The story begins with Christopher going outside to find that the neighborhood dog, Wellington, has been stabbed with a garden fork and left to die. He is sad and hugs the dog's body, which in return makes him seem like the killer. When the cops arrive and Christopher is interrogated the cop grabs his arm, which upsets him more than anything. Without thinking, he slaps the cop across the face, and ends up being taken to jail. Ed, who we refer to as Father throughout the entire story, comes to get Christopher out of jail. He does not favor hugs and intimacy, so his father reaches out his hand and outstretched fingers as a sign of peace. They touch hands, and then go home.
Later that night, Father tells Chris not to worry about the dog and to move on with his life. Christopher is confused, but still agrees to his dad's order. He comes down the stairs to realize that he sees Father crying quietly to himself. He asks if he is sad over the death of Wellington, and he hesitantly agrees and says yes. Hearing this information, Christopher is confused, but satisfied enough to go to sleep.
