“In our book, Dinosaurs, Beware!, the dinosaurs reminded us to never walk or skate on thin ice,” said Ms. Colman. “But people make mistakes. So here is what you do if someone is in trouble.”
She explained that the person who fell through the ice was not supposed to try to climb out. That would waste their energy. And the ice would probably break more.
The rescuer was supposed to stay on land and try to reach the person using a hand, leg, rope, or piece of clothing. The person being rescued was supposed to hold on and slide on his stomach to get to land.
“It is best of course if there are a few people,” said Ms. Colman. “One person should send for help immediately. The others can make a human chain.”
Ms. Colman hung up a picture of a human chain on the blackboard:
There were three people lying belly down with their legs apart. Each person was reaching out and holding onto the ankles of the person in front. It reminded me of a paper clip chain because everyone was linked together. The person at the front of the chain was reaching out to grab the person in trouble.
“We are going to practice making our own rescue chain now. Do I have any volunteers?”
My hand shot up.
“All right, Karen,” said Ms. Colman. “You, Ricky, and Terri may be our rescuers. Natalie, you may be the person who needs to be saved.”
We did it wrong at first, so we had to practice a few times until we got it right. In the middle, Natalie got scared. We had to remind her that it was only a make-believe rescue. She was not really in danger.
Every day in school, we learned something new about winter safety. I had a lot to think about. Every day when I went home, I had a lot to think about, too. I had to think about my Secret Santa gift for Seth. I had not decided what to give him yet.
I knew other people in my family were already working on their presents. One day Andrew had a sign on his door. It said: PLEASE DO NOT ENTER. Another day the door to the den was closed. I knew Mommy was working inside.
I was up in my room thinking about my gift for Seth when Andrew came to the door.
“Karen?” said Andrew. “Can I talk to you?”
He looked a little worried.
“Sure you can,” I said. “How are you doing with your secret gift?”
“I tried to make something. But it did not come out. I want to make something special for Granny,” said Andrew. “Oops! I gave away my secret.”
“That is okay,” I said. “Maybe I can help you think of something. I will if you want me to. I will keep it a secret. I promise.”
“Thanks,” said Andrew. He left looking much happier than before.
As soon as he left, Grandad came in.
“Would you like to walk to the pond with me tomorrow morning?” he asked.
“Thank you for asking, Grandad,” I said. “But I do not think so. I like to walk with you. But I do not like looking at the pond so much. It makes me feel sad that I cannot skate on it yet.”
“I understand,” said Grandad. “I will let you know when it is ready.”
Grandad had been teaching me about ice. But all I wanted to hear him say was, “The ice is ready. Get your skates!”
My skates were sitting in their box waiting.
“Soon,” I said. “I will take you skating very soon.”
Help!
“See you later, everyone,” said Grandad.
It was Saturday morning. Grandad was taking his morning walk to the pond. Maybe, just maybe, he would come home and tell us the ice was ready.
After he left, Granny said, “Would you like to help me make some cornbread?”
“Sure,” I replied. We got out bowls and spoons and all the ingredients we needed.
“It should be ready about the time Grandad comes home from his walk,” said Granny.
Granny was right. We popped the cornbread into the oven. Then just as we were taking it out, Grandad walked in the door. I overheard him talking to Seth in the living room.
“That pond won’t be frozen enough for the kids to skate on for at least four more days,” Grandad said.
Boo and bullfrogs.
“Excuse me?” said Granny. “Did I hear you say something about bullfrogs?”
“Don’t mind me,” I said. I did not mean to say that out loud. But I guess I did.
Ring, ring!
“Phone for you, Karen,” said Mommy. “It is Nancy.”
“Hi, Nancy,” I said into the phone. “Sure I want to play. I will meet you outside.”
When I walked out the door, I saw Nancy coming toward me from one direction. Bobby Gianelli was coming from the other direction. Bobby’s skates were hanging over his shoulder.
“Want to come see if the pond is ready?” asked Bobby.
“Okay!” said Nancy and I at the same time.
Maybe I should not have said yes so fast. After all, Grandad had said the pond was not ready. But I had only overheard him. He had not said anything to me. I could have heard him wrong when he was talking to Seth. Anyway, Grandad was a worrier. Maybe the ice really was ready. It would not hurt to look. (I knew I could not skate anyway since there was no grown-up around. That was my promise to Grandad.)
We headed to the pond. Just like before, the three of us started to run when we were practically there.
“Wow! Look at it now,” said Nancy.
The pond looked a lot different this time. It was completely covered with ice.
“It looks ready for skating to me. I think I will try it,” said Bobby. “Here, hold these.”
Before I could say anything, he handed his skates to Nancy. He took a step out onto the ice. He took another step. And another. And …
CRR-ACK!
The ice split open. Bobby fell into the icy water.
“Help!” he cried. “Help!”
The Rescue
“Stay calm, Bobby!” I called. “We will get you out.”
Ms. Colman said it was very important to stay calm in an emergency. She said it was easier to think that way. I tried my best to remember the things she told us.
“We are lucky he is not too far out,” said Nancy. “Look. Here is a tree stump. I can wrap my legs around it.”
