Three Genre Story (Assignment)

      Henry Dow has been in this institution since the age of 15. No one quite knew what went wrong upstairs, but now he’s stuck here forever. All he does is sit in his room, staring at the wall like all the answers to the world’s questions are written on it. I have been taking care of him since I was about 15 as well, it seems crazy that it has been six years since I first started coming here. Not a lot has changed in my life or here at the mental institution. The institution is always such a timeless place, that you barely realize the years going by. Today is the day that I decide to get him, and myself, out of here.

    I casually stroll into his room, reassuring him as I guide him into his wheel chair. “We’re going for a walk okay Henry?” As usual, he doesn't reply. I wheel him outside, waving to the passing nurses and patients. We walk into the garden. This is where the hard part starts.

    “Henry, can you stand up please?” As I help him, he slowly stands. I ask him to climb the vines growing up the relatively low wall. Henry starts up the wall, gets about three feet up and falls back, right on top of me. “Oof! Get off me and try again!”

I’m starting to loose my cool again. That’s why I have to leave this place too. I don’t have the patience or mindset for this kind of work. The only reason I’m here is because I keep making mistakes. Ever since I was in middle school I’ve been making stupid mistakes like graffiting the school or beating up someone who really deserved it. Even when I tried my hardest to be good I always goofed up and ended up with more community service here. They actually pay me now because I’m here all the time, not to mention I connect to the patients in a way that not many of the other nurses can. I too feel trapped in myself, and this institution no one really likes. The only good part of my day is talking to Henry. He always listens, and never judges. He’ll do what I ask him to and no more. I do the same when someone asks me to do something.

But now I just need to get him over this wall! After we get out of here we can do whatever we want, move to Cuba, visit the Great Wall of China, or play our luck at Vegas, if it wasn't for this wall, we would already be flying!”Up, up! Try one more time!” Finally, he makes it over the wall. Yesss! I thought, Home free! However, I wasn't out of the woods yet. I still had to get him into my smart car and get the heck out of this place.