A Simple Song by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV033010, FIC053000
ISBN: 9781441241702
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2013-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

14

As they drove, Brandy continued to ask Katrina questions. It was obvious she wanted to get reactions from her as they saw different things, and Katrina did not hold back. “The English world is such a different world,” she said. “It’s hard to even describe how different it is.”

“So, tell me, what does it mean to be Amish?” Brandy asked. “Can you explain the difference between Amish and English? In a way our viewers can understand?”

Katrina thought hard. “A few years ago, I was shopping in town with my mother, and one of those big buses—the ones that bring English tourists who come to look at us—was parked there. I decided to watch the group of English people as they stood outside of a store. One English woman asked the man who was leading the group that same question: ‘What is the difference between the Amish and the English?’ The man said to the group, ‘How many of you have a computer in your house?’ and they all raised their hands. Then he said, ‘How many of you feel your home might be better off if you didn’t have a computer in your house?’ He encouraged them to be honest, and again, they all raised their hands. He said, ‘So how many of you will go home and get rid of your computers?’ and no one raised a hand. Then he said, ‘That is the difference between English and Amish. The Amish choose to do without the things that they believe are harmful. The English do not.’”

Brandy nodded as if she understood. “Very interesting.” She glanced at the cameraman. “You got that, right?”

“Yep.”

“Here we are,” Brandy proclaimed as the big car pulled up into what appeared to be the entrance of a fancy hotel. “Home sweet home.”

Feeling a combination of exhaustion and curiosity, Katrina reached for her bag.

“Breezy Vicks is your roommate. I chose her because she claims to be a good Christian girl. But I’ll let the desk know that your aunt will be staying with you too.” She handed Katrina a packet of papers. “These are your keys and your schedule and whatnot. For the first few days, the competition will be held right here in this hotel—on the main floor in the Monterrey Ballroom. It’s all there in your packet. The fun starts tomorrow at nine o’clock sharp. I’m sure you won’t be late.”

“No, I promise I will be early.” Katrina looked back at the shiny black car.

“Do you have to pick up all the contestants?” Aunt Alma asked.

Brandy laughed. “All two hundred of them? No way. For the most part, they’re on their own when it comes to transportation.”

Katrina was puzzled.

Brandy patted her shoulder. “You, my dear, are special.”

“Oh.” Katrina thanked her again. But she wasn’t sure she wanted to be special—not like that, anyway. Still, what could she say without sounding ungrateful?

“Just go straight on up to your room. It’s on the twenty-second floor,” Brandy said. “You’re all checked in. Your room number’s on the key envelope.

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