"…On how they send, on without end, their joyful tone, to every home. Ding dong ding dong... dong!" We all dutifully applauded as the girl curtsied and the pianist bowed. Merriwether shook her head. I leaned to whisper in her ear, "Why do you look so displeased, dearest sister?"
"That song shouldn't be sung like that."
Riff and I exchanged glances. "How should it be sung, Miss Merriwether?"
"By a bunch of people, outside in the cold, without an instrument. At least, that's how me, Mama, and the others always sang it."
The idea stuck in my head for the rest of the party. Singing a song for the sake of singing, not caring what others thought…and the memory seemed important to Merriwether.
We stayed for as long as we absolutely had to, then made our excuses. Once we were in the carriage I spoke up. "Merri?"
"Yes, Big Brother?" She said looking up, straight at me.
I looked at my lap. I'm not used to doing things like this. "Would…would you like to sing Carol of the Bells."
Moment of silence. Then she giggles. "I would be happy to, Big Brother." I look up and she's smiling like an angel. Riff takes hold of my hand. She continues, "Riff has to sing too."
"…Miss Merriwether, I can't sing."
"I fall to see what that has to do with anything. You. Will. Sing."
I laugh and hold his hand tighter.
And we sing. It's not the best. I keep on singing the wrong note, and Riff runs out of breath, and Merri is the best but she keeps on laughing when we do it wrong and making us do it again, and in that time I am perfectly, utterly happy.