Chapter 2: A treat before the open road.
Walking up to the store front Joe asks the most obvious question. “Now how the blazes do you plan to ride that motorcycle with a pig?”
“A man of many talents I am Joe” proclaims Loki.
“I will just have to keep my knees up when I start, & as I ride, keep one hand on him untill he gets used to it. Later on i’ll have to look for a side car for him. Though for now, gonna get something to chomp on before the road.”
Loki continues as he walks into the store.
Opening the door, Mr.Pig & him are hit with the usual blast of cold air aimed at keeping bugs from flying inside.
Heading to the beer cooler, Loki yells out ” wheres the honey buns?” To an unseen clerk.
“Back of first isle.” A womans voice responds.
Pulling out the six pack of Budweiser longnecks, Loki follows up with a request for peanut butter.
“Same isle.”
Turning around to see who is responsible for this voice. There behind the counter , stood smiling a beautiful brunette.
Realizing he had been staring a second to long, Loki shakes his head & walks towards the rack with the honey buns. Grabbing the edge of two packages. Then grabs a small jar of peanut butter.
Sitting piggy pig on the counter near the microwave. Loki sits down the beer along with the honey buns & peanut butter.
As he opens the jar, his concentration is broken by the clerks question about piggy pigs names. “What are you naming him?”
“Ah, piggy pig is a bit to little girlish; so I am just leaning toward Mr.Pig.”
The little piglet pushes the honey bun around with his snout.
Loki grabs one & opens it.
Using a pocket knife , to spread peanut butter onto the honey bun. The task proving more difficult due to Mr.Pigs attempt to attack the honey bun.
Akwardly spreading the peanut butter onto the honey bun, while trying to elbow away Mr.Pig. All to the amusement of the clerk.
Before Mr.Pig can clamp his chompers down on it, Loki gets it in the microwave. Setting it on 10 seconds high.
The smell of it heating up causes Mr.Pig to make a bee line towards the microwave.
While Mr.Pig attempts to sort out the way into the microwave Loki opens one of the Budweisers. Taking a long draw on the bottle, feeling the chilled liguid going down into his stomach. Finishing the drink with a satisfied ‘aahhhh’. Shortly followed by the ‘DING’ of the microwave.
Pulling the warm bun out, Loki takes a bite. As he chews & enjoys the flavor, Mr.Pig gets a bite.
Washing it down with a swig of Budweiser the clerk yells out,”Oh my god. You arent going to eat it with the pigi?”
Loki looks at her as if there is something wrong with her conclusion. “Hell yeah.”
As he takes another bite of the honey bun. Mr.Pig keeps nodding his head, opening & closing his mouth, like a fish out of water. Laughing, the clerk asks “what is he doing?”
“Ah, its just the peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth.”
Loki grabs Mr.Pigs snout & slowly pours beer into his mouth.
“Now you’re giving him beer!?”
“Yeah, Because you Deserve what every individual should ever recieve. Aint that right Mr.Pig?”
Mr.Pig responds by licking the beer that spilled onto the counter.
“A Pig after my own heart”: Loki declares in a mock toast.
Grabbing some papertowels Loki cleans up the mess. Throwing the wrapper & towels into the trash. Then he puts the remaining beer under one arm, Mr.Pig under the other.
Heading to the counter to pay for all, he asks for a Black & Mild cigar.
As she turns & walks to the back to grab one. Loki & Mr.Pigsee her for the first time from the waist down.
Mr.Pig lets out a couple quick grunts. “Yeah, I agree.” Replies Loki in a slow drawn out way.
Looking up right as the clerk throws the cigar at him.
He catches it , while dropping the beer on the counter.
“Which one is Mr.Pig now?” She asks with a smirk.
Laughing, Loki defends himself as he looks down towards Mr.Pig. “We just share an appreciation for the finner things in life, aint that right pig?”
Mr.Pig stretchs his snout to rub it against Lokis beard , letting out a sharp ‘oink.’
“Need 3$ on pump 1.”
Confused by such a small number , she stands on her toes to look out the window. Seeing the motorcycle “Oh, nice bike.”
“Yeah I just got it.”
Asking the question of the day. “How are you going to ride a motorcycle with a pig?”
“Sit him between my legs &just kind of raise my knees up a bit. Once he gets used to the sound & vibrations. He will relax. Atleast I hope.”
“I’m Loki, whats your name?”
“Nancy.”
“So where ya heading” she asks while bagging the items.
“East coast. Philly area.”
Heading Loki his change back. Nancy smiles then wishes him a safe journey.
Heading back outside Loki feels the warm air wash over him from the evening heat. Catching himself automatically looking to the left & right. A wasted effort to search for someone not there.
“Will you hold Mr.Pig while I fill up the tank & strap this other stuff down.”
One reaches out for Mr. Pig.
Compacting the items in the bag, so as to make it small Loki ties it all down on to the handlebar mount. Unscrewing the fuel cap, Loki asks about any motels in the area.
“Up the road about 10 miles is a nice little motel.” Joe explains while pointing in the direction to go.
“Guess I was heading in the right direction.” Loki proclaims while pumping the fuel.
With everything tied down. Fuel pumped. Loki climbs onto the bike cranking the cc Super Sport engine. Bringing the customized motorcycle to life. The rumble of the engine echoing through the valley.
Reaching back for Mr.Pig, loki says goodbye. “Nice to meet ya Joe.”
Letting go of Mr.Pig Joe nods his head.” You too. Drive safely & good luck with the pig.”
Suprizingly Mr.Pig settles right in. Laying his chin on the tank. Curled up in Lokis lap. Putting it into gear. Loki eases out of the station. Looking to the right, he sees Simone jumping up & down waving goodbye. Her voice piercing through the growl of the engine.
“Bye Mr.Loki! Bye piggy pig.”
Mr.pig rises his head up to investigate & then curls back up. Loki waves to her as he eases onto the highway.
Next chapter.
Chapter 3- The start of a journey.