“That is good,” I said. “Then you can hold my ankles. I will reach out to Bobby.”
I started shivering. I was not sure if it was from nerves or the cold. I took a deep breath to calm down.
Nancy and I got down on our bellies. We formed a human chain reaching toward the pond. The chain had only two links. But it was all we needed. I stretched out my arms.
“Okay, Bobby,” I said. “Reach out and grab my hands!”
“I will try,” said Bobby.
He reached out. But he missed.
“That is okay. Try again,” I said.
Bobby tried, but missed again.
“Just one more time. I know you can do it,” I said.
I was not really as sure as I sounded. Bobby did not look too good. His teeth were chattering and his skin was turning blue. I knew we had to hurry.
“Come on, Bobby,” I said. “Reach for me!”
Bobby reached out once more. This time he got me. I held his hands tightly and did not let go.
“Okay, Nancy. Pull!” I called.
Nancy hung onto the tree stump with her legs and pulled. In no time, Bobby was out of the water and sliding on his belly across the ice. We pulled him up onto the land.
“You made it! You made it!” I cried. “How do you feel?”
Bobby tried to answer, but his words did not come out right. I could not understand what he was saying. And his eyes kept closing.
Nancy helped me take off some of his wet clothes. We covered him with some of our dry ones. I made sure to cover his head with my hat.
“Stay here and take care of Bobby. I will go get help,” I said to Nancy.
I ran to the corner as fast as my legs would carry me. I remembered there was a pay telephone there. I quickly pressed 911. An emergency operator answere
d.
“Yes, this is a very big emergency!” I said into the phone. I explained what had happened to Bobby. I told the operator exactly where to find him.
Then I ran back to the pond. When I got there, Nancy had put her arms around Bobby to keep him warm. I put my arms around both of them.
“Come on, ambulance,” I said. “Hurry, hurry.”
Soon we could hear the sirens wailing. The sound got louder and louder. Finally we saw the ambulance heading our way.
Three rescue workers jumped out. They put Bobby on a stretcher and covered him with blankets. They gave each of us a blanket, too.
“You two did a very good job,” said one of the workers. “You kept your friend still and warm. That was exactly the right thing to do.”
“We will take it from here,” said another worker.
Just then a police car pulled up. The rescue worker explained to the police officers what had happened.
“Come on, girls. We will drive you home,” said one of the officers.
Nancy and I got in the back of the police car. It was nice and warm. Any other time I would have been excited to have such an important ride. But now all I could think about was Bobby.
“I am worried,” I said. “I hope Bobby will be all right.”
“Me, too,” Nancy replied.
We held hands all the way home.
Ring, Ring! Ding-Dong!
The news spread fast. Soon everyone in Stoneybrook was talking about how Nancy and I had rescued Bobby.
“I called the hospital,” said Seth. “Bobby will be there overnight. But thanks to you and Nancy he is going to be fine.”
I was happy to hear that Bobby would be all right. I was happy I helped save him. But I felt guilty, too. I knew the ice was not safe. I had heard Grandad say so. But I let Bobby step onto it anyway.
I shivered. It was not because I was cold. It was because I was scared. It scared me to think that Bobby could have drowned. I let Bobby have a bad accident. It was all my fault.
Ring, ring!
“Karen, phone for you,” said Mommy. “It is Hannie.”
“Hi, Hannie,” I said into the phone.
Hannie wanted to hear all about our rescue.
“It was really no big deal,” I said.
I did not want to talk too much about it. I just told Hannie that Nancy and I did everything Ms. Colman had told us to do. Then I said I would see her on Monday.
Ring, ring!
This time it was Kristy. She wanted to tell me what a great thing I did saving Bobby. Then David Michael got on the phone. Then Elizabeth. Then Daddy. Everyone was saying nice things. Daddy was proud of me for being so brave and such a quick thinker.
Ding-dong!
Kathryn and Willie were at the door.
“We want to see Karen. She is a big hero!” said Willie.
Ring, ring!
“Oh, my,” said Mommy. “It is for you again.”
“Hello? Yes, this is Karen Brewer,” I said. “Okay. Yes. Yes. Good-bye.”
“Who was that?” asked Mommy.
“It was someone named Susan Fields. She’s a reporter from the Stoneybrook News. She wants to interview me and Nancy for the paper.”
A little while later, the doorbell rang again. It was Nancy and Susan Fields. Susan Fields had a tape recorder and a camera.
We sat down together in the living room. Nancy and I were interviewed like movie stars on TV.
“Tell us how you felt when your friend fell through the ice,” said Susan Fields.
“It was scary,” said Nancy.
“We knew we had to act fast,” I replied. “Luckily our teacher, Ms. Colman, taught us everything about emergencies. I will tell you how to spell her name. It is C-O-L-M-A-N.”
I thought it would make Ms. Colman happy to be in the newspaper, too.
We answered lots of questions about our rescue. Then the reporter took our picture. I felt like an important star. That is one of my favorite things to be. But I was not having so much fun. I was too worried. There was something I was not telling people. I was not telling them what I knew about the ice. I was not telling them that I could have stopped Bobby.
I was not telling them that the accident was all my fault.
