Of course, living in a small town, everyone knew each other. Rosie was stopped frequently as many people called her name and gave her a "Good Morning!" Trying to obey her mother and move quickly, Rosie would skip backwards and say, "And a good morning to you too!" She would turn back around and continue on her walk. Jenna smiled at her girl's happy attitude to day. Her warm smile could change anyone's bad day to a good one.
Jenna found herself also greeted by many of her friends. She did the same thing Rosie did, she turned, walked backwards and gave them a: "Good Morning to you too!" Turned back around and continued after her girl. But of course, the husky didn't see the comparison between them both.
"Good Morning Jenna!" a familiar voice called from behind her. This time she stopped and looked back. She was surprised to see a Pomeranian trotting up to her. She never knew her friend woke up this early. She expected the Pom-Pom would stay in late for her everyday beauty sleep. "Oh Good morning Dixie," Jenna said, walking this time, for her friend to catch up, but also to stay close to her girl. "How are you this morning?" Jenna glanced down at her friend, who was smiling at Rosie's merry ways. Jenna couldn't help but smile as well. Little Red brung much joy to all who saw her. "I'm fine Jenna, and its been a magnificent morning." Dixie said. Jenna was surprised she didn't go on about herself, or tell her how she went flaunting her new collar. Ever since Steele...Steele she didn't even want to go on with her thoughts. After he lied to her...after he lied to everyone about being a "hero" and Balto being dead. He was nothing more than a flea to her now. No more than a fleck of dirt....
"And how are you, Jenna?" Dixie asked breaking Jenna's thoughts. "Oh, same as everyday. Happy and relaxed." Dixie smiled, "Well, thats good." Dixie glanced up at the sky as if to be trying to remember something. "Oh, yes, nearly forgot. Today is Sylvie's birthday."
Jenna nodded. "Yes. Yes thats right March 23rd," She chuckled, "Why I nearly forgot." She looked at the boncing girl and frowned. "I can't leave Rosie," she turned to Dixie, "Do you think you can tell Sylvie to meet me at the store, Rosie and I are heading?"
Dixie nodded and smiled. "Sure no problem. Your heading to the old store that Mr. Granger owns right?" Jenna nodded. "Yup thats the one." Dixie turned and began to head in the other direction. Letting one paw land in front of another.
"I'll see you later then."
Jenna turned and padded after Rosie. "Alright, see you." she yelled over her shoulder.
The door, to Mr. Granger's store, was already open, kept in its spot by a block of wood. Rosie skipped up to the counter, balanced up on her tip toes, and managed to catch a glimpse of Mr Granger's...rump? He was on all hands and knees reaching for something. Jenna also managed to catch a peek. The two giggled at the sight. "Mr. Granger?" Some would confuse the man to be Santa Claus, with his long, shaggy white beard, and large round belly, he was nothing but a bunch of joy!
Startled, the man immediately sat up bumping his head on the tip of the counter. "Ouch!" He groaned, rubbing his brown hair, speckled with grey. "Rosie? Oh I didn't see you there, darlin'...Hello Jenna. How are you two?" Still rubbing his head, he smiled at the two reds. Jenna barked twice. "We're both swell!" Rosie said, slipping a slip of paper on to the counter. "Order from mother."
Mr. Granger removed his hand from his head, and picked up the paper. His soft brown eyes moved side to side reading te paper. "Ahh...tsk tsk." Mr. Granger shook his head. "Alrighty dear, just a second." Quickly the man put everything on the list into the bag, while he was doing this Rosie took the money from her pocket and left it on the counter.
"Here you go little lady. Get this home quickly, okay?" The jolly man's smile had faded away from man's face. Rosie failed to notice, but on the other hand, Jenna notice immediatly. What was wrong? What was on that list that was so...abysmal. Mr. Granger handed the bag to the little red and took the money. He sighed. He reached over and patted Jenna lightly on the head. Again he sighed. What ever is wrong...Rosie defiantly does't know it...Jenna thought, watching the child wave good-bye to the man and skip out the door. And I don't think shes suppose to...
Slowly, Jenna followed, then remembered Sylvie. She stopped but kept her eyes on Rosie. Luckily, Rosie was stopped by one of her friends. Good. That should buy me some time.
Soon enough, Jenna noticed Sylvie and Dixie coming up the path way. Jenna smiled at her two friends. "Happy Birthday Sylvie!" she called out. Sylvie smiled. "You guys remebered! This is the best day of my life!.. Well second..." She giggled.
