F inishing the number, he turned to daddy. “Carl, I found it in a pawnshop for seven dollars. It's a good violin. Mary Lou should be able to make beautiful music with it.” Then he handed the violin to me.
I noticed the tears in daddy's eyes as I f inally comprehended. It was mine! I stroked the violin gently. The wood was a golden brown that seemed to warm in the light. “It's beautiful,” I said, barely breathing.
When we arrived back at Aunt Alice's, all eyes turned as we entered. I saw daddy wink at mother, and then I realized everyone had known but me. I knew daddy's prayer, and mine, had been answered.