A New Route

Summary

• The protagonist, Cameron, is in a camper, reflecting on the events of the last hour, hoping for a message from Avery.
• He receives a text from Brad showing a picture of Brad's new baby.
• Cameron then messages Avery, asking if they can talk, before setting off in the camper.
• As he's in standstill traffic, he receives more pictures from Brad which he ignores while his mind debates his reality and self-worth.
• There's a suggestion that he might be offered a permanent position at his place of work, but he doubts his abilities and qualifications.
• With thinning traffic, he eventually stops over at a gas station to refuel and buy a few items.
• While refuelling, he scrolls mindlessly on his phone until coming across posts from Katie, who it seems had previously blocked him.
• He is annoyed by her happy posts and her new partner, furthering his feelings of bitterness.
• Fed up with his circumstances, Cameron looks up a new route from Sowell Bay to Modesto, a 15-hour drive, suggesting a significant change is on the horizon.