A Simple Song (19 page)

“But—but they wanted to.” Breezy looked at Katrina with a tear-streaked face. “The judges hate me.”

“They don't hate you.” Katrina kept her arm around Breezy as they exited the stage. “They just want to see you do your best. Can't you do that?”

She sniffed. “I'm not sure I know how.”

“At least you've got your guitar now,” Katrina reminded her. “Maybe that'll help.”

“I don't know . . . maybe it's hopeless.”

“It's not hopeless. You're getting a second chance. Doesn't that mean something?”

“I guess so.”

As they joined Aunt Alma and went outside to the shuttle bus, both Katrina and her aunt tried their best to encourage Breezy, but it was hard to tell if Breezy was really listening. It was as if she'd been flattened by the judges' harsh words. When they got back to their hotel room, Breezy silently climbed into her bed without even changing her clothes or washing her face.

“She feels really bad,” Katrina whispered to Aunt Alma.

She nodded. “But she didn't get sent home.”

To Katrina's relief, Breezy was in brighter spirits the next morning. As they went down to where they were supposed to meet in the ballroom, Breezy seemed almost like her old self. She hugged and greeted Tyler and Cowboy as if nothing had gone wrong last night. Then they sat down in a much less crowded room, waiting for Bruce and the cameramen to show up to give them their instructions for the day.

“We won't be going to the studio until tomorrow morning,” Bruce explained following a quick congratulations for making the top twenty. “This morning you need to find a partner for the next competition. As you all know, from here on out, there will be two guys and two girls eliminated after each competition until we reach the final eight. After that, we'll eliminate a guy and a girl each time until we have the final pair who will each become the next
American Star
winners.

“Now, for this next competition, we want guys and girls partnered together. For this performance, you'll be singing love songs. So make sure you pick someone you get along with so you can sing a convincing love song.” He chuckled. Then he explained about how they would need to schedule time with the professionals who were on hand to help them. “If you don't schedule your appointments, you will be left out. So don't forget.”

Breezy, Katrina, Cowboy, and Tyler clustered together after Bruce finished his instructions. “There's no reason we have to keep working together,” Breezy said to them, “but it seems like we've had some success. Maybe we should keep our coalition going.”

Everyone agreed this was a good plan.

“I want to sing with Katrina in this competition,” Tyler announced.

Katrina just nodded. Tyler would've been her first choice too.

“But what if
I
want to sing with Katrina?” Cowboy said.

“I asked first,” Tyler told him.

“Maybe we should ask Katrina what she wants,” Cowboy suggested.

Tyler nodded, turning back to Katrina, smiling hopefully. “Which of us do you want to sing with?”

Katrina was embarrassed at this attention, but she wanted to be fair. “Well, Tyler did ask first.” She gave Cowboy an apologetic look.

“Doesn't matter who asked first,” Cowboy told her. “You get to pick who you want, Katrina. I think you should pick me because I know we'll sound good together.”

“We'd sound good together too,” Tyler insisted. “And we'd look good together too. We have similar coloring.”

Breezy's eyes narrowed as if she was mad or just feeling left out, but without saying a word, she simply watched as the three of them went round and round.

“I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings,” Katrina told them. She was used to Breezy acting like their director and wished she'd make a suggestion.

“Tell us who it's going to be, Katrina,” Cowboy said. “We're burning daylight here.”

“Come on,” Tyler urged, “I can tell you want to pick me.”

Katrina turned to Cowboy. “I hate to hurt you, but I think it's best if I sing with Tyler. I think our voices seem good together. You and Breezy sound nice together, and you both like those country style songs, don't you?”

Cowboy folded his arms across his chest. “Maybe I don't want to sing with Breezy.”

“Fine,” Breezy snapped at him. “Maybe I don't want to sing with you either!” She stormed off.

Katrina didn't know what to do. “Maybe Tyler should sing with Breezy,” she said uneasily. She didn't really want to sing with Cowboy, but she did want to make peace between everyone.

“But you said I can sing with you,” Tyler reminded her.

“But Breezy is so sad.” Katrina watched as Breezy headed into the restroom. “She needs someone to sing with.”

“Breezy is way too bossy,” Cowboy said.

“She is good at this,” Katrina pointed out. “She's helped all of us.”

“Don't forget she almost got kicked out,” Cowboy reminded her.

“Yes, but I think it's because she needs to change some things. The judges want her to try harder.” Katrina waved
her hand toward where all the other contestants appeared to be paired off already. Some were even singing like they'd chosen their songs. “One of you guys is going to have to sing with Breezy.” She made an exasperated sigh. “Figure it out and I'll go see if she's all right.”

