Chapter 10
Author's Note: A final song in this chapter is Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood and the music video of this song is inspired for this chapter. Also another song You'll be in My Heart by Phil Collins.
As the months turn into a year, Bella and I were like every other couple. I entered the work field for Sales on trading and camping goods. My wife would be times a stay a home wife and partially work at as a newspaper editor. Usually days after hard work, my wife and I would stargaze out towards the woods and listen to wolves howling in the night.
Every night when we're in bed and my wife is asleep, I would go outside and pray for family's health and safety, importantly Balto's health since he was aging.
A rustle was made from the bushes and it was the man again.
"I see you're blessed." He said.
"I am." I replied.
He smiled back. "You prayed for your family, your wife, and your own spiritual health and future."
I nodded. "I'll be watching over you and your family."
He was starting to leave towards the woods. "Wait!"
I yelled and He stopped. "I never get to ask your full name."
He turned. "I'm the Great I Am, The Alpha and Omega, The Savior... Jesus Christ."
I smelled. "Thank you for forgiving me and saving me."
He smiled back. "You worry about your father?"
My smiled lightly fades. "I'm just worried for his health."
"You know he'll be with Me with his mother when his time comes. You'll be with Me with your father when your time comes. Remember." he stated.
I decided to agree and he disappears.
In a normal March day, I worked hard like any other day and I came home. My wife was overjoyed while reading the papers.
"We're getting the New Deal!" she shouted.
She ran towards me and hugged.
"Times are started to change." I said.
"Tons of people were getting onto our papers today." she said while handing me the Anchorage Daily Times newspaper.
I looked and read through the headlines about FDR's New Deal program. I could think about before deciding to heading to Nome. I knew I had a better job rather than picking grapes.
"I'm sure our country is going back on it's feet, other than we're in the Alaskan Territory." I recalled.
She chuckled and walked back into the kitchen. "Anything else happened?"
"Business is still good and no complaints." I answered. I walked towards the kitchen and sat on a chair looking through a pile of mail.
"Anything else in the mail?" I asked.
"I don't know... but I did saw there's a letter for you, but I didn't open it." Bella answered.
I looked through the pile and saw a postage stamp. A mail came for me from Duke. I never thought I could hear anything from since we first met. I opened the envelope.
Dear Bret,
I know we haven't spoken with each other so much, especially when you came to Nome. Hopefully everything is going well with you and your beautiful wife of yours. (I paused for a moment to quietly laugh.) The reason why I need to write this letter to you is that Balto is been ill for sometime. He had a little problem from breathing and he was taken in by the doctors. Just recently, we received the news from them that he has a stroke and he was also getting old. The doctors wanted to euthanize him, but I know he couldn't just be put to sleep without seeing you one more time. Please come soon as possible!
Sincerely Yours Duke.
After reading the letter, I was incredulous that I dropped the letter on the floor. Bella walked back only to see me staring at the cabinets.
"Bret... are you seeing a ghost or something?" she asked.
I looked back. "Dad's dying."
"You mean Balto?!" she said.
I nodded. Her hand covered her mouth and came to my side and sat next to me. "What happened?"
"I knew something was going to happen, I should have done something sooner. He had a stroke and he's under care by the doctors back in Nome." I answered.
She was in shock and gave me a hug. "What are you going to do?"
I sighed. "I need to see him, before the doctors could put him to sleep."
Bella gave me a kiss and put her hand onto my cheek. "Go see him. I'll let your co-workers know what has happening."
I couldn't thank her enough since she came back to me. I decided to pack some of my things and started head towards the door. Before I opened the door, I looked to see my wife smile with nod.
"I love you." I said.
"I love you too." she replied back.
"I'll write when I have some news." I said. I opened the door and closed and caught a small taxi cab to the station. As I was in the cab, the driver drove to the direction I ask him to take me. I just stared out the passenger windows and watch others live on.
Little boy, six years old
A little too used to bein' alone
Another new mom and dad, another school
Another house that'll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face
"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows in rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary home."
