The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapter 29 Summary & Analysis

Enzo tells the reader that while what he did in the park was selfish, it was possibly the most merciful thing he could've done for Denny given what they were going to find once they arrived at Trish and Maxwell's house. When they arrive, a white van is in the driveway. Denny goes into the back yard and washes Enzo. Trish comes out and hugs Denny, and Maxwell and Zoë come out of the house too. Denny goes inside alone to say goodbye to Eve. Enzo feels as though he has to do something, and seeing a tennis ball, drops it at Zoë's feet. Zoë ignores it, but Maxwell picks up the ball and throws it into the woods with an impressive heave. Enzo doesn't chase it.

Denny comes out of the house and embraces Zoë. Trish says that she and Maxwell will take care of the arrangements before the end of the week. She tells Denny that there's something they wanted to talk to him about, and takes Zoë inside to get her some breakfast. Denny, Maxwell, and Enzo sit outside in silence and Maxwell awkwardly tries to start the conversation, telling Denny they're concerned. Trish reappears expectantly, and Maxwell informs her that the conversation has just started. Denny, annoyed, asks Trish why they're concerned, and she tells him that she and Maxwell discussed it with Eve, and they think it's best if they take custody of Zoë so they can raise her in a stable family environment and provide the privileges their money can buy.

Denny and Enzo are perplexed, and Denny tells Trish and Maxwell they can't have custody. Trish tries to explain that they have the experience and finances to properly raise Zoë, but Denny again refuses. Trish states that Eve wanted them to have custody, and Denny says she never told him that. Sighing, Maxwell hands Denny an envelope. Denny opens it, and Maxwell tells Denny he should get a lawyer because they're suing him for Zoë's custody.

Zoë returns to the adults and crawls into Denny's lap. Enzo watches Denny's face change, and Denny tells Zoë to pack her things, telling her they're going home. Maxwell tries to stop her and Denny is furious. Zoë doesn't know who to listen to, and Trish finally tells her to pack while the adults talk. Trish pleads with Denny to let them keep Zoë while the lawyers work something out, but Denny refuses.

Maxwell, shaking with anger, starts asking Denny how he's going to care for Zoë, and asks if she gets sick if Denny is going to keep her from the doctors like he did with Eve. Denny retorts that Eve refused to see a doctor, and that nobody could make Eve do what she didn't want to do. Maxwell says that's why Eve is dead, and Denny refuses to continue the conversation. He calls for Zoë and straps her into the car. Maxwell tells Denny he's going to regret this decision as Denny, Enzo, and Zoë drive away. Denny mutters to himself that he services the cars of the best lawyers in town and has their home phone numbers as a result. As they pull out of the driveway, Enzo notices that the white van and Eve are gone.