A light snowfall heralded a new winter's afternoon in New York City. Fagin sat on the cold ground in an alley behind a convenience store, surrounded by dogs. His appearance -as always- was scruffy, but he now wore a uniform polo shirt for his recently acquired job. It paid a pittance, and the hours were few, but it meant he wouldn't go hungry. On his lunch break, he took the time to check in with his canine pals. The pressure off, Dodger led the gang with boundless energy, enjoying the most comfortable winter season he'd yet known. Though a part of him missed being able to be at his human friend's side at any time of the day, he knew the change had done wonders for Fagin's health and state of mind. Dodger made sure the dogs were no burden, keeping themselves fed and bringing home anything useful they found in the trash.
Fagin plucked out a piece of ham from his sandwich and offered it to Einstein before pulling him into a clumsy hug. "Stay warm, old buddy. Look after him, okay, Dodger?"
Dodger gave a single sharp bark and moved out with a confident swagger, looking back to signal the others to follow, his gaze lingering over Einstein. The Dane was not the young dog he'd once been; his old joints were stiff in the winter air and he was increasingly senile. The whole gang accommodated their senior citizens needs, but it was Dodger whom he'd known the longest, and Dodger who he'd look to. It was a responsibility the mutt took seriously, his carefree persona giving way to protective brother figure.
"Dodge!" called Rita, trotting after him with graceful strides. "You don't mind if I borrow Einy? And Tito, too."
Tito pulled a face, suspicious.
"Sure," said Dodger, "you up to somethin'?"
"I want to get some clothes together to take to Willow and the kid, build up their den a bit," she replied. Willow was her sister, who lived not far from the barge with a young puppy who she'd taken as her own. Rita doted on the little one and was thrilled to be there as a devoted and caring aunt.
Einstein beamed. "I want to help! Can I go and see her with you?"
"So, what? You takin' me to be kid's chew toy?" Tito yapped, bouncing stiff-legged up to Rita.
"What you take me for? No, nothin' like that," she said.
"Eeeyaaaah!" Tito screamed as he flew up through the air and straight back down again. With a bump, he landed on Rita's head. "Yeah, you deserved that, crazy woman!"
Rita shook herself off and looked up to rows of washing that had been hung up to dry in the rare sunshine. "Just grab onto something, Tito. Come on, please! For your niece."
"Hey, she ain't no niece of mine, she's your problem!" Tito darted behind a heavy dumpster.
Einstein reared up with his forepaws against the brick wall, his towering head leaning across to nip at a pair of thick stockings. He was just happy to help and had no qualms about Rita's extended family. "But we don't want the puppy to get cold."
Tito huffed, and Rita, unable to reach in to pull him out, reverted to her original plan of just getting the job done herself. She took a run-up, and pushing off the lid of the dumpster, propelled herself upwards. Her narrow but strong jaws closed around a woollen jumper, which lurched momentarily as the force of her body pulled the line downwards before coming away and dropping to the ground.
"Come on, Tito!" Einstein said, the stockings now wrapped around his head. "It's fun- really!"
Rita stuck her head in the gap to try Tito once more. "No one can get the ones up high, but you. There's a blanket up there. I'd appreciate it… you know she's only little, the weather's gonna be tough on her."
Tito turned around, his expression still somewhat grumpy. He didn't much like Willow, but he wouldn't wish ill on the pup. "All right, woman, but you owe me big!" He crawled out and braced himself.
"Got it," said Rita with a wag of her tail. She looked up to the blanket hanging high above them. "You see it? That one."
"Hey, I can get that- no problem!" Tito said, perking up. Not being forced into being used as a canine missile any longer, the challenge looked fun as Einstein had said.
Rita picked the Chihuahua up by the scruff of the neck and hunkered down low before swinging him upwards and letting go. The tiny dog let out a shout, but this time his teeth connected with the tartan blanket and he hung on tight. The blanket lurched and bounced, but Tito's weight was not enough to pull it loose. Below, Rita and Einstein jumped around, barking encouragement. Tito tugged wildly, sending the washing line swinging all over the place. After a brief struggle, it came down, taking with it a blue onesie that had been pegged beside it. Appearing from the bundle, he howled in triumph.
