The Long Thaw

Winter had been long and near from over. Currently was heavily snowing and the winds were 35 miles per hour. I looked out the window and could barely see the street. It was mid February. Football had ended a few weeks ago, with the Colts defeating the Cowboys 16-13. A field goal. 5 seconds left in the game led them to victory. 1971 was in my senior year of high school. Hoped to leave for Penn State in the fall. There I would be taking Criminal Justice and Forensics classes. As for today, there was no school. My buddies and I were going to get our sleds out and head to Buckingham Pond. Many were headed down to the back roads to race. We were going to hit some trails. Maybe flee across the pond. The snowmobile market was at it's peak during this season. Sometimes the cops would try to hound us, but sure they were in on the fun. The pond was familiar to the town. Others would be ice skating and playing in the park. We would keep our distance. Buckingham Pond was long and stretched through woods. The skaters would complain the ice was bumpy. It's natural for ice to freeze this way. Tales were told, the ice formed this way because of a witch had put a curse on the forest. It's said her water boat had sunk to the bottom. No one is quite sure what happened to her. Soon as this pond thaws. We were going to fish around for clues.

"Hey, y0u ready Leo? I'm headed there now".

"Yeah, could you bring me and extra pair of socks Mike? My brother took my warmest ones."

"Your warmest ones?" I joked with him. "Yeah, I'll make sure they're extra toasty. Call Brayden and tell him to meet us there."

"Sure thing. WHOO HOOO!" Leo was known to have empowering energy. What was so great about him.

I left a note for my mother in case she got home early. Tomorrow school would be back. For now we were going to make our plan for the warmer days ahead. Frozen over, I couldn't wait to find this boat, whatever else she may have had with her. Using a fishing magnet. I'd find her treasure, jewels, weapons. Other myths say. She had stolen gold off ships, dumped it in this park. Maybe there's gold in this pond. Why was the witch always out here? Black Witch of 1926. Made her way through the rivers. Somewhere near Tinker Tavern, she nestled in her home. Hidden, nor did anyone wish to know where it was, Except Nancy. Mike's distant aunt, Far on a Deserted road, or somewhere on her boat. Where the Black river and Lake Ontario meet. Aura Fitch. Somehow owned a pharmacy. Owned a few scary boats, among this river, through Lake George. She was dark, sharp and a yet the mysteriousness of it left this unknown for over 50 years. Many did not believe in such folklore. Chose to live past it.

Brayden had beat us there. Leo was behind me carting our sleds with his grandpa’s old pickup. About 3 cars were parked in the merely plowed lot. The slow was fluffy, left a dust behind them. Ready for glitzy powder. Off the Rivercrest trail we went. Headed to Hollow Creek. Well hidden spot off the trail. There we'd rest and build camp. My sled the Red Rupp 945 was ahead of Leo in Yellow, Bryaden with his black extended seat. The turn was marked with a black & yellow flag, left out freshman year.

“Hello Souls of the Forest.”

We walked down to the shore, debating take the sleds out there.

“I’m going”, Leo sped up. “We can do a little drilling right now you say?”

“What’s the grin for?” I instigated.

“Brayden get the bag, We can start today.”

Leo carved a bucket size hole in the ice. Took out a rod, a very long rope. Magnet on the end.

“Well let’s hope the gold doesn’t pull you in.”

“The Goldfish you mean?”

Brayden dropped the magnet into the water. I took off my jacket, laid it on the back of my Rupp.

“Okay. It starts to rain around March 1st. Say in 2 weeks we come back, dock our boat here and return each day til something hits.”

“What about Trisha? She’s going to ask where I am.” I paced around them. Thinking of a story to feed her.

“I feel something!”

Leo jerked his arm. Reeling up the rope. His gloves becoming dark, from the cold water splashing backwards. The magnet grasped on to something. It was strong. The net could not fit, far enough with the ice. We needed more space. Once the water had melted. We'd come back. Find this Mothership.

"Hang on I said. Let's try once more. We need to find bigger magnets without being caught, But there's still a witch's box down there. So legend has told. Lets throw the magnet in once more."

"Mike it's February, You really think Lucky Charms or whoever, dropped some box in this spot?"

"I think, I'd like those new shoes downtown. I'm trying again. Besides, it's not even practice yet." Down went the magnet for the second time.

Park Rangers were skating up the park as I sat on the back of my sled.

"Hey Neighbors”, Braden slid the ice to meet the rangers. Distract my guys in the back.

“You boys catch anything?” Officer Dillon asked us.

“Not really…We’re actually about to leave.” I started to zip up the duffle bags, looking busy.

“Alright then, be safe on those sleds. Roads are still bad in parts of town.”

“Thanks so much! Have fun Ranger, see you at the arena sometime.”

Leo waved as Brayden and I tried to hold in our laughter.

“Anything Mike? My hands are getting pretty cold.” Brayden rubbed them together for friction.

“Few more minutes. Let’s close our eyes and feel the spirit of the forest.” I suggested.

“Kumbaya Black Witch, Kumbayaaa.”

Leo was always goofing off.

“Alright, let’s go haha.”

I drew the string up. The end of the magnet held an antique key. Our jaws dropped. We were in the right spot.

“Brayden- count the steps back to shore. I’m going to put this in your backpack. You keep an eye on it.”

“Oh’ sure, so Trisha thinks I’m cheating with a wicked old witch. Have Leo take it.”

“Man, whatever. Leo…do not lose it.”

He took out an old bandana and wrapped it up.

“I got it. Won’t let anyone know. Agreed for everyone else.”

“Agreed.”

Forecast was for rain, slightly windy. It was Saturday and the boys wanted to go back to Buckingham Park. Trisha helped us get a boat from her dad's Marina. The ice was melting along the bank. We be careful not to get stuck. Robinbranch path had the leway. Just a bit from Rivercrest. We'd inch our way there. Owner of this boat was friends with her grandmother, She had moved South. The family was in trust with her. We better not sink her ship haha. Be the Lost Boys with the Witch! Brayden was unloading the equipment off his big Rigger. Trisha was in stance with a stern look. Leo had ridden with me. Brought deicer, his grandpa's cane and a bundle of rope. Pull up the box.

"Promised Trisha an engagement ring when we find the diamonds."

"Yes, he's going to make me a pendant for my necklace."

"Trisha, you can buy them all. I'll give one to your sister."

Leo started walking toward the water.

The boat had bumped in the ice a bit, and it was still melted 60 feet out. We rowed are way through the ice. Still raining, the ice was melting pretty fast. Trisha was actually a great help. Just hope her sinker doesn't catch it. That be lame. We waited. 20 minutes waited. 2 hours in. Few had gone pee off the ship, squawking at the crows. Trisha was on her phone.

"Hey...Look what I got?"

They were enthusiastic. Leo brought a flat head screwdriver. Shaking and cold. We huddled on the boats deck.

"Leo, it has a key. Where you put it?"

"Oh', so you remember? That I was the one, left with the witch's key. Life is untold."

"Wait...Brayden grabbed my hand. We will all promise, that whatever is in this box, may it never divide us or be shared with the authorities or our classmates."

"Promise." We all held the box one last time, praying over it.

The key fit and clicked to the right. There they were. Governess Raquel's jewels. The witch was so jealous of her. She stole them. Rowed to this park, where she threw the box to the fishes. The contents was unknown of value to us. We had to get this boat back to the Marina, before anyone saw anything. Trisha had chosen her jewel and we put the box in the icebox. Leo rubbed my shoulders and said "We gotta get the Hell outta Dodge."

I ripped my hat off n threw it at him.

"Tomorrow my friend. Tomorrow."