere will be hiring. Even if I end up stacking shelves, it will help boost my dwindling money.

I’ve cash in my pocket to last awhile, all thanks to Manny, and I’ve only been looking for one morning. Maybe I should just relax and enjoy myself for a few hours.

Ah, look there. It’s a Harley store, a mecca for all things biker. I don’t need anything, but maybe they’ll have an opening, or at least know someone who’s hiring. I can while away some time looking at parts. Maybe a lightweight jacket for myself. The one I brought with me is far too heavy.

Pulling up in the designated area for customer motorcycles, I turn off the engine, take off the half-helmet I’m now wearing, slide off my gloves and place my shades in my pocket. Looking up at the unbroken blue sky above, I remind myself, this is what I travelled so many miles for. It was worth it.

Under my feet, the ground is dusty and dry.My kind of place.In more than one way, winter has been put behind me. I start swinging my leg over the seat when a massive roar reaches my ears. Completing my move, now standing on two feet, I see half a dozen bikes pull in around me.

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