This place was famous for the fact that from morning to evening many traders tried to sell their goods here. I was always surprised how they crowded here in rain and snow, in cold and heat, waiting for customers. And it always seemed to me that no one takes anything from them. Well, I certainly wouldn’t.
It was starting to get dark outside, so there was no one left here but the old lady. I wanted to pass by, but when I caught up with her, I slowed down. I suddenly wondered what she was selling there. I came closer and began to examine the rags that were laid out on a piece of polyethylene. What only was not here. Starting from neatly patched robes, ending with woolen mittens. And, as it seemed to me, not of the first freshness either.
The grandmother, apparently deciding that I was her last client, immediately cheered up. Clearing her throat loudly, she said with frozen lips:
– Honey. Buy a pair of socks for your wife. Woolen, warm. I’ll give you two pairs for the price of one.
– No, I don’t need them. I’d prefer to buy everything in the store.
I was about to leave when a sharp cry from behind me made me turn around.
– You have no heart! – the old woman said angrily and spat several times. – Your mother sat here selling everything she could just to feed you.
– What makes you say that? – I said in displeasure.
My grandmother’s words hurt me, especially since they were true. The old woman threw something at my face. Something hit me in the chest, then bounced to the side and fell at my feet. I involuntarily looked down. It was some old, peeling pendant. My hand involuntarily reached out to see what was inside.
I did not immediately understand what was happening when I saw the yellowed spine of a photograph inside. However, I immediately recognized the faces. It was me and my mother. I looked up stunned, but my grandmother was no longer there. I could not sleep all night, I turned from side to side for a long time and thought about this old woman. With the first rays of the sun I went to the crossroads. The traders were already there, but they had never heard of any old woman with old things.
– I really saw her, – I smiled, but immediately felt an old medallion in my pocket.
I don’t know who I met that evening, but this woman made me understand and remember who I was and where I came from. Since then, whenever possible, I have been helping the elderly. I don’t take anything, I just give money.
