Alex has always been a "bad seed". He was always getting into trouble. Fighting in grade school, lead to gangs in his teens. B&e's were his speciality, though he did his fair share of car thefts. He was lucky; when he did get caught, which was often, it was always for something petty. Or a technicality got him off. His stints in juvie were short, and all he learned from them was how to go onto bigger crimes.
By the time he was twenty he was considered a lost cause. Everyone had given up on rehabilitating him. No one cared, which suited him just fine. It left him more time to hone his skills. He soon became bored with committing petty crimes, he wanted to go for the “big money”. It was the start of his demise.
Armed robbery he decided was where the big money was. Not stores, but a bank. That would set him up for a while, he'd have lots of money for partying with his friends. He planned the robbery for weeks, he was sure his plan was fool proof. He was wrong.
His luck ran out. An undercover cop was in the bank when he decided to rob it. He was caught before he even got the money let alone left the building. Because of his previous record he was given the maximum sentence. For the first time in his life he had to really pay for his crime. He was devastated, after so many years of getting off easy, he thought he was invincible.
The first few years in prison were non eventful. He carried on like he always did. Joined a gang in prison, and terrorized the other prisoners. He was careful though not to attract to much attention from the guards, a 15 year sentence was long enough for him. When he was getting close to being eligible for parole he was put into a rehab program. That’s what changed his life.
Christy his case worker saw something in him that no else had, something about him attracted her even though she had made sure in the past not to get to close to the inmates. She saw him doodling one day and noticed he had a real talent for drawing. She didn't give up on him, like everyone else had. After months of pestering him he finally gave in and started art classes. He surprised himself, he was good and realized it. With Christy's encouragement he started devoting more time to drawing, he stayed away from the gang, and was on the road to straightening his life out.
The day Christy gave him a paint set as a reward for his hard work was the clincher. He gave her a kiss thank you and they realized that they were attracted to one another. Soon after, with Christys recommendation, he was released from prison. She helped him find a loft that would serve as a studio and apartment. Their relationship evolved slowly, he wanted to prove he had changed and she wanted to make sure he had. They dated for two years before finally living together. During that time he made a name for himself as an artist. And his first show was soon approaching.
Opening night was a hit he got rave reviews, no one cared that he was a con, he was too talented. After the celebration dinner Alex proposed and Christy accepted. It was the start of a long, beautiful relationship.
Years later in an interview he was asked if he regretted his past. His reply was no; “I believe that everything we do serves a purpose. When you look at my painting you can still feel the frustration I felt growing up in a neighborhood where the odds were you wouldn’t make it past your twenty-fifth birthday. I’m lucky I got out even if I had to go to prison first to do it, I’m still one of the lucky ones most don’t make it. And now I’m sharing my success with that neighborhood, I’ve convinced different artists to donate their time to a free art school we set up in a small shop, the turn out has been great. It proves that these kids will take a different road then crime if they are given half a chance. With a little work we can make a difference for everyone one child at a time.”
To this day Alex is still doing what he can to help the kids where he grew up. He’s had a few success stories that prove that you can make a difference. You will always find Christy working by his side, just as determined to make a difference. Just think if we all did our part what a difference we could make. The rewards you get by reaching out and helping a person who needs you are priceless, so go for it you’d be surprised how every kindness you do comes back to you tenfold.
