Please help this newbie. Puck.js on Raspberry Pi 3B

One additional piece of info. I tested this while connected bluetooth to my mac, everything worked without error. This only occurs when puck is connected to raspberry pi.
I also used a much simpler code

var kb = require("ble_hid_keyboard");
NRF.setServices(undefined, { hid : kb.report });

function btnPressed() {
  // Send 'a'
  kb.tap(kb.KEY.A, 0, function() {
    // Followed by capital 'A'
    kb.tap(kb.KEY.A, kb.MODIFY.SHIFT);
  });
}

// trigger btnPressed whenever the button is pressed
setWatch(btnPressed, BTN, {edge:"rising",repeat:true,debounce:50});

got the exact same error.
there is something wrong with ble_hid_keyboard on the raspberry pi.