Meetings

Balto sighed as he stretched out beside the stove. He had finally persuaded his pups to take an afternoon nap, and that gave him time to sleep as well. He'd been unable to fall asleep last night, forcing him to rely on whatever bits he could snatch during the day. Even then, he was often plagued by his mysterious dreams. He managed, but the trick was convincing the pups that it was they, and not he, who needed the sleep. He wouldn't have had a problem if Aleu wasn't so quick on her paws. She was able to counter every argument he'd ever tried with them. He allowed himself a small smile. A chip off the old block. At least with visitors coming today, he'd had an excuse to make them to take a nap. Why couldn't they have company more often? Speaking of which, I'd hate for our future guests to see me with bloodshot eyes. He yawned and laid his head down. Finally, peace and quiet.

Just then, he heard the front door open and he stifled a groan. He closed his eyes tightly. Why did these things happen just when he was trying to doze off? "It's not fair!"

"What's not fair?" Jenna asked, walking into the room.

Balto opened his eyes. "Every time I try to get some sleep, something always happens, that's what's not fair. I might as well give up sleeping altogether." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I didn't sleep well last night, and it takes a lot of energy to just keep up with the pups."

"I understand, but try to put on a smile. The human is here, and he's brought three dogs with him."

"And that is part of the problem," he said to himself as he raised his head.

Jenna arched an eyebrow. "Balto, be good. I know of a puppy who is dying to meet you."

Puppy? Balto's face fell."We've got enough as is. You never said anything about a puppy."

Jenna smiled sardonically. "You never asked."

"Wonderful. I guess I don't need my ears anyway."

"I think this pup's a bit past the ear-chewing stage."

"Well, that's one bit of good news." Balto sighed. "We don't have to wake our pups yet, do we?"

Jenna shook her head. "When they're soundly asleep for once? You've got to be kidding."

Balto grinned. "Time for Balto, Savior of Nome and Hero of All, to make his grand entrance."

Jenna snorted. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you weren't a half-wolf."

"What do you mean by that?" Balto asked.

"Just that I'd say you're all ham. I think you enjoy attention more than you let on."

"That, my dear Jenna, you'll never know," Balto said with a smile.

"Just keep thinking that," Jenna said as they walked toward door leading from the kitchen to the entryway. She stopped at the doorway and nodded toward the hall. "Your public awaits."

Balto took a deep breath and stepped through the door.


Chipper was so excited that he was talking in run-on sentences as he waited in the foyer with his parents. He knew he was rambling, but he didn't care. He was actually going to meet a hero. Jenna had just stepped out of the room, saying that she was going to find Balto. Just think, before long, he'd be able to meet the famous Balto. Jenna had already told him and his family all about the diphtheria epidemic and everything related to it, including a brief rundown about the Serum Run from her perspective. When Chipper heard that Balto wasn't initially put on the team, he'd been shocked. But when he'd asked why the fastest dog in Nome wasn't chosen in the first place, Jenna had hedged around the question without really answering it. A look from Dash had told him to drop the subject, but the question was still plaguing his mind as they waited.

He sighed impatiently and looked at his father. "Jenna's been gone for a long time, Dad. When are we going to meet Balto?"

"She's been gone for three minutes," Dash said. "You just have to be patient, son. I'm sure it won't be much longer, and pacing the floor won't speed things up any more."

"I can't help it," Chipper said. "I wonder what's keeping him."

"Can I help you?" a voice asked from behind him.

He turned around to see who the newcomer was but yelped and jumped halfway behind his father. The rest of his family was likewise startled. "It's a . . . it's a . . . it's a . . ." he stammered.

"Wolf?" the newcomer asked, a wry grin on his face.

The pup nodded in speechless shock. Dash was studying the strange canine carefully while Aurora stepped protectively in front of Chipper.

"Don't worry, I don't bite. I was told that you wanted to meet me. The name's Balto."

"You're Balto?" Dash asked.

Balto nodded. "The one and only. Who did you think I was? A wolf?"

Aurora finally recovered. "Aren't you?"

"Only half," Balto said with a short laugh.

"Only half?" Chipper asked.

Balto looked at Jenna. "Do they always repeat everything?"

Jenna frowned. "Balto."

"Sorry, Jenna," Balto said with a sheepish grin.

"Is that why you weren't put on the sled team right off?" Chipper asked. "You look like a wolf?"

"Chipper!" Aurora admonished. "Don't be rude."

"It's an honest question!" Chipper risked a glance at Balto and saw that the wolf-dog was flexing his jaw muscles. "Isn't it?" he asked nervously.

Balto nodded slightly. "Yes, but you're the first I've ever met with the guts to come right out and ask. I'll tell you the whole story later, but in the future you shouldn't run the sled with the runners frozen."

"Huh?" Chipper asked in puzzlement.

"Sorry. I forgot that you don't know anything about sledding. I think another way to phrase it is 'a little tact goes a long way.' If you plan on exploring Nome, I'd keep that in mind if I were you. But in any case, don't worry. Half-wolves don't eat everyone when we first meet them."

Chipper winced. "I didn't mean it that way."

Dash cleared his throat. "I apologize for our . . . surprise at seeing you. We weren't exactly informed that you were part wolf." He looked past Balto at Jenna.

Jenna shrugged. "You didn't ask. I could've told you that Balto and I were a bit more than casual acquaintances, too, but I think the best way to judge one's character is to test their reaction to an unexpected situation. It's a pretty reliable assessment."

