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Tammy 'The Vigorous' Reynolds, a ten-year-old fox girl, opened her window and looked out at a beautiful new day. The sun was shining brightly, but the air outside wasn't too warm. After admiring the view for a moment, she looked directly at the house across the street.

"Today's the day..." she said to herself, "Today I'm finally gonna ask Stoker to come for a walk with me." Stoker Snow was a young wolf boy who had moved into the neighborhood with his mother, father, and grandfather just before the end of the school year. Tammy and her family had gone to help the Snows with their unpacking, and Tammy had taken a liking to Stoker. Now was her chance to see if he felt the same way. So Tammy closed her window and began to prepare for the day. After selecting a pair of white panties with a red heart on the front and a matching undershirt, she chose a pair of overalls and a white t-shirt to wear. As she went downstairs, she came upon her mother, Wendy, drinking some cocoa.

"Good morning, Tammy;" said Wendy, "Busy day planned?"

"Yes indeed, Mom;" said Tammy as she poured herself a bowl of cereal, "I'm gonna go and ask Stoker if he'd like to take a walk with me."

"That's a good idea;" said Wendy, "It should give the two of you a chance to get to know each other without anyone else around."

"Yeah..." said Tammy as she sat down at the table, "You know, Mom... If I'm honest, I really like him."

"You do?" asked Wendy with a smile, "My little girl has a crush on a handsome young man?" Tammy blushed a bit.

"Well... I guess I do." she admitted, "Say, Mom... would you have any advice on how to get a boy to notice me?" Wendy sat back and thought for a moment.

"It's actually pretty simple;" she said, "Boys usually think they have to go to extreme lengths to win a girl's heart. Sometimes it can be fun to have them try to impress you, but you don't want to go too far; guys will never go for girls who toy with them. Quite often it's better for both of you if the girl makes the first move."

"Yep!" said Tammy, "If there's anything that high school movies have taught me, it's that girls have an easier time getting someone to notice them than boys." Once she finished her cereal, she washed her bowl in the sink, then looked back at her mother and said, "Well, I'm off to Stoker's house. Wish me luck!"

"Good luck sweetheart!" said Wendy; but as Tammy walked out the door, she said, "Stoker's the lucky one to have found a wonderful girl like you, Tammy..."

*****

Tammy nervously walked up to the door of the house across the street. After taking a moment to psych herself up, she reached out and rang the doorbell. After a moment, the door was opened by an adult gray wolf.

"Oh, good morning!" he said, "You're Tammy Reynolds, right?"

"That's me!" Tammy answered, "Is Stoker here?"

"He sure is;" the wolf said, "I'll get him for you." He left for a moment, and came back with Stoker. Stoker Snow was a ten-year-old albino wolf with goldish hair; just slightly older than Tammy. He was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt.

"Good morning, Stoker!" said Tammy.

"Hi, Tammy;" Stoker replied, "What brings you here today?"

"Well..." said Tammy, "I was wondering... Is there any chance you'd like to go for a walk with me today?" Inside, she was worried that he might say no.

"Sure!" said Stoker, "I wouldn't mind getting out on a beautiful day like this! But... do you think your friends might mind?"

"They're all busy today;" said Tammy, "Samantha's at ballet class, Cindy's helping out at the fire station, and Sherry... Gosh... I don't know where she is..."

"Okay then!" said Stoker; he looked up at his father and said, "Dad, is it okay if I go with Tammy?"

"Absolutely, son;" said his father, "Just remember to be careful and stay out of trouble."

"We will!" said Tammy, and with that she took Stoker's hand. "C'mon!" she said, "I know a place you'll just love!"

"Okay!" said Stoker. So he and Tammy ran back to Tammy's house for a moment.

"Mom! Dad!" called Tammy, "Stoker and I are going for a walk! See you later!"

"Have fun, kids!" called Zero.

"Be safe!" Wendy added.

"We'll be back before sunset!" called Stoker, "Don't worry!" And with that, the wolf boy and the fox girl ran off together.

"Ahh..." sighed Zero, "To be that young again..."

"I know;" said Wendy, "You know, Zero... I think those two could learn a lot from each other."

"What?" asked Zero, "Wendy... You don't really think..."

"Well..." said Wendy, "I guess whatever's meant to happen will happen. And if it does... it's the way nature intended it to be."

"I suppose you're right..." said Zero, "And our Tammy certainly is a bright young lady. I'm sure she'll choose the smart thing to do; And Stoker too."

