Simon is a good father, but his mother doesn't always think so. Here's a three-generation scene from my novel SONG FOR SUSIE EPP.
I sat at the kitchen table paying bills while Simon's mother, Adeline, made oatmeal cookies and Simon unpacked the portable organ he'd ordered.
"Daddy," five-year-old Emily asked, "is this organ for playing real music?" It was a snazzy-looking instrument, chrome with red trim.
Three-year-old Norine grinned at her reflection in its shiny surface. "Is it for me and Emily?"
"It's for all of us," Simon said. "Shall we try it?" He took Norine's right hand and set her index finger on the white key in the centre of the organ's keyboard. "This is middle C."
Norine regarded him with solemn Simon-like eyes.
He placed Emily's thumb and middle finger on the E and G above middle C. "I'm going to say one, two, three, go. When I say go, both of you hit your keys."
The first try didn't work because Norine's finger slipped off. However, the second attempt produced a passable chord.
"Good," Simon said. "Stay right there." He scooted around to the lower end of the keyboard. "I'm going to play a song down here. Whenever I nod my head like this, you hit your keys."
He played Yankee Doodle Dandy, signaling the timing for the girls.
When the song had galloped to a finish, I applauded, though Adeline's face was stiff with disapproval.
"Can we play it again?" Emily asked.
"Okay," Simon said, "but this time—"
Adeline banged a cookie sheet down on the counter. "Why can't you teach the girls a Christian song once? What's Yankee Doodle? Just foolishness."
"It's fun, Mother," Simon said through clenched teeth. He grabbed the organ's cover and threw it over the instrument.
Emily glanced from her father to her grandmother. "Could you leave it open, Daddy? Please?"
"We'll play the organ later," Simon said. "After Mrs. Killjoy goes home."
Adeline scowled. "That's no way to talk about your poor old mutta."
"I'm sorry, I guess. I just wish you weren't such a spoilsport."
"I'm trying to learn your kids to be good Christians."
Simon grabbed his sunglasses off the top of the refrigerator. "Some Christians actually enjoy life. It doesn't need to be all doom and duty." He turned and stomped out of the house.
The girls glanced at each other, then scampered after their father.
If you'd like to read more about Susie, Simon, and family, ask for my novel SONG FOR SUSIE EPP in a bookstore or library. Or order it from an online seller such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Chapters Indigo. https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/search?q=Elma+Schemenauer&search-button=&lang=en_CA
