Driving north, Cameron watches the engine temperature gauge and feels relief that his repair worked. He jokes at a roadside sign but can’t find his phone, then realizes he left it on the front bumper during the belt change. Accepting it as “expensive roadkill,” he laughs, wired from nearly thirty hours without sleep.

He pulls into a truck stop in the Rogue River Valley, chooses rest over pushing on, and sleeps six hours. After washing up and grabbing coffee, he throws away a mostly full pack of cigarettes, a small but deliberate shift.

Back on the road, he replays his impulsive resignation note and starts crafting an apology in his head. The self-reproach gradually becomes resolve.

Crossing the Columbia River, Cameron reenters Washington, still heading north. He commits to return and make amends, intent on doing things the right way this time.