Chapter Text
“Have you heard?” Maru asked as she prepared some medicinal recipes for George and Evelyn.
“Heard what, Maru?” I asked while reviewing paperwork from my patients. Managing all these lives felt like an immense responsibility resting on my shoulders.
“Someone new is moving in; the old abandoned farm is getting a makeover.” She chuckled to herself.
“I thought Joja would buy it?” I replied, half-listening to Maru. I was more focused on my work, finding it hard to see how these things could be more important than the well-being of Pelican Town’s villagers—my responsibility.
“I bet they’d love to, but it’s private property, and finally, the owner is stepping up,” Maru said, a bit too cheerfully about Joja not getting what they wanted. She was passionate about preventing Joja from taking over our town.
Honestly, I found her stance a bit hypocritical. If it weren’t for Demetrius, she would probably be working for a big corporation, maybe even one as big as Joja.
I tried to think of that old abandoned farm, it belonged to a friend of Lewis if I remembered well. He was out before I even came to town. I thought of how hard it could have been to bring that farm into a functional state again, the new farmer had a hard road ahead of them.
“Well, we wouldn’t be half bad with another patient. Business has been…” I started, but Maru interrupted me.
“Slow! Yes, Harvey, you complain about it all the time. Geez, I thought you wanted to be Pelican Town’s doctor,” Maru called me out.
“You're right, I shouldn't complain,” I admitted, chuckling softly. Despite the slow days, I genuinely cherished my role as Pelican Town’s doctor. Each patient mattered, and I took pride in my work, even when things were quiet.
I just questioned myself if I would have been able to care so deeply for a new patient. I was a man of routine and familiarity, seeing a new face, even though it meant better business, was not as easy as it sounded.
“Well, as much as I enjoy it here, I’m clocking out. I'll deliver these to Evelyn and George, then be on my way—if that's okay with you,” I lost myself in thought as Maru called my attention with a playful smile. I tried to open my mouth before I heard the door closing.
"And... she didn’t wait for my response, as usual," I chuckled alone as I brought my hand to my forehead. Maru always did what she wanted, balancing her work here with her various projects. She was a scientist, like her dad. Medicine wasn't her passion; it was mine.
She always clocked out as soon as possible, I scoffed at the thought.
I should be so eager to clock out, but in fact, I did not have much going on for myself other than the hospital and planes.
Maru had once told me that, like many young folks in town, I should have more passions, more friends, and more activities. I just believed I was too old for any of it.
I guess I could immerse myself in work—if there was any interesting work to do. The most eventful things in my job were treating the flu or dealing with alcohol poisoning, but those were hardly satisfying. I had to admit, it felt lonely and painfully slow at times. Perhaps, I was just in denial that my life had transformed into exactly that and nothing more.
I rested my head tiredly on the reception counter, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. I was about to drift off when I heard the sound of the doorbell.
“We’re closed,” I mumbled, not bothering to lift my head from my sulking position.
“Don’t let this old man wait, or I might not make it until you decide to hear me out,” Lewis joked as he approached the counter. “I’ve been going around town telling everyone the news all week, except you. You close up way too early.”
He gave me a playful punch on the arm, but I didn’t even flinch. It was probably some town gossip, I was not interested in.
“Mr. Doctor is always too busy,” he added in a mock-serious tone.
“Well, tell me now, then,” I said, raising my head to look at him, trying to act the part.
“We have a new resident!” Lewis announced with a cheerful grin, making a few playful gestures with his hands.
“Oh, yeah, Maru mentioned something like that. A farmer, like Marnie?” I asked, trying to muster some enthusiasm.
“No! Not like Marnie… Marnie is just one of a kind,” the mayor began, a bit flustered. “She’s sweet and welcoming as always...” He interrupted himself with a cough, trying to maintain his composure. Despite their efforts to keep it a secret, everyone knew about his fascination with Marnie, and it was clear she felt the same about him.
“She’s the granddaughter of a friend of mine. That farm belonged to him, and now she’s finally bringing it back to its former splendor.”
“Well, it would be great to have a new face around here,” I said, trying to trick myself into feeling enthusiastic about the idea.
“Please be kind to her. You always are to everyone, but she needs it… she… just, be good to her.” He smiled and gave me a message I found somewhat cryptic. I just nodded, wondering if there was a deeper meaning to his words.
“Sure, will do,” I replied, giving the usual smile I reserved for customers.
Of course, I could, I did not like the idea of unknown waters, but how bad could it be?