It was another routine day in court. The Sherriff and his deputies were escorting a prisoner
to the court house. As they proceeded to the court room the prisoner somehow slipped out of the grasp of the deputy and ran
out of the court house and through the nearby neighborhood where my parents lived. At this time the town has come
alive with sirens screaming through the streets in search of the escapee.
As my mom went about her daily routine, my brother Alan was preparing to go to bed. Alan, worked
as a security guard at one of the local factories. He worked at night and slept during the day. He wore a uniform that looked
a lot like a policemans uniform. Thats why we still can't believe that the man who had knocked at the front door showed no
signs of concern. He said that he had run out of gas and needed a lift to a neiboring county. Alan was more than happy to
give the guy a lift. So they got in the car and left.
As the police searched the street where my parents lived they soon learned from my mother that the
man they were in search of had just left with my brother. Not long after that the TV News were on the scene and my mother
was in hysterics. Mom thought for sure that Alan would never survive, that she would never see him again.
As Alan drove, the man who introduced himself began to talk and laugh and joke as he told Alan step
by step the way to go. Alan's car was low on gas and he needed to stop but had no money. His passenger informed him that he
also had no money. Alan talked to the man in the store and they made a deal. Alan would leave his shirt to his uniform and
his wallet and would bring the money back to the store after his passenger paid him for the lift. They got their gas and went
on their way.
The police were not far behind but finally lost the trail.
As the news people kept the community informed on the progress from my parents driveway my mother
was slowly going insane.
As Alan drove on he handed off his prize knife he had just purchased to his passenger as his
passenger took it and looked it over. He told Alan what a beautiful knife it was and handed it back. As they finally
reached their destination the convict had Alan pull in front of a small house. He disappeared inside for a moment then came
back out and gave Alan some money and thanked him for the ride. They said goodby and Alan left.
Back at my parents house my mother is still slowly losing her mind as she thinks the worst is happening
to my brother.
Alan stops at the gas station, pays the attendant, picks up his shirt and wallet and heads home.
As Alan drives down the street he notices all the Police cars and the TV Stations van. He
has no idea what is going on. As he pulls into the parking area my mother comes screaming and crying out of the house, throws
her arms around Alan and sobbing so that she can't speak.
The police has my brother take them where he had left his passenger but the man had already hit
the road. They had lost their prisoner but I had not lost my brother.
That night as the local TV Station aired the days events the scene was of my mother running out
of the house screaming and crying as she grabs my brother and holds him tight.
It truly was an event that will never be forgotten.
