Something Brian had said bothered Charlotte, and she decided to have it out with him, rather than leave it as unfinished business when she left the park.
"Brian, a word of advice. When someone is talking about homosexuality or keeping their new body, particularly someone like me who is homosexual and thinking about keeping a new body, don't immediately draw parallels to pedophilia. Or theft, for that matter."
"I didn't mean" Charlotte cut him off. "I know you didn't mean. That's not the point. Just don't do it."
"I'm sorry." The bighorn hung his head.
"OK, apology accepted. Now I'd prefer to go the rest of the way alone."
++++++++++++++++++
The huskies were jostling each other and otherwise settling in the usual fashion for the morning briefing. There were rumors that something big was going to be announced, and some speculated that it had something to do with the peculiar way Naomi had been acting lately.
These speculations gained strength when pack leader Naomi appeared. It was obvious from the tracks on her face that she had been crying. She took several hard swallows before beginning.
"Huskies of Transformation Park! Starting today, I am taking a vacation for the next six months! Harry, who has been my most trusted assistant for the last few years, will be your new pack leader until my return." She wasn't actually sure she would be returning, but best to leave the door open. "Serving as your pack leader has been the greatest honor, and the greatest pleasure, of my life. There isn't a finer bunch than these huskies anywhere. The success of Transformation Park has rested on your shoulders, and you have carried out that burden magnificently." She stopped herself before adding "Even the males."
"Follow Harry's orders as you would my own, and never stop trying to make yourself better huskies."
"Na-o-mi! Na-o-mi!" chanted the huskies. Not everyone liked Naomi as a person, but everyone recognized her devotion to the husky pack and her fairness and thoroughness in dealing with the rank and file huskies. Naomi burst into tears again as she left the assembly room. The last sound she heard was Harry reading the day's sector assignments. Her sadness at leaving the pack began to give way to her excitement at seeing Charlotte again.