Then I realized she must have walked through the empty rooms — the clean counters, the swept floors, and the complete lack of boxes or belongings. I explained quietly that I hadn’t forgotten anything. I simply didn’t have anything to take.
After a difficult year, most of my furniture had been sold, and the rest had worn out. What I carried out was just a suitcase with clothes and a few sentimental items. There was a long pause on the phone, the kind that feels like a doorway to something unexpected.
I braced myself for awkward pity or polite silence, but instead, she asked gently, “Where are you staying now?” I told her I’d found a temporary room while I got back on my feet. To my surprise, she asked me to stop by the next day — she said she had something for me, and her voice sounded sincere, not judging, just human. When I arrived, she stood there holding a small set of house essentials — dishes, blankets, a basic lamp, and a note that read, “Everyone deserves a fresh start.” I was overwhelmed.Continue reading…
