A Simple Song by Melody Carlson Page B

because Daed is so against it.” Cal frowned. “But I don’t know why. Lots of people don’t think it’s wrong to sing. Well, as long as it’s not for vainglory.”
    â€œVainglory,” she said as she rinsed a glass. “That’s the problem.”
    â€œBut winning money to help Daed—is that vainglory?”
    She wasn’t sure, but by the time she finished the last dish, Cal had very nearly convinced her. “You’re very persuasive,” she admitted as she hung up the apron.
    â€œCome on, Katrina, let’s go speak to him now,” Cal urged.
    â€œHe’s probably asleep.” She hoped he was.
    â€œLet’s go see.”
    They tiptoed up to Daed’s room, and to Katrina’s surprise, he was still awake and actually looked as if the pain pill had helped. “How are you doing, Daed?” she asked gently.
    â€œBetter,” he told her.
    â€œAren’t you glad you listened to Katrina and took your pill?” Cal said boldly.
    â€œ Ja, ja. That was a good thing.” Daed let out a sigh of relief. “I am a stubborn man. I know.”
    â€œWe want to talk to you about something,” Cal began.
    â€œJa?” Daed looked at them with interest.
    â€œWe know you need your back surgery, Daed,” Cal said in earnest. “And Katrina has a way to earn the money for it.”
    Daed looked skeptical, but he listened as Cal quickly explained the idea. Of course, Cal didn’t get all the facts straight, but Katrina didn’t think it mattered since she was certain that Daed would reject this crazy plan.
    â€œIt’s Katrina’s rumspringa ,” Cal said finally. “You know she loves to sing. This is something she needs to get out of her system . . . so that she can come back to us and commit to the church.”
    Daed’s brows arched. “You want to be baptized?”
    â€œShe and I are both considering it,” Cal told him. “But Katrina needs to do this first.”
    â€œYou both want to be baptized?” Daed’s voice was hopeful.
    â€œI do,” Cal assured him. “I want to get married someday too. But most of all I want you to get well first.”
    Daed’s eyes softened as he looked from Cal to Katrina. She wasn’t sure if it was Cal’s persuasion or the medication. “I want to hear you,” Daed said slowly.
    â€œYou want me to sing?” Katrina was shocked.
    â€œJa.” His eyelids looked heavy.
    â€œSing ‘Puff, the Magic Dragon,’” Cal urged.
    Right there in the little bedroom, Katrina began to sing. To her surprise, Daed’s face lit up in a peaceful smile and he tapped his fingers on the quilt, listening as she sang the entire song.
    â€œBeautiful,” he proclaimed when she finished.
    She was too stunned to react.
    â€œSo you give her your blessing in this?” Cal asked eagerly.
    â€œ Ja , ja , Katrina has my blessing.”
    â€œDaed?” Katrina peered curiously into his sleepy eyes.
    â€œYou are like my mamm, Katrina. Ja . Go and sing.” Then he closed his eyes and began to quietly snore.
    Katrina looked at Cal, wondering if she’d heard this right. But she could tell by her brother’s huge grin that she wasn’t mistaken. Together they tiptoed from the room and quietly slipped downstairs, but once they were back in the kitchen, Cal hugged her and let out a triumphant whoop. “We did it, Katrina. We got Daed’s blessing.”
    She was still too shocked to react. “Does this really mean I’m going to do this?”
    â€œYou want to, don’t you?”
    She put a hand to her mouth, trying to suppress the wildly happy feeling rushing through her. “ Ja ,” she exclaimed. “I do want to do this. I really truly do!”
    For the rest of the morning, Katrina was so happy she never stopped singing. She sang as she finished the kitchen chores—even doing more