Summary

Chapter 1 is entitled, "What You Notice, What You Say." Ian, the narrator and protagonist of the novel, tries to hide his new dog, a stray named Gather, but his Aunt Terry sees it. Terry is bringing Ian’s mom home, claiming she has had some “work done on that bad back of hers,” a claim Ian is suspicious of. Ian’s mother is an addict, but he notes she is not currently high.

In Chapter 2: "The Sharpe," Ian, a tenth grader, misses the bus to school and, despite running through freezing rain for two miles to get to school, decides not to go inside when he arrives. His history teacher, who he calls “The Sharpe” sees him and brings him inside.

Chapter 3 is called "The Dog." Ian recalls how he found Gather while in...