Chapter 67

Later, when his head wound had healed, he’d be able to cope. He’d be able to pick himself up, dust himself off, and consider the lessons learned. Sure, he’d had a few hours when he’d had the illusion of being part of something. He’d believed that he wasn’t alone anymore. Finding out that it was all an illusion and going back to his usual solitary state hurt more than being alone had in the first place. He’d know better, the next time. If someone came around and he started to feel those kinds of stirrings, he’d run.

Eventually, the ache would fade.

The therapist in the group home had talked to him about this. Maybe it was the one in college, the one he’d promised he’d go see. Cameron had always had difficulty forming attachments and building relationships, and that wasn’t ever going to change. It was one of those facts he accepted about himself. Maybe that was why the blowup with Jason hurt so much. Their relationship hadn’t been much, but Cameron had let himself get attached.