Incarnate

A young woman made her way down the steep embankment towards the pier. She wore a light sundress, with a faded flower pattern. It was mostly white, with blues and yellows scattered across. She carried a small bag that looked very thin, the design long gone to sun damage. She had a wearied look about her. She looked like she had just walked several miles to get here, and by the way her shoes, slip on flats, were covered with dirt and mud, it was clear that she walked more miles than she was prepared for.

Moored to the dock, was a grey boat, with a single mast that rose high above the deck although it was just decoration, it fit the ship well in design. It wasn’t a very large boat only enough room for a handful of people. But it seemed seaworthy enough.

The young woman stepped on to the pier and made her way to a podium that someone had erected on the side of the pier next to the boat.

An old lady sat next to the podium, reading a newspaper, her many wrinkles earned from a lifetime of laughter and sadness. Her knuckles were round and caused her fingers to hook at odd angles, that only arthritis over many years could design. She slowly turned the newspaper page and looked up at the sight of the young woman’s approach. The old lady set down the paper and rose “greetings child!” she said in a raspy voice, decades in the making. “are you here to seek passage?”

The young woman nodded and pulled a small clutch wallet from the depths of her bag, fumbling with the catch.

“not now dear,” the old lady said, holding up a shaking hand, “we will take care of that when we get underway.”

The young woman nodded again and smiled briefly.

“your welcome to sit here dockside until the captain arrives.”

She nodded and gathered herself together and made her way down the docks to a row of benches that overlooked the water. A deep dark color, almost blue cast a stark contrast with the early morning sky. The waves slowly rippling up the dock, smacking the pinions as it progressed until it met the shore, where it lapped up quietly, and disappeared. Absorbed into the hungry sand.

She sat and glanced out across the vast emptiness. A fog bank began several miles off shore. A soft unknown, over a sea of vison. The low bellow of a distant foghorn rippled across to the pier. Its soft rumble churned and could be felt in the young woman’s chest. She closed her eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath, held it for a second, then slowly let it out. The stresses of her life seeming to fade briefly, however the look on her face as her eyes opened again told another tale.

Several minutes past before the young woman could hear footsteps on the dock. Confident and firm.

She looked back to see a strong looking woman wearing a captain’s hat approaching the podium. Her gait was even and sure. She wore a waistcoat that flowed behind her with each step. The brass buttons lining the collar down the front shined and sparkled in the light. Her calf high pirate boots shined to a glossy black. The buckle on the side a shiny chrome.

The old lady stood and reached out both arms towards the captain. They smiled and embraced each other in welcome. The hug was deep and full of connection. It lasted longer than normal, and yet, for these two souls, with years of history, it spoke volumes. When they disengaged, the old lady pointed to the end of the dock and said something that the young woman couldn’t make out.

The captain nodded and walked towards the young woman.

“welcome! I hear your looing for passage across?”

The young woman smiled and nodded in affirmation.

“welcome aboard!” the captain said waving the young woman over, “well get you settled below deck, then well shove off in about 20 minutes”

The captain led the young woman to the ramp and walked up to the deck.

At the top, a young boy stood wearing a sailor’s cap and a broad smile he couldnt be older the eight years old. “cap’n on deck!” he cried out, saluting.

The captain smiled and saluted back, “permission to board chief?”

“granted captain!”

The captain bent down and kissed the top of the young boys’ head, making him grimace in a way that only a son would give to his mother.

The captain rose and smiled and pointed at the young woman, “would you mind helping this nice young lady with her things?”

He stood straight, and saluted, “be happy to ma’am!”

“good boy!” she declared, “take her to the passengers’ quarters below deck, then meet me on the bridge for pre sail checks”

“yes ma’am!” the boy saluted again, then approached the young woman “ma’am! Would you like me to carry any of your things?”

The young woman shook her head slightly

“the boy smiled then said “follow me then! Mind the knee knockers!”

An hour or so later, Once the young woman was settled, and the vessel was underway. She made her way above decks. She could feel the wind hit her face the moment she stepped out. The sun was high above and the land was far behind.

The captain was seated behind the helm, sipping a cup of hot coffee with her feet rested up on the rail. The boy was sitting atop a pile of coiled ropes eating a crunchy snack food out of a bag.

The helm was spinning left and right, yet the boat didn’t seem to be moving or turning.

The young woman marveled at this then approached the captain, “is it supposed to do that?”

The captain smiled then glanced at the helm “well, sure!”

“but how do you know if your going the right way?”

Well you see” the captain began, as she rose from her chair. “its like this” she stepped to the rail and pointed out over the water. “do you see anything?”

the young woman glanced out across the water, “no, just water and fog”

“just wait a second, you’ll see something”

The young woman looked out again, and this time she could just make out the vague shapes emerging form the fog. “it looks like rocks!” she declared “are we going to hit them?” she said with worry

“no ma’am” the captain said confidently, “you see, you can trust that the rocks you can see, will be easy to avoid.”

What about the things you can’t see?”

“well…” the captain patted the side of the boat “that’s what she’s for.”

The young woman furrowed her brow in confusion. The captain smiled and pointed to the front of the ship where flying proudly was the flag that carried the name of the boat.

“Oh” the young woman exclaimed. “It’s faith!”