He could feel the weight of the blanket. He could feel… hope. For the first time in twenty years, Alexander Kane fell asleep believing that tomorrow might be different than today.
He had no idea that in less than twenty-four hours, his world would be turned completely upside down, and that the tiny girl in the tattered pink coat would bring with her a revelation that would shake the very foundation of everything he thought he knew about miracles, family, and the impossible power of a child’s faith. But first, he would have to survive the longest day of his life as word of Sophia’s miracle began to spread, bringing with it dangers neither of them could have imagined. Alexander woke up the next morning convinced it had all been a dream.
The sensation in his legs was gone, replaced by the familiar numbness he’d lived with for twenty years. He stared at the ceiling of his bedroom, feeling foolish for believing that a six-year-old child could accomplish what the world’s best doctors couldn’t. Of course it wasn’t real, he muttered to himself, transferring into his wheelchair with practiced movements.
I’m losing my mind. But as he rolled into his kitchen to make coffee, he stopped dead in his tracks. There, on his pristine granite counter, sat a small piece of paper folded into the shape of a heart.
With trembling hands, he opened it to find a message written in crayon. Thank you for the food, Mr. Kane. See you tonight.
Love, Sophia. P.S. Touch your left knee. Alexander’s heart began racing.
He looked around his mansion, trying to figure out how she could have left this note. All the doors were locked, the security system was armed, and yet, almost against his will, he reached down and touched his left knee, just as the note instructed. The jolt of electricity that shot through his leg was so strong, it nearly knocked him out of his wheelchair.
Not only could he feel his knee, but the sensation spread down to his ankle and up to his hip. For a brief, impossible moment, he could feel his entire left leg as clearly as if it had never been damaged. This is impossible, he whispered.
But even as he said it, he pressed his hand harder against his knee. The feeling was intoxicating. After twenty years of nothingness, every sensation was like a gift from heaven.
His moment of wonder was shattered by the ringing of his doorbell, then another ring, and another. Alexander frowned as he rolled toward his security monitor, expecting to see a delivery driver or maybe his groundskeeper. Instead, he saw a crowd.
At least fifty people stood outside his gates, holding signs, shouting, and pressing against the iron bars. Some held religious symbols, others carried cameras, and a few were setting up what looked like news equipment. What the hell? Alexander muttered, turning up the volume on his security system.
Miracle healer! Someone was shouting. We want to see the miracle healer! Heal my daughter! screamed a woman holding a photo above her head. The power of Christ compels you! yelled a man waving a cross.
Alexander’s blood ran cold. How did they know? How could they possibly know about Sophia? He’d told no one, and she was just a child. There was no way she could’ve… His phone began ringing.
Then his landline. Then his business phone. All at once, creating a symphony of electronic chaos that made his head spin.
With shaking hands, he answered his cell phone. Hello? Mr. Cain? This is Rebecca Martinez from Channel 7 News. We’re receiving reports that a miracle healer visited your home last night.
A young girl who can make paralyzed people walk again. Can you comment? Alexander hung up immediately, but the phone rang again within seconds. Mr. Cain, this is the Daily Herald.
We’d like to interview you about the healing miracle. He hung up again. And again…
