Several weeks later, on a frigid February morning, Gabriel stared, unseeing out the window of the group home where he was temporarily placed the day after his blowout with the Dolans. Although he’d been able to stay at the same high school, Simon had not returned. Nobody he spoke with had any way he could get in touch with him. He’d even begged his caseworker at DCF to take a note to him, but she had refused, citing that it would be highly inappropriate.
The other boys at the group home seemed to pick up on Gabriel’s ‘leave me the f**k alone’ vibe. Since he’d arrived, nobody had messed with him, which was a nice change from the last time he was placed in a group home and had to battle for the privilege.
He felt gutted. This time it felt even worse than before. Not only was Justin gone fo
