A Sculptor’s Quiet Frustration

Lizzy, a sculptor and assistant to her mother at the Oregon College of Art and Craft, divided her time between administrative work and preparing for an upcoming exhibition. Her sculptures—clay figures frozen in expressive poses of joy or anguish—required delicate attention and uninterrupted time. Lizzy worked in solitude, navigating the daily pressures of finishing her pieces while managing tensions at home and at work.

She lived in a rented duplex owned by Jo, her landlord and artistic peer. Their relationship was strained by mutual artistic competitiveness and Jo’s frequent neglect of landlord duties. For several days, Lizzy persistently reminded Jo to repair her hot water heater. Yet Jo, distracted by two upcoming art shows and the installation of a backyard tire swing, continuously postponed the repair. Feeling increasingly sidelined, Lizzy took a personal day from work to focus on her art, determined to complete the last of her sculptures.

An Uninvited Distraction

In the stillness of night, a pigeon crashed into Lizzy’s home. Her cat mauled the bird, leaving it injured. Lizzy tossed it outside, assuming its fate had been sealed. However, the next morning, Jo discovered the wounded pigeon and decided to rescue it—only to hand over the responsibility of care to Lizzy without asking. Initially irritated, Lizzy saw the pigeon as a disruption. But over time, she began to care for it. A visit to the vet cost her $150 and confirmed her growing attachment. When Jo eventually returned for the pigeon, Lizzy confronted her, explaining that tending to the bird had delayed her glazing process and diverted her focus from her exhibition.

Family Under Strain

As the show neared, Lizzy visited her father. He had opened his home to a group of self-proclaimed free spirits whose presence she found disingenuous. Sensing her father’s vulnerability and the opportunistic nature of his guests, Lizzy grew concerned. During the visit, she learned that her brother, Sean, had been out of contact for six months.

Driven by worry, Lizzy visited Sean. He had become reclusive and increasingly paranoid, convinced that his neighbors were interfering with his television antenna. His delusions were deepening. Lizzy reached out to their mother, expressing concern that Sean required more than just casual attention. Her mother, however, dismissed the urgency, labeling Sean a misunderstood creative mind.

A Show Threatened by Collapse

The days leading up to Lizzy’s show were marked by heightened anxiety. Her final sculpture emerged from the kiln partially burned, a setback that could not be reversed. Simultaneously, Sean’s behavior became more alarming. During another visit, Lizzy discovered him digging a massive pit in his backyard, claiming he heard voices from underground. Disturbed by the scene, she convinced their mother to visit.

When Sean suffered a visible mental episode, their mother gently sedated him. Plans were made for Sean to attend Lizzy’s show, but when the day arrived, he was nowhere to be found. The absence worried Lizzy. With all other pieces in place, his disappearance cast a shadow over her moment of accomplishment.

The Unexpected Unfolds

As the gallery opened its doors, family members arrived. To Lizzy’s relief, Sean appeared—having taken a city bus to get there. His presence was quiet but grounding. Jo also attended, bringing the now-recovered pigeon. While Lizzy engaged with guests, two young girls, left unsupervised, removed the bird’s bandages. Spontaneously, Sean took the pigeon outside and released it. The bird flew away.

Jo and Lizzy searched briefly, but neither found it. After a pause, they acknowledged what had happened: the pigeon had healed, and it had chosen to go.