After seeing the small boy with a new family, I smiled back at them and waved. They did the same. Seeing them as a picture of a family reminds me being with different families until Balto took me as he's own.
Flashback begins
As I read the release discharge, I looked at Balto and Jenna with a smile.
"I guess we could forget being friends and become related." I said.
Balto chuckled with a nod. "I never had a human son, but I'll be proud to have one."
"As would I as well." Jenna added.
I bend my knees and the trio of us hugged outside the steps towards the hospital. "Let's go home."
Flashback ends
The cab stops and I arrived at the station. I purchased a ticket to outside Nome as it was only a few hours to get there. I finally aboard the train and I was able to have a empty seat beside me.
Don't worry, you'll see your father. The voice came. I knew who it was and I knew I was going to see him in Nome or someday.
During the train ride, I could see snow falling down outside and the snow was covering the fields and trees. I decided to have a good sleep before arriving to Nome.
Flashback begins
Balto was surprised for a family reunion of his own liter of pups that are now grown. I could remember the first time I met with Aleu. She was light grey unlike her father, but she does have his eyes and personality. She told me how she became a leader, starting since she thought she was going to be adopted until finding out from her father she's part wolf.
Along with others I had a good decent pleasure of meeting with Saba and Dingo. The pups and I decided to have a race on the sandy shores of Nome where their father has lived. I could even get tired once in while that their old man would have to tag Balto to join in. Also, before the day was over I even had the honor to race with him myself. As Jenna and her owner Rosie, whom I also met, where at the finishing spots. After we ran past them, it was I like to call a fair tie, better than racing him through the alleys when I turned into a wolfdog.
Flashback ends
A sudden slow movements to a stop, I woke up from a great dream of memories. I got off the train with my belongings and decided to find another cab. Like back in Anchorage, I watched others live on with their lives, as I started to feel back at home.
Young mom on her own
She needs a little help got nowhere to go
She's lookin' for a job, lookin' for a way out
'Cause a half-way house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
Someday we'll find a place here in this world
"This is our temporary home
It's not where we belong
Windows in rooms that we're passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where we're going
I'm not afraid because I know this is our
Temporary Home."
Seeing a mother with her daughter reminds me times that I first arrived at a meat shop to be a hunter. Unfortunately, it didn't go well as I told about this before, but I managed to work with Mr. Connor, Simpson, and Duke. The driver pulls up to the streets of Nome. I paid the driver and got out of the cab and walked a few houses down.
At least I took the time to write a brief letter to Bella to let her know that I arrived safe, back in the post office. Afterwards, I thought it would be suiting to head to the hospital where my father is under care. I entered the hospital I could see his family was there including some of the townspeople that I knew including Duke.
"I never thought it'll be a welcoming community in a time like this." I said to Duke.
"Only in a better time." he said.
"How is he?" I asked.
He shook his head. "He may not make through the night, it's a good thing that you're here."
The doctor came in told me what had happened and Balto's current condition. He also said if the doctor's don't put him to sleep, they'll never know how long he'll last. He told to me stay in the room with him and say my goodbyes.
Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers don't cry for me
I'll see you all someday
He looks up and says "I can see God's face"
The doctor opened the door and I could see Jenna was beside. She in tears as she was saying her farewell to her mate and lover. I gave her a hug as she nuzzled me and left the room to have a last father to son moment. I see him partially sleeping in a warm bed he has never had. I even notice he still has his old blanket with him. I set my suitcase to aside and walked to his bedside. I found a chair nearby and set it by his bed so I could sit.
"Dad?" I gently pet him with a slow shake.
He slowly opens his eyes. "Bret?"
I smiled as I started fill my eyes with tears. "Hi dad." I got up gave him a hug.
"It's been very long." he said.
"It has been." I recalled.
"And..." he started to grunt a little from pain. "You came back."
"Oh father, I had to see you... I should have took care of you before I left. I'll be here and I'll never leave you." I added.
