Spirit Statue
The museum was closing soon. Sarah, eight years old with tired eyes and gaunt cheeks, tugged at her father’s hand. “Daddy, I’m hungry. Can we go?”
Her father knew she wouldn’t last long, due to the sickness. It’s why they got off to a late start. But they had come all this way for an exhibit that Sarah heard about in school. “Let’s just take a quick look and then we’ll eat next door.”
As they approached, Sarah murmured, “I’m scared.”
He knelt down, taking her small hand in his, “Don’t be scared, sweetie. It’s just a statue.” He read up on its history when planning the trip and was surprised she asked to see it. At least it wasn’t another visit to a hospital or one of too many doctors with no good news.
The museum’s website described the story of a teenage girl who posed for the creation of the statue and ultimately possessed it. There are statements of visitors who claim their lives were changed by a visit, supposedly a result of some ethereal energy that can only be felt by those who are receptive. Others say it was simply a publicity tale by the sculptor that has attracted visitors for many generations.
They walked into the room and neared the exhibit. Her eyes widened. “Daddy, I think she’s looking at me.”
He chuckled. “That’s just your imagination.”
But as he viewed the statue, he noticed the eyes did appear to follow them; a soft, almost compassionate gaze that seemed to pierce the dim light.
Sarah’s fear melted away. She reached out and held her tiny hand against the cold marble. Her face lit up. “Daddy, she’s telling me I’m going to be okay.”
He knew Sarah was fighting a battle. It had taken its toll on them all. But in that moment, as he watched his daughter’s face and inspected the statue closer, he wasn’t sure what to think.
When they headed toward the exit, he could not describe why, but he felt a flicker of hope.
by George Alger
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