"Speaking of which..." said Wendy with a playful tone, "With Tammy gone, we have the whole house to ourselves; maybe you could... invade my fortress..."

"Oh, Wendy..." said Zero, "You're starting to mobilize my artillery." And the two adult foxes went back inside to enjoy their day alone together.

*****

In the meantime, Tammy was leading Stoker down an old beaten path.

"So, where exactly are we going?" Stoker asked.

"It's an old abandoned rail bridge!" said Tammy.

"Really?" asked Stoker.

"I'm serious!" said Tammy, "I think it dates back to the twenties!"

"I might be able to determine what year it's from;" said Stoker, "Usually there's a plaque or something that tells the year it was built." The two continued walking until they entered a small clearing. In front of them was a wide river spanned by a sturdy old bridge carrying a single track standard gauge railroad. There was also a tree that hung over the bridge and the river, providing some shade to the area. "Wow..." said Stoker, "This looks like a scene right out of the early nineteen-twenties."

"I hoped you would like it;" said Tammy as she skipped up onto the tracks, "My friends and I found it last summer while exploring. We're considering building a tree house in that tree; eventually..."

"That sounds like a good idea;" said Stoker, "As long as they don't suddenly decide to reopen this line for one reason or another."

"Aw c'mon!" said Tammy, "These tracks haven't been used in years! What are the odds a train's just gonna decide to come through today?" Stoker shrugged and climbed up the small hill to join Tammy on the tracks.

"I guess you're right;" he said, "Mainlines and branch lines are one thing, but abandoned lines... As long as they're absolutely abandoned, I guess it's not such a big deal."

"C'mon;" said Tammy, "I wanna show you the river." So the two of them walked up the track and out onto the bridge. They stood right in the middle and looked at the beautiful landscape. "Isn't this great?" asked Tammy, "No one but you, me, and mother nature..."

"I love it..." said Stoker, "I gotta admit, Tammy, I wasn't sure I would like living here, but after meeting you and your family, I guess I learned that the people down here are a lot more friendly than I originally thought."

"It really is a nice place to live;" said Tammy, "A combination of the peace of the countryside and the excitement of the city."

"No doubt about that!" said Stoker. And for a moment, neither one said anything. Finally Stoker spoke again, "Tammy... Have you ever... had special feelings for someone...?"

"Well..." said Tammy, "I really love my friends; every one of them brings something special to our swim team. But if you mean really special..."

"HOOOONK-AAAAAAHHH!!!" came a sound from the distance.

"What the...?" said Tammy, "Is that what I think it is?!?"

"It's an electric locomotive!" said Stoker, "A train's coming through!!"

"Of all the rotten luck!" said Tammy, "We better run, Stoker!"

"No!" he said, "We have to jump!"

"But we've got time to run!" argued Tammy.

"If they see us at all, we'll get in huge trouble!" Stoker persisted. Tammy thought for a second, then said,

"Hope you're a good swimmer!" as she took his hand.

"Ready...?" asked Stoker, "NOW!!" Holding hands, the fox and the wolf leapt off the bridge and SPLASH!!! Right into the river! They felt their dry clothes become waterlogged in a second; and after touching the bottom, kicked their legs and swam for the surface. Once they breached the surface, Stoker pulled Tammy over to the bridge support pillar and held her close to it so she wouldn't sink. The electric locomotive rumbled over the bridge, and in about a minute, was gone.

"Well so much for this railroad being abandoned...!" said Tammy.

"I think it is abandoned;" said Stoker, "My dad says that some locomotive designers are coming up with new experimental designs for the future; and what better place to test them than old tracks that aren't used anymore?"

"That's a good point..." said Tammy. Then, they both got a good look at each other... Up to their chests in water; their clothes completely soaked. Then they started laughing.

"Now this..." said Stoker, "Is my idea of a good time!"

"What?" asked Tammy.

"This wild abandon!" said Stoker, "Look at us! We're all wet, and we don't mind at all!"

"Yeah...!" said Tammy, "Mom and Dad always tell me to live my life to the fullest and not let little details deter me."

"You're lucky;" said Stoker, "My mom would hit the roof if she found out I went swimming like this; Dad probably wouldn't mind, though."

"That's certainly good news!" said Tammy.

After a good laugh, Tammy and Stoker swam to shore and climbed up onto the bank.

