I love the fact that my daughter has become such a good pianist. For someone who likes to sing as much as I do, I’m constantly picking out new music I want her to play for me. Being sixteen means she rolls her eyes a lot, but like the good sport she is, she eventually plays anything I ask of her. It’s when I ask her to perform a piece with me in front of an audience that she gets much harder to coax, so I keep those to minimum.

For weeks now we’ve been working on the song “Speechless” from the new live-action Aladdin movie. It’s been a fun challenge for both of us. Okay, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and she’s just put up with me.

One morning while practicing this week, I noticed through the window that two older women had stopped on the sidewalk with their dogs. The way they turned toward our house with their heads cocked, I realized they were listening to our song. I didn’t say anything to my daughter, since she really hates performing in front of an audience. I, on the other hand, love it and performed with my full heart and soul like I was on the stage again. When my daughter hit those last notes, a round of clapping followed from outside.

My daughter buried her head in her hands. “Mom, the windows were open?”

“Well, yeah,” I said, saluting the women before they pressed on in their walk. “The air outside was so nice and cool today.”

“Ugh, I’m so embarrassed.”

“Why? They liked the song, and you did a good job.”

She didn’t say anything, just got up and closed all the windows before finishing the rest of the pieces she needed to practice. I shook my head and let her be. Sometimes my daughter can be a real kill joy.