Chapter 201 of All the Colors of the Dark opens with Sammy, in his usual cynical manner, expressing his disdain for a guard who confiscated a round of Beaufort d’Été, a luxury he insists is vital for survival in a place like this. He remarks, almost bitterly, that the first casualty of imprisonment is one’s palate, as small pleasures like good food are quickly taken away, replaced by bland, unappetizing meals. The conversation takes a turn when Sammy, ever the art enthusiast, talks about his work, noting that one of his pieces, Grace Number One, has the potential to sell for seven figures. Patch listens quietly, showing little outward reaction, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. He is more preoccupied with Charlotte, knowing that she will be well taken care of by Misty and her grandmother. Sammy, noticing Patch’s distraction, shifts the topic and asks about Charlotte’s current state. Patch reveals that she has resumed painting, though in a more casual manner, and Sammy humorously comments that Charlotte may have wasted a few canvases in the process. This small bit of news brings a brief lightness to Patch’s mood, offering a fleeting moment of relief in an otherwise heavy day.

Sammy, always ready to help, offers to cover the tab for their drinks, but Patch instead asks for a personal favor. He requests that Sammy go to the attic of the Mad House to retrieve a specific box containing his childhood belongings, among them a June 1965 issue of Playboy—a simple request that holds more meaning for Patch than Sammy could realize. Sammy, eager to show off and demonstrate his own experience with such things, begins to boast about his own collection of items like the one Patch is seeking. However, Patch cuts him off, signaling that this moment is not about Sammy’s antics. The lighthearted exchange is abruptly halted when Sammy delivers the devastating news that Norma, the woman who had been like family to Patch, passed away that morning. The news hangs heavily in the air, and the atmosphere in the room shifts from casual camaraderie to solemnity. Patch, though visibly shaken by the loss, calmly instructs Sammy to relay a simple message to Norma, a request that Sammy agrees to without hesitation, recognizing the significance of this task for his friend.

As the conversation winds down, Patch finds himself lost in thought, observing a little girl in the room who is drawing with crayons. The bright, vivid colors of her artwork stand in stark contrast to the weight of the conversation that just transpired. Sammy, now preparing to leave, gets up, and Patch’s mind wanders to their shared history. Despite Sammy’s frequent trips under the pretext of business, Patch realizes that Sammy never once revisited the lost acres of their past, the part of their shared history that still lingers in Patch’s memory. He recalls how, during the arraignment, Sammy remained calm, sipping from a flask while Patch’s hands trembled in anxiety. Their communication over the years had always been minimal but meaningful—short quotes, mostly from Oscar Wilde, and postcards reflecting the colors and emotions of Patch’s art. These small, quiet exchanges had always been enough between them, a form of communication that didn’t require elaborate words to convey their shared experiences.

Sammy had always respected Patch’s need for silence, never once asking him to explain his actions or to open up about his past. Instead, he silently acknowledged the weight of Patch’s struggles, understanding that some things couldn’t be spoken aloud. Sammy’s response, adjusting his hat and sinking deeper into his blazer, affirms that he never needed to know the details. The bond between them, though forged in silence, is unspoken yet profound. Their friendship isn’t based on grand gestures or constant conversation but on mutual understanding, respect, and shared moments of vulnerability. In a world that often demands explanations, their connection transcends the need for validation or justification. It is a rare and enduring friendship, built not on words, but on the quiet acknowledgment of each other’s presence and struggles. In many ways, this connection is more meaningful than any spoken conversation could ever be, as it speaks to the depth of their understanding and the comfort they find in each other’s company.