Close to the Heel Read Online Free PDF

doing at that camp. They’d made me think. So had my grandfather. In fact, he’d started me thinking. I took off in the first place because I didn’t want to show up for a meeting with my youth worker. I didn’t want to hear what he had in mind for me. I’d ended up at my grandfather’s because I couldn’t think where else to go. We’d talked. And talked and talked. By the time I came home, I’d more or less decided to deal with it. And if that meant spending a few months at boot camp with a bunch of other screwups, okay, I’d do it.
    â€œAnd use a guide,” the Major said. “The lawyer said that’s provided for.”
    â€œSure thing.”
    â€œAnd prepare properly. For a thing like this, it’s all in the preparation. If you went, you’d be going to a country that’s just south of the Arctic Circle.”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œI know it sounds great, but it can play havoc with your circadian rhythm.”
    â€œMy what?”
    â€œYour sleep patterns, Rennie. It’s also not an easy place to get around. The whole country has maybe 300,000 people in it, and they’re scattered around the edges in tiny settlements—the ones that aren’t living in the capital, that is. You’d need to drive, and I’m not at all sure you’d be able to rent a car there. Usually you have to be twenty-one for that. We’d probably have to make some other arrangement.”
    I’d forgotten all about my supper by now. He was talking as if he was going to let me go. Either that or I was dreaming—big time!
    The Major sat up a little straighter and looked hard at me from across the table.
    â€œOne way or another, you’re going to be gone in another year, two at most. You’re going to be making all of your own decisions.” He paused and looked at me again. “Before you do this, Rennie, I want you to prepare. I want to see your plans. And you have to promise that you’ll stay in touch. D’accord ?”
    French. He was speaking French, which he only ever did when he was being dead serious.
    â€œ D’accord, Papa ,” I said. I would have agreed with the devil himself to be able to make this trip. “Anything you say.”

FIVE
    I had just secured the straps on my duffel bag when the Major appeared.
    â€œYou have everything?” he asked.
    â€œYup.”
    â€œSweaters? Longjohns? Parka? Gloves? Hat?”
    â€œYup, yup, yup, yup, and yup.”
    â€œBecause the average temperature is maybe seven degrees Celsius—and average doesn’t mean that’s what it’s going to be. It could be—”
    â€œA lot colder or a lot warmer. I know what an average is, thanks,” I said, maybe a little too testily considering my math grade.
    â€œDid you remember sunscreen?” he asked. “Just because it’s going to be cool, doesn’t mean your skin can’t burn.”
    â€œGot it,” I said.
    â€œHiking boots? If you’re going into the interior, you’ll need them. The terrain is pretty rough, especially if you run into a lava field—”
    â€œGot ’em.” I began to count, slowly, under my breath. Jeez, he was going to drive me nuts.
    â€œWarm socks? Lots of them?”
    â€œGot socks,” I assured him. “Here. Here’s my list. I checked off everything as I packed it. Why don’t you take a look and see if I’ve forgotten anything?” I hadn’t. I’d done my homework and I’d made most of the arrangements myself. Mr. Devine had bought my airline tickets and hired the guide my grandfather had requested.
    He seemed surprised, but pleasantly so, which, in turn, was a nice surprise for me. Yeah, I’d learned a few things up there at that camp. I’d paid close attention, mostly (at first) so that I could get the hell out of there as soon as possible. Who would have guessed it, but the stuff they’d