Mike Rix's Magic Knife (Part 2 of 3)

Michael Rix drives more in a day than most people drive in two weeks. He navigates multiple routes that begin from his headquarters on the corner of Montauk Avenue and Bank Street in New London. He delivers laundry and he is proud that he does it better than anyone else in the business. Satisfaction comes from a job well done. When Michael Rix steers his van through heavy traffic or on empty back roads with a full load in back, he feels perfection approaching just around the corner ahead.

It was just past Salem Four Corners that Mr. Rix realized that he had found his new knife for a purpose. He had turned onto Witch Meadow Road just after the second of the town's two traffic lights. He was forced to apply the brakes in a hurry to avoid a catastrophe. A box turtle was crossing the road.

Michael Rix turned on his hazard lights and fished a flare from under the passenger seat. Once he had secured the scene, he approached the box turtle, which was making is methodical way across the pavement oblivious to danger. A Volvo rounded the corner from the opposite direction, and Mr. Rix flagged the car to a stop while he took care of his mission.

Mr. Rix gently lifted the box turtle off the road. He was so gentle, the turtle wasn't frightened. It kept its head out in the air and looked Mr. Rix square in the eye like a friend.

When Mr. Rix placed the turtle on the grass, he waved the Volvo on. The driver honked his horn and gave Mr. Rix a thumbs-up for a good deed done. When Mr. Rix looked at the box turtle, he noticed the animal's left foot was tangled in a ball of fishing line. Ever the Good Samaritan, Mr. Rix fook out his knife and freed the tangled foot. An owl hooted from somewhere in the trees. Michael Rix knew why he had this knife. He decided to carry the box turtle past the shoulder of the road and into the pond a few yards farther on. The box turtle swam away. Before it dove, it waggled its tail in Mr. Rix's direction.

The rest of the day was uneventful. As usual, Mr. Rix made his deliveries ahead of schedule and his customers were happy to have clean clothes. Little things make life enjoyable. The remarkable Michael Rix is one of the unsung cogs in Heaven's marvelous machinery.

...........................to be concluded next week!!