Dog Training The American Male (42 page)

“Deep
sea pilot. I was . . . until about six months ago. U.S.
Navy discharged me after the last in a series of dives went bad. Ming and the
ding-a-ling boys here found me in San Diego last week and made me an offer I
couldn’t refuse . . . contingent, of course, on your
participation. After what happened to you in the Sargasso Sea, I’m guessing
they figured you’d feel safer with someone like me piloting the sub.”

He
turned to Brandy. “My fiancé, Maggie – she can be a bit of a ball-buster, too.
Probably why I signed on for this lunacy. It’s none of my business why you’re
busting Zach’s chops, but since there’s a kid involved let me offer some
friendly advice – either support your man or don’t, but don’t chase him off to
me out of spite. One depressed shithead per submersible is my limit.” 

I
smiled, suddenly remembering the man’s name. “You’re Jonas Taylor. I saw you on
that
Discovery Channel
special. Jesus man, what the hell happened to
you?”

“I got
crucified, pal. Same as you.”