That Malcolm was bullied comes as no surprise. While the dynamics and intricacies of the modern school system are lost on Doc, he understands ostracism and stigma. Malcolm would have been a prime target of the special kind of cruelty that children have not yet learned to temper down.

"If you have it, you have it." Doc shrugs. What can be done, in such a situation? It is not a consolation, it is a fact.

"It wouldn't matter in the end how you got it, if you do end up a certain way. After finding a place to stow away the blame you still need to face the next day carrying it with you." All the yelling in the world until voices are hoarse and broken, bridges charred to black and feelings irreparably destroyed, does not make anyone no longer angry or lost or bitter.

"I am not sure what can be done for such an ailment, but if those around you cannot handle the mere possibility that you may shoulder a burden they are blessed not to have to, if you have to hide pieces of yourself to be accepted then they were never worth your time or efforts to begin with. It was better to bid them farewell and find the precious few others who are willing to stick the hard times through with you."