SHe'd almost looked forward to the nonsexual intimacy stage, when he'd thought he'd be able to do it with Asher.
He does his best to hide how miserable he is.
"Does anyone else think it's weird that only the girls are being taught how to spend time with children? Do they think fathers don't exist?"
"Of course you are."
She presses her face into Lev's shoulder.
"...I'm really glad I have you guys."
— and — she's not okay, she's not going to be okay, but just for the moment. Just for right now.
On Monday afternoon, Serena enters the group therapy room late. Her voice is cold. "I found a book of matches from a gay bar in the girls' dormitory."
"One or more of you were sneaking out with Ron Parker. I want names. If you confess, I will go easy on you."
He couldn't tell Serena who was at the gay bar even if he wanted to but he's judging her competence a little nonetheless.
"I found these under a particular girl's bed. If she speaks up, I will not punish her."
"Sinead, that's wonderful! I'm so glad your treatment is working. Everyone, a round of applause for Sinead."
...there's a round of applause for Sinead.
Nobody expresses skepticism, or at least, nobody expresses it out loud.
"I will deal with the matchbook issue later. Sinead, would you like to talk to Lev for a bit?"