He got Rowan out of his carseat and into his snow gear. “Thanks for making this happen,” Tyler said, giving Layla a hug. “I know it’s Christmas and all.”
Layla smiled. “Are you kidding me? The kids love Sully’s back hill. This is the perfect way to work off all the sugar they ate this morning with my folks.”
“Can you guys help me carry this?” Mitch stood in the garage next to a large pile of gear. “In all of my years knowing Sully, I’ve never actually set this up.” He looked over at Tyler. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Not a clue.” Tyler shrugged. “That’s what the internet is for.”
Mitch threw his hands in the air as Layla burst out laughing. “Sully’s lucky to have you,” Mitch said, smiling.
They found a tracked sled in Jamie’s garage, and stacked bags and boxes of gear labeled “ICE FISHING SHIT.” Somehow, they managed to drag the pile of gear down the hill to the edge of the frozen lake. Tyler had found a local website that updated the ice conditions for the lakes around Madison, and was confident the ice was thick enough to safely walk on. Judging by the other huts visible across the lake, he assumed they would be fine.
Mitch stayed with the kids while Tyler and Layla dragged the sled out onto the ice.
“I think we’re supposed to wear skates for this part,” Layla said, already gasping for air as she tried to stay upright on the ice.
Tyler laughed. “This was such a bad idea,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “Neither of us know anything about setting up an ice fishing hut.”
“But that’s what the internet is for, Ty!”
Tyler couldn’t stop laughing. They slipped and slid across the ice until they decided that they were far enough from the shore to set up.
They managed the tent without instructions. It was similar to most modern camping tents, with collapsable poles. Once the tent was up, they dragged the other bags and boxes inside. One case held a huge contraption that resembled some kind of corkscrew aslong as Tyler’s leg, while another box had a propane heater. A long case held fishing poles, and a folding camp chair.
Huddled over Tyler’s phone, they watched videos of people using the corkscrew to drill through the ice. Apparently, what Jamie had was a hand auger, which seemed relatively straightforward to use.
“Do you want to do it?” He asked Layla, looking alternately at her and the long auger that sat on the ice between them.
“Nope,” she said, shooting him a cheeky grin. “This is a grand Christmas gesture for your man. You get to aug.”
Tyler snorted. “That’s not a real word.” He picked up the tool, careful to hold it out and away from his body. The two angled blades at the bottom looked really fucking sharp. “Okay. I can do this.”
“I will be here to cheer you on and run for help if you get hurt.”
Tyler stuck his tongue out at Layla. “I can’t figure out if you’re a good friend or a terrible one.” He made sure the auger was straight and upright, and then, slowly, with one hand holding the top, he began to crank the handle.
It took him a second to figure out how to hold it steady, but then a quiet churning sound filled the small tent as the auger cut into the ice. A minute later, it dropped through, sending a pile of shaved ice bursting out of the opening. Tyler pulled out the tool as Layla cheered, sweeping the ice chips away from the hole.
“I can’t believe that worked,” Tyler said, looking up at Layla.
She clapped. “I’m honestly impressed.”
“Okay.” Tyler stood up, wiping the ice from his gloves. “I’m going to leave everything else for Jamie to set up.” He checked the time on his phone. “He should be home from his dad’s place in twenty minutes.”
They organized the remaining gear as best as they could, and then hustled back across the ice to Jamie’s yard. The kids were red-nosed and happily sliding down the gentle slope of the hill, with Mitch dragging them up to the top over and over again.
“Thank you again for helping me,” Tyler said, leaning his shoulder against Layla.
She smiled, leaning back into him. “This is what friends do. We show up for each other.”
Tyler felt his throat tighten with emotion. There was no way Layla could have known what those simple words meant to him. How much it meant to hear someone call him a friend.
“Can we have dinner again soon?” Tyler asked, trying not to sound too hopeful. “I can come over early and help cook?”
“Of course,” Layla said, like it wasn’t a big deal to her. “I’d love that.” She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Come on, kids! Time to head home!”
The kids mobbed them, and there was a flurry of goodbyes and promises to see each other soon as they loaded up into their van.
Tyler led Rowan into the house through Jamie’s garage. Mitch had reassured him that Jamie would be thrilled to see them, and had encouraged them to go right in and make themselves at home.
