Simon Sort of Says

Simon reflects on why he agreed to work with Agate and notes that he sometimes goes along with things just to stay afloat (which his mother refers to as “Simon Says Mode” [50]). In English class, Simon talks to Agate about the project, and Agate invites Simon to her farm after school to talk about sidereal time (the measurement of time used by astronomers to determine if a signal came from earth or from a star).

Simon’s parents watch him with worry as he rides away and uses a map to find the farm, which is located near the Very Large Radio Telescope. Simon notices that it looks much bigger up close. He finds the farm, which is populated by dozens of goats, and follows Agate into the house. Agate’s house is chaotic and full, as she has six siblings and the family also breeds golden retriever service dogs. The puppies’ father is a dog named Todd who has the skills of a service dog but apparently lacks the concern for humans needed to do the job. Simon also meets Agate’s mother, who seems overwhelmed but says a quick hello as she feeds her youngest kids.