She found Breezy crying in the restroom. “This is too hard,” she told Katrina. “I want to go home.”

“You want to give up?”

“Uh-huh.” Breezy pulled off a long section of toilet paper and loudly blew her nose.

“No one can stop you if you want to go home,” Katrina said slowly, “but it seems a shame to quit before you've really given it your all.”

“I have given it my all.”

“You've given it a lot. But have you been singing from your heart?” Katrina peered at her. “Can you honestly say you've done that?”

Breezy pulled out another length of toilet paper, wadding it into a ball, and blotted her eyes.

“I told the guys to decide which one of them is going to partner with you. One of them
has
to sing with you.”

“Oh, wow, did you hold a gun to their heads too?”

“What?”

She angrily threw the wad of paper into the wastebasket. “I'm not used to having to strong-arm guys, thank you very much!”

“I'm sorry.” Katrina backed away. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, not you. I did everything wrong. I never should've come here.”

Katrina went closer to her now, looking into her eyes.
“Breezy, you are a really good singer. I think you are one of the very best here.”

“Really?” She blinked. “Well, the judges don't seem to think so.”

“That's not true. The judges all agree that your voice is—how did they say it—technically perfect?”

“That was supposed to be an insult.”

“I don't know . . . I think they were trying to help you.”

“You honestly think I'm one of the best singers?” Breezy looked doubtful. “Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

“I wouldn't lie to you. Your voice is truly amazing. But I agree with the judges. You sing the words and notes perfectly, but it feels like something is missing, like you hold something back. I don't know much about music, but I think people want to hear something warm and personal when they listen to a song—they want to feel a connection. I think you need to put your heart and your soul into your music. You need to believe in the words and sing them like you believe it . . . to make it feel real.”

Breezy's brow creased in thought—as if she was seriously considering this. “Thank you,” she finally told Katrina. “You might be right. Anyway, I'm going to take your advice.” Then she linked her arm into Katrina's, and they left the restroom together and went off to find the guys.

Katrina thought about what she'd said to Breezy just now. It was an odd sort of moment, almost as if they'd switched places. In the past, Katrina had always needed Breezy's help, but today it seemed like Breezy needed Katrina. And that felt surprisingly good.

Cowboy had reluctantly agreed to sing with Breezy, but Katrina could tell that Breezy was hurt by his attitude.

“Don't forget,” Katrina said to her quietly as the two couples prepared to part ways. “Sing from your heart. Think about that as you practice.”

Breezy nodded. “I'll try.”

“Do you have any songs in mind?” Tyler asked Katrina as they walked over to a quiet corner of the room.

“I only listened to the golden oldies station,” she reminded him, “and I can't even remember a love song.”

“I think we should sing ‘When I Fall in Love.'”

“How does it go?”

Tyler started to sing a very sweet and simple song. It was about falling in love for the first time and how that love would last forever. “I really like that,” Katrina said after he finished. “Is that all the lyrics?”

“Yeah, it's a relatively short song, but we can go through it a couple of times, maybe do some rearranging with the vocals.” He pulled out his iPad. “You go tell the producers which song we're doing while I get the lyrics up for you to look at.”

Fortunately, no one else had chosen that pretty song, and by the time she got back to Tyler, he had the song's lyrics ready for her to read through as well as a recording of the music to listen to. Before long they were singing it together. To her surprise, Tyler was as good at arranging the music as Breezy had been. His plan for when they'd do their solos and when they'd sing together sounded perfect. Once they tried it a few times and made a few changes here and there, she thought it was going well.

“We forgot to sign up with the professional consultants,” Tyler said suddenly. “Remember, if we don't schedule our time, we'll miss out. And I really want some feedback on our arrangement.”

They hurried over to where a woman was managing all the schedules, and although there weren't many slots left, they both got signed up with all of the experts.

“Meeting with all those guys is going to eat up some of our rehearsing time,” Tyler said as they went back to their corner to work on their song. “So we should make the most of it now.”

They practiced until Aunt Alma came down with a lunch for Katrina. “I was worried you would forget to eat,” she told her.

“Is there enough for Tyler too?” Katrina asked.

Aunt Alma nodded. “
Ja
. I thought you would want to share.”

As Katrina and Tyler began to eat, Aunt Alma held up the cell phone that Bekka had given Katrina. “I took it to the phone place this morning,” she said proudly. “Then I plugged it into the cord in our room, like the man told me to do, and I think it should be working.” She handed it to Katrina.

“Really?” Katrina studied the phone. “I don't know how to use it.”

“I can show you,” Tyler offered. “After we're done eating.”

