I was going to try and write something else to put between the last ficlet and this one, in attempt to make it seem like Una totally isn't my favorite character. But whatever, I do what I want! Anyway, I always thought it was kind of unfair that all the other kids had something they were good at and Una was just sort of good at "being domestic" - not that that's not a skill! But everyone seemed to be able to sew/cook/whatever, and I thought Una should've had a special hobby. She definitely knew how to play an instrument, judging from Rilla of Ingleside.
Also, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed - I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)
two
keys
Plink.
Una winces. She knows that was the wrong note.
"Almost," Rosemary says. "Remember, you move your left hand, not your right one, here."
Una stares down at her hands, feeling awfully clumsy and foolish. She wishes she had never told anyone about her desire to have music lessons. Let Nan and Di be the musical ones! Una, it seems, cannot keep up with the piano.
The worst part is, for a while she had been doing exceptionally well. Seeing the pride on Rosemary's face had been an even better reward than successfully playing any of the pieces she had been taught. Una is sure that she's let her stepmother down.
But Rosemary is smiling, in the gentle way that makes many people think that the former Miss West is Una's biological mother. Under her kind gaze, Una relaxes.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," she says softly, and Una marvels at the way her new stepmother seems to read her mind. "This is a tricky piece. You've made incredible progress. Let's try again."
Una flushes, as she has a tendency to do at even the slightest criticism or praise. She clenches her hands over the keys and then opens them, rests her fingers on the cool ivory. A strange sort of stubbornness has taken hold inside of her - she, Una, who is never stubborn! Yet she feels determined to get this right, to make Rosemary proud, to be good at something - have a skill like the way Jerry can argue, the way Faith can charm everyone she meets, the way Carl can analyze and memorize every insect he sees.
She tries again.
It's not a perfect attempt - she plays slowly and deliberately, determined not to slip up, the song breaking into pieces as she pauses to correct her every move. But the notes ring clear and true, and the melody is no longer marred by mistakes.
"You needn't hesitate so when you play," Rosemary says. Seeing Una's face fall, she touches the girl's shoulder with a smile. "But it was very good. Practice and it will be even better. You simply need more confidence. Maybe you'd like to accompany Nan Blythe at the church concert? She's picked a lovely song - not too difficult. You could learn it by the end of the month."
"Oh - " Una starts, the words "Oh, no" prepared to spill out. Then she pauses, looks at the keys again. She can do this, can't she? She knows Nan would prefer to have Una accompany her over anyone else. And if Una practices, she thinks, she'll be able to perform whatever piece the older girl chooses. She allows herself to imagine - just for a moment - the glow of her family's faces if she plays for them. Maybe even Kitty Alec will stop gossiping about the Merediths, if she sees how hard Una has worked.
"All right," she says, a sense of purpose settling over her.
Rosemary smiles. "You'll do wonderfully. Why don't you try it one more time, and then you can go tell Nan the good news?"
Una inhales and begins again. This time, she doesn't hesitate.