Rita grinned. "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" She knew from experience that Tito would be difficult for the sake of being difficult, but when push came to shove he'd always lend a paw. "That should do it; we should get outta here before we attract too much attention."
Einstein stood patiently as Rita loaded up their haul onto his back and shoulders. He was tall enough that even the big blanket wouldn't be dragged across the cold, damp ground as they moved through the city.
"Just let me know if you need a little help with that, okay?" she said.
"All right," the Dane replied cheerfully. As always, he was just happy to help.
"All right? Let's go."
Not far from Fagin's barge, a gloomy abandoned warehouse had become a meeting place for street dogs from far and wide. A small few, including Rita's sister, Willow, had made the foreboding building their home. Willow was not a sociable sort and had a prickly demeanour with anyone outside of her inner circle, which was made predominantly up of her old friend, Flash, and her allies from a former gang. Now that she had her young pup, Jellybean, in tow, she felt obliged to make more of an effort, for the kid's sake. Jellybean was as outgoing as her adoptive mother wasn't, and Willow really didn't have much choice in the matter. Her relationship with Rita had been rocky; a roller coaster of deeply hurt feelings, shared trials, and ultimate acceptance and loyalty. The sisters were closer than they had been since they were tiny pups, but to the rest of the gang, Willow remained stand-offish.
The evening cold was well and truly setting in when Rita led Einstein and Tito to the warehouse, which was now buzzing with dogs. In no time at all, Tito had moved smoothly into the gathering and began chatting up a pair of giggling Maltese girls. A little overwhelmed by the crowd, Einstein took Rita's tail in his mouth, ensuring he wouldn't become separated and confused.
Rita's face lit up as her eyes fell on a wriggling white-furred figure that tumbled around the paws of the adults. Willow's adopted daughter, Jellybean was all paws and wrinkles, and there was no doubt that she was the small beginning of what would be a large, powerful dog. Her deeply lined face was split with a wide grin, one that broadened as her eyes met with her aunt's.
"Auntie Rita!" the puppy howled, leading to Willow appearing out from the shadows.
"Hiya, honey, it's good to see you," Rita said, dropping her forepaws to invite the pup to her. It wouldn't have been needed- Jellybean was almost immediately rubbing her face lovingly against Rita's chest and snapping at her fluffy ears.
With the puppy now head-butting a greeting to Einstein, Willow sat by Rita's side, eyeing the bundle of clothes that had fallen to the floor. "You didn't have to bring us anything."
"I know how you feel about stealing," Rita said. "I just saw that blanket and thought it would fit you two perfect. It's not charity, it's just a gift."
Willow felt only genuine affection, without the tint of pity that she'd stubbornly been looking for. "Well, thanks… I guess." She cocked her head. "Lover-boy not with you?"
"It's almost like Dodger's grown on you," said Rita with a knowing smile. "No, I think he was gonna drop by the kid. I love him, he loves me, but I know I can't compete with that kitty."
"Well, at least you're under no illusions," Willow laughed. She'd had her ups and downs with Dodger but had come to look at him with the bemused affection of a reluctant in-law.
Jellybean flopped down at Rita's paws and looked up at her, a silly grin still plastered over her face. "I went out under the bridge today, went in the water," she said. "Mom freaked 'cause it was so cold. But it's just water, right? A kid's gotta go explorin'."
"You," said Willow, "need to do what you're told, little lady. Givin' Flash the slip like that, you know better than that. No way you're dyin' of the shivers on our watch."
Rita pawed the pup's shoulder. "Do what your mama says, all right? I'll take you out to have a splash around sometime, but you gotta wait 'til the season changes."
"Or I could come with you guys?" Jellybean asked. "I know you all go out in the busy parts, ridin' out on cars an' all that. I could do that too."
Willow was quick to jump in. "No way. No way in the world. I know I told you what happens when you get too close to humans."
"But nothin's ever happened to any of them-"
Caught uncomfortably between the pup and her overprotective mother, Rita tried to diffuse things in spite of her own views. "Hon, your mama knows what's best for you, okay?"
"But I wanna hang out with you. You're always busy swipin' off humans, but she won't let me do that."
