Isetthependownonthepaper.Myhandisshakingtoomuchtofinishfilling
itout,soIinhaleafewquickbreathsinanattempttocalmmynerves.
Youcandothis,Maggie.
Ipickupthepenagain,butIthinkmyhandisshakingworsethanbeforeI
putitdown.
“Letmehelpyouwiththat.”
Ilookuptoseethetandeminstructorsmilingatme.Hegrabsthepenand
picksuptheclipboard,thentakesaseatinthechairtomyright.“Wegetalot
of nervous first-timers. It’s easier if you just let me fill out the paperwork
becauseyourhandwritingprobablywon’tbelegible,”hesays.“Youactlike
you’reabouttojumpoutofanairplaneorsomething.”
I’m immediately put at ease by his lazy smile, but become nervous all
over again when I realize I’m a horrible liar. Lying on the medical section
wouldhavebeenaloteasierifIwerefillingitoutmyself.I’mnotsureIcan
lieoutloudtothisguy.
“Thanks,butIcandoit.”Itrytotakebacktheclipboard,buthepullsit
outofmyreach.
“Notsofast”—hequicklyglancesdownatmyform—“MaggieCarson.”
He holdsout his hand, still holding the clipboard out of my reach with his
otherhand.“I’mJake,andifyou’replanningonjumpingoutofaplaneatten
thousandfeetwhileatmymercy,theleastIcandoisfinishyourpaperwork.”
I shake his hand, impressed with the strength behind his grip. Knowing
these are the hands I’m about to entrust my life to eases my mind a tiny
fraction.
“Howmanytandemjumpshaveyoucompleted?”Iaskhim.
Hegrins,thenreturnshisattentiontomypaperwork.Hebeginsflipping
throughthepages.“You’llbemyfivehundredth.”
“Really? Five hundred sounds like a big deal. Shouldn’t you be
celebrating?”
He brings his eyes back to mine and loses his smile. “You asked how
manytandemjumpsI’vecompleted.Idon’twanttocelebrateprematurely.”
Igulp.
Helaughsandnudgesmyshoulder.“I’mkidding,Maggie.Relax.You’re
ingoodhands.”