The Pickpocket

The pickpocket gingerly approached the unsuspecting woman as she moved toward the bus stop. She had not zipped her purse fully, and her brown leather wallet was about 20% visible, usually the minimum visibility for a novice, but Rich could have done the job with the wallet nearly hidden. As she stepped up on the curb he made his move. The momentary difference of balance was just enough time to strike and move on. And there it was, from her purse to the front pocket of Rich’s hoodie in less than a second. Rich was gone, almost unseen by anyone, walking down the busy street.

He had not always been like this. A rough patch in his life made his name ironic. He had lost his job due to “cut backs,” which he thought was utter crap. On top of that his mother’s health was failing. He moved in with her to help out how he could, but he didn’t know much. His biggest contribution thus far was pick pocketing people for enough money to pay for the visiting nurse, the groceries and the bills.

He walked to the grocery store feeling sorrier for himself every step he took. He felt alone. His dad had taken off. His sister had taken a job in Seattle and had no intentions of making the trip back very often. And he essentially relies on stealing as his job. The only positives in his life right now were that the nurse was not killing him financially, and that he hadn’t been caught yet. Not good when the positives in life are just mediocre.

Rich left the grocery store after getting the essentials and nothing more. He rushed home knowing that even though he was 42 years old his mother worried, and her impaired health didn’t help. The visiting nurse and Rich opened the front door of the apartment simultaneously. Rich’s mom, noticing he arrived, called to him and asked why he was late. He fluffed it off, reached for a fifty dollar bill, and handed it to the visiting nurse thanking her. She smiled and left as no words were exchanged.

Rich closed the door behind her and the salvo of questions began. Did he tip her? How is the job search? Did he pay the bills? Once the onslaught was over, Rich began to ask his mom how she was feeling and how her session went. It was a good day for Rich’s mom as she recounted the entire afternoon and the session with her nurse. She specifically remembered how upset the nurse was throughout the session.

You see, about a month ago, her son was tragically taken from her. He always wore a miraculous medal around his neck, which she had slotted in her wallet with a picture of him; her wallet that was stolen that afternoon.


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