Food
As Cam moves his journey of grief and gets closer to the "acceptance" stage of the process, food imagery becomes more common. In part, that is because Cam moves back to Houston to work in his friend TJ's bakery. However, it also quickly becomes a symbol of Cam's renewal and his genesis.
Spectral imagery
Spectral imagery—mainly, Kai's ghost—is present throughout the entire novel. Not only is Kai's ghost a symbol of Cam's grief, but it also illustrates how consumed Cam is with his grief. Everywhere he goes, he sees Kai; he is never able to escape her.
Nasty words
The nasty words Cam and TJ exchange with each other are described vividly. Invariably, those insults are vivid and rich with detail. Because their conversations sound so authentic, this transports readers into their world. These are real characters with legitimate issues.
Travel
As Cam goes deeper on a journey so that he can find himself again and explore his grief, imagery surrounding travel—like airplanes, flight attendants, and hotel rooms—becomes more common. Throughout the novel, Cam visits Houston, Los Angeles, and Osaka, Japan. As he immerses himself in those cultures, he ironically starts to find himself.
