The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

I tell Maryellen that I would rather skate with her. She says okay, and we go find skates that fit both of us pretty well. Soon, we’re skating and clearing the snow off the ice with a shovel and broom as we go. When we’ve cleared a small area, we skate holding hands, around and around, bending forward when we come to a pine bough that’s overhanging, and standing straight when we’re in the clear. We’re careful to stay away from the middle of the pond in case the ice is too thin. There’s no sounds, but the scratch, scratch of our skates and the whoosh of the pine trees in the wind.

Maryellen says it’s easy to imagine that we’re in the Ice Capades or in an old-fashioned movie. But right then, Beverly’s indignant voice pierces the silence. She jolts me and Maryellen back into reality. She said that we’re mean, to sneak off without telling anyone else. Then, we see that Beverly isn’t alone. Tom and Mikey are there, too. They’re all so bundled up that they’re all the same height. Maryellen scolds that they shouldn’t have come all the way by themselves. Beverly says that they just followed our boot prints. They want to skate, too.

Maryellen says no. The skating is just for me and her. Beverly says that Maryellen can’t hog the skating. And she’s not supposed to hog me either. Maryellen sighs, and says that they can go ahead and skate. We’re done. Besides, there’s not enough skates for everyone. The boys will have to stay in their boots. The two little boys step onto the ice, and they will wobble in their boots. Maryellen and I skate past them to the edge and go into the shed, where Maryellen plunks down on the ground. She unlaces her skates, pulls them off, and hands them to Beverly. I take my skates off more slowly. Suddenly, we hear a terrifying howl.

I rush out of the shed and go rigid with fear. Tom is howling because Mikey has fallen through the ice. Tom is wailing and starting to cry. My heart beats fast with fear as Maryellen and I slip and slide in our boots on the ice. I tell them not to get too near to the middle. If Mikey fell through, we will, too. When we reach the boys, I pull Tom away from the gaping hole and bring him to the safer, thicker ice where Beverly leads him safely to the bank. I turn back to see Maryellen lying on her stomach, reaching her arms out to Mikey. I lie behind her and hold onto her feet so she won’t fall through the hole, too.

Maryellen coaxes Mikey and tells him to reach out to her. Maryellen grabs his hands and hooks her hands under his arms and hauls him out of the water. We’re breathless for a moment, and then we carry Mikey back to the edge of the pond. He’s soaked through to the skin and he’s so cold that he’s shivering.

Maryellen says we have to get Mikey back to the cabin as quickly as possible. She tells me to get the canvas sack out of the shed and we’ll take turns carrying him. Now that he’s wet, he’s heavy. In the shed, I see the skis and boots, and I know what I must do. Maryellen bravely saved Mikey from the ice, so now I need to save him from hypothermia.

I put on the boots and skis, grab some poles, and tie the sack around me like a sling. I call Maryellen and tell her to put Mikey in the sling and I’ll ski him back to the cabin. Maryellen is surprised. I told her that I didn’t know how to ski. I can tell her about it later, but for now, she has to trust me. Maryellen puts Mikey in the sling, and I’m afraid I will tip over from his weight. For a little guy, he’s heavy. But I get my balance and shove off.

The boots are too big, and they’re stiff and awkward. The skis are meant for downhill skiing, not cross-country skiing, so they’re clunky and hard to maneuver. But I’m determined. Maryellen, Beverly, and Tom trot behind me, but they can’t keep up, so I’m alone soon, following the trail we made with our footprints in the snow. All I can think about is getting Mikey to warmth.

I’m so out of breath I can’t think anymore. All I can do is focus all my strength on skiing and not falling. The trail twists and turns, but it leads steadily downhill until I can see the smoke coming out of the chimney of the cabin.

Later, we’re all sitting around the fire after Thanksgiving dinner, feeling warm and cozy and full. Mikey is leaning against me, dozing. Maryellen leans over and says that she’s most grateful for me. I helped save Mikey’s life. Grandmom slips her arm around my shoulder, and Mr. Larkin says that we can all agree that Ellie is an outstanding sister, and I’m an outstanding friend. In fact, they should elect me as an honorary Larkin.

There’s a chorus of “Ayes” as everyone agrees. I feel awfully proud to be an honorary member of the Larkin family. What a great feeling it is to be included. I wonder if Emma and I tried to include my grandmother, if she’d feel more like a member of our family. When I go home, I should try to find out.