Free Hannah's Journey by June Venable Page A

until Miss Cooper arrived tomorrow. Hannah giggled when Caroline said, “I plan to dream about the rosewood piano tonight.”
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE – A NEW GOAL
     
    With arrangements made, Sylvia Cooper came three days a week for Hannah’s therapy, then stayed to teach lessons. With her other students visiting their grandmother for the summer, that left her afternoons free to help Hannah.
    The household fell into a happy routine. After tryouts, Miss Cooper decided that Caroline should wait until next year to begin lessons. Her tiny fingers had trouble with the keys. Disappointed at first, Caroline soon sat and cheered for Hannah whose wheelchair rested close to the piano as she eagerly set out to master the beautiful notes that her teacher coaxed from the piano.
    During the sometime uncomfortable exercises required by Dr. Layton, Hannah kept her mind on the piano, practicing the correct finger positions by tapping the chair arms. Soon, Miss Cooper could report to the Logans that Hannah had a wonderful aptitude for learning the piano.
    “She told me her mother played as a young girl, so perhaps some of Hannah’s talent is inherited, and along with her own zeal for learning, she’ll do well.”
    With the private attention the teacher gave her, Hannah soon entertained the family with simple tunes. She and the teacher became fast friends as they worked on her therapy, then went on to the more enjoyable task of the piano lessons.
    As busy as her summer had been, Hannah still made time for Caroline. She and the younger girl often sat in the shade of the long porch, reading and telling stories. They sometimes had
    visitors. Hannah had made some special friends since her surgery. Jimmy Shay and Nettie Thompson from her class came frequently. Jimmy seemed a little less shy as Caroline drew him out. Her boundless enthusiasm touched all those around her. Delia kept the children supplied with cold, sweet lemonade and thin, crispy cookies. Hannah was assured when school started she would be able to join in all their games. Miss Trent was also an occasional visitor, bringing news of Rosie and how well she recuperated.
    Caroline loved to draw and one day presented Hannah with a picture showing her playing the piano and surrounded by many stick figures.
    “It’s beautiful, Caroline, but who are all these people? I’ve only played for the family and Delia.”
    “That’s the au…au…”
    “Do you mean audience?”
    “Yes, that’s it.” Caroline breathed a sigh of relief that Hannah understood what she meant. “I know you’ll play for an au…a lot of people someday.”
    “Well, that might happen in the future. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, shall we?” Just then the girls heard a strange sound. Looking toward the street, they saw Uncle David coming toward the house in an automobile. Caroline ran to meet him. Only a few of the new “Horseless Carriages” had been seen in Lafitte.
    “Papa, is it ours? Where did you get it? Does Mama know?” The questions tumbled out as Caroline circled the automobile.
    “Why, yes, I do believe it belongs to us, and no, your mother doesn’t know, but she will shortly with all the racket you’re making. It’s a surprise,” her father said as he smiled at his daughter.
    “I’m sorry, Papa. May I go get Mama?”
    “Please do. Why don’t you tell her to close her eyes and you lead her out. Ask Delia to come too.”
    Caroline, excited to be in on the plot, grinned at Hannah who sat watching the fun from her chair on the porch.
    “Mama, Mama, we have a surprise for you, but you must close your eyes and take my hand. Delia, you’re to come too,” Caroline called as she rushed into the house.
    When the little procession got to the door, Caroline put her finger to her lips, signaling Delia not to reveal the secret.
    David met them on the walk and led Margaret the rest of the way. Then he said, “Open your eyes, my dear.”
    Margaret clasped her hands and smiled. “Oh, David, how