Clean Getaway

Do you ever have a moment in your life that you know is absolutely ironic and ridiculous while it is happening? I told my friend Kelly this story, and she said it was a sit-com moment. It totally was.


Our neighborhood has been circulating “The Phantom”. It’s similar to the “Boo” if you’ve heard of that. Basically a bag of Halloween tchotchkes and treats are left on the front door. You post the sign on your door that the Phantom has visited, and then you make 2 treats and leave them on other neighbors’ doors. It’s sort of like a chain letter, but slightly more fun.

We have done this in years past, but this year Meredith was more involved in the process and wanted to pick who we left treats for. She chose our neighbor girl and then triplets from her class. The whole point is to leave who delivered the treats a secret- put the bag on the porch, ring the doorbell, and run. Meredith and I went over the plans: Find the triplets’ house, park a house or two away, leave her minivan door open, drop the bag, ring the doorbell, run to the car, clean getaway.

Well, we found the house, parked a house away, left the door open, rang the doorbell, and ran to the car. I hopped in the driver’s seat; put the key in the ignition while Meredith is closing her automatic door. I turn the key, nothing. I try again, nothing. Meredith’s door is stuck half way open. The triplets are emerging from the home looking left and right for the culprits. I try again, nothing. Meredith starts getting upset because the car won’t start, and she was nervous about the whole running into the car scenario anyway. The triplets are now outside yelling “Meredith! Meredith”. I’m debating calling Frank or roadside assistance. The dad emerges, at which point I have to come out and confess we are the Phantom, introduce myself, and ask him to jump my car.

It ended up the battery died and I got a new battery that night.

So, a lesson to all of you out there-- If you want to rob a bank or TP a house, I am not the best choice for a get-away car driver.