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“And how about you, Dooley? how much do you weigh, little buddy?”

“Um, about ten pounds, I guess,” said Dooley.

“You guess?”

“I’m not sure. It’s been a while since Vena weighed me.”

“Who’s Vena?”

“Is she also on board this ship?” asked Jack, taking another step closer.

“No, you guys,” said Dooley with a laugh. “Vena is our veterinarian. Every time Odelia takes us to see her she puts us on a scale. She seems to like that kind of thing.”

“Yeah, Vena takes real good care of us,” I chimed in, and gestured for Dooley to take a step back. The behavior of these two seagulls was highly alarming, I now felt, and the more we kept our distance, the better.

“So you both got a clean bill of health, huh?” asked Frank. “No diseases?”

“Yeah, we’re both as healthy as can be,” said Dooley. “Tiptop shape!”

“Um, not exactly,” I said. I noticed how Jack’s eyes were glittering as he approached. Much to my annoyance, Dooley was missing my nonverbal messages entirely, and refused to budge. “In fact the last time I went to see Vena she told me I have a very rare blood disease. Potentially fatal.”

“Is that so?” asked Jack with a slight grin.

“Yeah, very dangerous blood disease,” I said, nodding. “Looks like it’s spread all over my organs… and such.”

“Uh huh.”

“Max! You didn’t tell me!” said Dooley, clearly shocked by this news.

“Bad Max,” said Frank. “He didn’t tell his little friend he’s sick. That wasn’t nice of you, Max.”

“No, but it’s true. I’m a very sick cat. My whole body is poisoned on the inside. Extremely poisoned.”

“Max! You’re dying?” asked Dooley.

“Um, yeah, I guess I am.”

Jack and Frank shared a quick glance, and I could swear they were smirking. It was obvious they didn’t believe a word I said.

And then suddenly, just as Jack spread his wings and appeared ready to pounce, Odelia and Chase arrived!

“Oh, there you are,” said Odelia. “We better get going.”

“See you later, Max and Dooley,” said Jack.

“Yeah, catch you later, guys,” Frank chimed in.

And then they both took off, loudly cackling as they did.

“Max is dying, Odelia!” said Dooley. “He just told me the news!”

“Max? What is Dooley talking about?” asked Odelia. But I was still keeping a close eye on the departing birds, worried they might come back.

“See! He’s at death’s door!” said Dooley. “He doesn’t even react anymore!”

But then Odelia picked me up and gave me a hug.“Maxie? What’s going on?”

“I think those birds want to eat us,” I said.

“Birds? What birds?” she asked, a tinge of worry in her voice.

“The birds that were just here. Jack and Frank. Seagulls,” I added for good measure.

“Oh, don’t be silly, Max,” she said. “Seagulls don’t eat cats. Now what’s all this about you being sick and dying, huh?”

And as she carried me off, Chase picked up Dooley and gave him a cuddle.

“Oh, I just said that to get rid of those birds,” I told her.

“Smart plan,” said Odelia. “I’ve always said it and I’ll say it again: you’re a smart cookie, Max. Now how about a midnight snack?”

“A midnight snack?” I asked, immediately forgetting all about Jack and Frank. “I love a midnight snack.”

“Well, then let’s grab us one,” she said, and gave me a smacking kiss on the top of my head.

11

That night, Dooley and I spent out on the balcony, as promised, while Odelia and Chase occupied the cabin. It wasn’t too bad: Odelia had put down a blanket for us to sleep on, and as I’d already indicated, the night was warm enough, and of course there was that vast open space of the ocean to take into account, with its abundance of fresh air. Which was also a cause of worry, though, as I dearly hoped Jackand Frank wouldn’t come and find us and… eat us!

“So are you sure you’re not dying, Max?” asked Dooley, not for the first time.

“Yes, Dooley. I’m perfectly fine.”

“You really scared me.”

“I know, Dooley, and I’m sorry. But I just did it to get Jack and Frank off our backs.”

“But why? They’re so nice.”

“I don’t know, Dooley. I just had a bad feeling, all right?”

“Well, I have a very good feeling. I think we all just might become fast friends.”

I put my head down then, and tried to get some sleep. Luckily a cat can sleep but still stay alert. We can even sleep with one eye open if we must. The moment those birds put in a return performance, I’d be wide awake and heading for the great indoors.

From inside the cabin, the sounds of some heavy romancing reached my ears. But then I finally fell asleep, and dreamed of seagulls—dozens and dozens of them. Ugh.

I woke up from the sound of shuffling feet and whispered conversations. It must have been out in the corridor, for inside the cabin all was quiet, the honeymooners now fast asleep. The whispers ended and I dozed off again.

The next time I woke up, it was from a loud and persistent banging on the cabin door, and as Chase went to answer it, Odelia opened the balcony door to let us in.

“What’s going on?” I asked.