Thin Ice

Gregory jumped into the air for a triple axel. He landed with ease and threw his hands in the air. Gregory was a hockey player and a good one at that, but on the weekends, he liked to work on his grace and finesse.

“Way to go!” called Jethro. Jethro was Gregory’s best friend, and they played on the same hockey team.

“Thanks,” responded Gregory. “Too bad we lost last night.”

“It was a tough loss,” conceded Jethro.

“I just wish we had made it into overtime,” said Gregory. Gregory skated around the perimeter of the frozen lake gathering speed. He lunged into the air and sprang into form. Instead of the air, Gregory found himself falling. The ice had cracked and Gregory was sliding into the frigid water.

“Help!” gasped Gregory.

Jethro whirled around in time to see his friend go under the ice.

“What?” asked Jethro stunned. He leapt into action. He skated with a fury to the other side of the ice and grabbed Gregory’s elbow that was protruding from the water. Jethro pulled as hard as he could to get Gregory’s body out of the water.

“Gregory!” yelled Jethro desperately.

Gregory was above the water gasping for air and shuddering.

Little by little Jethro managed to pull Gregory from the icy water. When finished, Jethro sat for a second to catch his breath. He dragged Gregory across the ice to a log. Then he raced to the back of his house yelling the whole way.