Collins handled the boat by himself, leaving David to do nothing but enjoy the view. At first, he could see the islands they were leaving behind. A few other boats dotted the horizon. But as one day turned into three, there was nothing around. No one else on the water. No land. Nothing, other than water, in any direction. It was peaceful. It was empty. It was lonely.

It was appropriate.

“I fixed things up for you,” Collins told him, coming out onto the deck and ...