"I can show you, if you want." Maybe a few years ago, he would've balked at the suggestion. But at this point, there wouldn't be much point in trying to hide it. His location's obvious to just about anyone here. A few days of dedicated observation would strip away that smokescreen in a second. "I dunno if there's any empty places left on the islet I'm on, but there probably are. People come and go all the time."

If they're gonna visit the islets, it occurs to him that Jay might have to contend with the fact that Tim lives with a tigerlily. But he's gonna cross that bridge when he gets to it, and not before.

He's not at the point where he's ready to offer that Jay stay with him. Not yet.

God knows if he'll ever reach that point.