Jenna suggested. “We do have a week before the celebration, so that should be more than enough time to pick out gifts for each other.”

“Sure, that sounds great!” Balto barked eagerly. “What type of gifts to people usually give each other?” He motioned his head towards the door, as if to ask her with gestures to take a walk with him. 

“Well,” the purebred husky smiled, giving him a nod. “I’ll tell you once we’re outside, okay?” She trotted forward, following behind her mate until they both were out of the doorway of Rosy’s house.

The terrain was white today, since the recent snowstorms had nearly buried the wide streets of the tiny Alaskan town by the sea. After stepping outside, a trail of paw-prints started from the wooden porch in front of the two-story house and began to follow behind the curled mostly-white tail of Jenna and the slightly lifted two-toned tail of Balto until they reached the end of Main Street, which looked out onto the outskirts and the shoreline near the grounded graveyard of boats that lay scattered in the sand dunes with only wooden posts to mark their places. In between the end of the street and the boats by the shore, a tall totem pole carved of forest wood and painted in the ancient style of the Native Inuit people stood planted in the soil, casting its small shadow on the ground as the sun brightly lit up the early afternoon sky. 

“So,” Balto tried to continue their previous conversation. “what’s typical for a gift on Valentine’s Day?” He stopped to look at her eyes as he spoke. “What would girls like you like to be given by the ones that love them most?”

Jenna’s eyes widened as she stopped in her tracks then quickly they softened after a couple of seconds. “Well, I’ve seen lovers give the simplest of gifts like little snacks, home-made treats and a couple of flowers. Others give more elaborate things like multiple gifts, poetry, and maybe even a total romantic evening for two.” She paused, noticing the shocked look on his face.  

I know he doesn’t have much,she thought as she looked into his eyes. But whatever he gives me, I’ll still love it . . . and I’ll always love him for it.

She began to nervously giggle as she tried to cheer him up, but her voice began to calm the more she saw his red and gold eyes shine beside her. “But if a lover’s gift truly comes from the heart, the receiver will love it unconditionally, no matter how rare or common it may be.” It was obvious that she was comparing other lovers that she had seen before, but in truth, Jenna was talking about herself and Balto. 

Balto seemed to breathe a soft sigh of relief. Thank goodness . . . I was afraid she wouldn’t like any old thing, especially since she is such a well-bred and popular husky. He smiled at the thought. She must really love me like I knew she would back then . . .

“One week, huh,” Balto muttered, meaning for Jenna to hear apparently. 

“Yes, Balto,” Jenna repeated. “We have a whole week to find the perfect gift for each other.” She smiled, looking out at the totem pole and the boats surrounding the beach. “I’ve got to get started right away. I’ll leave you to your search then, okay?” She turned around after giving Balto a goodbye kiss on the nose and began to walk away.

“Jen . . .” Balto questioned under his breath, but by the time he recovered from the husky’s quick getaway, Jenna had already made her way down Main Street. 

“Good luck, Balto,” Jenna’s soft voice echoed down the street into his ears. “I know you’ll find the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.”

“You too, Jen . . .” Balto murmured aloud. He sat down onto the frozen snowy ground with a loud, deep sigh and his muzzle low in defeat. “Oh, what could I give you to show how much you really mean to me?” 

(Part I – completed 2/6/08)
 

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