Summary

The story opens with a memory of Frank driving to visit some clients during a paricularly cold and slippery winter night. As he approaches the house, a dog runs out in front of him, causing Frank to hit it. Frank figures that the dog belongs to the clients, but after Frank and the clients go to it, they realize it is not their dog. The clients agree to bury the stray dog, but they also end up accepting Frank's sale offer. Frank recalls that this incident happened more than twenty years ago.

Although it is early evening, Frank feels that it is the same kind of night as he drives to Carnage Hill, a local assisted living facility. He is on his way to see his ex-wife, Ann, who is a resident and suffering from Parkinsons's disease. As he drives past...