Alone on the island, Kayode spoke into the wind: "Hold together, little shelter. Hold together. Because tonight, this storm wants us both down. So this is fear without servants, without gold, with only my own shaking hands."
Folake said, "Listen to that rain dance outside while we sit here warm and dry."
Tayo replied, "Somewhere out there, the sea is teaching lessons we could never teach him."
Folake said softly, "Dance with me slowly, friend, while the storm spends its anger on the sea."
Tayo observed, "Gladly, because in here there is only music, warmth, and your steady smile."
Folake said, "By morning, this rain will wash the whole ship clean from bow to stern."
Tayo replied, "And maybe it will wash a proud heart clean somewhere out there, too."
By daylight the signal fire was ruined and half his shelter lay scattered. Kayode gathered the pieces with aching arms, working slowly because there was no other choice. On the Golden Crest, the crew returned to the pool and a relaxed breakfast, a routine that seemed luxurious precisely because nobody was shouting. Folake ate with Tayo and tried not to imagine the island's condition after the storm. Her silence that morning was different from the silence she had practiced at the party.
Alone on the island, Kayode spoke into the wind: "The storm took half my roof. So today, these hands build it back again. My signal pile lies flat like my pride, and both must rise again slowly. When I find those two, they will answer for every night I slept on this cold ground! I did not survive this long to die before I face them."
Folake answered, "Morning swims and slow peace his gold never bought him."
Tayo said, "And yet here it is, served daily to the kindest heart on board."
Folake replied, "Breakfast at noon—at noon because nobody on this ship answers to his timetable anymore."
Tayo said, "Eat the sweet plantain first. It tastes like a holiday on a plate."
The charter office eventually noticed that the most demanding guest aboard the Golden Crest had not made his usual calls. Captain Segun approached Folake with a question that neither money nor cleverness could keep away indefinitely. Their earlier choices had created obligations they could no longer postpone. Folake answered quickly, but her assurance did not quiet the unease beneath it. Outside the bridge windows, a ship's course line stretched steadily toward the mainland.
Captain said, "Folake, the charter office is asking after their missing guest. They want word of him today."
Folake said, "Tell them the guest extended his private tour and asked for no contact, word for word."
Folake answered, "One more sunset will find us here, grateful and completely at peace together."
Tayo said, "And one more sunrise will find him hoping the way we once hoped."
Alone on the island, Kayode spoke into the wind: "These legs were strong on that shining deck; now they tremble crossing my own beach. Hold... hold... These old rocks nearly shook me down, yet even they cannot finish me today. If any ship hears me, tell those two their sweet holiday is ending! I am still alive here!"