My Way was first performed by Claude Francois and written by Revaux, Francois, and Anka. Also performed by Frank Sinatra. My father is the most recent avid player of it.

Thank you, Dani, for the quick reads.

Sounds of the Heart Chapter 3

My Way

"Could you play it one more time?" Jennifer requested as her dad's continuous playing came to a stop. Rodney had offered the elder Keller the piano bench when he rose up out of the unbefitting rocking chair in the corner and gestured for the new spot. Rodney had daringly chosen his next seat next to Jennifer, had even ventured to put his arm on the back of her side of the loveseat.

"Of course, Jenny." A warm smile to his daughter and he started up again, playing My Way from memory. If he was a crying man, he'd be sniffling to know his little Jenny still loved the song he played every time she was in over her head, missed her mom, or needed a peaceful state of mind. And eventually he had started playing it whenever he had free time. She would always end up studying on the floor next to him when he did. Playing the song for the first time in over five years, he was overwhelmed with thoughts of his little girl curled up listening. Finishing and turning around, he found he wasn't too far off.

"That was as beautiful as always, Dad," Jennifer responded with her eyes closed and head nestled on Rodney's chest. She was lightly holding the hand Rodney had let slide down the backrest and land around her shoulder, a hand placed dangerously close to her upper chest.

He let out an audible, displeased grunt and added, "How about you get your boyfriend to play it? Let's see if he can master it in one go."

Jennifer twisted her head around and locked eyes with Rodney. He didn't look too pleased either. All right, so maybe she hadn't put him in the best position by leaning against him so intimately but she couldn't help it. She gave an encouraging pat to his knee and then used it as leverage to sit up normally.

Picking up her drink again, Jennifer watched as Rodney passed by her father. She would have to give him credit for the amount of confidence he injected into his posture.

"You don't happen to have the sheet music for this?" Rodney inquired hesitantly.

"Play it by ear," Mr. Keller answered as he took the seat Rodney had vacated next to his daughter.

A few moments passed by as Rodney did nothing but ghost his fingers over the keys and then slowly, struck a chord one by one. The music flowed up and down and had the same number of flats and naturals as when her father played it.

A smile curved up Jennifer's face as she listened to the repeat performance. She shouldn't be this surprised that he caught the rhythm of the piece without a single missed note but she couldn't help but be amazed with the man she thought she had endangered with a cuddle.

Inspired by a single moment of musical allure, Jennifer started to softly sing along to herself as she sometimes liked to. "Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew, when I bit off more than I could chew, but through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all, and I stood tall, and did it my way." It was a miracle she still knew the words to the refrain after all these years but they still came as naturally as the last time she sang along.

Rodney eventually slowed in his playing to end out the song and Jennifer gave a small applaud to his instant success.

"Impressive," James grudgingly coughed up, adding as Rodney turned on the bench, "Even got my Jenny to sing for you."

"I sing for you too, Daddy," Jennifer laughed and leaned in for a hug.

"Just as long as you sing prettier for me, sweetheart." His arm squeezed her close as his eyes trailed over to Rodney's, holding his casual gaze without a hint of a smile.

Rodney smiled in return, trying to hold her father's hard stare. It seemed easier to stall in front of Koyla those many years ago.

"I think I'll go start dinner," the elder Keller gave his daughter the same possessive knee rub she had given Rodney before standing up. "Care to help, Jenny?"

"I'd be happy to. I'll be there in a minute," Jennifer stood up and offered her father a kiss on the cheek before he left for the kitchen. As she sat back down, she patted Rodney's former spot, requesting he move back.

"Hey, Jen?" he called gently as he didn't so much as stand up to join her on the loveseat.

"Hm?" Jennifer frowned as he stayed rooted to his seat across the room from her.

"Make sure you sing prettier for him."