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I close the gate behind me and latch it. The tiled floor has small puddles of water from Lennon’s earlier washing, but I ignore them. Planting my back against the wall, I slide down to sit beside him.

He mimics me, turning so that his back end is against the wall. I laugh again. This guy could be in a circus. Maybe I should break him out of here and we could become a famous performance duo. I’ll karaoke Beatles songs and teach him tricks. We’d be a hit!

“If only you were a walrus,” I say, stroking the back of his neck. Then, amused with my own wit, I whisper, “Coo-coo-ca-choo.”

With my hand resting on his back, I lean my head against the wall. Immediately my thoughts return to the two topics that have occupied my thoughts all day.

The earring.

And Quint.

I don’t want to think of either of them.

“So, I’m meeting my friend Ari down at our favorite restaurant tomorrow night,” I say. “Jude might join us, too. That’s my brother. You met them both, remember? Anyway, we’re going to this place we like called Encanto. They make a killer seafood stew. You’d dig it. Hey, I wonder if that karaoke lady will be there again?”

Lennon dips his head, nudging my leg.

“No, I can’t take you to karaoke with me. I’m sorry. But you know what I should do?”

He lifts up his front flipper again and gives it a hasty shake like he did before.

“Exactly,” I say. “I should go early and spend a few hours righting karmicwrongs. Rewarding people, punishing people… Maybe that would make me feel better. I mean, surely, all the justice I’ve doled out so far hasn’t ended up being complicated. Most people deserve what they get. Right?”

In response, Lennon scoots closer to me and drops his head onto my thigh.

I inhale sharply and go very still. My heart was already going to burst when he waved at me, now I think it might have happened. It feels like warm gooey joy is flooding through my whole body.

“Okay, scratch the performance-duo idea,” I mutter. “You can be my therapy sea lion. I’ll get you a license, okay?”

I start petting the top of his head again and he rolls onto his side, almost like he’s snuggling.

“Aw, man. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I shake my head a little sadly. “But I really hope this doesn’t permanently mess you up for life in the ocean.”

“So youareconcerned?”

I startle, and only Lennon’s head on my leg keeps me from lurching to my feet.

Dr. Jindal is standing outside Lennon’s enclosure, watching us, her arms crossed over her chest.

THIRTY-ONE

Panic jolts through me—could I get fired for this? Do they fire volunteers? “I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I know we’re not supposed to interact with them. But…” But I couldn’t help it? But this cute little face was irresistible? But he is kind ofmysea lion, so…

The words die on my tongue. I have no worthy excuse.

I should probably get up. Not just because sitting feels a bit disrespectful or because to stay motionless might suggest I’m not that sorry for breaking the rules—which I guess I’m not, really, even though I think I should be.

Plus, my backside is starting to hurt and there’s dampness seeping in through my jeans. But Lennon still has his head on my lap, so I stay put.

“It’s all right, Prudence,” says Dr. Jindal. “I won’t tell on you. I know how easy it is to get attached, especially to the ones you helped rescue.”

Despite her kindness, I still feel chastised.

“Besides,” she continues, “with Lennon here, it isn’t going to make a difference.”

I frown, petting Lennon’s back again. I feel his muscles relax under my touch. “What do you mean?”

“You haven’t read his chart?”