The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapter 23 Summary & Analysis

One evening at the hospital, Enzo listens to Denny, Maxwell, and Trish talk while Zoë works on a book of mazes. Trish and Maxwell do all the talking, and say simply that it's best, although what "it" is is left unsaid. In the car on the way home, Zoë asks when Eve is coming home, and Denny replies that she's going to stay with Trish and Maxwell for a while until she feels better. When Zoë asks why, Denny replies that it'll be easier.

The following Saturday, Denny, Zoë, and Enzo go to Trish and Maxwell's house. The living room now has a fancy moveable bed and a nurse who doesn't care for Enzo. The nurse puts Enzo outside, but Zoë joins him and they play. Enzo remarks that it was a wonderful day with the family all together again.

Denny calls from the back door that Eve is here, and Zoë and Enzo come inside. Trish and an unknown man help a “mannequin” with dead eyes into the bed, Zoë calls the figure Mommy, and Enzo realizes the figure is Eve. Eve is wearing a stocking cap and looks sunken and ill. She remarks that she feels like a Christmas tree, and then calls Enzo. Enzo thinks that she looks sicker now than when she went into the hospital. He doesn't like any of this, so despite his audience, he hides behind Zoë and looks out the window. Eve remarks that she offended him by being sick, which Enzo denies to the reader. He says his feelings were just too complicated, and he lies down beside her.

As dinnertime rolls around, the mood lifts. Eve showers and shows everyone her scars, and, wearing her own dress rather than the hospital gown, Enzo says she looks almost normal. Eve tries to read a book to Zoë but can't concentrate, so Zoë reads to Eve instead and reads very well.

Wandering into the kitchen, Enzo finds Denny conferencing again with Trish and Maxwell. The Twins say that they think Zoë should stay with them, "until." Enzo remarks to the reader that language is mostly unspoken, comprised of gestures and looks, and Trish repeating "until" revealed everything about the situation. Denny is irritated and accuses Trish of condemning Eve before they even know, and Trish begins to sob. Maxwell says the doctor said six to eight months, and that this is going to be the only time that Zoë will get to spend with Eve. Enzo sees Denny's dilemma—deprive his daughter of her mother, or be pushed to the periphery of his family-- and Denny says that he'll talk to Zoë.

After dinner, Denny takes Zoë outside to talk and tells her that Eve would like it if she stayed with her. Zoë is concerned about being able to take the bus to school, and remarks that Grandma and Grandpa really want her to stay. Denny is upset, and Enzo notes that Zoë seems to understand what's going on despite the situation being far too mature for her. But Zoë agrees and tells Denny she knows he won't leave her there forever. Enzo marvels at them worrying about doing the right thing and subverting their true desires, and doubts his ability to ever be a human like that.

Later that night, Enzo finds Denny sitting with Eve, saying that he wants to stay too. Eve says no, and Denny asks what he's done to be sent away. Eve replies that she doesn't want Denny to see her in this way, and when Denny says he doesn't care, Eve says she does. Denny finally agrees. He kisses Eve, tucks Zoë in, and leaves. Enzo understands that Eve wants Denny to remember her as she was, but says that Eve doesn't understand that Denny was capable of looking beyond her physical condition. He says that maybe if Eve had that ability, things might have turned out differently for her.

Everyone goes to sleep except for the nurse, who soon wakes Enzo and leads him to the garage. Enzo is puzzled, thinking that he wouldn't disturb Eve, but she locks him in anyway. Enzo says his prison is dark, the only light coming from an electric clock, and he watches it tick and daydreams about his favorite movies. Enzo lists his favorite actors for the reader. Many are favorites because of their relationships to cars or racing.

Hours later, Eve appears and calls Enzo back into the living room. She tells him she needs him and not to go away again. She says she's afraid, and asks him to get her through the night. Enzo promises and stays awake all night, guarding Eve from the demon (zebra). In the morning, Enzo relinquishes his guard duties to Trish and Maxwell, and Eve quietly thanks Enzo for his protection.