<\/p>\n
Summary: \u00a0<\/span>This is my contribution to the Dan Blocker Birthday Challenge. Hoss and Adam learn more than just a song.<\/p>\n Rated:<\/span> K+ Word\u00a0count:\u00a0<\/span>2315<\/span><\/p>\n Singing Lessons<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCartwrights don\u2019t say can\u2019t. You just need a little practice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo! I can\u2019t. I ain\u2019t you, Adam.\u201d Adam chewed his lower lip and studied his younger brother. Hoss could be mule stubborn, and he had that look on his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, then don\u2019t. Just go right ahead and spoil everything we planned.\u201d Adam\u2019s hands had settled on his hips, and he glared into Hoss\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t plan nothing; you did. You planned, and you told, and me and Little Joe are just supposed to follow orders like always, but this time I ain\u2019t. I ain\u2019t gonna get up in front of folks and make no fool of myself. You and Little Joe can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t doing it if you don\u2019t, Hoss. I don\u2019t sing good neither.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked down at the four-year-old. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to. You just have to smile and look like one of them ch..cher..baby angels, and nobody\u2019s gonna laugh at you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t no baby!\u201d Little Joe stomped his foot for emphasis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not an angel either, but that\u2019s beside the point.\u201d Adam sighed and placed his hand on Little Joe\u2019s head. \u201cI just\u2026well, if that\u2019s the way you feel, Hoss. I thought that you\u2019d want to please Marie and Pa and\u2026 well, if you won\u2019t, you won\u2019t.\u201d Adam turned on his heel and walked toward the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss and Little Joe stood silently and followed Adam\u2019s departure with their eyes. A minute after he disappeared from sight, Little Joe tugged on Hoss\u2019s sleeve. \u201cYou knowed most of the words; I knowed lots of them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not remembering the words.\u201d Hoss bit his lower lip then smiled down at his brother. \u201cYou\u2019re smart as a whip; you\u2019d know all the words by the party.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe kicked a stone lying near his foot. \u201cWe sing with Pa and Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa and Mama ain\u2019t all the folks that will be at the party.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t sing very bad.\u201d Little Joe\u2019s gazed turned toward the barn door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t sing very good either.\u201d Hoss\u2019s eyes traveled toward the barn also.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam was sad.\u201d Little Joe\u2019s observation ended with an exaggerated sigh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe had ideas. It would be nice us singing to Mama and all for an anniversary present, if\u2026\u201d Hoss gave a disgusted snort. \u201cIt would if I could carry a tune in a bucket.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s brow wrinkled. \u201cNobody carries tunes in a bucket. Buckets is for water, and oats, and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd tunes are for Adam not for me. Adam can play and sing, and folks will enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe nodded. \u201cAdam\u2019s big; he can do stuffs by hisself; we don\u2019t got to help him.\u201d When Hoss failed to comment, Little Joe gazed upward to study his brother\u2019s face. \u201cWhy\u2019d Adam want us to help him?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe..he always…just because is all.\u201d Hoss studied the barn door for another minute. \u201cI got chores.\u201d He turned and walked away toward the wood pile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss opened the door and slipped into his older brother\u2019s room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou are supposed to knock.\u201d Adam did not bother to raise his eyes from his book.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t.\u201d Hoss crossed the room to stand beside the bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m older.\u201d Adam closed the book and shifted his body to make room for Hoss. Hoss remained on his feet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you gonna sing that song for Mama yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just not.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c \u2018Cause things gotta always be the way you planned or no way at all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to fight about it, Hoss. I thougt it would be nice, a present from all of us, but if you and Little Joe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t blame Little Joe, he\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not blaming anybody. You won\u2019t, so that\u2019s that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss plopped down on the bed, and Adam swung his legs off, so that the brothers were sitting side by side staring at the braided rug on the floor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do it. Not good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re the only judge of what\u2019s good enough.\u201d The acerbic edge to Adam\u2019s voice caused Hoss to look at his brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt would sound better if you sang by yourself. You\u2019ve done it before in front of folks.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat wasn\u2019t the point. If you don\u2019t see that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFolks will\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo one\u2019s going to laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s fingers rubbed the surface of the bed quilt. \u201cMaybe not \u2018cause most folks is polite when they\u2019s visiting, but\u2026\u201d He felt the heat of friction beneath his fingertips and the heat of flushing blood in his face. \u201cYou\u2019d be good, real good, and Little Joe would be a..ador\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdorable\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, adorable, and I\u2026 I\u2019d just be\u2026\u201d Hoss\u2019s voice faded to barely more than a breath. \u201cPitiful.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss felt the bed rebound as Adam pushed himself to his feet. \u201cDon\u2019t, don\u2019t you dare think that!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t have to be the one to think it; other folks will.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEric Gunnar Cartwright!