The Miseducation of Cameron Post

On the six-hour drive with Ruth to God’s Promise, Cameron reflects on the aftermath of Coley’s betrayal. Lindsey called once, but Ruth did not allow her to speak to Cameron. Cameron saw Jamie one last time, who confirmed that everyone at school now knew about Cameron and Coley’s romantic entanglement. Cameron remembers that she did not try to escape or push back against Ruth’s intervention because she felt like she deserved the punishment of attending God’s Promise. Ruth and Cameron pass Quake Lake, the site of Cameron’s parents’ death.

Upon their arrival at God’s Promise, a student named Jane Fonda, who proudly totes her artificial leg, greets Cameron and Ruth. Jane takes many Polaroids of the new arrivals, which jars Cameron and Ruth. When Ruth protests, Jane reasons that she wants to capture the purest moment. 

Jane takes Ruth and Cameron on a tour of the school’s beautiful grounds, complete with archery fields, streams, space for horseback riding, and a chicken coop for organic eggs: “[A] little of everything western Montana is famous for” (267). 

Jane informs Cameron and Ruth that most of the students are in Bozeman with Rick but will return shortly. Cameron’s new roommate, Erin from Minnesota, is among them.