Summary

In Chapter 1, Davy is returning from his grandmother’s funeral to the house where he used to live with her. He is accompanied by some family members, including his mother. Davy does not like the way the limousine driver calls him “sir” (58), and remarks that he finds it “phony” (58). When he opens the door of the house, Fred, his dachshund, urinates on the floor. Davy’s mother asks if the dog is house-trained, and Davy says that he is, but that Fred is simply happy to see him. Davy’s mother walks past Fred, ignoring him. Davy believes that Fred is also mourning Grandmother. He thinks about times that he went away to see his father or mother, and times that Grandmother went away. He thinks Fred knows that this time is different, and that Grandmother is not coming back. When Fred whines...