The Art of Racing in the Rain: Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

A few years later, the family experiences a very scary event. Denny had secured a seat for a race at Watkins Glen, NY. Earlier in the spring he'd taken a trip to France for an expensive testing program, which Denny told Mike his parents had paid for. Enzo had his doubts, but decided it didn't matter. Regardless, Denny had done very well because it was rainy in France, and a scout approached him one day and asked if he could drive as fast when it was dry. Soon after, Denny was offered the seat for an enduro race at Watkins Glen. Enzo adds, "that which you manifest is before you."

When Denny leaves for New York, everyone at home is excited to watch the race on Speed Channel. Zoë drives around in her little racecar and pretends to be a champion, and Enzo is so excited he spends time doing "idiotic dog things" like chasing things and digging up the lawn, and he remarks that it was the best of times.

It then, suddenly, became the worst of times. Eve wakes up early on the morning of the race in so much pain that she vomits repeatedly. She speaks candidly to Enzo, saying she doesn't know what's wrong with her. Enzo notes that the last time she spoke to him like this was after Zoë's birth. Enzo knows what's wrong, but has no way to tell her, so he merely stands with her and tries to comfort her, afraid. Eve says that someone is crushing her skull, and suddenly she packs some bags with clothes and toothbrushes, gathers Zoë out of bed, and leaves the house with Zoë. Enzo is left behind.