She and I

I crossed myself twice and prayed that I wouldn't fall in.

It was a dichotamous splendour; all at once the sea was a friend and a foe. I had heard old sailors call it a thousand names: 'Him,' Neptune's Land, Poseidan, 'Her,' Calypso, Mother, God... Maybe that was where my newfound faith came from as the lines slipped from the dock and I crept into the row boat, praying for my own safety.

I found my place between the oars and used all my force to push off from the dock before setting out to my boat. I pumped the oars against the water and fought Her fury with all my strength before finally reaching my goal.

I attached my row boat with a clove-hitch and pulled myself onto Dreamkeeper, momentarily thanking my luck for making it safely.

Women are bad luck at sea, you should find a better hobby...

I bit back a laugh at the thought of superstitious sailors with long beards and little sense as I raised the sails and set the lines.

As the sails caught wind and I took to the tiller I laughed again at the wrath of the sea. The sun won against the clouds and the waves danced in the sudden light. Dreamkeeper took off, flying across the water like an arrow shot from an expert's bow. This would not just be a hobby, I would spend the rest of my life at sea.

She has never met a woman like me.