Chapter 7: Six-Thirty

Summary

• People find dogs through breeders or shelters, but sometimes dogs pick their owners.
• Elizabeth encountered a stray dog after shopping at the local deli and the dog decided to follow her home.
• Calvin watched Elizabeth arrive home followed by the dog and experienced a premonition about her future impact.
• Calvin calls the dog "Six-Thirty" based on Elizabeth's misinterpretation of his question.
• Six-Thirty was in a distressed state and the couple decided to bathe him, despite his focus on Elizabeth.
• Efforts to locate Six-Thirty's owner were fruitless, and it was clear the dog intended to stay with Elizabeth and Calvin.
• Six-Thirty displayed a surprising ability to learn quickly, which was linked to his past training as a bomb-sniffing dog at Camp Pendleton.
• He had failed his training due to fear of loud noises and was subsequently abandoned by his handler.
• Calvin includes Six-Thirty in their daily life, taking him to their workplace despite potential safety issues.
• The dog felt a sense of purpose and connection with Elizabeth, who also sensed the dog's own prior suffering.
• Elizabeth's approach to cooking is analytical, considering it a form of chemistry, and she shares her insights with Six-Thirty.
• Calvin exercises along with a fitness TV show, while Elizabeth continues with cooking and scientific experimentation.
• Elizabeth finds herself explaining cooking chemistry to Six-Thirty, as Calvin finds inspiration to teach Elizabeth rowing.
• Elizabeth shows resistance to Calvin’s idea for her to learn rowing, citing timing and lack of interest.
• Despite her initial reluctance and her comment that "women don't row," Elizabeth agrees to go to the boathouse with Calvin.
• They arrive at the boathouse early in the morning, and Elizabeth is dubious about the outdoor calisthenics session.
• Calvin demonstrates rowing on an "erg" and his intense focus on exercising prompts Elizabeth to explore the boathouse.
• Elizabeth encounters memorabilia of rowing achievements and overhears Calvin being respected as a rowing legend.
• Calvin blocks the activity at the boathouse with his rowing machine; the coxswain reprimands Calvin and motivates him with aggressive encouragements.
• After an intense workout, Calvin introduces Elizabeth as his new rowing partner, surprising the rowing team.
• Their potential as a rowing team is acknowledged, with Calvin expressing confidence in their future success.
• Elizabeth is unaware of women's rowing teams and is hesitant but begins to consider the possibility.