At one point that first year with Octavia, I had to skip my weekly visit to Boston in order to attend an octopus symposium in Seattle. When I returned to the New England Aquarium and Wilson opened her tank, Octavia jetted to my side and extended her arms to me with enthusiasm as unmistakable as Sally’s puffy smile. The octopus immobilized both my arms, sucking them so hard, I would have hickeys that lasted for days. We stayed together for an hour and fifteen minutes.
