Free A Simple Song by Melody Carlson Page B

“That is, if you still want to go.”
    Some of the urgency she’d felt before—longing to understand Mammi’s past—seemed diminished now. Still, she wascurious. It also would give her a chance to see where Cooper might be moving to eventually. “ Ja , I would like to go. But perhaps we should wait for your grandmother to get better.”
    â€œ Ja . We could wait. But I’ve been wanting to go visit my Uncle Earl for several months now. I need to talk to him about work . . . I need to make a decision about my apprenticeship.” Cooper’s eyes searched her face now, as if he wanted to know her thoughts on this. But how could she even begin to put such things into words, especially with everyone listening?
    â€œI’m happy to go whenever it’s best for you,” she told him. “I’m sure Aunt Alma feels the same.”
    â€œThen let’s plan on two weeks from today,” he said. “That’s the first weekend of June. Maybe Mammi will be better by then.”
    â€œThe first weekend of June?” Bekka chimed in from behind. “I just heard that American Star is having auditions in Cleveland during the first week of June. Maybe on your way you can stop and try out for the show.”
    â€œCleveland is not on the way,” Katrina sharply told her.
    â€œWhat is American Star ?” Cooper asked.
    â€œIt’s a TV show that Bekka sneakily watches on the computer—the computer that is supposed to be used for our family’s business.” Peter tossed his sister a scornful look as he continued driving the horses.
    â€œBekka watches TV?” Cal sounded genuinely shocked.
    â€œAt least it’s not trashy TV,” Bekka said, defending herself. “Just a bunch of people who can’t sing half as good as Katrina. They compete for a cash prize. It used to be a million dollars to split between the two winners—a guy and a girl—but now I think both top singers win a whole million dollars each.”
    â€œA million dollars just for singing good?” Cal suddenly sounded interested.
    â€œ Ja . And the ones who make it into the top eight win money too,” she told him. “I can’t remember for sure how much each one wins. But I do know this: Katrina could win. Maybe even first place.”
    â€œKatrina could win a million dollars?” Cal asked.
    â€œShe sings that good,” Bekka confirmed.
    Katrina shook her head. “You cannot be serious. I would never have a chance against English people.”
    â€œBut you have a good singing voice,” Cal assured her. “Bekka thinks you could win.”
    â€œThat is completely ridiculous.” Katrina looked at Cooper, hoping he’d say something to help her out of this nonsense. But he was being quiet.
    â€œShe doesn’t even have to win the top prize,” Bekka told Cal. “I think the smallest prize is about fifty thousand dollars.”
    â€œThat’s more than enough for Daed’s surgery.” Cal nudged Katrina. “Maybe you should do this.”
    â€œCal.” She shook her head. “I’m sure there’s never been an Amish person on that show, and besides the fact that I wouldn’t have a chance, can you imagine what Daed would say?”
    â€œYou would have a chance,” Bekka told her. “I’ve watched that show for three years. You are better than all of them.”
    â€œEven if all that was true, I would be shunned for doing something like this.”
    â€œYou can’t be shunned,” Peter pointed out. “You haven’t even been baptized yet.”
    â€œYou know what I mean,” she told him. “And my parents would be humiliated.”
    â€œIs it worse to be humiliated,” Cal asked, “or to sufferpain every day like Daed does? Besides, when it was all over you could come home and apologize.”
    â€œYes,” Bekka said eagerly. “Your parents