Petey

At school, Kenny confronts Trevor yet again, calling Petey Trevor’s friend and threatening to hurt him. Trevor denies Petey is his friend, but after school Trevor deliberately goes directly to the nursing home. Trevor finds Petey in his usual place on the lawn and hides behind some bushes, waiting as a sentry in case the bullies appear. As he watches Petey from afar, considering what his experiences must have been like, Trevor thinks about the unfairness of life. Every day at school Kenny repeats his threats against Petey, so Trevor continues to report to his post after school to keep watch. One Friday, Trevor decides to approach Petey, and Petey indicates through looks and gestures that he had seen Trevor in his hiding place all that time. When Sissy appears, Trevor asks about Petey’s jerking movements, and Sissy explains he doesn’t have control of his muscles. She also acknowledges that Petey has been attempting to draw her attention to the bushes for some time, and she now understands why. Through Sissy, Petey asks Trevor why he sits there each afternoon. Trevor explains that the bullies had continued their treats, inadvertently admitting that he did know who they were. When Petey asks why Trevor hid instead of just saying hello, Trevor admits he was afraid of Petey, and Petey expresses his appreciation of Trevor’s honesty. Sissy asks if Trevor would like to take Petey for a walk, and Trevor agrees, trying to make out Petey’s unique speech patterns and taking note of the sheer joy and appreciation for his surroundings Petey is gleaning from their walk. Trevor is embarrassed as people along their path stare at them. Trevor notes Sissy was correct in her assessment of Petey’s ability to find happiness in his life. Petey’s wheelchair is old, worn down, and frequently requires stops for adjustments along their walk. As Trevor stops to fix one of the tires, he looks up to see Kenny, Bud, and String standing in their way. Trevor cannot outrun them pushing Petey, especially with the condition of his wheelchair, and he will not leave Petey behind.

At school the following day, Trevor confronts Kenny, telling Kenny that Petey nearly died, and Trevor will call the police and ensure Kenny is punished should he ever approach Petey again. Kenny insists he never meant to hurt him. After school, Trevor brings fishing tackle and duct tape for Petey’s wheelchair and rides to the nursing home to take Petey fishing. Sissy prepares Petey for his outing, showing Trevor what he must do to change Petey’s garments and clean him up after his body performs necessary functions. Sissy stresses that Petey requires help with everything and that Trevor should be prepared in the event Petey requires his assistance. Trevor is rather disgusted by the process, but he observes and takes note of the protocols anyway. Sissy includes Petey’s photo album from Warm Springs in case Petey would like to look at it with Trevor. Along their walk, Trevor becomes even more painfully aware of the necessity of acquiring of a new wheelchair for Petey, and he commits to making this happen. At the lake, Trevor helps Petey catch several fish and remembers how his parents used to fish with him when they had more time together. Petey insists on throwing all the fish back, not wanting any to die.

Back at the nursing home, Trevor asks Sissy how to go about getting Petey a new wheelchair. Sissy tells Trevor it’s a difficult process requiring authorization of the administrator, but that it couldn’t hurt to try. Sissy brings Trevor and Petey with her to the office of Mr. Hedrick, the nursing home administrator, so Trevor can make his case. Trevor highlights the dangers of the current chair Petey is using and all the repairs Trevor has had to make to it for it to remain even marginally functional. Condescendingly, Hedrick assures Trevor he appreciates the young man’s interest, but given Petey’s age and physical limitations he will not give his approval, as it is not a practical use of the nursing home’s resources to acquire a new chair for him. Trevor becomes frustrated and confrontational, challenging the administrator on the values he is supposed to espouse given his position. He tells Hedrick he hopes the administrator is in Petey’s position one day, storming out of the office and bringing Petey with him. 

Despite Mr. Hedrick’s refusal to approve the new wheelchair, Trevor decides to press on with his mission. Sissy explains that approval from Medicaid and a physical therapist’s recommendation are required for the requisition of a new wheelchair. Sissy offers to take the photos Medicaid will need to make their assessment of the condition of the chair. Trevor will need to be responsible for contacting a physical therapist who can make the recommendation and for coordinating with the medical supply company in Billings.

To raise funds, Trevor rides his bike through Bozeman, asking local businesses if they are willing to feature a collection can so patrons can donate; they are glad to help. Inspired, he shares his excitement with his parents, who, to his dismay, do not share his enthusiasm. His mother can’t understand why he isn’t making an effort to make friends his own age. “Trevor wished he knew how to explain. The problem was he didn’t really know how to explain it himself” (189). Trevor resolves to bring Petey to meet his parents so they might understand the connection they share.

In the morning, Trevor collects his first round of donations, thinking about what his mother said about making friends. Trevor had decided it wasn’t practical to try to make friends in each new location they moved to because he would inevitably have to say goodbye to them again. Speaking to the medical supply company that afternoon, he learns a wheelchair the type Petey will require will cost $3,000, 10 times what he had expected. He calls Georgia Adams, the physical therapist recommended by Sissy. Georgia agrees to do the evaluation at no cost if Trevor can fund the purchase of the wheelchair, praising Trevor’s character and determination.

Trevor brings Petey to K-mart, an overwhelmingly exciting experience for Petey, who has never been anywhere like it. Trevor hurries to explain to the best of his ability the purposes for all the items that catch Petey’s attention. Trevor is disappointed and angered by the reactions of most of the shoppers in the store, some of whom stare rudely and openly at Petey while others hurry away. Trevor is grateful to those who smile and greet them. Before bringing Petey back to the nursing home, Trevor stops off at his house to introduce Petey to his parents. When his mother and father come outside, Trevor is devastated by their reaction to Petey.