like talking right now, so just let me get some sle-

            As he opened his eyes, he saw a tall grey wolf standing right in front of him. It looked like Balto. But it couldn’t have been. Balto didn’t have grey and white fur, and he didn’t wear a silver cross around his neck.

Seph: Hello, Steel.

            And he didn’t sound like Balto either. It definitely wasn’t him. But how did this wolf know his name.

Steel: Who are you; the ghost of Christmas past or something?

            Steel began to slightly laugh at his own joke. Seph had to crack a smile too. It was funny. 

Seph: Very funny, Steel.

            Steel got up and started to walk the other way.

Steel: I don’t feel like talking right now. I’ve already talked to someone about my problems.

Seph: Balto, I suppose.

            Steel had to look up. How did this wolf know about Balto?  

Seph: Why are you alone?  

Steel: Because I want to be.

Seph: Don’t you have a family to be with.

Steel: No. I don’t have a family.

Seph: I suppose Princess is the only family you have, am I right?  

            No Steel was getting frustrated. How did he know about Princess? How does he know Balto? Steel turned around and faced the wolf.

Steel: Alright. Who are you? How do you know my name? And how do you know about princess.

Seph: My name is Sephera. But you can call me Seph.

Steel: Seph?

Seph: Come take a walk with me Steel. I want to show you something.

            The wolf began to walk to the door without stopping. Steel couldn’t believe that this wolf actually expected him to follow him.

Steel: Well. I got nothing else better to do.

            Steel followed the wolf to the side of town. Who was this Seph? What did he want? Did he know Balto? Did he know Princess? She had never mentioned a wolf named Seph before. Where was this going?

            The wolf had stopped in front of a bright lit window on the side of a small house. He was peering strait into the window. Steel came over and stood next to him and looked into the window. It was Jenna. She was playing wither her human, Rosie. Hey also saw Balto, also playing with Rosie. They looked so happy together. Steel had never really known what it was like to have a real home, with real masters, and… and real family.

Seph: Who is that, Steel?

            Steel peered deeply into the glass.

Steel: That’s Jenna… and Rosie… and Balto.  

Seph: You know them?

Steel: …Yes.

Seph: Look how happy they are, Steel.

            Steel saw the two of them playing together. They did look very happy together.

Seph: See how they have each other?

            Steel looked closely into what he saw in through the window. Jenna had stumbled over Balto while he was resting. She fell over him and they both laughed. Then Jenna laid on top of Balto and nuzzled him, and he nuzzled back. For once, Steel felt good seeing the two of them together. He knew that he would never be able to make Jenna as happy as Balto did. He was happy for them.

Steel: Yeah.

            Seph started to walk to the right towards the others houses.

Seph: Come over here, Steel.

            Steel followed him around the corner about two blocks away from Rosie’s house. Seph stopped at the window next to the back door. The light was a bit dimmer than the other. But when Steel saw what what was on the other side of the window, he almost stopped breathing.

            He saw Princess lying down on a couch in a second family room in the house. She was curled up with her eyes closed near the fire. She looked so beautiful, Steel thought. What had he done? He had thrown away a perfect girl. Steel didn’t remember the hard times when he saw Princess, but the good times. When they used to run on the beach, and lay in the fields of grass together. They had the time of their lives when they were together. But know, Steel felt empty, knowing that he had never told her that he loved her.

Seph: Look at her, Steel. She is alone.

            Steel hated to see Princess as lonesome as she looked through the window.

Seph: You two are the happiest that you have ever been when you are with each other.

            All the memories that Steel had with Princess began to roll in his head again and again. He wanted so badly just to walk in that room and lay with her, and tell her how much he cared, and how much he loved her.

Seph: Go to her, Steel. She needs you. No one should be alone on Christmas.

            The wolf was right. Princess needed him more than ever. It was Christmas Eve. And he was right. No one should be alone on Christmas; no one.

            Steel began to walk to the door. It was unlocked, so he pushed it open. And there she lay. Boy, she looks beautiful, he thought. He could see her side moving slowly up and down from her breathing ever so gently. He started to quietly approach her. He got more and more nervous as he got closer and closer to her. He finally reached the end of the couch. He lightly jumped onto the cushion and walked towards his lover. He the then stood above her. He could see the smooth patterns of her fur, he was so close. He then lowered himself and laid down. He could feel her breath on him. He hoped that he wasn’t too close, that he wouldn’t scare her.

            Then, he saw he eyes slowly starting to open. Shortly, they were fully open. She had gorgeous eyes. The brown color softly faded into the black nicely. She looked up to see Steel laying over top of her. He had his ears down, and he was looking strait into her eyes.

Princess: Steel?

            Steel began to lean in closer to her face.

Princess: Steel, what’s wrong?

Steel: I love you.

            Princess was speechless. She really didn’t know what to say.

Steel: I love you so much, Princess.

            Princess looked deeply into his eyes. They were filled with sorrow and sincerity. He had meant it with all of his heart. He truly loved her.

Princess: Oh, Steel.

            Steel lowered his head in front of her. Princess then held his head gently against her chest and laid her head on top of his.

Princess: I love you too.

            After a few minutes, Steel raised his head back up, and Princess kept her paws holding his shoulders. She formed a beautiful smile on that angelic face of hers. Steel closed his eyes half way and gave her a smile. Then Princess slowly pulled him down as she came up, and kissed him. Steel gladly kissed back. They were together again. And they were no longer alone.  

_

            Seph stood ten feet away from the window in the field. He watched as Steel and Princess kissed and made up. His job was done for now. He was so proud of himself… but not too proud.

            Seph then turned away with a smile and began to slowly walk into the open field. And as he got farther into the field, he began to shine with a white light, and as he got farther and farther, the light took him as he became part of the large star in the sky, which was almost as bright to call it the star of Bethlehem as he joined the light.

Have a Happy Christmas

This is Seph’s dedication to Steel. “The Unwinding Cable Car”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5SBYhZyo1s