The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapter 56 Summary & Analysis

Enzo narrates the commencement of the trial, but notes that what he is telling the reader is reconstructed from what he heard and what he knows of court proceedings from courtroom dramas. He wasn't there, because he was a dog. The first day was devoted to pretrial motions, and on the second day they selected the jury. Both days, Mike and Tony arrived at Denny's apartment in the morning, Mike to escort Denny to court while Tony stayed behind to take care of Enzo. Tony and Enzo didn't do much besides read and occasionally walk to a nearby café so Tony could use the free wi-fi to check his email. In the years since Tony washed Enzo's dog, Enzo decided he liked Tony, although Enzo's dog finally fell apart and was thrown away.

On the third morning, Tony, Mike, and Denny are all tense, as this was the day that would decide Denny's future. Enzo says he later learned that Mr. Lawrence began with an impassioned opening statement, and the prosecution brought a string of witnesses, all cousins who had been at the cabin, who detailed Denny's predatory behavior with Annika. When Annika was called to the stand, she described every look and incidental touch, but said she had no idea what she was getting herself into and that she'd been tormented ever since.

Enzo tells the reader that he would've asked in what way the events tormented her, by her innocence or by her guilt? Enzo reiterates that he wasn't there to ask, and continues that when Annika was done, nobody in the courtroom except for Denny was sure he hadn't assaulted Annika.

Later in the afternoon, Enzo and Tony are at the cafe. Enzo is dozing as Tony pockets his cell phone. He tells Enzo that it was Mike, and the prosecutor asked for a special recess, which means something is happening. Tony and Enzo hurry to the courthouse. Enzo struggles with the pain, but Tony insists they keep moving. When they arrive at the courthouse, Annika is in the middle of a group of people outside, but as Tony approaches it starts to rain and the group hurries inside. Enzo notes that Annika is crying and winces when she notices Enzo, He wonders what's going on and wishes for an intervention from a movie star to make everything right again.

Tony and Enzo escape the rain under an awning. Enzo wishes he could intervene in the courtroom, and Tony says they can't change anything now. Enzo wonders if that's true as he lies down on the wet concrete and falls asleep.

In Enzo's dream, Mr. Lawrence calls Enzo to the stand. The prosecution objects, but the judge asks if this dog can speak. Mr. Lawrence says that he uses Stephen Hawking's voice synthesizer, and the judge overrules the objection and swears Enzo in. Mr. Lawrence asks Enzo what happened that night, and Enzo, before answering, says that the truth lies in all of us, hidden in a hall of mirrors. He mentions a James Bond film in which Bond shatters mirrors to reveal the villain, and Enzo continues that we also must root out distortions until the truth stands before us.

Pausing, Enzo then says that Denny did nothing to Annika, but that it was clear that she loved Denny and offered herself to him, which Denny refused. The judge asks Annika if this is true, and she bursts into tears and drops her accusations. The judge dismisses the case and awards Denny custody of Zoë, and Denny, Zoë, and Enzo embrace.

Enzo wakes to hear Denny's voice saying it's over. Denny continues and says that Annika recanted. Mike hugs Denny, and Denny cries. Tony thanks Mr. Lawrence, who says that he got Annika to admit that the story she'd been telling was what she'd hoped had happened, not what had actually happened.

Enzo glances around and sees Annika leaving the courthouse with her family. Enzo says he realized then that she wasn't bad, and that a driver can't be angry at another driver for a track incident—a driver can only be upset at himself for being there at the wrong time. Annika waves, and Enzo barks in reply.