In chapter 40 Saul says "we sat in the dark, there were no more words. The silence was enough" (page 171) why does he find such comfort in the darkness?

Saul's time with Toronto's farm team was hell. The racism, the taunts, and the abuse was too much for Saul to cope with. Saul returns to Fred Kelly emotionally damaged. The abuse was foreshadowed throughout the book by Saul's experience with the white world. The silence is meant to underline the sadness and disappointment. Fred understands Saul's pain without Saul having to explain himself. They just need to sit together.