My 101-year-old neighbor was ready to go to jail for stealing over $2,000 worth of goods. He refused to explain why, even when the judge pressed him. But I knew what he was hiding, and the truth was more heartbreaking than anyone imagined.
“Mr. Walter, do you understand you could go to jail for this?” the judge asked.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Then why won’t you explain yourself?”
Walter gripped his cane with both hands.
“I stole those things. I’m guilty.”
The judge studied my frail neighbor.
“At 101 years
old, you should be sitting at home enjoying your retirement, not standing in my courtroom.”
Walter lowered his head.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
The judge glanced at the photographs spread across his desk.
“Baby clothes. Canned food. School supplies.”
He picked up another photograph.
“The employees let you off with warnings because of your age. But you kept going back, even after they told you they’d have to report you. Why?”
