Chapter 6 Summary

The Coopers make their regular Sunday morning visit to Grandpa Izzy's apartment. Rachel's parents take the car, which is laden with bags and food. Even after loading everything into the car, Rachel's mother keeps returning to the house to check that the gas jets are turned off and the door is locked. As usual, Rachel chooses to walk the mile-and-a-half to her grandfather's apartment. She loves to walk--she even thinks if walking were an Olympic sport, she would be a champion. The only thing she doesn't like about walking is the dogs--as much as Rachel hates to admit it, she is afraid of dogs. She's mapped out a route that takes her past only two dogs, both of which are secured safely with chains.

Grandpa Izzy lives in Loren Towers, three five-story brick buildings of no-frills apartments. Grandpa Izzy is a big, bulky...