Page 84 of Chosen Path

“What is it?” Bodhi asked as he accepted the envelope.

Al grinned. “Molly and Hope spent a rainy weekend finding all the secret compartments in her furniture. This letter was in a cubby hidden away in her bedside table. It’s a letter Doc wrote to Molly. It’s dated the day he died.”

Bodhi stared down at the envelope and wondered if he should open it now or wait. Al made the decision for him by draining his lemonade and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I have to run. I snuck out of the office to give this to you in person, but if my office manager notices I’ve left, there’ll be hell to pay.”

“They run a tight ship, do they?”

Al laughed. “Rachel’s my office manager, so you can only imagine the trouble I get into at work and at home.”

Bodhi placed the envelope on the table and stood to shake Al’s hand. “Well, it’s good to see you. And I appreciate that you risked your wife’s wrath to make a special delivery.”

Al clasped Bodhi on the back. “You take care of yourself, young man.”

“You do the same, young man. And give my best to Molly and Hope when you go to Scandia Bluff.”

He walked Al to the back gate and watched him hurry down the alley. Then he picked up the envelope and slit it open using his fingernail. He removed a single sheet of paper and unfolded it. It read:

Doctor Hart,

I hired you for the clinic because I have a feeling about you. I tend to trust those, and I pray this one is right.

Scandia Bluff has fallen into a pattern that you must interrupt. They’re good people, but they’ve bought into the village slogan in ways that are harmful and wrong. They need help. They don’t know how to ask for it because it’s not their way. They need someone with fresh eyes and new ideas to pull them out of the past. I’m tired and I’ve earned my rest. So it won’t be me. But it can be you.

I’ve made some mistakes in my time. I’ve done things I regret. Most of them flow from decisions I made as a new doctor here in the village. I tried my best to accommodate their traditions, and I see now that I was wrong to do so. I know this letter must seem cryptic to you, but I believe it’s best if you walk into this situation with a clean slate and no preconceived notions.

My parting advice to you is to always remember your oath to do no harm. I failed. I trust you won’t.

Sincerely,

Rolf Larson

Bodhi refolded the sheet of paper and returned it to the envelope. He sat at the table and thought about Rolf Larson’s words. Then he stood and walked over to the third row of the vegetable garden and squatted in front of his trowel. He pulled the tool from the dark, fresh soil and resumed his task.