"I assume we passed this . . . test?" Dash asked dryly.

"You didn't attack me and you didn't run out the door. Well within acceptable standards," Balto said with an apologetic smile. "So how many humans are with you?"

"Only one right now," Dash answered. "But if things work out, our human's mate and baby will be joining him."

"Baby?"

Dash nodded. "Two years old, I believe."

Balto looked dispiritedly at Jenna. "Like I was saying, I don't need my ears anyway. Or my eyes, or my tail, or my . . . ouch!" He yelped when Jenna's paw slammed down on his. "Or my paw. What was that for?"

"What is it you're always telling our pups about judging others?" Jenna asked.

"Oh, don't worry about Micky," Chipper interrupted. "He's gentle with everyone. He never pulls ears, or tails, or fur. He does like to play, though."

"Well," Balto said doubtfully, "I suppose I can handle that."

"You said that you were 'more than casual acquaintances,' " Aurora said, changing the subject. "And from your mention of 'pups,' I assume you have some of your own?"

Jenna smiled. "Six, as a matter of fact. One month old yesterday. They're asleep right now, but you'll be able to meet them a bit later."

"Uh, on the subject of puppies," Balto said, "one of our daughters looks more like . . . me than her mother, and none of them know that I'm part wolf, if you take my meaning. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention that when you meet them. "

"Of course," Dash said, glancing at his son. Chipper nodded.

Balto cleared his throat. "He is past the ear-chewing stage, isn't he?" he asked, nodding at Chipper. The pup looked embarrassed.

Jenna looked hopelessly at the ceiling. So much for tact the great lesson on tact.

"Long past," Dash laughed. "And thank goodness for that."

"But he still has plenty of energy when he's not tired," Aurora said pointedly.

Jenna winced. "I'm sorry. I never even thought to ask if you wanted to rest after your journey."

"Don't worry about it," Dash said, stifling a yawn. "But if you could show us where we can bed down, we'd be obliged to you."

"The kitchen is the warmest room in the house. I think you'll be comfortable there. If you'll follow me, please."

"So," Balto said once Jenna returned. "Shall we check on the humans?"

Jenna chuckled. "What is it you are always telling the pups about eavesdropping?"

Balto cleared his throat. "'Eavesdropping is a bad habit. It'll just make you and everyone else mad.' That's why I'm not going to eavesdrop. I'm simply going to listen in and gather information."

Laughing, the two dogs walked into the livingroom where the visiting human was talking to Rosie and her parents. They arrived just in time to hear the visiting human say, "So when do I get to meet this famous dog of yours, Rosie?"

"Anytime you want to," Rosie said cheerfully. Balto gave a low bark and Rosie looked at him. "There he is right now."

"Speak of the Devil," Rosie's father muttered to himself. Despite having the wolf-dog living with them for over two years, he'd never gotten used to Balto's wolf-like ability to slip in unnoticed when he was the topic of discussion. Whether it was intelligence or mere coincidence, he had no idea.

The man looked to the doorway. When he saw Balto, he rose halfway to his feet and uttered a startled gasp. "That is Balto? He looks like a . . ."

Rosie's father held up his hands. "I know he looks a bit wolfish, but he's only half-wolf. Near as we can tell, anyway. Don't worry, he's quite tame."

"I read that they're a bit temperamental," the man said.

"Nonsense. Balto's as gentle as a lamb," Rosie's mother replied rubbing Balto's ears. The wolf-dog rumbled with pleasure.

"You're sure he's safe?" the man asked.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ramsey," Rosie's father said. "You're safer around Balto than you would be around many purebreds."

Hesitantly, the man held out an open hand to Balto, only to jerk it back when Balto started to grab the proffered hand between his teeth. "I thought you said he was safe!" the man exclaimed.

"He is," Rosie said indignantly. "That's just his way of saying he likes you. He's not going to bite you or nothin'. Now you've hurt his feelings."

Ramsey looked beside his chair, but the wolf-dog had vanished. Wonderful. I'm staying in a house with an oversensitive, manic-depressive wolf who can sneak up on me. I just hope he doesn't carry a grudge. And that he's had a rabies shot.

Rosie's eyes narrowed. "Balto's not like that. He's nice."

Did I say that out loud? "I'll keep that in mind," Ramsey said uncertainly.

"Calm down, Rosie," her mother said. "I'm sure Mr. Ramsey didn't mean anything bad about Balto."

Rosie nodded, but still regarded him with mixed suspicion and reserve. Well, so much for first impressions. "I'm sorry to leave such pleasant company, but I really need to rest up for tomorrow. If you would please show me where I can sleep, I'd appreciate it."


"Don't worry, Balto. I'm sure you're making a mountain out of a snowdrift."

"He pulled away, Jenna."

"You startled him, that's all. What would you do if you didn't know me and I lunged at you?"

"I didn't lunge. Besides, other dogs do the same thing sometimes. Face it, Jenna, I look like a wolf, so he was frightened. Any human who mistrusts wolves is bound to be trouble for them."

"You can't be sure he'll be trouble, just like you can't be sure that he mistrusts you," Jenna said. "Perhaps he was simply startled. Besides, I've warned you about doing that to humans. Even if it is a sign of affection, some humans are just a bit surprised when you do it. You know that. Some come around."

"But many don't. You know that. I could see it in his eyes, Jenna." And it could mean trouble for Kemo and the others if my suspicions about this man are correct. He laid his head on his paws resignedly. "I've got a bad feeling about this whole situation."