Summer of Riley

Content Warning: This section includes discussions of animal euthanasia.

Grace and William put up flyers about Riley. Soon after, they learn that Ellis has been putting up posters supporting the Sultan and calling for Riley to be euthanized. Dorothy tells William that Douglas called to ask how he is doing. William is dismissive of his father’s attempts to connect, which upsets both Grace and Dorothy. William and Grace spend the rest of the afternoon sending emails and letters to people in their town, calling on everyone to support Riley and help him win his appeal. William lays out a calendar, detailing how many days Riley has left before he will be euthanized. He remembers working on the unfinished pond with his grandfather, who assured him that they would get it done, one step at a time. He decided to apply this philosophy to Riley’s appeal.

Stephen calls and assures Dorothy that Riley is doing well at the pound. William is not allowed to visit Riley but wonders if he can sneak in to see him. Stephen does not want to break the rules and hurt Riley’s chances in the process. The commissioners have given William a chance to change their minds about Riley, so William must make the most of that chance.