Chapter 4 – Mimi

Meanwhile, Lisa contacts Mimi, whom she knows from the ballet academy. They meet together in a cafe. Lisa is worried about Mimi. She is thin and pale. Mimi studied at the ballet academy. With regret in her heart she had to stop in her 3rd year due to a knee injury that would not go away. Fortunately, she took courses as a programmer during her training, so that she could fall back on that when things no longer went well. She now works in IT at a company that lets people work from home and arranges everything via the internet. She can manage her time herself and always completes her work on time. After Mimi left the academy, she and Lisa have always kept in touch. Lisa asks if she is eating enough. Mimi shrugs her shoulders weakly. I’m not much of a cook, she answers.

Lisa knows enough. She talks about Claire. That she is such a great cook and prepares a table full of goodies every evening. In the background she hears Mimi’s stomach growling as she talks about yesterday’s meal.

She talks about Lana and Jean Paul, how they work so hard to get the house right. There’s still a place to stay if you want. We are still looking for a tenant. Mimi will think about it. Lisa invites her to dinner tonight so she can meet the rest.

At the end of the afternoon, Mimi comes in timidly and sits at the table with Lisa in the kitchen. The rest are prepared for her arrival and join us.

During dinner, everyone sees how much Mimi is eating. She works through an unimaginable amount of weight on her own, and that for such a skinny girl. Claire, Lana and JP are happy if Mimi comes to live with them. They suggest that Mimi move in so she can eat well every day. It is quiet for a moment. Then she gives a nod.

If I can live here and you cook for me, I will do the shopping for you, she says to Claire.

Perfect, Claire answers with a broad smile.