Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended against Suzanne Clauser’s script. Original plot is\u00a0property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Broken Chords<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoss dug his elbow into the armrest of the settee and propped his chin on a meaty fist. The corners of his mouth and eyes turned down in longing as he watched Adam run slender fingers along the neck of a new guitar as gently as Little Joe caressed a young lady\u2019s cheek.<\/span> <\/p>\n
Just as he\u2019d never thrilled a gal with a gentle touch, Hoss knew he\u2019d never be trusted with a guitar again. Last time Adam had had faith in him, that fiery Margarita smashed it over his head because his fingers were too big to make a decent chord. Sure, it hadn\u2019t helped that a string had broken when she\u2019d taken the instrument to show him which strings to hold down, causing Little Joe to giggle like a maniac who\u2019d just won a jackpot at the poker table. All that laughing had swiftly brought her fury down upon the guitar and him, destroying the instrument and leaving a good-sized lump on his head.<\/span>
Adam propped a foot on the hearth, balanced the guitar on his knee, and effortlessly stroked the strings with his fingertips, creating a chord. He grimaced and twisted the pegs to tune the instrument.<\/span>
Hoss sighed and leaned back into the settee, legs stretched under the sturdy coffee table. Lacing his fingers together, he clasped his hands over his belly where they wouldn\u2019t do any harm.<\/span>
Satisfied with the tuning, Adam looked over his shoulder and took in Hoss\u2019 glum appearance. It really hadn\u2019t been Hoss\u2019 fault that Margarita had broken the instrument. It had surely seemed like it at the time because he\u2019d trusted Hoss to treat his cherished guitar with the care it had deserved.\u00a0<\/span>
He plucked a few strings, satisfied with the quality and timbre of the notes. Turning away from the fire, Adam strolled around the room, absently picking out the notes to\u00a0<\/span>Early One Morning<\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>
Returning to the fireplace from the opposite direction, he again propped a foot against the hearth as he strummed the tune. Looking down on the strings, he glanced up without lifting his head. His brother had slumped even further down into the settee, as if he was trying to make himself smaller. Adam swiftly changed keys as his fingers danced along the strings, playing\u00a0<\/span>Sweet Betsy from Pike<\/i>. He was disappointed that the tune didn\u2019t perk Hoss up.<\/span>
Plucking individual notes that didn\u2019t belong to any particular tune, Adam said, \u201cIt tuned up real nice.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss looked down at his hands and frowned.\u00a0<\/span>Wishing they weren\u2019t so big won\u2019t make it so<\/i>. \u201cYup,\u201d he finally said.<\/span>
Adam cocked his head and raised an eyebrow before silencing the guitar. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cHmph,\u201d was Hoss\u2019 answer.<\/span>
Adam protectively held the guitar as he said, \u201cI\u2019m a better teacher than she is. For starters, I\u2019ve got more patience.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss snorted as he looked at the floor to hide a half grin.\u00a0<\/span>Older brother doesn\u2019t have half the patience he thinks he does<\/i>.<\/span>
\u201cHow about it?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span>
\u201cI dunno,\u201d Hoss mumbled.<\/span>
\u201cIt\u2019s easier than you think.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cIt ain\u2019t that.\u201d<\/span>
Adam let out a long breath. \u201cI won\u2019t lose my temper, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re worried about.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss sighed before looking his brother in the eye. Raising both hands, he said, \u201cThey\u2019re too big. It don\u2019t matter anyhow. She couldn\u2019t teach me. You can\u2019t teach me.\u201d<\/span>
Adam pursed his lips as he plucked a few random notes. \u201cI taught Peggy and her hands are smaller than mine.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cBut she\u2019s a kid.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss looked down at his feet and picked at the dirt under his fingernails.\u00a0<\/span>Doesn\u2019t matter what he says\u2014I can\u2019t do it<\/i>.<\/span>
Realizing it was easier to go to the mountain than move it, Adam walked over to the settee and leaned against the arm, protectively holding the guitar in his other hand.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cCome on,\u201d he said in a low, encouraging voice, similar in tone to what he used with Peggy to instill confidence within her when he urged her to try something new.<\/span>
Hoss looked at his brother from the corner of his eye, the frown on his lips remaining in place.\u00a0<\/span>
Adam held his breath and slowly extended the guitar to Hoss, hoping he\u2019d reach forth and take it.\u00a0<\/span>
For a moment, the guitar bridged the space between them.\u00a0<\/span>
Hoss turned his head and looked up at Adam. Adam smiled confidently and nodded.<\/span>
Slowly, Hoss pulled his hands to his belly and placed his palms against his shirt. His fingers curled in until the tips touched his palms.\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ll just break it<\/i>.<\/span>
\u201cCome on,\u201d Adam repeated, this time gently nudging Hoss\u2019 arm with the body of the guitar.<\/span>
Hoss wiped his hands on the front of his shirt and tentatively reached for the instrument. His hands were close to the instrument when he stopped. Eyebrows drawn together in worry, he looked into his brothers eyes and took heart at the confidence on Adam\u2019s face.<\/span>
