First Do No Harm opens with the protagonist, Rainier, reflecting on the unusual visit of his friend Labrino, who appeared at his doorstep one stormy spring evening. Labrino, a familiar presence in his life, had been coming to him more frequently, often without warning, bringing an air of unease with him. He had a tendency to arrive at the most unexpected times, usually at the back step, where he could quietly slip in without knocking, creating a subtle but undeniable tension. On this particular night, Labrino brought up something that had been weighing heavily on his mind: the impending arrival of the Tashi Comet, which was scheduled to pass Earth in thirteen months. To Labrino, comets were not just celestial events—they were ominous, harbingers of disaster. He recalled tragic events from the past, like the Challenger explosion and the Chernobyl disaster, and connected them to the appearance of comets in the sky, which only deepened his sense of dread.

Rainier, however, didn’t share Labrino’s skepticism. He found the idea of the comet exciting, an opportunity to witness something extraordinary in the night sky, not a sign of impending doom. In preparation, he had already purchased a set of binoculars, eager to experience the wonder of the comet as it passed through the cosmos. While Labrino was caught in the storm of his personal anxieties, Rainier couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty and rarity of the event. The conversation between the two friends revealed a stark contrast in how they viewed the world. While Labrino was haunted by past traumas and fears of the unknown, Rainier looked to the future with curiosity and wonder. This dynamic created a tension between the two, as Labrino’s fears began to shape the conversation, pulling it into darker realms of thought, while Rainier tried to anchor it in excitement and hope.

Despite their differing views on the comet, Rainier could sense that Labrino’s troubles went far beyond a fear of celestial events. His friend carried the weight of deep personal pain—fragments of a broken family and unresolved trauma. The scars left by these experiences had made Labrino feel disconnected from the world around him, and the comet, in his mind, symbolized another potential catastrophe. To offer comfort, Rainier did what he knew best—he reached for his bass guitar. Music had always been his refuge and a way to connect with others, so he began to play, hoping that the simple act of music would soothe Labrino’s anxious soul. The room seemed to calm as the melodies floated through the air, and Labrino, who had been so tense moments before, began to relax. His breathing steadied, and his focus shifted from the looming disaster in his mind to the gentle rhythms in the room.

Just as the music began to settle Labrino, Lark, Rainier’s companion, entered the scene. She brought a burst of energy with her, and the mood in the room shifted once again. Lark’s light-hearted banter and her ability to engage Labrino in friendly conversation brought an immediate contrast to the earlier tension. She coaxed Labrino to join her in a playful dance, inviting him to forget, if only for a moment, the heaviness he had been carrying. Her presence injected joy into the space, and the music, combined with her liveliness, allowed Labrino to momentarily escape the weight of his worries. It was a simple but powerful moment of connection that demonstrated the healing nature of human relationships. Lark’s instinctive ability to lift Labrino’s spirits through her kindness and joy was a reminder of the comfort that companionship can bring, even in the darkest of times.

As the evening progressed, Rainier observed the effects of both the music and Lark’s presence on Labrino. What had started as an evening filled with anxiety and dread had turned into something much more hopeful. Labrino, who had come to them wrapped in his own fears, was now caught in the infectious spirit of camaraderie and joy. The music continued to play, Lark danced, and for the first time in a long while, Labrino smiled, allowing himself to experience the moment of happiness. The chapter encapsulated a powerful message about the importance of connection—how, even in the most challenging times, human connection can offer solace and healing. Through music, friendship, and laughter, the characters found a brief respite from the weight of their individual struggles, reaffirming the healing power of togetherness in times of uncertainty. The chapter closes with a quiet reflection on the bonds of friendship and the delicate balance of emotions that make us human, leaving the reader with a sense of hope and comfort despite life’s unpredictability.