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“Are you ready?” I yell over the noise and she gives a tentative nod. “It’s going to be a blast,” I tell her, trying to ease her nerves.
Jonah and his partner go first and I watch them jump. I can feel my partner tense as she watches them jump.
This is usually how it goes. Some people can take it in stride, but most people start to panic as soon as they climb into the plane. By the time that we reach altitude and the plane door opens, they’re white as a sheet and I practically have to wrestle them to the door. It’s a real cat in the bathtub situation.
Zac and his partner are up next and they jump out the door, his partner screaming as they go. That definitely isn’t going to help my client’s nerves. As expected, she tenses up even more, her whole body freezing. I strong-arm us over to the door, noticing how my client’s fingers have turned white around the bench seat.
We’re last and I look over to Drew, letting him know that the first two jumps went smoothly before we get into position in the open doorway.
“Ready?” I ask. I need to be sure that she really wants to jump.
She gives a shaky nod and I inch us a little closer so we’re sitting in the doorway. Our feet are dangling out the open door and I take a deep breath, enjoying the view and the feeling of being right on the edge.
“We’re going to count to three and then just fall forward. One, two, three!” I yell, leaning forward and thrusting us out of the plane.
The wind rushes past us and I grin, loving the feeling. We freefall for a few seconds but it’s over far too fast. I check the altimeter on my wrist and when it’s time, I pull the straps.
The shoot opens, the parachute a bright red cloud above our heads, and we slow. It’s so quiet up here and I take a moment to enjoy the peace before I check in with my partner.
“Are you doing alright?” I ask and she nods.
“Yeah,” she whispers and I can hear the awe in her voice.
I get it. I still remember the first time I saw the world from five thousand feet up. It makes you feel powerful and yet insignificant at the same time. One thing’s for sure, I’d never get the same rush of adrenaline and emotion at a desk job.
The town is spread out below us and I remain quiet for the rest of our descent. When it’s time, I tell her to lift her feet up for the landing and we land without incident. She thanks me as I unhook us and I shake her hand before I gather my parachute and head for the staff room.
It looks like rain and I don’t think that there will be any more jumps today so I stow all of my gear for tomorrow and get ready to head home. Drew, Zac, and Jonah are all dealing with their own gear and I nod at them as I finish stowing the last of my gear.
“Want to grab drinks with us this weekend?” Jonah asks me, just like every other week.
I know that they’re trying to make me feel included and to be friendly, but I never take them up on their offers. I can’t get attached here. I know that I’ll be leaving soon.
“Thanks, but I have plans. Maybe next time,” I say with a wave as I head for the door.
I wave at Colt, my boss and the owner of Sunny Side Up Skydiving as I head for the door.
I stop for food on the way home and have to park a little ways down the block since it’s so close to the dinner rush. I head past the pet store, a bookstore, and then the arts and crafts store. I’ve never been into any of them, no reason to. I know that Jonah has though. He has a thing for the girl, Aurora, who runs the craft store. I think that he’s been to every sip and paint class that she’s offered. There are a bunch of mugs in the break room at Sunny Side Up Skydiving that he’s painted there too. He still hasn’t been able to work up the nerve to ask her out though.
I head inside the Sunnyside Bar and Grill and place my to go order. They tell me that it will be half an hour and I pay before I head for the door.
I’m walking back toward my Jeep when the skies open up and I duck into the first available store. It’s a bookstore that’s mostly empty and I look around. I’m not even sure that there’s anyone working here.
“Hi! Welcome to Book Addicts Bookstore!” Comes a friendly voice and I start, looking over to my right.
There’s a shelf there and I spot a woman kneeling behind it. She’s got a box of books next to her and is stocking the shelf there.
“Hey,” I say, stepping closer to her.
“Welcome! Can I help you find anything in particular?”
“No, I’m just browsing. Trying to escape the rain.”
“Oh, I know! It came out of nowhere.”
She stands then and heads around the shelf to join me.
My brain short circuits as I get a look at her.
