paused and smiled.

“What is it grandma?” Trixie asked.

“…then I heard a howl.”

Trixie looked confused for a moment and then smiled.

“Balto!”

Jenna smiled again and nodded.

“I ran out to meet him, but unfortunatly the entire town did as well, and I got lost in the crowd. I did see that he had indeed brought back the anti-toxin as well as the lost team.

I didn’t catch up with him until I walked back in the hospital about ten minutes later. He ran to me, and we ran circles around each other like we were puppies or something, then we both stopped and our noses were touching.

Balto looked confused, as if he didn’t know how to proceed, and I can imagine how he felt, I mean, I’d sent the poor guy so many mixed signals lately… anyway, I smiled and nuzzled him and he smiled and nuzzled me back, and that was it. We were together, for better or worse Balto and I became mates, my popularity and friends be damned, I’d discovered that I didn’t really need them anyway.”

Jenna paused and the smile faded from her face as tears appeared in her eyes again.

“I had everything I’d ever need in Balto.”

“So what happened to him?” Trixie asked.

Jenna sighed.

“My child, the year before you were born… Balto passed away.”

“Oh.” Trixie said. “I’m sorry grandma.”

Jenna smiled.

“It’s alright child, Balto lived a long and very good life. After the diptheria run everyone accepted him, and after a few years he was even adopted by a man named Luke.”

Jenna smiled.

“He lived a full seventeen years and we had many more adventures. Together we had many children, raised them, suffered through heartbreaks, rose over tribulation and rejoiced in the joy of one another… there’s nothing to be sorry about.”

Jenna paused.

“Which reminds me, I have something for you child, something that I want to entrust to you.”

“What is that grandma?”

Jenna got up slowly and walked over to her bed against the wall. She pulled the cushion out of it and bent her head inside.

“Can I trust you to take care of it child?” Jenna asked.

“Oh yes grandma.” Trixie said. “What is it?”

Jenna withdrew her head and clasped in her teeth was a somewhat ragged looking red bandanna.

Trixie’s mouth dropped open as Jenna walked over and laid it in front of her.

She was unable to speak for a moment, and a tear came to her eye.

“Grandma… I… I can’t take this from you.”

Jenna smiled.

“Take it child. I don’t need it anymore, I’ve kept it for many years, waiting until I found someone who deserved to wear it, and that someone is you.”

Trixie smiled.

“Go on.” Jenna said. “Put it on, let’s see how it looks dear.”

Trixie pulled the aged but still strong cloth over her head and onto her shoulders. Then she noticed a shimmer near her neck and looked down, finding a beautiful heart shaped diamond wedged tightly into the knot.

“What’s this?” Trixie asked.

Jenna smiled and tears came to her eyes as she gazed upon the small stone for the first time in many years.

“A gift from Balto.” Jenna said softly.

She smiled.

“Well child, you look like me twenty years ago. The bandanna does you just fine. Keep it, it’s yours.”

Trixie stared at her grandmother.

“Thank you.” She said. “I promise I’ll take good care of it.”

“…and someday when you’re a mother, you can pass it down to your daughter.” Jenna said.

“Oh yes.” Trixie said. “Yes I will.”

Jenna walked back over to the side of the couch and laid down.

Trixie looked at the bandanna for a long while, before she spoke.

“Grandma I…” Trixie stopped.

Jenna was sleeping soundly by the couch. It seemed that the story telling had worn her out.

Trixie smiled and nuzzled her grandmother.

“I love you grandma Jenna.” Trixie said.

Then she walked out of the room.

 

That night, Jenna felt someone tap her on the head.

She was a little irritated, after all, she’d just gotten back to sleep, and at her age she needed all the sleep she could get.

She looked up and froze.

“It… it can’t be.” She said.

The dog in front of her smiled.

“Why not Jen?”

“You’re… you’re dead.” Jenna said.

Balto smiled.

“Jen, I said I’d wait for you and Aniu is growing quite impatient with me, so I think it’s best if you come with me now.”

“Come with you?” Jenna asked “…but how…”

She fell silent.

“Look behind you Jen.” Balto said.

Jenna looked behind her and saw herself, sleeping in her bed, but… she wasn’t breathing anymore.”

Jenna turned back to Balto.

“I’m… I’m scared Balto.” She said.

“Don’t worry.” Balto said. “It’s wonderful where we’re going. We’ll never have to worry about food or death or sickness ever again. Every day with Aniu is perfect in every way… well, at least now that you’re here it will be.”

Balto nuzzled her.

“I’ve missed you Jen.”

Jenna was little baffled.

“I… I missed you too Balto.”

“Come on Jen.” Balto said, turning as a blue light filled the room. “Let’s go home.”

 

 

 

THE END

 

Closing Note from the Author:

 

This story was largely inspired as I listened to the song “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion. Made famous by the movie Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On” is a beautiful song that speaks of love, and I believe definitly describes the love that Balto and Jenna feel for one another, as such, I’d like to reproduce the lyrics here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Heart Will Go On By: Celine Dion

 

Verse 1:

 

Every night in my dreams

I see you, I feel you

That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you go on

 

Chorus:

 

Near

Far

Wherever you are

I believe that the heart does

Go on

Once

More

You open the door

And you’re here in my heart and

My heart will go on and on

 

Verse 2:

 

Love can touch us one time

And last for a life time

And never let go till we’re gone

Love was when I loved you

One true time I hold to

In my life we’ll always go on

 

Chorus:

 

Near

Far

Wherever you are

I believe that the heart goes on

Once more

You open the door

And you’re here in my heart and

My heart will go on and on

 

Verse 3:

 

You’re here

There’s nothing I fear

And I know that my heart will go on

We’ll stay forever this way

You are safe in my heart and

My heart will go on and on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenna: Memoir of a Hero

 

Set in the very distant future “Memoir of a Hero” is the tale of Jenna’s passing on Balto’s legacy to a new generation. Inspired by the song “My Heart Will Go On”, this is sure to be a tale of adventure, love and remembrance of those who have passed on.

 

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