"I'm sorry, J.B.," said Rita. "You know, there's stuff I can show you round these parts. Einy would like that an' all. We can just take some time to take it easy an' have some fun. Okay with you, Wills?"
Willow shrugged. "If you think you can handle this monkey, be my guest."
"She's no trouble. I know I haven't been around enough- you know how it is in winter." Rita glanced over to Einstein, who'd been pulled into a game of tug with the stockings, Jellybean growling as she hauled back. "He's finding everythin' a little hard these days. It takes a lot of food to keep him goin'- we can't afford to let him get sick, not at his age."
"I get it," said Willow. "You've got nothin' to explain. Let's just get comfortable back there and catch up properly, all right?"
Willow's den was upstairs, and right at the back of the echoey hideout. Away from the hubbub, they could relax, play and talk. Jellybean delightedly arranged her bed with the gifts Rita and Einstein had brought her. An hour or more rolled by, and the pup's sparkle gradually dulled, her need to sleep creeping up on her.
Dodger came through the chewed hole in the door, Francis at his heels. "Hiya ladies… Einstein," he said.
Immediately, Jellybean's bleary eyes shot open. "Hey, Uncle Dodger!" She clumsily crawled forward on her belly, too tired to get up but eager to say hello.
"Hello, Dodger," said Willow wryly. "I hope you know I only just got her to settle down."
"Chill out, Wills, we'll be outta your fur soon enough."
Francis politely wagged his corkscrew tail, though he was apprehensive of Willow. He knew her to be bad-tempered, and unlikely to appreciate having her pup woken. "Salutations, Willow! We apologise heartily for our intrusion- we arrive upon your door to reconvene with our comrades."
Willow shrugged, irritated. "Whatever, buddy, just don't take too long." Jellybean was now playing tug with Dodger's bandanna, still half-asleep but perking up by the second.
"All right. Well, we got food back at the barge, but probably not enough for all of us." Dodger watched Einstein's expression change rapidly from excitement to grave concern. He wrestled Jellybean off his necktie and looked to Rita, a glint in his eye. "Thought you might want to come out with me, and we'd get a bite on our own."
Before Rita could speak, Einstein had to get reassurance. "So, I got food at home, right?" he asked, earnestly.
She gave a laugh. "Go ahead, I'm up for a night out. Did you guys catch Tito?"
"He was a little busy- looked like uh... what's her name?" said Dodger, "I'm sure I saw her round here before, but she ain't a regular. Anyhow, whoever she is, he'd made in impression."
Francis shook his head in exaggerated exasperation. "The night is young, and I fear we will see him little. I do not resent the peace and quiet, but one wonders how I will keep Einstein off Tito's share of dinner."
Eager to fill their bellies, Einstein and Francis retreated from Willow's den, and Dodger patiently waited for Rita to settle her niece back in bed.
Rita lovingly nibbled Jellybean's neck as she lay back down in the folds of her cosy new blanket. "You get some sleep, all right, madam? And I will see you soon." She gave the pup a gentle kiss, and then nuzzled Willow goodbye. As she followed Dodger away, she couldn't stop herself from looking back at little Jellybean, who was flat out on her belly, and now had Willow settling down beside her. They were the picture of contentment, and it was a sight that lifted her.
Out in the city under a moon shrouded with cloud, Dodger and Rita walked side by side, their senses wide awake as the challenge of scoring a meal took them into the hustle and bustle. The two were close friends. Trusted comrades since their puppyhoods, they'd grown into themselves together, and formed the backbone of Fagin's gang of dogs. The past year, and the effect young Oliver had on the stubbornly hard Dodger, had seen a change in their relationship, transforming their bond into a mateship- one of lovers. Both revelled in a life that was footloose and free of chains, and their union was relaxed and easy, with respect for the need for freedom on both sides. When push came to shove, however, they loved one another fiercely, and in moments like this, alone together in the concrete jungle, they were set alight.
The air was cold, and getting colder, which pushed the pair to focus in and seize something hot to warm their bellies. A skilled and experienced team, it was not long before they were chowing down on jerk chicken in the gardens surrounding City Hall. There was enough cover that any human presence was of no significance in their minds, just background noise in their world. An amorous smile on her face, Rita slowly leaned forward and licked the last spots of sauce from Dodger's muzzle. The touch of her whiskers invited a kiss, and he let the yearning take him. The pair sank beneath the cover of brittle winter leaves and settled in for a while.
