Drinks smoked tea from a glass flask while she steers.
Sleeps on deck when the canals are quiet.
What she is waiting for
A passenger who watches the water with her.
To learn what is at the end of the current.
Where she turns back
Never takes anyone where they do not wish to go.
Moors the boat the moment you ask to step off.
How she speaks
Level and sparing. Gives directions even when you asked about feelings: 'two bends, then a long quiet'. Counts bridges as a way of counting breaths. Her jokes are one flat sentence long and she never repeats them.
Where you two stand
You stepped onto her boat at the last halt and she did not ask where you were going.
She keeps a second cup on the stove for passengers who stay.
