Elsewhere(48)

Emily nods but doesn't say anything.

"Haven't you always thought of us as married?" Owen asks.

"In a way, I suppose I have," Emily says. "Yes."

"Have I told you how happy I am to see you?" Owen asks.

That night in bed, Owen says to Emily, "Is it wrong that I love the flu? Is it wrong that I want to sing songs in praise of the flu?"

"I'm glad my death brings out the troubadour in you. But I am dead here, you know. A little gravity is in order." Emily laughs and says, "The flu. What an entirely stupid way for me to go." And then she sneezes. "Hey, I thought there wasn't any sickness here," she says.

"There isn't," Owen says.

And then she sneezes again. And Owen remembers that she is allergic to dogs. (He had decided to leave Jen with Liz for Emily's first night in town he had suspected that he and Emily might want to be alone.) "The thing is . . ." Owen begins. "Well, I have this dog. I know you used to be allergic, but "

Emily interrupts him. "Maybe I'm not allergic anymore? I mean, maybe I'm not allergic here."

Owen is doubtful. "Maybe."

"Maybe I'm just sneezing because I'm still recovering from the flu. Is that even possible?"

Owen doesn't think this is possible, but he chooses not to say so. "Maybe."

The next day, while Emily is at her acclimation appointment, Owen brings Jen back home. Even though Jen's loyalties are with Liz, Jen is also a pragmatist. She knows it is important to make a good first impression with Emily. In her experience, very few people can resist a wagging tail, and the moment Emily walks through the door, Jen begins wagging her tail furiously. "Hello, Emily. I'm Owen's dog, Jen. Pleased to meet you."

"Hello, Jen," Emily says.

Jen holds out a paw for Emily to shake, and Emily sneezes on it.

"Gross," Jen says and then thinks better of it. "Gesundheit."

"Thank you," Emily says. And then, "Owen, is it strange that your dog is talking?"

"Terrific, Emily, you understand Canine!" Owen says. "I don't myself, but I wish I did. Some people are naturals, like" he pauses "my friend Liz."

Emily sneezes again.

"Are you allergic to dogs?" Jen asks.

"I used to be, on Earth," Emily concedes, "but I don't think I am here, right?"

Jen looks doubtful.

Emily continues, "I probably just think I'm allergic because I was before. Maybe it's psychosomatic?" Emily sneezes.

"What's 'psychosomatic'?" Jen asks worriedly.

"It means, it's all in my head. So eventually, I'll stop being allergic to you, I'm sure."

"Do you think?" Jen cocks her head.

"Um, maybe." Emily sneezes again. "Let's hope so."

But the next morning, Emily's eyes are swollen and red, and she is sneezing and coughing nonstop. Despite her allergies, Emily still acts as translator between Jen and Owen.

"Look, Owen," Jen says, "I don't want to live with a person who's constantly sneezing when I'm around." She lowers her tail pathetically. "It makes me feel unwelcome."

"I really am sorry about my allergies," Emily says to Jen. Then she tells Owen, "Jen says she doesn't want to live with me because my sneezing is making her uncomfortable."

"Okay," Owen says. He is glad that Jen made this suggestion before he had to.

"Owen, aren't you going to protest at least a little?" Jen lowers her ears now. "I mean, I was living here first. Maybe she could live somewhere else?"

"She suggests that I could live somewhere else, as she was living here first. Owen, maybe she has a point?" Emily sneezes.

"No," Owen says. "You're my wife. And we'll figure something out."

That night, Jen, who is not an outdoor dog, sleeps on the porch. "We'll figure something out,"

Owen repeats, trying to soothe Jen.

"Can't I at least stay on the couch?" Jen whines. "You promised I could always stay on the couch when we first met." Unfortunately, Owen doesn't understand a word she is saying.

Three days later, Owen leaves Jen at Liz's house. Emily still believes her allergies are only temporary, but Jen is tired of sleeping outside.

"How's it going?" Liz asks Owen. She thinks he looks tired but happy.

"Great," he says. And then he whispers, "I hope I can get Jen back in a couple days, but it's all a little much for Emily."

"Of course." Liz smiles tightly.

"How's your driving coming?" Owen asks. "Parallel parking giving you any trouble, because I could "

She interrupts him. "No."

"Thank you for taking Jen."

"It's nothing." Liz shrugs. "Sometimes these things just don't work out."

Owen starts to walk away.

"By the way," Liz asks, "what did Emily die of?"

"The flu."

"But I thought she was a doctor! She must have had a vaccination."

"She did. It didn't work. It's not always a sure thing, you know."