TO ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO HELP THE "Q"

There are so many of you and you all tried so hard, I ache for you that he has finally fulfilled what he must long ago have decided was his destiny: prison.

He was a kid. He didn't understand. The Cops overreacted on the first one. He didn't have a decent upbringing. He has so much good in him. Life's hard for a black kid in Quincy. I heard 'em all. And so you helped. You helped in so many ways that the public will never know about that you should be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead.

You are all unspeakably good people. But the youngster, in the end, wasn't worthy of your support. Call it hard headedness, cultural deprivation, bad seed. You mitigated the effect of the system on him and gave him a chance. It's not on you. It's on him. In the end, it meant more to him be "of the street" than it did to be a productive member of the community. Your human kindness was abused, but God Bless you for having it.

Heal first. Then take another risk on another kid. He doesn't have to be black and he doesn't have to high profile. Just a kid who needs a mature friend.

This is a terrible week for all of you. You did the lord's work. Maybe the final chapter of your story as Samaritan has not yet been written. You have done a great thing and been betrayed. Don't stop being great.

My sympathy and my admiration go out to you.