Free Skydive by Gary Paulsen Page B

be so sure. When we get through with you, you might just change your mind and become a skydiving freak like the rest of us crazies.”
    “What’s going on in here?” A deep, rough voice echoed across the hangar.
    Jesse waited while an angry-looking young man in a pilot’s jumpsuit made his way over to them.
    “Nothing’s going on, Pete. Buck asked me to show one of his new students around. Do you have a problem with that?”
    “What’s with the camera?” The man glared at Robin.
    She recognized him as the pilot of the plane she had just photographed.
    “It’s no big deal, Pete. She just likes to take pictures.” Jesse took her arm. “Come on, Robin. I’ll show you the training hangar.”
    She followed him out the door and across a well-worn dirt trail to another building. “Who was that guy?”
    “That was Peter Reeves. He’s one of the pilots. I don’t know what got into him. He’s usually friendlier.” Jesse pushed open the door and stepped inside. “This is the training hangar. Buck has done his best to simulate everything about jumping in here. See that harness?” He pointed to some webbing hanging from the high ceiling. “You can practice body position and free-fall technique while pretending to be falling through the air.”
    “Falling?” Robin groaned. “If you only knew how much I hate that word.”

C HAPTER 3
    “Okay, Robin, when I tap your leg, arch your body and jump backward. When you hit the mattress, remember to bend your knees.” Buck stood in the doorway of a make-believe wooden airplane, encouraging his new student. “That was a great landing. You’re looking like a pro. Move on to the next station.”
    Robin stood up and stepped off the mattress. The next station was the simulated free fall. Jesse was helping a redheaded boy step out of the harness.
    “You’re next, Robin.”
    “I still don’t think I’m ready for this one yet, Jesse.” Robin chewed nervously on the inside ofher lip and looked up at the pulley near the top of the hangar.
    “Whatever you say. Pete’s giving a talk on the static line over in that corner. Maybe you’d like to catch the end of it?”
    Robin nodded and walked across the room. Pete seemed to have completely forgotten the incident in the hangar on Tuesday. He flashed Robin a brilliant smile and explained in detail that the static line was designed to pull the cord for first-time jumpers in case they were jittery and forgot what they were supposed to be doing.
    When the lecture was over, Pete sat down in the empty chair beside her. “I want to apologize for my behavior the other day, young lady. I had just come off a long flight and was pretty short on rest. I hope there’s no hard feelings.”
    “No problem, Mr. Reeves.” Robin stood. “I understand.”
    “By the way, have you developed those pictures yet?”
    “What?” Robin looked puzzled.
    “You know. The pictures you took of the planes and the airfield. I was just wondering how they came out.”
    “Oh, those. No, I’m afraid I haven’t gotten around to it yet.”
    “Well, I hope they turn out.” The young pilot gave her a polite nod and moved down the corridor to the office area.
    “Is he still giving you a bad time?” Jesse had seen the two talking and inched over. “If he is, all I have to do is say the word to Buck and—”
    Robin shook her head. “He was apologizing. Turns out he had just finished a long flight that day and he was tired and cranky.” She twisted the end of her ponytail. “Is it okay if I use the phone? I need to call the chauffeur to come and pick me up.”
    “Why don’t you let Buck and me take you home? We’re about finished up here, and besides, we have to go to town anyway to pick up some supplies.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I’m sure. Let’s go get your stuff from the locker, and by the time we get back, Buck will be ready to leave.”
    Robin started down the hall. “Does everyone get this kind of special treatment here at the club? Or