A Maiden Voyage

A crisp strip of tracing vellum rested on the console, waiting for a clearer purpose. Stepping across the smooth cedar grain, I measured four deliberate folds with calculated care, pressing each diagonal flat against the wood until the paper took the sharp, buoyant form of a miniature skiff. Beside me sat a wide, shallow glass bowl filled with fresh water. Cupping the delicate vessel between my gloved hands, I eased forward over the rim and set the keel squarely onto the surface tension. With a soft breath, I sent it gliding forward, watching the white prow cut a clean, unbroken wake across the still water.