Free A Simple Song by Melody Carlson Page A

can.”
    â€œWhy is it wrong to sing?”
    â€œWrong?” Mamm frowned. “It’s not wrong. We just sang from the Ausbund at church this morning.”
    â€œI know. I mean the kind of singing where you enjoy the music.”
    â€œWe let you and Cal go to the group singing last night.”
    â€œI know. But I don’t think Daed really approves of that.”
    Mamm sighed. “Your father has some of his own ideas about singing.”
    â€œSome mothers sing lullabies to their babies,” Katrina pointed out. “I’ve heard them. And some sing silly songs to their little children. But you never did that with us.”
    She nodded a bit sadly. “That is because your daed forbade it.”
    Katrina had suspected this. “Do you know why?”
    Mamm shook her head. “It was one of the few things we disagreed upon. But he was the head of the household. I submit to him.”
    â€œDid your mother sing to you?”
    â€œ Ja . She did.”
    â€œI wonder if I will sing to my children . . . someday.”
    Mamm smiled. “They will be blessed children if you do, Katrina. I’ve heard you sing.”
    For some reason that made Katrina so happy that she felt tears of joy in her eyes. She hugged Mamm. “Thank you.”
    â€œI’m sorry I didn’t sing to you as a child.”
    â€œI understand now.”
    â€œRemember, your father is simply trying to raise you children the way his parents raised him.”
    â€œI know. I just hope I can do it differently.”
    â€œThat will depend on who you marry.”
    Katrina thought of Cooper now. She had never mentioned to her parents that Cooper was interested in apprenticing in a settlement more than half a day’s journey away. She knew that Mamm would be distressed to think of Katrina living so far away.
    â€œIf it would make you feel better, you might want to talk to one of the ministers about singing. I know their views on singing are not as strict as your daed’s.”
    Although Katrina felt somewhat comforted by her mother’s words, she still suspected that Mamm would have been disappointed to see Katrina singing like she did for her friends last night. She hoped Mamm would never find out.
    The next two weeks passed uneventfully. Katrina continued singing along with the radio as she did her outdoor chores. She continued to learn the words of more songs. She alsocontinued to look forward to group singing nights and singing in front of her friends whenever they asked. And they asked a lot.
    â€œYou sang beautifully tonight.” Bekka patted Katrina on the back as they rode home from group singing together. “I really loved that song about the man on the hill.”
    Katrina thanked her. Tonight she was sitting in the front of the buggy between Peter, who was driving the pair of gleaming black Percherons again, and Cooper, who was seated on her right. Meanwhile, Bekka was pleased as could be to sit in back with Cal. In fact, Cal appeared happy about the arrangement too.
    Peter was whistling one of the tunes from earlier, and the horses’ hooves were clip-clopping along in time. Katrina couldn’t think of anywhere she would rather be right now. With a nearly full moon high in the sky and her friends all around her, all seemed right with the world. It was a moment she wished she could freeze in time.
    â€œMy grandmother tells me that I am to take us to visit Uncle Earl and Great-Aunt Martha,” Cooper quietly told her.
    â€œThat’s right. I nearly forgot about that.”
    â€œIs that the uncle who makes cabinets?” Peter asked.
    â€œJa.” Cooper nodded. “We might’ve scheduled a trip by now, but Mammi tripped on the porch steps and twisted her ankle last week.”
    â€œI’m sorry. Is it very bad?”
    â€œShe can’t walk on it. But she did suggest that I could just drive you and your Aunt Alma over.” He shrugged.