Coming slowly down from the high her mate had left her in, Rita nuzzled her face in against Dodger's shoulder, appreciating him with each breath he took. Warm from their intimate embrace, she felt close to him, enough to delve into an area they'd skimmed around for so long. "Baby," murmured, her voice gaining strength, "do you ever think about what it might be like if we made a bigger family together. Like… with pups. Yours and mine."
"I know you have," Dodger replied, deflecting. He edged even closer to Rita. Of course, he'd thought about it, but that didn't mean he was sure what his feelings were. "I see you with J.B., you just look happy, in a different way to anything I've known in you before." He paused, feeling her slight tension. She'd been holding onto this for a while, he knew it, and he wanted nothing more than to be with her on this. But he couldn't commit… not yet… there were just too many doubts. Dodger's life was one built on freedom, and fatherhood would be a tie that would either make him or break him. Was he the footloose rogue he portrayed to the world, or the responsible leader pups would need him to be? Could he be both? "I have thought about it," he said finally, "A lot, actually. You'd be a good mom."
"You'd be a good dad."
Dodger blanched. There was the kicker; he wasn't so sure about that.
"Dodge, you would," Rita urged, feeling her partner's doubts. "I understand that it might scare you, but you're so much more than you give yourself credit for. If you don't believe me, ask Oliver."
Turning over so he could look Rita in the face, Dodger appreciated her faith in him. "I can't lie, a big part of me wants to have that with you. It could be the best thing that ever happened to us, but…"
"But it's huge. I get it."
Dodger sighed, wishing he could just say it, just give her confirmation that he wanted to take that step. "Yeah, it's huge. An' you know what my own mom was like; she felt nothin' for me. What if I'm like that? No kid deserves to have that put on 'em."
"If you ask me, that says it all. You're not your mother, and you never have been. Don't worry about it anyhow- I'm not putting pressure on you at all. If it's not what you want, I'm already happy with my life."
For a little while, Dodger said nothing, lost in thought. If he was honest with himself, really honest, he did want to be a father. He'd felt it deep within from that first night Oliver curled up beside him. "I wouldn't a' even thought about it, but since the kid…" he said, "I guess he changed somethin' in me."
Rita yawned. "I don't think so. You've always thought yourself a lot harder than you really are," she said.
"Am I meant to thank you for that?"
Rita just shook herself. "We should get back, that wind's cold." She got to her feet and shook herself once more. The chill was worse for leaving Dodger's side, but the sooner she faced the cold night, the sooner she'd be tucked up in bed.
They walked home, close enough that their sides brushed together, neither saying a lot. Rita was quietly content. The conversation had been a long time coming, but it had been easy. The seed had been planted now, and what would be, would be.
The stairs creaked under Dodger's paws as he led the way down into the barge.
"You're missing a good one, you two!" called Fagin, looking up from a storybook. Francis and Einstein were listening in at his feet, and Tito sat atop his shoulder.
Rita strolled by and greeted her human friend with a lick to the hand, wishing him a goodnight. She preferred to wind down in the comfort of her bed but could not retire without giving Fagin a bit of love first. She arranged her blankets and settled down, still riding a high from her evening with Dodger. While Fagin continued to read aloud, she zoned in and out, contemplating their last conversation before heading home. Parenthood, for the first time, felt like a plausible future for her… for them. Determined not to give it too much thought, not wanting to get ahead of herself, she focused back on Fagin and the story until Dodger walked by her.
"It's cold tonight," she said. "Sleep with me?"
Dodger gave his tail a single wag and looked at her with a tired smile. "Absotively, babe. What am I here for?"
It took just a few moments for them to arrange themselves; Dodger often shared Rita's bed when the cooler weather hit, and he knew how to tuck into the draped bed just so, letting his mate spoon his wire-furred form.
Dodger closed his eyes, like Rita, only half-listening as Fagin's voice lulled their companions to sleep. "Hey, Rit… 'bout your question earlier. I'm thinkin'… just, maybe."
