We drove along the highway for a bit as we were all quiet. I had laid down on the seat to rest my head as I tried to relax about how Christmas was going to go. I have survived dog training, and now I hope I should be able to handle anything, least in theory. How would I handle all of the family we would see? To them, I would just be a wolfdog rather than Mike, their relative.
My dad was focusing on the road ahead as my mom was staring out the window, and my sister...well, she was being my sister and reading a book. It feels odd for things to be tense, though I guess everyone was thinking about Christmas. It used to be one of my favorite holidays of the year, now it was a day of so many unknowns.
"So are you excited to see your cousins and grandparents?" My dad finally says, making me perk my head up and listen, Okay, sis, give us something to focus on other than the trip. I could smell and feel the tension from my parents as they were both just as worried about the trip as I was.
She nods her head, smiling, "Yeah, though I kinda wish that Mike was here. I get why he's away, but it would have been nice to have him here," she says. I fight the urge to give a bitter laugh, though I doubt it would translate well in a wolf's body. I'm here, and have accepted it. But it doesn't make it any easier to hear her say that. Hopefully, one day I will be able to tell her. Or turn human again before I need to.
My dad visibly winces at her words as he gulps, "I get that, honey, I miss him. But he will be back in time, and he's here in spirit. And he wouldn't want you to be sad," he says, giving me a knowing look as I give a small nod mostly with my eyes not wanting my sister to notice.
Sarah takes a breath at this, "I know, and I still am excited, just something that's been on my mind is all," she says. She looks over to me, chuckling, "Least I got a dog, much better than some smelly brother." So she misses me, but also is glad to have a dog. Well, if I'm stuck with fur, I guess there could almost be worse things.
I go back to resting my head on my paws as my dad puts in the Cassette tape with my favorite song on it, Desperado's Waiting For a Train. I have always loved this song and had my dad play it every time we were on a trip. Now it helped me relax as we continued on down the road.
A short while later, we arrive at the ferry dock, and I hear my dad getting his wallet out as I can smell the sea, diesel, and other smells from the cars and trucks, making my nose wrinkle a little. It's not too long before we buy the tickets and are directed to our lane. I sit up, looking around for Shiners. I know that he should be here somewhere.
I see a raven alight, there's Shiners!!!...wait, there are four that I can see, okay, which one is him, and which are there to steal food. My dad looks back and asks, "I'm going to take Fluffy for a walk around the terminal. Anyone else want to come?" he asks as I give a small, excited woof. Partly because I want to look for Shiners, but also because I want to stretch my legs. Having four of them makes me want to stretch twice as much.
He opens the door for me as I stretch myself out, giving a good groan as there is nothing as good as a nice long stretch. Glancing around, I was about to call when I hear Shiners think, <Hey there you are, fuzzy, was starting to wonder if you guys called off the trip.> he says, as I look around for him and soon spot him on one of the terminal lights, doing what could only be called a wingwave.
My dad starts to walk around the edge of the terminal. I'm enjoying the moment as I think back, <Well, still early, normally as a kid I'd be in bed from playing games all night. Once the ferry's here, we can board. I hope we get a chance to go up on deck, should be easier to talk. Did you sleep well? Any trouble finding this place?> I wasn't sure if he had come this way often, or even at all.
We turn to go down a small set of stairs to the old dock as Shiners responds, <That's a good idea, we can plan ahead a little bit. Decide where the best next place to meet is. This is an exciting trip, and I'm looking forward to it.>
My dad looks down at me, "So you see you a raven, Fluffy?" he asks me. I perk my ears up and catch what he means. I nod, sniffing around. He gives my head a pet as I take a few moments to just enjoy the smells of the wharf down here, less gas, and more the smells of old pitch, a few animals that had been there and marked. And the odd smell from seastars and barnacles. It was an odd mix of smells, but somehow something I can tell apart.
I hear my sister call out as she runs over, "What you guys looking at?" she asks. I give a greeting woof. Hearing panting from behind her, I spot my mom trying to catch up to my sister, who apparently ran over here. I just shake my head. I guess keeping up with my sister isn't exactly an easy thing to do.
"We're just checking out the old wharf while we wait for the boat, shouldn't be too much longer. The ferry is scheduled to leave in about twenty minutes." Ironically, it was at that point that I spot the ferry. Giving an excited woof, I nod in the boat's direction that had just turned the corner.
Looking towards the ocean, my dad spots the ferry and laughs, "Right on Schedule, let's head back to the car and get ready. We still have a few minutes, but better safe than sorry," he says.
We make our way back to the car as I look up at Shiners, <let's hope this trip isn't quite as exciting as the last time. Though would be funny if someone here was from our last trip and panics looking for me.> I think to him.
He laughs, <Oh, I just had a really great idea...> I perk my ears up suddenly, very curious about it, oh, this should be great, wonder what he's got in mind. <What if I mimic your eagle cry and see if I could startle them.> he says.
I just shake my head, laughing as my dad opens the car door. I hop in, sitting at the window watching as the ferry comes in, <Oh, that would be pure evil. Though not sure what the chances are of someone from that other boat being both here and noticing you, but would love to see it.>
We wait a few more minutes as the ferry finally docks and the cars begin to unload. A raven flies overhead in the direction of the boat as I realize it's likely Shiners as I see him alight on a railing of the ship. Man, I wish I could fly right now, save some of the waiting.
Soon, the ferry finishes unloading, and cars start to be directed to load. My sister looks excited as she begins to get her stuff ready, and my dad looks back, "I think I will take Fluffy up onto the deck and let him get some fresh air. Anyone want to join us?"
"Me me, I want to go up there and show Fluffy the sights," she says excitedly. I give a laugh, it would certainly be a different place for me to ride the boat. I was usually playing one of the arcade games for most of the trip. Would be funny to try that somehow now, but doubt it would work.
My dad nods, "Okay, get your stuff, and we will head upstairs," he says as he gives my head a pet. I give a happy woof and wag my tail in excitement, wondering if I'll smell anything unique as a dog. Though I have a bad feeling, wait....boats smell of A LOT of oil already without a wolf's nose. This could be a bit rough.