He chuckled. "I know you wouldn't. I wanted to wait. It'll be difficult for you, as I leave without seeing me."
"Thank you papa." I thanked him.
"Jenna... she's still here?" he looked around.
"She is and everyone is here." I answered.
Balto sighed as his time was near. I placed my hand on one of his front paws and held it firmly.
"I love you son." he said.
"I love you too dad." I said as I lean over and kissed him, a tear fell on him. He laughed.
"I remember my tear fell on you." he recalled. I laughed.
"I can't let you leave." I begged. "You're the only father I had and I would have be lost without you."
He lift up and nuzzled me as I hugged him back.
"You have a guitar on you?" he said.
I nodded and I went to grab my suit case which is filled with small amount of clothing and a guitar. "Remember we used to sing the song we sang a year back?"
"I could give some last singing in me left." he joked.
I started to strum some chords on the guitar. I started to cry as I knew I would lose him forever until I see him again. He saw me crying like a young pup afraid or had a nightmare
Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
And hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
(After the beat of the chords I joined in singing.)
Why can't they understand the way we feel
They just don't trust what they can't explain
I know we're different, but deep inside us
We're not that different at all
(We both sang.)
And you'll be in my heart
Yes you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
(Jenna walked in and came towards us and sang.)
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know
We need each other, to have, to hold
They'll see in time, I know
(Balto sings.)
When destiny calls you, you must be strong
I may not be with you
But you got to hold on
They'll see in time, I know
We'll show them together
(Three of us sang).
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Believe me you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
(Balto sang the last few notes.)
Always I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there
Always
The three of us embrace each other with a hug since the first time since I was welcomed into the family. The doctor came in and told us we have to leave. I gave a permission to him if Jenna and I could stay overnight. He gracefully accepted our permission and asked help to move a bed next to Balto's.
As the night skies arrived, the three of us were in bed next to each other. Jenna and I were still awake, as we haven't shut our eyelids. Balto gave his last remarks to Jenna on how much he loved her very much since the first time he saw her.
"Son..." he said.
"Yes dad." I answered.
"I loved you so much... since I first saw you hear death." he added.
"Without you... I'll wouldn't be living. I can't even give anything back to you." I regretted.
"You gave me love... even though you didn't treat me as I was your pet, you treated me like I was father to you and a son to me." he stated.
I couldn't help as tears were coming out of my eyes, Jenna licked them and Balto followed. "I know I'll see you both and my dearly beloved children soon."
"By Heaven's Gates." I said.
"By Heaven's... Gates..." he said his last breath and his head slowly lies on the pillow gently and his eyes closes completely with his mouth shut.
Jenna and myself knew we both lost someone who was important and we hold dear to us. My tears flow more and I buried my face on his back and cried. Jenna laid her head onto of his head and we cried to sleep.
In the next morning, the doctors were about to be ready for the final decision to put him to sleep. I thought it was grace from God that I could spend my last time with my adopted father and Balto slept peacefully to Heaven. Me, Jenna, the rest of family, and some of the town's people buried him near his home. I was the last person to leave, as I placed his blanket beside his grave.
I only stayed in Nome for a little bit and than came back to Anchorage. When I got home, my wife was in bed. I placed my suitcase in the closet and hopped into bed.
She turned over to my side and placed her arms around me as I was still in emotional grief. "I'll never leave you." Bella said.
"This is my temporary Home
It's not where I belong
Windows in rooms that I'm passin' through
This was just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this was
My temporary home."
This is our temporary home
Soon afterwards, we had a family of our own, we visited Nome to see their grandparents in graves next to each other. I shared them the stories I had with my parents and the stories about them.
We all lived on until my dying day. I saw God's face next him was the father, who was waiting for me as he promised that I'll see again in Heaven. Me, Balto, Jenna, and the rest of the family reunited in our dying days and lived happily forever and ever after. Amen to God's gift through Jesus Christ!
