This Morning

"Toben I realy dont have time for zis, my muzzer will be arriving zis afternoon and Raef iz in such a foul mood" Hatinker growled softly at her only son who was troubling her on a emergency problem which in Hatinkers mind she knew when Toben said emergency it could mean anything from as little as losing his tennis ball to losing a friend.She was a tolerable mother but under the hot midday sun that glared from the refelctive snow her temper was wired on a short line.

Toben was not in the mood for his mothers fussy organsation but he realy needed her help and the only way to get it across to her was to shout it

"Mother......I Love someone......"

This got Hatinkers attention so she turned on her heels and placed herself alongside her son to listen

".......But he is a male"

It wasnt the content on the news that shocked her it was the deep reddening blush on Tobens pale face.He wasnt the kind to show deep affection yet Hatinker knew that her son wasnt interested in the females, She had known since last summer when a young collie offered herself to him to mate and he showed no signs or arrousel or interest.But when a young Alsation named Dole approached him she saw how excited those eyes became.His constant attachement to her was also a sign - it is usually the females who keep in contact with the family more - leaving the males to roam and start new familys of their own or terroise the neighbourhood....whatever took their fancy

"I know zis may be `ard Tobaskan but you `av to deal wiv love yourself,neither I or your often abscent father can help you with zis, just be sure it is love and not lust, lust is a `arsh problem"

Toben sighed heavily and rested his slender face on his mothers shoulder, the smell of her fur was like burnt honey and he liked to breath it in when feeling like his insides were cold and hoplessly empty.He didnt want such a neutral answer from his mother, he wanted guidance and to be told exactly what he must do to win over the alsations affections and how to approach the subject, not many dogs in Nome he knows are attracted to the opposite gender and its a hush hush subject amongst friends.Then again Toben was thankful his mother didnt despise the fact he was in love with a male,maybe he wasnt as subtle with his body langauge as he hoped...but hatinker is one of those females who can get under your roots quicker then you can and beleives that it is the roots that make you who you are - you can have the glossiest leaves or strongest branches but if you dont accept your roots all can be lost.

His father on the other hand was once a ladies man and heavily relied on them for his reputation, he had a new one every week and craved the sense of power and satisfaction. His mother soon sussed him out and wouldnt be charmed by his badboy image so easily, she definatley has the upperhand in the relationship but Toben knows to never mention this to dad otherwise he might end up with a scar across his ear as well.

"What will dad think?"

Hatinkers harsh facial features grew soft at her sons worried tone

" Zis is something that Raef needs telling calmy - I will deal with `im"

"He will disown me for sure...aww mum why do I need to feel this? Why wasnt I born a girl? Then I could swwon over Dole as much as I want and no one would bat a eyelid"

"You do know dat Zis Dole is a lot like your father - always with ze females"

"Maybe its a cover up? He did wink at me once last teusday"

"Dont think about taking him to ze boiler room just yet Tobaskan"

Toben blushed deeply again and ducked from his mothers eyesight

"Im going for a walk mum"

____________________________________________________

"Oi where the hell are you going?"

Deice was the town nightmare, attention seeking, loud and not ashamed to try anything and everything,her father Dole was fed up to his back teeth of his teenage daughters arrogance and told her to find her own family and leave his life alone

"Im going to meet Casper and Brook, their organising Brooks sled team and I want to try out"

"What the hell am I supposed to eat while your gone? Snow! Yes I shall eat all this bloody snow of the dirty ground to show everyone how brilliant of a father you are"

"Deice shut your mouth and keep that vile tongue away from me - youll never be a daughter to me, you was a mistake, a big horrible mistake just like your mother"

"Dont you dare talk about mother"

"You dont even know who she is do you? She dosent care about you and never will"

" I LOVE HER MORE THEN YOU!!!!!!"

"You can have my kibble behind the back door... Ill be back in a hour when youve grown up"

Dole didnt need this today or anyday for that matter, when did becoming a single dad in this town become compulsary? Ever since Deices mother went everyone expected Dole to do the decent thing and NOT abandon his daughter, little did they know how difficult she would be when older and how much pain she would cause.He was already confused inside as it was, normally being with a string of girls and picking up one on a late night would give him the adrenalin he needed to keep going, but it wasnt attractive anymore, the fun had gone and so had the excitement. Dole knew that there was one thing on his mind that bothered him more then that. It was last Tuesday when he ran into the little cream and brown part  pitbull cross with the slender waist.They had brushed bodies accidentaly when squeezing down the alleyway. A sudden rush had filled Doles body and the need to press his body against this yougn males was overwelming, he still regrets winking at him...what was he thinking or even doing ? Guys dont wink at each other....do they?

"Hi Dole all set for the tryouts? Brook trilled

"Just about I think, wheres Casper?"

"Hes out back with the newcomers setting about rules - he was late staring AGAIN" her laugh floated in the air

"Hows things?"

"Okay..no their good , their fine .......fine"

"Brook you carnt keep anything fro me, you want kids dont you?"

"Dont tell Casper please Dole I beg you - He isnt ready for that kind of commitment yet - we both work too much and he would hate to give up his job despite how laid back he is about it"