The Great Escape

by Kay Heitsch 

I never knew what a day would bring working in the Memory Care Center. Because the facility was a secure building you have to be buzzed in or out. One day Herbert*, one the the residents decided that he was going to leave. I saw him making his way to the front door. He had his coat and a cowboy hat on with a determined look on his face. I could tell he was meaning business as he pushed on the door.

As Herb pushed on the door the alarm started to go off. Hearing this alarm several of the girls came running. Herb had made up his mind that he was going out and these girls were not going to stop him.

The more he pushed on the door the louder the alarm sounded. Finally it opened! Herbert had made his great escape! But now where would he go?

When Herb got out one of the girls ran to the end of the driveway and stopped the traffic in case he ran into the road. As the cars were starting to get backed up one car rear ended another. Now the police had to be called. This scene was getting to be a comedy act.

I was watching out the window as Herb headed down the drive. I noticed that he had remembered to put on his cowboy hat and coat, but he had forgotten to put on a belt. As he high tailed it down the drive his pants started to slip down. The girls were in hot pursuit! Herb made it all the way down the driveway to the main road where his pants got the better of him. The girls couldn't stop him, but when his pants fell down he tripped. Now they had to call an ambulance in case Herb was hurt.

The police and ambulance all arrived. Herb wasn't hurt so the ambulance left. However, as I glanced out the window I noticed the police car driving up the driveway with Herbert in the back seat. I'll never forget the smile and the look of satisfaction on his face as Herb knew he had nearly made the great escape.

*Name changed