I look up to Linda, who’s standing at the end of the piano for confirmation, and she nods.
“Oh, I didn’t realize he could play piano.”
“Yeah, he plays the guitar too,” Cailin says nonchalantly like I wouldn’t know the lead singer of the rock band everyone envies also plays guitar.
Memories of pictures I’ve seen of him with a guitar in his hands make my heart flutter. I think there’s nothing sexier than a man with a low-slung guitar, playing so easily without even watching what he’s doing. The talent he displays is something I’ve always admired.
“Have you ever listened to my daddy’s music?” she asks, glancing up with her eyebrows raised.
I have to bite back my laugh. “Yes, I’m familiar with his music.”
“You are?” Linda’s surprise is written all over her face.
I try to shrug it off like it’s no big deal. “I’ve been a fan of theirs for years.”
Linda purses her lips and nods, almost as if she’s impressed.
Devil’s Breed’s songs stood out when they first hit the radio. Adam writes all of their lyrics. His songs have meaning. They aren’t just silly rhymes or talking about partying and girls. He touches people with his words, and those words mean more to me than anything else.
I place my fingers on the piano keys and say, “Let’s start with an easy song. Have you ever heardJesus Loves Me?”
Cailin bites her lip and turns her head down like she’s embarrassed she doesn’t know it.
“It’s okay if you haven’t. I’ll teach you. It’s easy.” I play the notes on the piano keys and begin with, “Jesus loves me. This I know.”
Cailin’s sweet voice chimes in as we go over the words, repeating them until she remembers all of the lyrics. I’ve heard her sing in class, but this moment is different. Tied with the piano notes, her voice is soft and in tune. Some kids tend to sing too loud or off-key but not Cailin.
The words slide off her tongue in a calming manner. She could sing any baby a lullaby, and they’d fall instantly asleep. The way she sits up tall, singing like she’s serenading the angels, impresses me. Not many people can get the correct inflection of their voice purely because of posture, but she’s a natural.
We go through the song a few times, and she quickly catches on.
She’s something special, and I’d love to see her perform for our church.
“You’re doing great. Let’s do it one more time all the way through, and then maybe we can do a special performance next Sunday.”
Her head pops in my direction as she squirms in her seat. “Really?”
“Really.” I grin and start the notes.
Without me having to prompt her, she sings on cue.
When we finish, my eyes tilt up to where Linda’s got her phone held high, pointed directly at us.
“Look over here, Cailin,” she says.
Cailin does, and her face glows when she sees Linda holding the camera facing our direction. She jumps up and runs to Linda. “Did you record us? I want to see!”
I stand and head over to Linda as well. My heart swells when I see the vision of us singing together. We are staring at each other as we sing. It’s a sweet moment, one I’d like to keep for myself as well.
“Would you mind sending that to me?” I ask.
“Of course.” Linda pulls her phone closer to her. “What’s your number, dear?”
I give her my number and then turn to Cailin. “Make sure to practice every night, and I’ll set up a time for us to sing together next week.”
Her arms wrap around my waist. “Thank you, Miss Russo.”
I rub her back. “It’s my pleasure, sweetie.”