Adam slid the instrument into Hoss\u2019 hands then stepped behind the settee to guide the guitar across his brother\u2019s body.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cThat\u2019s it,\u201d he said softly. \u201cRest it on your knee, like that.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss curled his right arm protectively around the guitar, gently cradling it as he would a calf or lamb. The base of his left hand supported the instrument\u2019s neck and his fingers curled around the wood, towards the strings.<\/span>
Adam rested both hands on the back of the settee. His lips curled up in a smile as he looked down on his brother.\u00a0<\/span>He looks like a natural<\/i>.<\/span>
\u201cYou ready?\u201d asked Adam, breaking the silence.<\/span>
Hoss looked over his shoulder, worry clouding his eyes.<\/span>
Adam reached forward and pulled three of Hoss\u2019 fingers to the appropriate strings. \u201cHold these down.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss, tongue jammed in the corner of his mouth as he concentrated, did as told and noted the tension in his wrist from the unnatural position.<\/span>
\u201cHold the fingers of your other hand together. Yeah, like that. Now strum.\u201d<\/span>
Behind the settee, Adam\u2019s hand moved as if his fingers were caressing the strings.<\/span>
A sour chord floated out of the guitar.<\/span>
Adam grimaced and shook his head.\u00a0<\/span>The first note is always the hardest. He\u2019ll get the hang of it<\/i>.<\/span>
\u201cI did it!\u201d said Hoss, his lips curving across his face in a smile. He looked over his shoulder, eyes dancing with excitement, and said again, \u201cI did it!\u201d<\/span>
Adam nodded and said, \u201cI knew you could. Let\u2019s try another chord. In a different key.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI\u2019ll be playing as good as you in no time,\u201d said Hoss through a laugh.<\/span>
\u201cYou bet,\u201d answered Adam, rolling his eyes while adjusting his brother\u2019s fingers. \u201cNow try,\u201d he said. The result was again unspectacular.<\/span>
\u201cHow about we just try some scales.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cSome what?\u201d<\/span>
\u201cScales. Think of them as broken chords. You just play each note in the scale up and down until you get the hang of it.\u201d<\/span>
Hoss was only slightly better at picking out individual notes.\u00a0<\/span>
\u201cJust hold down one string. Curl your fingers. Use the tip of your finger, not the nail.\u201d<\/span>
Adam moved from the settee to the coffee table where he could watch and critique Hoss\u2019 positions on the strings.<\/span>
After ten or so minutes of playing what might have passed for a scale, Hoss beamed with delight. \u201cIt ain\u2019t so hard after all.\u201d<\/span>
\u201cI knew you could do it,\u201d replied Adam, pride reflected in his smile.\u00a0<\/span>
The End<\/span>
December 2012<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>18 Nov 2013 11:34 am\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0Cute story. I love the way Adam encourages Hoss to even take the guitar. He has definitely more patience than Margarita. :-)*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>13 Jan 2013 01:50 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0A patient teacher who knows when to build up confidenceis sometimes all that’s needed. Thanks Patina!Author’s Response: Thank you, jojay. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed this little story.<\/i>*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>10 Jan 2013 07:19 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0Aw, all Hoss needed here was his older brother believing in him – and nudge him forward. It’s a cute scene that nicely reflects their relationship.Just too bad Andres Segovia wasn’t around back then – he had large hands and big fingers and went on to become one of the greatest guitarists nonetheless.Author’s Response: Thank you, Crow. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed this little story.<\/i>*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"star\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bonanzabrand.info\/efiction\/images\/star.gif?ssl=1\")
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>02 Jan 2013 05:54 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0Awww… very sweet!Author’s Response: Thank you, Beej.<\/i>*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>01 Jan 2013 07:40 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0I willing student must have a willing teacher to succeed on any level. \u00a0The value of the time spent together in this little endeavor was worth far more than the result and was reflected in Adam’s smile. \u00a0Thanks, for the sweet image.Author’s Response: Thank you, Cheaux. Sometimes it’s the little lessons that teach us the most. Glad you enjoyed this little story.<\/i>*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>01 Jan 2013 07:11 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0very good thanks!Author’s Response: Thank you, Laurie.<\/i>*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nDate:\u00a0<\/span>01 Jan 2013 03:24 pm\u00a0Title:\u00a0<\/span>Broken Chords\u00a0Hoss and Adam, perhaps my favourite pairing. They are so good with each other, and so good\u00a0for\u00a0<\/em>each other.Thank you so much for this wonderful little portrait of two very close men. It’s so subtle and so…perfect. Just lovely!Author’s Response: Thank you, faust. Adam and Hoss always play off each other so well, don’t they? I’m glad to know you enjoyed this little story.<\/i>*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n