Free A Simple Song by Melody Carlson

don’t see how.”
    She held out the money. “This was in the box, Daadi.”
    He peered down at the bills with a surprised but troubled expression.
    â€œI thought I should give it back to you.”
    He shook his head. “Nope. I do not want that money.”
    â€œWhat do I do with it then?”
    â€œI don’t much care.” His expression grew stony hard, as if he was remembering something, and she wondered how much he really knew about his deceased wife’s past. Was it possible he imagined it to be worse than it was?
    â€œThen I will give it to Daed.” She turned to pin the envelope of money back inside her dress.
    â€œNo. You cannot do that, Katrina.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œLike I told you, your mammi never wanted Frost to know about her past. That is something I want to continue to respect. For her sake. And for his.”
    â€œBut what about the money?”
    â€œYou can burn it for all I care.” He pushed himself to his feet.
    â€œJust don’t give it to my father,” she said quietly as she linked her arm in his again.
    â€œThat’s right. And don’t bring this up with me again, Katrina.” His tone was as firm as Daed’s was when he corrected his children.
    â€œNo, Daadi. I won’t.” She walked him to the house, saw him to his chair in the front room, then went on her way. She had no idea what she would do with the money, but she wondered if it could somehow help with Daed’s back. Shehad heard Mamm saying how expensive his surgery would be. How far would seven hundred dollars go?
    Her house was its usual Sunday kind of quiet. Sadie was reading in the front room. The brothers were nowhere to be seen. Daed was probably still flat on his back, just like he’d been the last several days. She found Mamm sitting outside next to her flower garden, just staring blankly at it.
    â€œHello,” Katrina called out as she approached.
    Mamm looked up. “You’re back from visiting Daadi?”
    Katrina nodded as she sat down on the bench next to Mamm. Without really thinking, she unpinned the envelope from her camisole and handed it to Mamm.
    â€œWhat’s this?” Mamm’s eyes opened wide when she saw the contents.
    â€œSeven hundred dollars.”
    Mamm looked at Katrina with a confused expression. “Where did you get it?”
    â€œDaadi said I’m not supposed to tell Daed—or anyone really. But it’s from Mammi.”
    â€œMammi left this to you?”
    Katrina paused, trying to think of a way to explain this dilemma while honoring both her grandparents’ wishes. “I thought maybe it could help Daed get the back operation.”
    â€œThat is generous of you, Katrina, but Daed’s operation will cost more than twenty times this amount.”
    Katrina wasn’t very fast at math, but she knew that meant more than fourteen thousand dollars. “Really?”
    Mamm nodded, handing the money back.
    â€œWhat should I do with this?”
    â€œSave it for your future. I’m sure that’s why Mammi leftit to you.” She frowned. “And do as Daadi says. Do not tell anyone about this money. It will only stir up jealousy.”
    â€œWhere should I keep it?”
    Mamm got up and headed back into the kitchen, where she found a canning jar and filled it with red beans. “Slide the money down into the middle of the beans.”
    Katrina did as she was told. Mamm secured the lid, climbed onto a step stool, and tucked the jar far in the back of the top shelf of the pantry where it couldn’t even be seen. “It will be safe there,” she assured Katrina, “until you have need of it. For your future.”
    â€œUnless someone accidentally makes it into a pot of beans.”
    Mamm laughed. “Costly chili.”
    They walked back outside and sat back down on the bench. “Mamm, can I ask you a question?”
    â€œYou know you