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Isabelle Archer exhaled slowly and forced herself to breathe through the irritating oxygen cannula in her nose. The vibration and noise of the C-130 as it crawled to altitude was almost soothing. In a few brief moments all that security would disappear.
Through the window, aircraft flew in arrowhead formation like a flock of migrating geese. Their dark hulls sparkled in the bright morning sun. On the bench beside her, a dozen skydivers hid behind bravado.  She could smell their fear, their excitement. Half of them were sporting erections.Â
She closed her eyes, gathered up all the discomfort, and pushed it into a small compartment in the back of her mind. Images flowed by in perfect synchrony as she visualized the part she was about to play.
The world record skydiving formation.
Hundreds of bodies hurtling through the atmosphere at hurricane speeds; each diver responsible for a precise slot in a specific formation. One wrong move and the delicate balance would be destroyed. One careless turn and injury or death could result.Â
She envisioned her jump from the airplane, angling her freefall to enter the formation at the exact time and place. Too soon or too late and the entire formation would be disrupted.Â
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No second chances – no substitute for perfection.
Cameramen were situated above and below, filming everyone’s performance. One screw-up and the group would be forced to abort.
This was a lifetime achievement. Only professional skydivers were invited, the best of the best. Isabelle glanced towards the front of the plane and saw the standby skydivers. Their faces told her what she already knew. They would give anything to jump in her stead.Â
A sharp tap on the shoulder. She looked up at a weathered face and nodded her readiness. Seconds later, the enormous hydraulic door of the C-130 levered open and the signal to assemble for disembark came.Â
Isabelle stood and stretched her legs.
The plane was a blur of motion. Goggles were donned. Last minute gear checks made. There were smiles all around, ritual good luck hand gestures and high-fives while fifty skydivers lined up in two rows, compressed into a solid mass. Isabelle took her place at the front of a line and waited for instructions.
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A coach yelled above the deafening wind.
“Ready, set, GO!â€
She took three steps and was out of the plane, transitioning from biped to bird of flight. The noise of relative wind sent her thoughts into hyperdrive.
“Look left, look right, up, down.â€
“Bend at the waist. Now dive, dive, dive!â€
She searched the sky below for the color zone of red jumpsuits she was to build her own geometric formation from. Her heart raced. She spotted her slot and angled towards it. Two dozen jumpers followed her lead.
“Look left, look right. Don’t cut anybody off. Be careful. Be patient. Relax.â€
She reached out and snagged one of the red jumpsuit grippers of the skydiver in front of her and held on tight.
“Okay, I’m in my slot. Head up, back arched.â€
She felt someone tug the gripper on the right leg of her jumpsuit.Â
“Good, that’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. Look ahead, look around. All clear. Sweet! Relax and fly the formation.â€
Isabelle was a natural flyer, always had been. No freefall struggle; no panic when rigging equipment malfunctioned. She soared effortlessly, relished the adrenaline high. The powerful endorphin release was something she’d never experienced in any other sport.
With every grip complete, the symmetrical formation resembled a giant saucer with octagonal tentacles. International rules determined the formation must hold together for eight full seconds. Isabelle glanced at her altimeter.
Although she couldn’t see all of it, she knew her section of the group was perfect. A break-off signal was given, legs waggled. Everyone turned to fly away from one another.
This was the most dangerous time of the entire jump. Isabelle watched closely for traffic. A mid-air collision with another jumper could cost their lives.Â
She waved her arms, a signal to all of her intentions; reached back and pulled the pilot chute that deployed the main parachute. One hundred twenty feet of rainbow colored Z-P fabric arced above her head in a textbook deployment. She dragged in a long breath, enjoyed the view as her parachute slowly lowered her to Oahu’s north shore amidst whistles and whoops of joy.Â
Isabelle spotted the landing zone. In a few minutes it would be crowded down there. She looked all around and veered in that direction. A few tight spirals to lose altitude, a tug on her left steering toggle, and she swooped in, touching the ground as gently as stepping off a curb.
Skydivers rushed towards one of the giant hangars, bundled parachutes draped over their shoulders. Isabelle quickly gathered her gear and headed that way, weaving through the Technicolor rain of descending jumpers.
Champagne corks popped.
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“Yo Izzy!†a jumper named Derek, who’d been doing his best to seduce her for weeks, yelled from across the open hangar. “The camera dudes are playing the video on the big screen outside.â€
She gave him a flirty smile and strolled to her locker. “Does the video confirm it?â€Â It had been weeks since she’d last had sex. The urge to wrap around Derek thrummed low in her belly.
He licked his lips and moved towards her. “Sure does. Let’s grab some bubbly and PAR-TY!â€
Isabelle clicked her locker open with a metallic thud.
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“Three hundred and fifty people plummeting to the ground at terminal velocity with expert precision? That is definitely something to party about.â€Â Her voice purred with sensual intent. “Let me stow my gear and I’ll join with you.â€
When Derek moved from line of sight, she quickly retrieved her purse. She’d been out of touch for several hours and needed reassurance that they hadn’t tried to contact her. She had notified them of her plans to take the day off. In reality, that meant nothing.