Jenna glanced over to the little girl, she was still with her friend, clutching the bag to her chest. "What are you going to do today?" Dixie asked Sylvie. Sylvie shrugged. "I might..." Jenna didn't listen to the rest, her mind was completely focused on what was in the bag. What could it be? Was something wrong with Rosie and she didn't know it? Maybe their was something wrong with Rosie's mother? Or her father? These questions filled her brain, blocking out the conversation with her friends. What if something's wrong with me....and I don't' know it?! Oh nonsense! Why was she thinking like this. Nothing was wrong. Maybe...maybe Rosie's mom just added something else on the bottom about someone's passing. But why would he tell her to get the bag home quickly?
"Jenna?" Dixie piped, nearly startling Jenna to death. Jenna looked at her to friends, who starred at her as if she had two heads. "Are you alright?" Sylvie asked. Jenna nodded. "Perfectly fine." Dixie rolled her eyes. "Oh please Jenna. How long have we've been friends and you expect me to believe theres nothing wrong? Seriously Jen, tell me? If you wont tell us, you'll tell Balto, and I'll ask Balto whats wrong and he'll tell me. So are you going to tell us or what?"
Jenna sighed. "Fine," she pointed her snout in Rosie's direction, "She that bag Rosie's holding, it has something in it...something me nor Rosie nose about, and it might be important..." Dixie and Sylvie were both staring at the bag. "Maybe its medicine." Sylvie suggested. Jenna sighed. "That's what I'm worried about. One of Rosie's paraents could be sick, or maybe even her and she just doesn't know it...doesn't feel it." A soft wind blew blowing their fur, twisting and turning it together. Dixie cleared her throat. "Maybe you should take her home now...just in case..." Jenna nodded. "Yeah... I should...I'll see you guys later then." The shocked dogs nodded, their gaze still fixed on the mysterious bag...
* * *
As the two reds headed home Jenna couldn't help but let her mind wander. Could something really be wrong? Is this all just in my imagination? Yea...It is... She lied to herself. Sadly, it wasn't convincing enough. Something's wrong and I'm going to figure it out. But first things first, figure out whats happening at home.
As Jenna walked up her porch step, her heart began to race. She didn't know why, she wasn't nervous, just curious. Rosie skipped in side, fixing her sleeve to her jacket, and clutching in one hand.
"Momma," Rosie called, dropping her hat on the seat her grandmother had given to her mother four years ago. "Momma I'm home!" Jenna came from up from behind, before the child she could hear the light footsteps of Rosie's mom. Rosie began to ease up the stairway, but stopped when she saw her mother coming down. As usual, Jenna was right behind her. She noticed that Rosie's mom a mess,(which was a very rare site). Compared to her normal straightened and flouncy hair, her hair was frizzy, tangled, some trands pointing out in many directions. Her rosie red cheeks, were pale, her light brown eyes had lost their luster. Bags were under her weary eyes.
Was Rosie's mom the one who was sick?
"Rosie. Deary. I need you to hand mommy a mositened rag. Can you do that dear?" Jenna slowly turned her head to Roise. She didn't sound sick. Rosie nodded. Backing down the stairs she gave Jenna a worried look, then did what she was told. "Is daddy up there?" Rosie asked handing her mother the rag.
"Yes, Rosie dear."
"May I see him."
At this point Rosie's mom hesitated to answer. "Well. Rosie. Honey. Daddy's not feeling very well... He needs his rest." Jenna blinked. So her father is sick... thats not good at all.
"Uh. Honey why don't you get washed up for dinner, you can help me make daddy's food. Is that alright?" Rosie's mom asked. She could see the fear in Rosie's eyes as Jenna could sense it.
"Yes, mama." Rosie replied, she turned. Jenna watched as the little child trudged away. Rosie's mom turned and head up the steps, following her Jenna was wondered. How sick was he? Was he that bad off? Was it a life threatening situation? She couldn't help but think, if Rosie's father died, how they would ever make it. Rosie's father was the one who worked. She knew it would be ahrd for Rosie's mom to get a job, in some cases it would be somewhat impossible.
I have to talk to Balto...I need to hear his voice...
* * *
Finally...
Jenna had made it. She had finally caught sight of the ship wrecked boat, which her lovely mate lived upon. "Oh, Balto!" She called as she got closer. She waited for a respond before she we call again. "Balto!" Finally, the head of the wolf-dog apeared over the side of the boat. "Jenna? What are you doing hear this late? Is something wrong?" He knows me too well...
"Well actually..." As she began to explain, she watch his facial expressions change repeatedly.
"Do you think hes alright?" Balto asked. Sighing, Jenna shrugged. "I don't know Balto. Thats what I'm worried about." She lowered, and shook her head. "Jenna don't worry. I'm sure with a little medicine he'll be back on his feet."
"I know Balto. But thats the problem. You know now with plentiful medicine, its expensive now...I don't know if they can afford it..."
