I interpreted 'stolen' as sold for drug money.

There was a heroin kid on the street who was quite a good piano player. He would walk the Ave carrying an electronic full-size keyboard, then sit and play. Mostly classical: I'm sure there is an interesting backstory from piano lessons to now. People walking by would toss spare change into whatever can he was using that day, the odd paper dollar or two.

I bought him batteries from time to time -- the money he made never seemed to be for those. 

One day he was walking by without his keyboard. I asked him what happened, and he said it was stolen. I interpreted 'stolen' as sold for drug money. Basically, he just shot up his seed corn into his arm.

Later that day I walked down to the Goodwill store, and bought a cheap keyboard. He passed by later, and I gave it to him. He was effusive in his thanks, then went across the street and started playing. Beethoven mostly, but he would occasionally throw in a lick from an old Beatles song or such, then back to the Beethoven. Again, people walking by would drop him spare change and the odd paper dollar or two.

I realized he would eventually sell that keyboard for drug money, too, but you can only give someone a second chance, you can't make them do the right thing with it.

He had talked about moving north to Bellingham before, and I haven't seen him in months. Maybe he made it there. Drug money can be used for bus money, if you are strong enough to follow through.


-jj


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