It started Tuesday, after Cub Scout Pack, at a meeting with the other scout leaders and the Primary President. The president leaned over to me and asked, with a wince on her face, “Hey, could you play the piano again this week in Primary?”

In addition to being a Webelos leader, I’m also the backup Relief Society pianist. The regular pianist had been out with some health problems, so I’d been playing every Sunday for a couple months. No problem. However, I’d also been subbing in Primary lately as well. This meant that I’d play the first hour in Primary, then race over to Relief Society to play the opening song. The next hour was trickier; trying to time the Relief Society closing song and the final moments in Primary. Frankly, I thought to myself, someone in this ward is holding out. There is no possible way I am the only pianist in the ward. My husband chuckled when I explained to him what my Sundays were like lately. “You watch it,” I warned, “Or I’ll tell everyone you play piano, too.”

“Don’t you dare,” he said.

Holdout.

“Sure,” I said to the Primary Pianist, “But I’m playing in Relief Society again, so I’ll have to run back and forth again.”

“Thank you so much!” she said, “We really appreciate it.”

“It’s no problem,” I said, “Although I have to say, I don’t know why someone doesn’t ask my husband to play. He’s a better player than I am, and he never gets asked.”

“Oh really?” she said.

“Yes,” I answered, “He’s holding out.”

On Saturday morning we got a call from the first counselor: could he come over?

“We’d like to call you to me the Primary pianist,” the counselor said to my husband. I punched him lightly in the arm, “Told you so,” I said.

“And we’re releasing you from Cub Scouts and calling you to be the Ward Chorister,” the counselor said, turning to me.

“HA!” said my husband.

“Sounds great!” I answered, still laughing inside.