Vignette 8 of 10: Meeting

 “Captain on board!” the first mate announced, his voice booming across the deck, “Fall in!”
 

 “Thank you,” the captain replied, “but that won’t be necessary. I know these men, but I must meet this ship.” 

He had walked this deck many times while she was being built, with fingers drifting over railings and masts he slowly becomes familiar with this new ship, as if they are tentative lovers meeting for the first time.