Christopher’s mother died two years ago. Christopher’s father told him she developed a heart problem, and that “I’m afraid you won’t be seeing your mother for a while” (22). He said this while turned away, which Christopher liked, since most of the time people look at him when they talk, and they can read his face, but he can’t read theirs. Christopher wanted to take food to her—he heard hospital food isn’t good—but his father said he’d take it and the doctors would give it to her. Christopher said he’d make a get-well card for her; his father said he’d take it to her. 

The day after the dog died, Christopher takes the bus to school and passes four red cars in a row. To him, this means it’ll be a “Good Day.” Four yellow cars in a row make for a “Black Day,” when Christopher avoids people, doesn’t eat lunch, and takes no risks.

School psychologist Mr. Jeavons once asked Christopher why he used that system, which seemed somewhat arbitrary and differs from Christopher’s usual rational thinking, but Christopher responded that he likes things in a “nice order” and that rational systems are only one way of doing so.