Nightly News
As soon as I woke up on Sunday, I raced downstairs. I wanted to hear if there was any news about Bobby.
“Mr. Gianelli called this morning,” said Seth. “The doctors watched Bobby overnight. He is fine and will be out before lunchtime.”
“The Gianellis invited you and Nancy to go to the hospital this morning,” said Mommy. “They will pick you up at ten-thirty.”
I quickly got dressed and ate breakfast. I was ready when they came.
At the hospital, Nancy and I got red and white visitor tags.
“This is the hospital I was in when I had my appendix out,” said Nancy.
I remembered when Nancy was in the hospital. I gave her my baby doll, Hyacynthia, to keep her company.
We went up to the third floor. I had brought the crepe paper flowers Granny and I had made. (She said it was okay to take them. I promised to make more.)
We walked into Bobby’s room. He was sitting up with a breakfast tray in front of him.
“Hi, Bobby!” I said. I handed him the flowers.
“Thanks,” said Bobby. “I am going home today.”
“We heard,” said Nancy. “Are you feeling better?”
“I feel fine. I am ready to go skating,” said Bobby. “Only I think I will wait till the ice is frozen this time.”
Bobby was making a joke. So I tried to laugh. But I did not think it was so funny. I did not want to think about anyone ever falling through ice again.
The nurse came in to take away Bobby’s tray.
“Would you please wait outside, girls?” said the nurse. “Bobby has to get dressed. It is time for him to go home.”
We waited outside while Bobby’s parents helped him get ready. When he came out, he was dressed and looking like Bobby again. But they had put him in a wheelchair. Oh, no! What if he was not really okay? I must have looked very worried.
“I am all right,” said Bobby. “I can walk. It is a rule that everyone who stays in the hospital leaves in a wheelchair.”
“I remember,” said Nancy. “I had to leave in a wheelchair, too.”
Whew! What a relief.
“Mr. and Mrs. Gianelli, can Nancy and I wheel Bobby out?” I asked.
“That would be very nice,” said Mr. Gianelli.
On the way out, we passed a TV crew from Stoneybrook Nightly News. We heard they were at the hospital because a lady had quintuplets. (That means five babies!) They must have finished covering that story because when we came out, the cameras turned and pointed toward us.
“Say, aren’t you the boy who fell through the ice on Stoneybrook Pond?” asked a reporter.
“That’s me,” said Bobby. “And these are the friends who rescued me.”
We got to tell the reporters our story. The cameras were filming us the whole time.
“Your story will be on the six-thirty news,” said the reporter. “Be sure you tune in.”
At six-thirty, my little-house family was sitting in front of the TV. I knew my big-house family was watching, too.
“And now for a report on the boy who fell through the ice yesterday,” said the news reporter. “We have a first-hand account from Bobby himself and the fearless friends who rescued him.”
I watched as Nancy, Bobby, and I told our story. Somehow the reporters made us sound even braver than we were.
I felt even guiltier than before.
Can I Have Your Autograph?
On the school playground Monday morning, a crowd of kids gathered around Nancy and Bobby and me. They wanted to hear our story. We took turns telling it.
While we were talking, a kindergarten kid pushed her way up front. She waved a piece of paper in the air.
“Can I have your autograph?” she asked.
r /> I wrote my name on the paper. I hoped she never found out the real story of what happened that day. If she did, she would tear the paper up into tiny pieces.
The school bell rang and we went inside.
“Karen and Nancy, I am so proud of you,” said Ms. Colman. “You used your heads in an emergency situation.”
“Thank you, Ms. Colman,” said Nancy.
I could see that Nancy was having a good time. I wished I could be having a good time, too. I love when people pay attention to me. But I knew something Nancy did not know. I knew that the accident did not have to happen.
“I have an article here from the Stoneybrook News,” said Ms. Colman.
It was the article Susan Fields wrote. Seth had read every word out loud at breakfast.
“Karen, will you please put the article on our bulletin board so everyone can read it?” said Ms. Colman.
All day long the kids and Ms. Colman fussed over Nancy and me and treated us like heroines. I was glad when it was time to go home.
I needed to tell someone my secret.
“Oh, Goosie,” I said when I got to my room. “I have something to tell you. It is a secret. And I know I can trust you.”
I picked up Goosie and whispered in his ear.
“I am not a real and true hero. I knew the ice was not ready. I let Bobby go on it anyway,” I said.
I hoped Goosie would say something nice. Something comforting. But he did not say a word. Even Goosie knew I had done a very bad thing.
Ring, ring!
“Karen, telephone!” called Seth. “It is Bobby Gianelli’s grandmother.”
I picked up the phone. Bobby’s grandmother wanted to thank me personally for saving her grandson’s life. She was going to send me a present. It was a book called The Giving Tree.
“It is about a tree that is very kind and good, just like you,” said Bobby’s grandmother.
People kept calling all afternoon. The last call was from Mrs. Dawes. Mommy spoke to her for awhile.
“How would you like to go out with the Daweses for a celebration dinner?” asked Mommy. “We will celebrate Hanukkah a little late, Christmas a little early, and the wonderful thing that you and Nancy did last weekend.”