"Well this begs a question..." said Stoker, "Do we go home in wet clothes, or do we take a chance and sundry them on that rock over there?" Tammy thought for a moment.

"I think it'd be in your best interest to dry them;" she said, "I'd like to get mine dry myself. But for the sake of decency, we can leave our underwear on."

"Thanks!" said Stoker, a little shyly. Suddenly, the wolf boy had a brainwave. "Even better," he said, "We could lay our clothes on the rock and then go swimming."

"That's a great idea!" said Tammy, "I've got a top on under my shirt anyway; so it'll be just like a bikini!" An instant too late, she realized what she had said and blushed heavily.

"Well what are we waiting for?" asked Stoker. With that, he pulled off his t-shirt, kicked off his sneakers, and pulled his jeans down. He was now clad in a pair of blue boxer-briefs and Tammy had to admit, he looked quite handsome.

"Wow..." she said as she gazed at his well-toned chest, "You look really strong..."

"Comes from working on the railroad, I guess;" said Stoker as he laid his clothes on a warm rock, "Sometimes all the live long day!" Then he darted down the shore and ran right into the water. "Don't worry!" he said, "I won't look until you're in the water too!"

"Okay!" said Tammy. As soon as Stoker turned his back, she undid her overalls and pulled her shirt off to reveal her white undershirt. Then she got her shoes off and laid them beside Stoker's sneakers; and pulled her overalls down to reveal her white panties with the red heart. Once she had put her clothes on the rock, she looked back at Stoker who still had his back turned. With a devious smile, she tiptoed over to where the water was deeper, and jumped right in. When Tammy was fully submerged, she turned her attention to Stoker; she saw him turn around and rotate in confusion. 'He must be wondering where I went...!' she thought, gleefully. Swimming as gently as she could, she swam up behind the confused Stoker... and grabbed his tail! Up above, she heard him shout with alarm and couldn't help snickering. Then she surfaced and took in a breath.

"Something grabbed my tail!" cried Stoker.

"Relax, Stokey!" Tammy laughed "It was me!"

"It was...?" asked Stoker, "Oh... thank goodness; I thought it was something else."

"Nah!" said Tammy, "It's alright."

Tammy and Stoker swam in the river for a long time. They took turns diving in the deep water near the bridge, seeing what they could find in the riverbed. After a while, Tammy asked Stoker,

"So... Ever done aerobic swimming before?"

"Never;" said Stoker, "But how hard can it be?"

"It's not really that hard," said Tammy, "But when you're swimming with a partner, you've got to move in perfect harmony with them." She looked up at the handsome wolf and said, "Wanna try it?"

"Sure!" said Stoker, "I'll let you lead." So both kids took a breath and dove beneath the water. As they leveled out over the bottom, Tammy began to weave her body through the water like a mermaid. Stoker copied her movements and followed next to her. Tammy began to roll up, so Stoker rolled down. They swam around and around in a helix pattern, and as they did, their eyes locked, just for a moment. In that moment, their minds started to run a mile a minute.

'He's so handsome...' Tammy thought to herself, 'And that body... he must be so strong as well as kind...'

'Such beauty...' Thought Stoker, 'And yet so brave... I just met her, but I still feel so close to her...' By now, both fox girl and wolf boy were short of air, so they started to swim to the surface; But then... disaster...! Tammy suddenly felt a huge pain in her right leg; it seemed to bend right back and stop responding! Horror filled her mind as she managed to break the surface.

"AAAHH!! CRAMP!!" she cried as she frantically thrashed in the water, "HELP ME...!" was all she managed to say before slipping back under. Her leg was in intense pain and she couldn't move it at all. Unable to swim back up on only one leg, she could feel herself sinking to the bottom. Suddenly, Tammy felt strong arms grab her and haul her back upwards. When she surfaced and gasped for breath, she realized that Stoker was carrying her to shore!

"I gotcha, Tammy!" he said with determination in his voice. In just six seconds, Stoker got Tammy into shallow water. Once his feet were on the ground, he scooped her up and carried her, bridal style, out onto the shore. Breathing hard, he sat down on a large rock and held the fox girl close to him. "Tammy..." he gasped, "Are you... Are you okay...?" Tammy just looked up into the young wolf's eyes; they were staring down at her with fear and concern. For a moment, she found herself unable to speak...

"Stoker..." she finally said, "Stoker, you... You saved me..."

