Chapter 17 – Noa

Mimi walks through the shopping street to do some shopping for dinner. She has just finished her list and her basket is full and heavy. Suddenly her eyes fall on the begging wanderer. At the same time he also looks at her. She walks up to him with her wallet in her hand and wants to give him her change. She has done her best to collect as much small money as possible, especially for him. All in all it has become a considerable amount. It’s not the first time she’s done it and he knows that very well, she can see it in him.

When she walks up to him, he says accusingly, “You can’t give me that much.”

She looks at him in surprise. “Why not?”

“It’s too much, I don’t want you to come up short at the end of the month,” he says. Mimi looks at the ground in shame. She knows she has to be frugal. Suddenly she gets an idea.

“I did the shopping for dinner. Would you like to come to our house for dinner later?” she asks.

Now it is the beggar’s turn to look at her in surprise. “In our house? Who do you live with and where?”

Mimi proudly tells the history of the house and its residents. He listens with interest without interrupting her. “I’m sure the others would enjoy meeting you,” she concludes. “We also have a place to sleep for you.”

“I highly doubt that,” he says. “I am a beggar.”

“Yes, I know,” Mimi confirms, “but in our house we believe in giving someone a chance. I’m sure you fall into that category.”

The wanderer looks at her doubtfully. “Do you have any idea how many people see me? How many people give some money? Most of them pretend not to see me. They don’t want to be confronted with the fact that this could happen to them too.”

“Give us a chance, please,” she says softly. “Are you coming for dinner?”

He thinks for a moment and makes a decision. “Okay, show me where your house is, I want to think about it some more. Give me that basket and I will carry it for you. He looks heavy for such a small doll like you.”

Mimi doesn’t say anything, but is happy that he is carrying the basket. They walk in silence through the streets until they reach her house. He puts the basket in front of the door and wants to leave. “What’s your name?” she asks.

“Noa,” he answers.

“Will I see you later?” she asks.

“I don’t know yet,” he says. He waves and leaves with big steps.

In the kitchen, Mimi puts away the groceries and writes on a note for Claire that they might have an extra guest for dinner. She spends the rest of the afternoon wondering if he will come back.