I know you’re a fan of the archives here, but those only go back to 2005. As a special treat (read: I’m lazy today and don’t want to tackle my original blog subject), here’s some original material from February 2, 2001. Written for a creative writing class, I have resisted the urge to make any corrections. Enjoy.
The murky pond water reflects in the noon-time sun. The water splashes and separates as an old, carved wooden canoe cuts through it. An old grizzled man, his face dripping with sweat, guides the canoe to the bank of the pond. He lands the canoe gently on the muddy grass on the side of the pond. Cautiously he emerges from his craft, his long gray mangled hair dripping from the journey. The man, Earl, grabbed the canoe and pulled it from the pond. This was no easy task as the canoe was made of solid wood. Once he had the canoe on shore, Earl took a moment to rest and contemplate what was to come for the rest of the day. Not remembering what he had to do, Earl was forced to return to his camp. He was sure to bring along the canoe, for fear someone might notice it, or even steal it. He arrived after a short walk at a small clearing in the woods. This was his home. Surrounded by trees, small bushes, and undergrowth, and on top of the bare brown dirt. This is where he slept, on the ground, with the grit of the fine dirt imbedded in his hair. He was alone except for his canoe and a box of his belongings. The box was the most important thing he had. The large black trunk with brass latched and handles, is all that remains from his past. It contains all of his possessions, everything that he cares about. Earl unhooked the brass latches and retrieved his black organizer, the only thing that tied him back to the real world. It had been three years since he had left Texas for the back woods of Louisiana.
He was a prominent lawyer. He had a wife, a son, and a large house in the suburbs with a large yard and a new car. Every facet of his life was going well, and Earl was content. That is until Thursday December 21, a day that Earl will never forget. Like any other day, Earl woke up, got dressed, and headed to work. The trip was only twenty minutes, and Earl had done it a thousand times. He drove his red 1995 Ford Escort down the highway, going just over the speed limit as he usually did. Traffic was light, and it was a beautiful morning, so Earl decided to shave a few minutes off his commute and drive a little faster. He pushed down on the gas pedal until the car was flying down the road at ninety miles per hour. After several miles Earl checked his watch, he was making amazing time. He continued at his blistering speed, unwilling to slow down and waste the good time he was making. Suddenly in his mirror, Earl spotted a policemen closing fast, with lights and siren blazing. A pulse of fear ran through Earl, and sweat began to build on his forehead. The policemen drove right up behind Earl and directed him to the side of the road. Earl knew he would get a ticket with a large fine if he stopped. He would also be late for work for the third time this week, and maybe lose his job. So he made the decision not to stop. He pushed the car even faster and began to weave in and out of traffic. After several miles and many near collisions, Earl exited the highway. He sped down the off-ramp and ignored the red light at the base. As he passed under the light he smashed into a purple Dodge Caravan. The van, carrying a mother and two children, was split in two and thrown off the road. Miraculously no one was killed. Earl’s car was demolished, but he managed to escape injury, except for a few minor cuts and bruises. The mother in the van suffered two broken ribs, and broken jaw, and a mild concussion. The two children, both boys age seven and ten, suffered a broken arm and leg each. The policemen immediately radioed for help and proceeded to arrest Earl. An ambulance arrived a few minutes later to transport the family to the hospital. Earl was taken to the police station and was put into a cell. He called his house and spoke to his wife, Jeanne. She was irate and could not understand what would cause Earl to do what he did. He hung up the phone and sat in the corner of the cell with his head in his hands. What had he done, he thought to himself. What was he going to do?
The day came for his trial. Earl stood before the judge in and orange prison jumpsuit and handcuffs to hear the charges against him. He was charged with reckless driving, failure to stop, failure to obey and traffic signal, reckless endangerment, and with causing the accident. He was convicted on all of the counts after a plea of no contest. He was sentenced by the judge to eleven years in prison and $2,500 in fines. He was also ordered to pay the family he hit $10,000 for medical bills and suffering. His life was over. He couldn’t imagine what the next eleven years would be like away from his family, his house, and his job. He was taken away by an officer to his home for the next eleven years, the Texas State Penitentiary.
After just two days in prison, Earl knew he wouldn’t last. He would go crazy if he had to stay. So he put his brain to work on a way to get out. Carefully he studied his surroundings. The drain in the middle of the cement floor, the metal air vent up above, and the small cracks in the gray walls. After a week, he had devised the perfect plan. After dinner, Earl was sent to his cell. He retired to his bed and waited for the right time. He heard the guard walk down the hall, and the click of the door as he left. That was his cue. He sprang from bed and prepared is escape. He slid the bed out from the wall and tilted it on end. He managed to climb up the bed and reach the air vent above. He popped off the metal grate and climbed up inside. After crawling a short way he found himself on the roof of the building. He walked cautiously across the roof to a ladder. He climbed down and moved slowly to the fence guarding the outside of the prison. He found the section in the fence that he had noticed, which had a small gap at the bottom. He squeezed underneath the chain links and ran to freedom. It wasn’t until the next morning that they discovered he was gone, or that Earl stopped running. By then he was far away in the woods of Louisiana. That is where he now resides by himself, waiting for the day they will come and bring him back to prison. For now he sits with the box of belongings he gathered in a frantic and brief return to this house. Nobody saw him, but his family knows he was there. A note let them know where he is, and that they will probably never see him again.
