They were opposites in every way—Reza had skin the rich color of freshly turned earth, and Eduard’s own flesh literally paled in comparison. Reza wasn’t yet out of his teens, and Eduard was already in his late thirties. Reza was a roaming soul at sea with barely two guilders to his name, while Eduard had money and land on the horizon, the promise of a staid life as a plantation overseer in Java. As the days progressed and their journey together continued, Eduard grew enamored with the crewman, but though they spent the rest of the sea voyage together, it never crossed Eduard’s mind to invite Reza ashore when they parted ways in Java.
He spent his last moments onboard with the crewman; no words were exchanged, and after one final, lingering kiss, Reza raised his hands between them to push