If they summoned, she came.
Isabelle dug around and pulled out a small black pager. A demanding series of numbers, punctuated by three stars, scrolled repeatedly across the display. She let out a sigh. There would be no sex and games on the flight line tonight.Â
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AND WE HAVE ANOTHER WINNER ❗
Dani Harper, it’s your turn 😆 I’ve got a wonderful gift box of Gold Canyon candles with your name on them. Just send your shipping information to: samanthagail@mac.com
Enjoy,
Sam
Wow that excerpt was crazy I’m so not jumping out of a plane . Congrats Dani!
I did it one time, strapped tightly to one of hubby’s tandem-master buddies. I was so proud that I didn’t faint, poop my britches or vomit. Never again 😯
Congrats Dani. I have to agree with Tameka, Im not jumping either.
Even though I am married to an Air Force guy, I don’t think I will ever think about sky diving without thinking of the first President Bush and his sky diving at College Station at such an advanced age. And I have already read where he plans to do it again on his upcoming 85th birthday. He’s a real dare devil.
Just curious. How many bears do you see in your neighborhood and what do you plan to do with the baby black bear? We only have squirrels in our neighbor..not quite as large as bears get.
Hi Gladys!
I saw the skydiving video of the first President Bush. He really smacked his head on the plane as they disembarked. I hope they have an ambulance on the ground next to his landing zone when he jumps again!
As for black bears? Prince of Wales has a huge population of them. I don’t know what Fish and Game’s last statistics were, but I’m sure the numbers are dwindling. People come from all over the world during hunting season and spend thousands of dollars on special bait, when the locals say that all they really need are some dirty diapers 😀
We’ve been here since March, and in that time, have seen half a dozen during our walks…twice during our summer BBQ’s and very, VERY close. Must have been an irresistible scent! Although mostly they’re just pests, we don’t take chances and are always armed. I have bear spray with me anytime I go outside. Rob packs the gun. I’m just not willing to be that one, rare, death-by-mauling statistic.
I have tried several zoos and bear sanctuaries in the northwest area. Nobody has room for Boo-Boo (yep, we named him). The mother bear is probably dead and the injury on Boo-Boo’s back is healing. He has become a community project. If we can keep him fed and out of mischief until summer comes around, there is a high probability he will leave on his own. If not, I’ll call Fish and Game and hope they relocate him.
Thanks for asking, Gladys 😐
Sam
That is so cool. We go on vacation to Gatlinburg TN and we have wanted to see bears each trip, but havent been lucky enough yet.
My husband’s dream vacation is to go to Alaska. We would love to take an Alaskan cruise, everything looks beautiful there.
That’s a great idea…maybe you can surprise him someday and flick him two cruise tickets 😮
I know I’m biased but I really love Alaska. We went on an Inside Passage cruise on the Norwegian Star this summer. One of the best we’ve ever been on 😀
Sam
I figure later on in life, after my kids are grown and have their own lifes we can indulge ourselves.
Oh Gladys? Are you still here?
Congratulations on winning a gift box of Gold Canyon candles 😆
Sam
Well I am going to wish you a good night. I have to be at work at 4am and it is 830 pm now so I do believe I have to drag my tired behind off to bed. Have a great night, I am so glad I made it for at least some of the party and Thank you so much.
Soooo, SamG,what are you reading these days?
Heather
http://www.blazeofbeauty.com
At this very moment, I’m reading The Down Home Zombie Blues. I just adore Linnea Sinclair’s writing style. She’s one cool chick!
Sooooo, HB, what you U reading?
Sam
HB is reading an Ellora’s Cave book about some guy who is 1/2 horse and can shift to Huform. It’s weird, but WTH. I just got done reading Kathy Love’s book ‘Any Way You Want It’, which (I think) the publisher messed up the name on, it should be ‘I Want You To Want Me’, which is her NEWER book about the guy’s brother. Anyway, I digress. It was a really good read! All tortured hero and modern woman thing. The guy is a tall, dark and undead rock star….Yum!
Heather
http://www.blazeofbeauty.com
Samantha,
I am going to say goodnight. I am super tired, been up since 4 this morning and it is going on midnight here. Plus I have a four hour car ride tomorrow. My sister is getting married on friday and all I can say is “I am going to be glad when it is over!” You know those brides on bridezilla? That is my sister. Seriously she had me buy three different pairs of shoes for her wedding, and my hubby is laid off so money is very tight! Geez. I bought these beautiful hot silver high heels( and wearing size 10W isn’t easy finding them in silver)Perfect fit and everything. She changed her mind. Now I am wearing these blue and green polka dot shoes, they are ugly!! Yes you read it right, blue and gree POLKA DOT!!! Anyhoo, I know i know it is her wedding. So I will smile and be happy for her and when I get home, dogs have new shoes to chew on, hehehehe! Have a good night everyone and way to go all the winners!