Summary

In Chapter Seven: "In Which Agate Gives Me a Surprise," Simon talks about living in a funeral home. One day, Agate calls him and Simon thinks about how often the phone rang after the event. Agate announces she is bringing him a puppy. Despite Simon's misgivings, he falls in love with it. She convinces his parents to let him keep it to help with his anxiety and Simon names him Hercules.

Chapter Eight: "A Puppy Side Quest" continues as Simon's mother converts the padding of a casket into a dog bed. Hercules struggles away from his home, but Simon's mother promises the puppy will adjust. However, Herc chews on everything and pees everywhere. Over time, Simon enjoys developing training habits.

Then, Chapter Nine: "Attack of the Jesus Squirrel" continues a few weeks later. Simon overhears his father arguing...