Summer of Riley

William comes back downstairs before his father leaves. Dorothy wonders if they can submit an appeal for Riley since he chased the horse but did not actually bite him. However, William’s father points out that the law specifically says that chasing livestock is enough of a reason to put a dog down. William hopes that he can convince Peachie to change her mind and forgive Riley. He intends to go over to her house to explain that Riley will be killed if she does not retract her complaint. As he leaves, he hears his father telling his mother not to give him false hope—Riley will likely be euthanized in five days. William is shocked to hear this and rushes to Peachie’s house. 

William asks Peachie how the Sultan is doing, and Peachie says that the horse is still nervous. She believes that if Riley had gotten into the barn, the Sultan would be dead. William sobs as he tries to explain that Riley was just trying to play with the horse. Peachie, however, is firm in her belief that Riley’s behavior is dangerous. She reminds William about a dog that got loose and chased a cow. The cow broke through a fence, ran onto the road, and got hit by a car; the driver and the cow died in the accident. William then tries to give Peachie all of the money in his savings—$348.75—to cover the Sultan’s medical costs. Peachie insists that she would never take money from William; all she wants is to be able to live in peace with her horse and not be afraid that Riley will attack them. William tells her that Riley will be killed in five days. Peachie agrees that the law is tough but says that it exists for a good reason. Then, William angrily tells Peachie that he will never speak to her or the Sultan ever again. He also declares that he is going to save Riley, no matter what.

William is angry when he gets home. He believes his father is to blame for letting the officers take Riley away. He receives an email from Grace in which she apologizes profusely for what she said about Riley. William thinks that Grace should feel bad for what she said, but he recognizes that her apology is sincere. They make plans to meet the following day. William tells his mother about his conversation with Peachie. Dorothy explains that Peachie is simply trying to protect her horse; she loves the animal, which is her connection to her dead husband. She reminds William of all the good things that Peachie has done for them in the past. She also tells William that she has spoken a few times to the man from the pound, Stephen, and that she will call him again to ask for advice about what to do. 

Dorothy is planning to contact a lawyer to help with the appeal. However, even if the case is successful, all they can do is save Riley’s life. He cannot ever live with them again because he could pose a danger to other animals. William is upset at first, but he soon realizes that saving Riley’s life is the most important thing. Afterward, William and Dorothy read tea leaves. William sees a bird flying free and believes that it might be a sign about Riley’s future. Dorothy is more hesitant; she explains that reading tea leaves is really just a form of wish fulfillment. However, she does concede that the leaves look like a bird. William believes that the bird is a hopeful sign.

That night, William thinks about his grandfather and misses him. He thinks that it is hard to decide what to do with their unfinished pond because it is his last connection to his grandfather, just like the Sultan is Peachie’s last connection to her husband. It was easier for William to miss his grandfather with Riley by his side.

Grace comes over the following morning and apologizes again. She says she does not want Riley to be put down, but she is still friends with Peachie and the Sultan. Dorothy calls Stephen and gets the number of a lawyer who can help with Riley’s case. She contacts the lawyer and learns that the county commissioners will decide Riley’s fate. With only four days left to save Riley, William and Grace formulate a plan to contact the commissioners, print signs, and start a petition. William sees Riley’s old tennis ball in his closet and is struck by grief once again.

Dorothy files an appeal for Riley, and it is accepted. The commissioners will take 21 days to review the case and deliver their decision. Dorothy and William are very relieved that they will now have time to convince the commissioners to spare Riley’s life. William and Grace order a poster and flyers at the print shop and are told the poster will take 10 days to be ready. The owner of the shop does not charge William for the flyers. He is sympathetic to William’s situation but warns that people in town will have their own opinions about Riley. He tells William that though William might have strong feelings on the subject, that does not mean that he is in the right.

As William and Grace leave the shop, they run into Ellis Porter and Duane Smith, two bullies who used to go to their school. They tease William about his flyers, and Ellis says that dogs are vermin. Ellis’s cat was killed by three unleashed dogs, and he now harbors a grudge against all dogs. Grace stands up to them and defends Riley. As Ellis and Duane leave, a woman named Mrs. Upton talks to William about Riley. She is sympathetic to their cause, but she understands why Peachie is upset. She also believes that dogs that chase livestock are too dangerous to have in their community. William is horrified to hear this and realizes that people in the town are going to have their own opinions about Riley, and some of them will be unkind.