Who is durkins in the book taking sides by Gary soto?

"Taking Sides" by Gary Soto is a short story, not a book. In the story, Durkins is the name of the family that lives next door to the narrator.

There's not much specific information about Durkins other than they are a family with a son who's the same age as the narrator. They have a dog named "Duke" who is a constant presence in the story.

While the story focuses on the narrator's internal struggles and the relationship with his brother, the Durkins family serve as a symbol of a seemingly perfect and stable family that the narrator admires and wishes he had.