Although Samantha had headed off one emergency with Ashley, her roommate continued to struggle with the pressure of Plebe Summer. Samantha persisted in watching her progress until it came to a head after a particularly bad day at the obstacle course. The rope climb at the end of the course was the final straw.
I awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of someone sobbing. I wasn’t surprised when it turned out to be Ashley.
Looking down on her from the upper bunk, in the dim light that came through our window I saw she had her face buried in her pillow. I climbed down and sat beside her on her bunk. I touched her shoulder, and she turned her head to look at me.
“Hey, are you alright?” I whispered.
She rolled onto her side and said softly, “Sam, I can’t do this. I almost didn’t make it through the obstacle course today.”
I could feel the pain in her voice. She had had a rough day at the obstacle course. She had quit part way up the rope climb and the course instructor had pushed her until she made a complete climb. Then when she ran the course for the record, she barely qualified. She had the worst time of anyone in the company.
I couldn’t accept her negativism. “Yeah, but you made it.”
She shook her head. “But we still have the confidence course to go.” She hesitated. “And I’m terrified of heights.”
That revelation took me by surprise. “But you knew coming in that the confidence course was part of Plebe Summer.”
She lay there in silence for moment, swallowed hard, and responded, “I know, but I was going to grit my teeth and do it. … Now I don’t think I can. I mean it’s been so hard … What if I freeze on the course?”
Time for a pep talk. “None of that. You won’t freeze. You’re part of this crew, and I won’t have it. Yeah, it’s been tough. It’s supposed to be tough. You’ve handled it so far. Don’t give up now.”
She sat up in her bunk and wrapped her arms around her knees. She peered at me without saying anything.
I continued, “Look, why are you here in the first place? What did you expect to get out of Annapolis?”
She waved a hand dismissively. “I don’t know. I guess I wanted to serve, and I love the sea.”
“Sounds to me like you do know. Has any of that changed?”
She shrugged. “I guess not, but …”
“No buts.” I stood up so I was looking down on her. “You can do it, but it will take a positive attitude. Danielle and I will be with you all the way. Now let’s hear it from you: you can do it.”
She sat up with her back stiff and straight and whispered, “Ma’am, yes ma’am. I can do it.”
I almost laughed out loud. Hearing “Ma’am, yes ma’am” applied to me was funny enough, but in a whisper …
––– # –––
The day of the confidence course dawned cloudy and windy. The paper said a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Fortunately Oscar Company had a morning session. The wind presented a problem. When Ashley, Danielle and I boarded the boat, it was marginal for safety.
When we arrived at the course, we were told that we would receive the course overview, but if conditions hadn’t improved by the time the demonstrations were to start, we’d have to be rescheduled. Great! Ashley had spent most of the evening before agonizing over this event. Now it might have to be put off.
By the time the instructors had briefed us on the course, the wind had slacked off enough that they could conduct the course demonstration. The wind didn’t get a whole lot better, but it was deemed to be safe. We were go for our practice run through the low obstacles.
I approached one of the detailers, and following protocol, properly asked if I could precede Ashley on the course with Danielle following her. Of course I had to explain why, that I was going to demonstrate how confidence would make the course easier and that Danielle would be behind her cheering her on. To my surprise the detailer agreed and arranged it.
I went through the low obstacles carefully to make sure I understood the best way to approach them. Ashley followed my example and had no problems. Then came the real thing.
I was doing well until we came to the rope bridge. I watched as the male plebe in front of me ran across the irregularly spaced wood slats, text book perfect. I wasn’t about to let any male outdo me. I hit the slats on the run and slipped on the next to last set. The safety harness kept me from really falling, but boy was my face red. I climbed back on and finished. Looking back I saw Ashley grinning and waving, and I blushed even more.
Ashley took the planks one set at a time … and made it all the way across without a hitch. So much for me setting an example.
Back on the ground Ashley and Danielle approached me together. I was ready to be in a huff. I had thoroughly embarrassed myself, but Ashley said, “Thanks, Sam. When you fell off the bridge, it showed me it was safe to make a mistake, even thirty feet in the air. I want to do it again.”
What else could I say but “Me too.” And we did.