Page 86 of Out on a Limb

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Cameron said.

“Watch your mouth. This is a children’s soccer game.”

“I’m not just going to disappear.”

Doug aimed a fuck you smile straight at him. “You really think so? You think once you’re busy at your job, and with your new friends, and fully settled into your new life, that you’re going to have time for them? Unlike you, I’ve been through the whole graduation thing. I’ve had friends who moved to LA or New York or Chicago or London, and we all promised that we’d keep in touch.” He shook his head. The condescension dripped from his gaping pores. “You can guess how that went.”

“People not wanting to keep in touch with you? Shocker.” But Cameron couldn’t enjoy the victory because he knew on some level Doug was right.

“I may not know you that well, Cameron, but from what I’ve gathered, you seem like someone who leaves no trace once he’s gone. You have fun with people, pick at their fabric without letting them pick at yours, and then you’re gone.”

“Don’t psychoanalyze me.”

“Just go, Cameron. This is what you want. An easy out.”

“Doug, shut up.” Walker stood up and soon towered over both of them. His eyes burned into his ex.

“Don’t you tell me to shut up.”

“DOUG, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Walker yelled. Parents from the folding chairs and sidelines swiveled their heads. Doug’s face reddened at the attention. So did Cameron’s. Walker was already a deep red.

“I beg your pardon,” Doug spat out.

“This is my life. Not yours. Stop acting like you always know what’s best for Hobie, because you don’t. You do what’s best for you and your image, and OUR SON is just along for the ride.

“Cameron and I love each other, and whatever happens next, we’re going to figure it out. We’ll do what’s best for Hobie. You don’t get to decide jack shit.”

Did he just say he loved me?Cameron’s stomach twisted in knots.

Walker stepped closer to Doug, who looked visibly shaken. It didn’t give Cameron the satisfaction he thought it would. “Get the hell off your high horse, and leave us the fuck alone.”

“Dad?” Hobie called out from the field. He wasn’t the only one watching. An opposing player kicked a ball between his legs, then scored.

It took Hobie a few seconds to realize what happened, and he started crying. The coach joined their conversation. “Can you gentlemen take this to the parking lot? This is not the time or place.”

“It’s okay. I’m going,” Cameron said. He was already running to the street. Before Walker could interject, he was gone, no trace of him left on the field.

CHAPTER twenty-eight

Walker

Walker worked late that night to show Patricia he was serious about this job. He knew he was on thin ice after his outburst, right when she needed them all to be at their most buttoned up. If it were possible, she sent him more emails.

Subject: Weekly Spend Report

Subject: Slide six

Subject: You triple-checked all numbers, right?

Subject: Did you see the new Pantene commercial last night?

It could be worse, he reminded himself. He could be making minimum wage or doing backbreaking work. Or both. They were called the golden handcuffs for a reason. On some level, you never wanted to take them off. But when he thought of people he knew, they liked what they did. Doug loved being a psychiatrist. Cameron was moving across the country to pursue his love of movies. Where did Walker miss the boat?

Graduation was weeks away, but already the campus was covered with decorations. Cap-and-gown paraphenalia blanketed lampposts, sides of buildings, and even the sidewalk.

Not much had changed since Walker was a senior. He remembered snippets of graduation. The bus rides to senior week events, although not the actual events. The photo albums they made. Picking up his robe and tassel. His mind couldn’t place specific events, but rather the overall feeling of hope and excitement that stirred him up.

He had so much promise. That’s what graduation was, one big promise. A celebration of one half of your life ending, and the whole other half beginning. Numerically, it didn’t line up, but it was the end of what you knew: school, classwork, that routine gone in favor of working.