How It All Goes Down
- Enzo can't help but compare himself to Eve, the well-groomed, opposable-thumb-wielding newcomer who seems to have captured Denny's attention.
- Eve and Denny get married within the year, and nine months later, Zoë is born.
- While Enzo likes Eve more at this point, he's a little jealous of the unborn baby, mostly because he knows he and Eve could never bond in the same way.
- Enzo also hopes the baby might look like him, but we think there's a pretty slim chance that this baby will have water dog on her mother's side.
- The moment of Zoë's birth is a point of contention, since she's born when Denny is in Daytona, Florida at a race.
- Enzo steps in as a surrogate for Denny, vowing silently always to protect Zoë.
- It's also a real bonding moment with Eve, which is sweet.
- When Denny returns and ask Enzo if he's seen their baby, Enzo indignantly replies, "Did I see her? I practically birthed her!" (6.24).
- Of course, Enzo is a dog, and Denny can't understand him, but we can give the dog credit where credit is due.
- Life gets back to some form of order after Zoë is born. Denny goes back to work at the car shop and also spends time teaching racing for a little extra money.
- Eve goes to work at a clothing company, but because Enzo isn't fashion savvy, he doesn't tell us anything about where she works.
- Enzo laments his days alone until Denny leaves the television on by mistake and then makes a habit letting Enzo watch TV.
- Enzo regales us with the joys of watching television by himself for the first time—he'd like to tell you that the Weather Channel isn't about the weather; it's about the world.
- The Speed Channel also captivates him, but with an owner like Denny, of course it would.
- The family moves to a new house, with a yard for Enzo to run in, which is his absolutely favorite thing.
- In this new home, Enzo discovers the first signs that there is something wrong with Eve.
- He wishes he could say something, but he can't.
- Although if Enzo could talk, Eve would probably be offended to find out he thinks she smells like old mushrooms.
- Unless that's what she was going for?
- We get more racing talk, because if it hasn't become apparent by now, there's going to be a lot of racing in this book.
- Enzo and Denny watch recordings of some of Denny's past races, with Denny playing the role of announcer, talking through the finer points of his game.
- Eve also watches alongside them, and while she appreciates what Denny does for his craft, she admits that she doesn't understand it or think she could do it herself.
- We feel you, Eve. We probably couldn't do it, either.
- Denny also lays down the most important and inspiring quote in the entire book: that which you manifest is before you.
- We recommend remembering this, because it will continue to be important.
- Denny's applying it to racing here, but Enzo applies it to his relationship with Eve.
- Enzo's been afraid to love Eve, because he's afraid she won't love him. This has led to their uneasy relationship.
- Since Enzo can't give Eve a gift or tell her why he feels uneasy around her, he takes Denny's advice and follows Eve into the kitchen, purposely leaving Denny to spend time with her.
- Eve notices this, because it's really unusual for Enzo not to be by Denny's side when he's home.
- Enzo and Eve have a bonding moment while Eve's cooking dinner, full of belly rubs and snuggles.
- Denny gets another racing opportunity at Watkins Glen and will be gone for some time.
- The family is thrilled for Denny, but once he leaves, Eve's health declines, and she has a terrible headache one morning.
- Cue the ominous music.
- Enzo knows what's wrong—that darn mushroom smell strikes again—but he can't tell Eve, so he keeps her company while she panics.
- Eve packs herself and Zoë up and flees the home, leaving Enzo behind.
- Wait, when did this book turn into Home Alone?
- Enzo pulls out of his narrative for another sermon on racing.
- Enzo tells us that a driver will try to control the car in all forms of driving, to make sure he can keep control in all situations and anticipate any eventuality. This requires focus, drive, and an understanding of the car and how it works.
- Having a driver's license also comes in handy.
- Ideal driving conditions don't always happen, so when things aren't ideal, a driver must do the best he can to fix the situation.
- Of course, this is advice for Enzo's next seventy-two hours alone. He doesn't have a driver's license, but we think he can pull it off.