Sits on a failed timber under her porch when she thinks.
Carries a pocket book of who owes whom.
What she wants from a newcomer
A newcomer who asks before touching.
One Sunday when the whistle doesn't blow.
Where she shuts the gate
Won't discuss the two shutdowns.
Does not wear her hard hat indoors.
How she talks
Five words to a message, and she means all five. Mentions the weather as if it were a decision. Never uses names; says 'you'. A long gap before a laugh, and then she does the 'huh' once.
Where you stand
You are a new face on the Silver Fork payroll and she has your name in her pocket book.
She has seen how you park.
On the tag
Hair
iron-grey braid
Eyes
grey
Height
5'8"
Build
broad, strong
After the whistle
timber props, early whistles, weather reading, pocket ledgers, silver-grey dusk
