I pressed the wet cloth to my face and tried to breathe in and out slowly. Just like the Voice had told me. I moaned softly, suddenly overwhelmed by my life.

“You’ll get your sea legs soon,” Total said. “Or we can rustle you up some Valium or something.”

“No!” The only time I’d had Valium was when my mom gave me some during an operation to take a chip out of my wrist (long story). In my hazy stupor, I’d said all sorts of stupid, embarrassing things. There was no way I was going to do that again.

“Suit yourself,” said Total, pushing my legs over to give himself more room. “Listen, Max, while I have you here —”

“Trapped in my bunk with a panic attack?” I said.

“Yeah. Anyway, I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” he went on.

Oh, this was gonna be good. What would it be now? Sub chow not up to snuff? Lattes not available? Had he encountered more discrimination against Canine Americans?

“It’s about Akila.”

I lowered the washcloth and peeked at Total with one eye. “Yeah? You miss her, huh?”

“It’s more than that.” Total licked one paw, collecting his thoughts. “It’s — you know I’m nuts about her.”

“Uh-huh.” Nuts being the operative word here.

“Amazingly, she feels the same way about a mutt like me,” Total said. “Well, now we’re thinking about… marriage.” He sort of mumbled the last word.

I sat up, eyes wide, swallowing my shocked laughter. This wasn’t funny. It was cute but not funny. Total’s feelings were real, even though he was a — Canine American.

“Marriage?” I said.

“Yeah.” Total flopped down and draped his head over my ankles. “I know we’re just two crazy kids — how can we possibly make it work? She’s a dedicated career dog. How could I ever expect her to settle down, raise a few litters? And me? I’m a flying, talking dog. I’ll only make her life more difficult, no matter where we go or what we do.”

I knew how he felt. Only too well. Reaching out, I scratched his head between his ears, the way he likes.

“Also, how could I ever leave you guys?” he said, his black eyes sad. “I know how much you depend on me. How could I leave you to fend for yourselves?”

“Um,” I said, but he interrupted me.

“But Akila can’t fly! How can she come with us? She’s eighty pounds of gorgeous, long-legged purebred, but she can’t fly.” His voice broke. “I tell you, Max — this has been keeping me up at night. I haven’t been able to eat for days.”

I’d heard him snoring just yesterday, when we’d been waiting for the sub, and I’ve never known him to miss a meal. But I knew what he meant.