Chapter 8
Two weeks later, Solomon and Mikhail were healed from the fire injuries, and each was acknowledged time and again by other crew members for their heroism. It made them feel self-conscious but good.
With them walking the top deck at night after work, Solomon said, “God was good to put us together for that deck duty. It was an honor serving with you. You were heroic.”
“And so were you, my friend. I love you. I never stopped loving you.”
Solomon sniffled at the tears that threatened, but then he gave in and cried. “I’ve loved you forever. We met when we were ten and became instant friends. We got jobs together in that first restaurant. We worked well together and played well. You were the first person I felt comfortable with in my life. I always felt like an outsider, with my fa