While they ate, Aunt Alma explained how she'd asked someone at the hotel where the phone place was and how she'd ridden in the taxi all by herself. She told them how the man at the store had put Bekka's phone number inside the phone for her. “The number Bekka wrote down inside of the box. He said that you just push some of the buttons to make it work.” Aunt Alma frowned. “But now I can't remember which ones. Maybe Tyler knows.”

“Yep.” Tyler put his apple core in the bag for garbage, then took the phone, holding it up for Katrina to see as he pushed a button. “See, it says Bekka Lehman. Do you want to call her now?”

“
Ja
, I think so.”

He looked at his watch. “It should be around four o'clock there.” He showed her which buttons to push, then handed her the phone. She pressed the button and then held her breath as she put the phone next to her ear. Listening to the ringing sound made her giggle.

“Old Amish Soap and Candle Works,” a female voice said.

“Bekka?”

“
Ja
. This is Bekka. Who is this?”

“Katrina!”

“Katrina?” Bekka let out a happy squeal. “It's about time you called me. I was beginning to get worried that you and Alma had been kidnapped or you'd lost your phone or something. But then the show started last week and I saw you were on it. I've been watching it on my computer ever since.”

“It's been so busy,” Katrina explained. “I forgot about the phone. Aunt Alma just got it running today.”

“You're doing great on the show, Katrina. Really, really great. Congratulations for making it into the top twenty. I just saw that this morning. I knew you'd make it.”

“Thanks. It's so good to hear your voice, Bekka. How are you doing? And everyone at home? And how is my family?”

Bekka told her bits and pieces of the local news, but it sounded like not much had changed there—and yet that in itself was very reassuring. Katrina longed to be there with Bekka right now.

“Is Cooper still doing his apprenticeship?” Katrina asked.

“
Ja
, I think so. He hasn't come home since the day he took you to Millersburg. Peter says he might never come back. He thinks the apprenticeship must be working out well for him.”

“Oh . . . that's good. Good for Cooper.” Katrina tried to sound happier than she felt.

“I cannot believe I'm really talking to you,” Bekka said happily.

“
Ja
. Me too.”

“What did you think about what happened with that Breezy girl?” Bekka asked suddenly. “I was so shocked. I thought for sure she was going home. I wish they'd gone ahead and just eliminated her.”

“Breezy is my roommate.”

“I know. Remember, I'm watching the show. And you're on it a lot, Katrina. More than anyone, it seems like. I get so excited every time they do interviews with you. You say some amusing things too. And that time they came to your room—that was so fun. But I was really hoping Breezy would get kicked off the show.”

“Why?”

“Because I don't like her.”

“Why not?”

“I don't know. She seems insincere or untrustworthy.”

“Oh . . .”

“Do
you
like her?”

“
Ja
, I do.”

“Really? You're not worried she's going to do something to ruin your chances of winning? That's the main reason I don't like her, Katrina. I think she's out to get you.”

“No, no, I don't think so. You don't know her. And I don't think she's insincere. But I did tell her she needs to sing with her heart.”

“That's good advice. And maybe I'm wrong about her. I hope so.”

“
Ja
. Me too.”

“So what's the plan for the next competition? And when are you going to do a solo?”

Katrina explained about singing as couples now and how she was partnered with Tyler. “We've been practicing all morning.”

“Tyler Jones is so handsome,” Bekka said. “I think he could win it for the guys.”

“I will tell him you think so.”

“And you will win it for the girls.”

Katrina laughed. “Don't count your eggs before they're laid.”

“Is he with you now?”

“
Ja
. Do you want to speak to him?”

“
Ja!
Ja!
Please!”

Katrina handed the phone to Tyler. “My friend wants to talk with you.”

She listened as Tyler chatted with Bekka. She could tell by the way he looked at her and laughed that Bekka must've been asking about Katrina. After a bit, Tyler looked at his watch. “Oh, Bekka, I'm sorry to cut you off, but I just noticed the time. Katrina and I have to get to an important appointment now. So I'll say goodbye and give you back to Katrina.”

He handed Katrina the phone, and she told Bekka goodbye too.

“Promise you'll call me tomorrow,” Bekka said.

“I will.” Katrina handed Tyler the phone, and he showed her how to shut it off.

“We're scheduled to meet with Ronny Vanderzan in fifteen minutes,” he said as he stood up.

“Who is he?” Katrina tried to remember.

“The clothing designer. Remember?” Tyler reached down to give her a hand, pulling her to her feet.

“Ja.”
She handed her phone back to Aunt Alma. “Can you put this in the room for me?”

“Sure. Don't be late for your appointment.”

As they walked through the hotel, Tyler asked Katrina how she felt about working with a stylist. “Will it be hard for you not to wear your Amish clothes?” he asked as they waited for the elevator.

