Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis

James wakes up in the middle of the night with overwhelming fear. He walks in the woods and worries about what could happen to him when he leaves the Clinic, what might happen between Lilly and himself. For the first time, Frey reveals a crack in James's confidence in his own ability to stay sober without AA. Remembering the Tao, James realizes that he feels fear only because he allows himself to feel fear. If he lets go of the fear, he will not be afraid. Suddenly, without drugs or alcohol or Lilly, James empowers himself, and he returns to the Clinic feeling centered and prepared for the outside world.

He says his goodbyes to his remaining friends at the Clinic and tells Lilly that he will see her in three months when he is out of prison. James climbs into...