"Well... yeah..." said Stoker, "What else could I have done...?" Tammy's eyes brimmed with tears; she was being hit with fear, humiliation, relief, and confusion all at the same time. Unable to find any words, she simply placed her head against Stoker's chest and started crying. "Oh..." said Stoker, "It's okay. You're safe now, I promise." He began to gently nuzzle Tammy's tear-stained face, and as she felt his warm fur up against her own, she began to calm down and nuzzled him in return. After sitting for a minute or two, Tammy's crying finally subsided and she looked up at Stoker.

"Thanks..." she said, quietly, "I'm really glad you were here with me, Stoker."

"Thanks for bringing me out here;" said Stoker, "I had a great time swimming and, well... I'm glad I could be here to help you." With that, he let her down. Tammy picked up her shirt and said,

"Well, looks like our clothes are finally dry. You wanna head back?"

"Okay!" said Stoker. So they shook themselves off and put their clothes back on. Then they headed back to the neighborhood.

*****

"I have to admit..." said Tammy, "I'm a little humiliated."

"Yeah..." said Stoker, "I'm sorry I got to see you in your underwear like that..."

"It's not that," said Tammy, "I just can't believe I got my first swimming cramp."

"Well it happens;" said Stoker, "Probably not very often, but it happens." Tammy only shrugged. They walked up the steps to Tammy's house and knocked on the door. There was silence...

"That's odd;" said Tammy, "Usually my mom or dad would have answered by now."

"Maybe they're busy with something." said Stoker. Tammy took the spare house key out of its secret hiding place, used it to open the door, and carefully replaced it. Once inside, she called,

"Mom! Dad! I'm home!"

"Oh...!" came Wendy's voice from down the hall, "Glad you're home, Sweetie! Dad and I just need a minute!"

"Okay!" said Tammy, "Stoker's here with me; I hope that's alright!"

"Of course!" called Zero, "We never turn a friend away."

"Thanks, Dad!" said Tammy, then she turned back to Stoker and said, "So... Wanna play some video games?"

"You're on!" said Stoker. They went into the den and popped one of Tammy's racing video games into her PS2. After two races, Wendy appeared in the doorway with a plateful of sandwiches.

"I thought you two might be hungry." she said as she put the plate down.

"Thanks, Mrs. Reynolds," said Stoker, "I really appreciate your hospitality."

"Oh," said Wendy, "That reminds me; Stoker, your mother called; she said she's going to have to stay longer at the daycare and wants you to stay here until she can come home."

"Okay then;" said Stoker, "I hope you don't mind me staying."

"Not at all," said Wendy, "We're very happy to have you."

"Mom's right;" said Tammy, "We're neighbors and friends; we'll take care of you like you're part of the family."

"Absolutely;" said Wendy, "Besides, I'm sure you'll take good care of Tammy as well."

'You don't know the half of it, Mom...' Tammy thought.

"I certainly will!" Stoker promised.

"Well, have fun then!" said Wendy, and she left the room. Tammy and Stoker each took a sandwich and dug in.

"You know something, Tammy?" said Stoker, "I really like your family."

"Thanks;" said Tammy, blushing a little, "I can't wait for an opportunity to meet yours."

*****

Nothing much happened the rest of the day. Tammy and Stoker watched Ice Age, and Wendy made them some delicious homemade pizza for supper. After the sun went down Zero left for the recycling plant, Wendy went to watch the gardening channel; and Tammy went to ask Stoker a question.

"Um... Stoker?" she asked, "Would it be okay if I showed you my room?"

"I don't see why it wouldn't be." said Stoker, and they made their way upstairs. When they entered Tammy's bedroom, Stoker was impressed. "Wow..." he said, "You've got a really nice setup in here."

"Thanks;" said Tammy, "There's a lot of hippie memorabilia; my mom was really into that kinda stuff and... what can I say?"

"Hey, it's okay;" said Stoker, "It's nice that you take after your mom; I take after my dad in a lot of ways."

"You know..." said Tammy as they made their way over to the window, "I had this idea; we could string a tin can telephone across the street from my bedroom window to yours!"

"That's a great idea!" said Stoker, that way we can communicate any time!" Just then, the moonlight streamed in through the window and lit up the room. Stoker looked over at Tammy and realized that she was now glowing with a radiant light. "Wow..." he said, "Tammy, if I may be permitted to say so... I just realized you look beautiful in the glow of the moonlight." He shuffled nervously as he waited for a reply. Tammy's heart fluttered at Stoker's comment,

"Y-you think so?" she asked, "That's very sweet of you to say, Stoker. I think you're pretty... pretty handsome and cute as well." She had to look at random objects to hide her blushing.