“I cannot say that it won't.”

“I wish there was a way you could compete without all this fuss over clothes,” he said as the elevator doors opened and the people came out. “But you don't really have a choice—I mean, if you want to win.”

“Ja.”
She nodded as they went into the empty elevator.

“You know, I still remember when I first saw you. You were standing by yourself in your green dress with your white apron
and bonnet.” He pushed a button and the doors closed. “You were like this wonderful spot of peace and purity right in the middle of all the crazy noise and shallowness.” He chuckled. “Does that even make sense?”

She shrugged. “I think it was meant as a compliment. Thank you.”

“I couldn't take my eyes off you,” he continued as the elevator soared up. “I'd never seen anything like you before. Not really. And then when you sang, well, you totally blew me away.”

She thanked him again as the doors opened on the top floor. Tyler figured out how to find the right door, which led into an enormous hotel room.

“It's called a suite,” Tyler explained to her after a young woman invited them to sit and wait in the big, fancy room. Meanwhile, the woman went over to a desk where she was working on a laptop computer, clicking away on the keyboard with her back to them.

“Sweet?” Katrina wondered if they would be served dessert.

“Hello, hello,” a short, bald man said as he emerged from another room. “Katrina and Tyler. I've been looking forward to meeting you two.” He winked at them. “I'm Ronny Vanderzan, and I think both you kids have a very good chance of being the next American Stars, and I want to do all I can to help you get there.” He called over his shoulder. “Ian? Are you coming or not?”

A tall man with black hair that stuck out like a scared rabbit's joined them. Ronny introduced him as Ian the stylist. “I design the clothes, but it's Ian who really knows how to put them together and give them that pizzazz.” Ronny was walking around Katrina now, rubbing his chin and examining
her the same way Daed used to examine a cow at an auction. “Hard to tell what you've got under all those clothes, but I saw you in that green evening gown last night and it looked like you've got a good shape to you. Not too curvy, but not too skinny either.”

She felt her cheeks growing warm.

He reached over and pinched her arm. “And it looked like you work out.”

“Work out?”

“You're nice and fit.”

“I do work out of doors a lot,” she told him.

“What song are you kids singing?” Ian asked.

“‘When I Fall in Love,'” Tyler said.

“Nat King Cole.” Ronny nodded. “I like that.”

“I'd like to see them in something classic and timeless,” Ian suggested. “Tyler would look great in a sixties dinner jacket . . . narrow black tie, fitted trousers.”

“I think a sleek little cocktail dress for Katrina,” Ronny said. “With her dark hair I'd like to see her in a deep color . . . something sultry. Maybe that garnet sequined number. I think it's a size six. Should be about right.”

Katrina felt lost again. What were they actually saying?

“And we need a little bling. Nothing too glitzy. I think the key is going to be classic and simple with this one.” Ian turned her around. “I think she needs an updo. Something sleek and chic. Maybe a French twist.”

“Are you getting this all down, Lisa?” Ronny asked the woman at the computer.

“I am,” she called back.

Ian began measuring Tyler, and Katrina, not knowing what to do, went over to look out the window. They were very high
up, but at least she could see the sky. It wasn't as blue as at home, though. It was kind of faded and worn looking. A bit like how she felt.

“Come with me,” Lisa told Katrina. “We'll see how that cocktail dress fits.”

Imagining a dress with a fluffy rooster's tail, Katrina was about to ask what a cocktail dress was, but she saw Lisa holding a deep red sparkly garment. It did not look like a dress. More like a shirt—or a pillowcase with straps.

“Go ahead and undress,” Lisa told her. “Then put this on so we can see if it needs any alterations.” She stood there watching and waiting while Katrina removed her shawl and apron and finally her dress.

“Well, you'll have to take those off too,” Lisa pointed to Katrina's underclothes.

Katrina shook her head. “No, I'm not taking these off.”

“No way can these spaghetti straps hide all that. Even if they could, the dress will be ruined with all those layers underneath.” She frowned. “Don't you have any normal underwear?”

“This is normal . . . for me.”

“What did you wear under your evening gown last night?”

Katrina frowned to think of the tiny garments Breezy had insisted she wear. “My roommate made me wear some of her under . . . things.”

“Well, I'm sure we've got some shapewear around here somewhere. That should do the trick.” Lisa was digging through a rack of clothes and then in some drawers, returning with a tan-colored tube-like garment. “Put this on.”

Katrina just stood there, uncertain of what to say or do, but she knew this was going too far. She was not going to
go on stage wearing clothing that revealed more of her skin than her underclothes covered.