Fiction · Original fiction
The note under the mat read, Welcome back, whoever you are today. Sami thought it had been left for the wrong house until his father recognised the handwriting.
It was from the neighbour who had looked after their plants. She usually left a list of what she had watered. This time the pots were healthy and the note was short.
Sami placed it beside the door. His father added the watering list on the reverse, because practical details still mattered.
Visitors saw only a piece of paper held up by a magnet. The family read it when they arrived from long days, ordinary errands, and occasionally very good news. It seemed able to welcome all three without asking which kind of person was coming in.
Take a moment
What makes a welcome leave room for change?