"Wow... thanks..." said Stoker. He tried to think of something else to say, when he noticed the full moon outside the window. "Hey! Look at that!" he said as he gestured to the moon, "You know, in the wild, wolves howl to communicate over great distances; but to us, it's just a way of expressing our feelings. Joy, sadness, desire; those are the three best emotions conveyed in howling."

"Wow really?" said Tammy, "That's so neat."

It sure is;" said Stoker, "Me... I'm very happy that I've found a new friend!" With that, he reared back and released a loud howl, "AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Tammy just smiled; it was rather pleasing to her ears to hear Stoker's strong howl.

"That's a very nice howl, Stoker;" she said, "You have a very beautiful voice."

"Thanks!" said Stoker, "Never thought I'd ever howl for joy. You wanna try?" Tammy blushed; she had never ever howled before.

"I... I... don't know if it will be any good," she stammered, "But I... I'll try!" She stepped up to the window and faced the moon. After psyching herself up, she let loose with an, "AWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Her howl wasn't deep like Stoker's, but it did have a beautiful feminine tone to it.

"Wow..." said Stoker, "That wasn't a howl, Tammy; that was music. A symphony within yourself in which the only instrument needed is your voice." Tammy's orange and white face almost went completely red from blushing so much.

"Thanks, Stoker." she said, "Not too bad for a fox, eh?"

"Absolutely!" said Stoker, "We better not do anymore or the neighborhood might get mad!" They closed the window and walked back over to Tammy's bed. "I'm so glad to have made a new friend, Tammy," said Stoker, "And I'd love to meet your 'Pool Pal' friends as well. I just hope they're as warm and accepting as you are."

"I'm glad to have you as my friend too," said Tammy, "And I assure you my friends will like you a lot!" Then she looked into his eyes and said, "Stoker... can I give you... something special?"

"Sure!" said Stoker, "What is it?" Tammy smiled bright and bent down to reach her special chest under her bed. Unknowingly, she had flashed her cute white panties at Stoker for a split second, but it happened too fast for him to process it. Once Tammy had found the item she was looking for, she got back up and showed a handmade necklace with a beautiful stone handing from it.

"This is a friendship necklace;" she said, "I've made these for my bestest of best friends!"

"Oh wow..." Stoker said in awe, "Do your other friends have these too?"

"Yep!" said Tammy, "Each of my friends has one of them them and each one is different and unique. And, seeing as how we're all Pool Pals, I think that makes you a Pool Pal too!"

"Really...?" asked Stoker, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Really;" said Tammy, "Besides, you saved me from a cramp out there today; I think that alone proves you're worthy of being one of us." With that, she assumed a majestic pose and said, "I... Tammy 'The Vigorous' Reynolds, welcome you into our group as an official member of the Pool Pals." She placed the necklace around Stoker's neck; "I hereby dub thee... Stoker 'The Loyal' Snow." Stoker looked down at the beautiful necklace in disbelief.

"I... I can't believe it...!" he said, "I finally feel like I belong." He came forward and gave Tammy a gentle hug. "Thank you, Tammy." he said, "I've only been here a couple days, but you've already helped it feel like home..." Feeling the hug made Tammy's heart jump. She soon relaxed as she felt his strong body against her own.

"Oh, Stoker..." she said, "You will always belong." She noticed him shed a single tear and gently wiped it away. When the two released the hug, Stoker smiled and said,

"Thanks, Tammy, for everything." Just them, they heard Wendy call,

"Stoker! Your mom's here!"

"Well... I guess I better go;" said Stoker, "Don't want my mom worrying about me. But don't worry; I'd love to hang out any time!" Tammy felt really bad that Stoker was leaving her; she built up the nerve and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodbye, Stokey..." she said, "I look forward to seeing you again." Stoker left Tammy's room and headed downstairs. Tammy on the other hand walked over to her window and looked down at the street that was now lit with streetlights. She caught a glimpse of Stoker and his mother walking across the street. They both turned back and waved at her, and she waved back in return. It was wonderful to have made such a wonderful new friend; though she did wonder how Cindy, Sherry, and Samantha would feel about letting a boy into their ranks. Oh well, that could be answered another time. Tammy then looked up at the moon, remembering how good it had felt to howl. She could tell this was only the start of a beautiful friendship.

To Be Continued...