"I'm sure they'll think of something Jenna, just relax." Balto said licking her ear. Jenna nuzzled up against and sighed. "You're right Balto...I should Relax..."
* * *
The Next Night...
"But doctor...isn't there a way you can lower the price..." Rosie woke to her mothers distressed voice.
"I'm sorry dear but atlast I csn not. I've a;ready been told I'm no longer aloud to drop prices, anymore I'll be out of a job. I'm sorry ma'am but theres nothing I can do, I can set you with another doctor-"
"That won't be necessary." Rosie's mom snapped. She walked over to the door, and opened for the man. He sighed.
"I apologize ma'am." He tipped his hat, and took is leave.
She shut the door behind, him a sighed. Jenna could have sworn she heard a little sob escape the woman's throat.
"Mom," Rosie called, slowly edging towards her mother. "Mother are you alright?"
Her mother whipped her face on her sleeve, and sighed. "Honey I need to speak with you."
Jenna watched as both girls, walked away. She waited. She didn't want to invade their privacy, but she longed to know what was going on. To rid of her curiosity, she turned and padded towards Rosie's room, there she would wait until the child's return.
Jenna lay down, near Rosie's bed, resting her head between her paws and letting her tail curl around her body. 'I wonder what's going on.' Jenna thought, resting her eyes. Soon her began to get heavy, and she began nodding off. She couldn't bear it any longer. She inhaled slowly, and drifted into a heavy sleep...
* * * *
The next morning, Jenna woke up with a start. She had remembered Rosie's voice in her head. What had the voice said? She could only remember snatches. "You....find.....i.......you...forever....plan..." What did that mean? She turned towards Rosie's bed. She wasn't there. Jenna quickly trotted down to her parent's room. Her father lied peacefully, though he was still sick. No Rosie. She quickly headed to find Roise's mother.
She was sitting in a chair, her head resting on the kitchen table, one arm covering her face the other on her lap. But there still was no Rosie.
Where was she?
Jenna quietly headed over to her mother, and licked her finger. She jumped. "Oh," She began, "Good morning Jenna." Jenna whimpered, wagging her tail slowly. "What's wrong love? Why so sad? Rosie!" Her mother called. Jenna whimpered louder. "Shush now, Jenna. Rosie!" Rosie's mother placed her finger on her chin, and began towards Rosie's room. "Rosie darling-" she gasped. "Rosie honey!" She turned to Jenna. "Where is she?" Jenna whimpered.
"Oh dear," she quickly ran towards the front door. A sharp gust of wind flew in, but she didn't care "Help!" Tears were starting to feel her eyes, and her voice was scratchy. "Someone please. My daughter. She's- Jenna go check around town! Look for her hurry! She's missing!"
Jenna quickly scurried away, she looked around desperately. "Kodi," she said to herself. "I have to ask Kodi."
She ran to where her son always hung out with his friends. And sure enough, she found him ther. "Kodi!" she called. He turned, and his smile faded once he noticed her facial expression. "Whats wrong mom?" Ralph, Dusty and Kirby peered in to listen.
"Rosie. She's missing. She wasn't in the house and I haven't seen her so far. I was hoping-"
"What!" Ralphy exploded. "Little Red girl with all the treats is missing. We have to find her!" He began to panic and run in circles. "We'll do what we can." Kirby and Dusty said. "Yeah mom, we'll keep a look out. Especially Ralph." Jenna smiled. "Thank you so much."
"Don't lose hope Mrs. Jenna!" Ralph hollered. "Don't lose hope!"
Jenna ran up to Balto's ship. She smiled slightly to see Boris being tackled by the two polar bears. "Uncle Boris! Uncle Boris!" They called. "Vhat zo you want from my lifee!" He said, shoving them off. Luk bounced up and down whimpering, pointing a claw at Jenna. "We just wanted to tell you, that we saw Jenna coming up and now she's here."
"Jenna!" Boris exclaimed. "Zhank goodness, zhey were going to kil me."
"Boris have you seen Roise?" Jenna asked, hoping maybe was up earlier before Balto and caught a glimpse of her. "No dear. Haven't seen little Red in ages. Why? Vhat is wrrong?"
Jenna sighed. "She's missing Boris. Is Balto up there?"
"Yes I am." He called down from above. He pounced down landing perfectly. "What do you mean shes missing?" Staring into Balto's eyes now she could remember Rosie's plan. "You must find me on your own Jenna. Mom and Papa will think your so brave, they'll let me keep you. I'm going to run far, very far. I will leave marks so you know. That is my plan."
Jenna almost fell out. "Oh my, Balto-" she told him what Rosie's plan was. "Where am I to look?"
Balto turned his head towards the many trees, settling behind his boat. "Option A."
Jenna gasped....