Summer of Riley

Content Warning: This section includes discussions of animal euthanasia.

William finally agrees to go to the town’s summertime picnic. He, Dorothy, and Stephen drive there together. William thinks about Peachie leaving town and wonders if he could have Riley back if she stayed away for good. He immediately feels guilty for thinking this. At the picnic, William and Grace take part in frisbee competitions and sack races. They see Ellis and Duane but keep their distance. William watches his mother interact with Stephen and has mixed feelings about their new romance. He reflects that his father has Phoebe now. He thinks that sometimes, things change, and there is no going back. Dorothy sends him back to the car to retrieve a picnic blanket. On his way there, he sees a small dog barking in a car. He laughs at the dog’s attempt at ferocity and is surprised when he sees Ellis cowering under a hedge in terror. Ellis is clearly afraid of the dog. William sits down beside Ellis.

Ellis calms down a little and admits that he wishes he could go the rest of his life without seeing a dog. William struggles to sympathize with this wish; he is still angry with Ellis for starting the petition against Riley.