***
Jack watched the instructor congratulate Jill. He thought about Jill’s desire to be in an Army combat position. If she wants to work in the Army, she could have a cushy desk job. Why is Lieutenant Jacobson so different? Most guys would freak out if that happened on their first HALO jump, but she held herself together, and did a perfect breakaway maneuver.
Jack had seen Jill’s streamer and waited to pull his ripcord because he wanted to be closer to the ground when his parachute opened. This way he would land before Jill, and he would have time to get ready in case she needed first aid when she landed. Depending on how bad the streamer was, she might break an ankle, or every bone in her body, or she might even die. In any case Jack was going to be sure to do everything he could to help her when she landed. His plan to beat Jill to the ground by delaying his parachute opening had worked. He saw her breakaway maneuver followed by the reserve parachute deploying and inflating. Thank God she is safe.
Jack had continued to watch Jill as she floated down. He noticed how she diverted her approach to the east so she could catch the slower winds flowing over the hill. Hmm, that looks like something I would do in that same situation. I wonder how she figured that out.
Then, Jack watched Jill shake the instructor’s hand. No matter what happens, in spite of all odds, she always comes out on top. How does she do it?