Mika bursts open the front door. Outside, colorful flags flutter between the houses. On every fence hangs a different family sign. The wind rustles through the leaves. Mika stands with an open mouth. Today, Mika can go from door to door and ring the bell everywhere.
First, Mika rings the bell here. One parent sits in a wheelchair and rolls with Mika over the cobblestones to a table full of cookies. The wheels whirr. The cookies smell sweet. They laugh, push, grab, and share together.
Then Mika moves on. In one apartment, two fathers are sticking paper stars to the window with a child. Right after that, a child is stirring soup with their grandma in a house. Everywhere, something different clatters: scissors, wooden spoons, tape. Mika becomes more and more curious. Which door will open next?
Another ring of the bell. Here live two mothers with their baby. After that comes a house with many siblings. Splash! A wet washcloth lands right on Mika's head. Everyone bursts out laughing. The baby squeals. Mika laughs so loudly that they almost miss the next ring of the bell.
In front of the last door, Mika stops. Behind each door, everything looked different. How does it all fit together? Suddenly, many doors open at the same time all around. Voices call out in a jumble. Wheelchair wheels clatter. The smell of soup wafts over the path. Mika looks in wonder from one window to the next.
Then Mika runs right down the neighborhood path. All the families wave, carrying plates, calling for the children, and making space. Mika waves back. Above their heads, the string lights glow. It smells like dinner. Mika grins and continues to the next door, ready for another encounter.