Chapter Two, Early Years Summary and Analysis

Chapter two gives some background information for Daniel's parents, Jennifer and Kevin. He describes their meeting and courtship, and their early years together leading up to Daniel's birth. Most of this chapter's contents appear to be memories told to Daniel by his parents. He chronicles his birth and the problems his parents encountered once they brought Daniel home from the hospital. Daniel was a fussy child who could find comfort in nothing. Outside of the crying, Daniel developed normally in other areas. The only problem seemed to manifest itself in his behavior.

Daniel was not a bad child but just one with a few unusual habits. As a toddler, he would bang his head against a particular wall incessantly. When Daniel started nursery school, it became apparent that he was lacking basic social skills. He...