\u201d Each name shot from Adam\u2019s mouth like a bullet. \u201cDo you think, do you really think I would\u2026 that I would\u2026\u201d Adam drew in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cI would never ask you to do something if I thought it would hold you up to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know; I know that, but\u2026\u201d Hoss\u2019s fingers once again rubbed repeatedly over the quilt. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t never see it that way, even, even if the whole rest of the world did. You don\u2019t see the same thing other folks do when it comes to me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam opened his mouth and then closed it. He tugged his left ear and sat down beside his brother. \u201cFolks will tell you that I see things for what they are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, ya do. Thing is I\u2019m your brother.\u201d The corner of Hoss\u2019s lips turned upward. \u201cYour little brother, and you don\u2019t never see nothing else when you look at me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShould I?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGuess not, guess I wouldn\u2019t really want ya to, still\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to sing; it was just a thought.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt were a nice thought, a real nice thought.\u201d Hoss turned toward his brother. \u201cIf I could do it, well, even just passable, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam swallowed. \u201cI think you could. I think with some teaching and some practice you could.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat if we try, if we practice and then decide if it\u2019s good enough?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s gonna say if it\u2019s good enough? Like I said you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot me, no, somebody\u2026\u201d Adam\u2019s right hand began tugging his ear once more. \u201cHop Sing! We\u2019ll do it for Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing wouldn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, he wouldn\u2019t, but, well, we could tell if he was just being kind or if he thought it was fine, and you can have the final say. If you decide not to do it, there will be no recriminations.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRe..recrim\u2026nations?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRecriminations.\u201d Adams dimples flashed as he slapped Hoss on the back. \u201cI won\u2019t pout, not even a little.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss snorted, smiled, and then held out his hand to seal the agreement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo we have ta do it again?\u201d Little Joe gave his brothers his most woebegone gaze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust once more to practice. Then we\u2019re gonna sing it just for Hop Sing.\u201d Hoss exchanged a glance with Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing\u2019s not going to the party?\u201d Little Joe\u2019s brow furrowed with concern.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s gonna be at the party sure, but he\u2019s got things to do, and, well, we\u2019re gonna sing it for him today just in case he doesn\u2019t get to hear it good tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh. Okay.\u201d Little Joe gave an overblown sigh and stood straighter. Hoss placed his arm around Joe\u2019s waist and pulled him snuggly into his side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, just relax and don\u2019t strain. Let your voice follow mine.\u201d Adam\u2019s fingers plucked the first notes, and they began. When the last notes faded, Little Joe darted off calling for Hop Sing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing came down the path following the little boy who tugged at his hand. \u201cWhat boys need now? Hop Sing very busy. Have much work. Party tomorrow. Much, much work. No time for foolishment.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t foolishment, Hop Sing. It\u2019s a very important matter that can be entrusted to only a man of great wisdom and discernment.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Adam\u2019s pronouncement, Hop Sing cocked his head and wiped his hands on his apron. \u201cWhat you need?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe need ya to listen. Listen and tell us what you think.\u201d Hoss\u2019s voice carried a deep seriousness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cListen to what?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOur present. Our present for Mama and Pa.\u201d Little Joe bounced on his toes as he went to stand beside Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe plan to sing this for them at the party.\u201d Adam cleared his throat. \u201cThat is if you think it would be, um, appropriate, umm, appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing\u2019s eyes grew serious as his hand gestured for the boys to begin. Once again Hoss\u2019s arm encircled Little Joe\u2019s waist. Hoss drew in a deep breath and focused his eyes on Hop Sing\u2019s face as the music began.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe barely waited for the final note before he bounded forward. \u201cWere we good? Were we good?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing took a moment to look at each boy before him. \u201cGood. Boys sing good. Parents be proud, very proud. Hop Sing go back to kitchen. Boys come. Hop Sing have extra sweets for boys. Have one now.\u201d Hop Sing turned as Little Joe cheered and started for the house at a run.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam focused his gaze on Hoss and raised his eyebrow in inquiry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll do it. For Mama and Pa, we\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled slow and deep as he slung his arm around his brother. \u201cLet\u2019s get some of those sweets.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss set down the cake plate in his hand and tugged at the string tie around his throat. He walked over to the table that held both punch bowls. He picked up a cup of the sweet punch that had been poured out for the ladies and children. He drained the cup in two swallows and set the dainty crystal back on the table. Gazing at the \u201cgentlemen\u2019s\u201d punch at the other end, he glanced around the room and then swiftly grabbed an already filled cup. Glancing around again, he saw his mother approaching and ducked around the table and behind a curtain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a lucky woman, Marie, a very lucky woman. Why there\u2019s not another husband in the territory who\u2019d throw his wife such a party and then give her a necklace like that. Why you only been married five years, and he gives your pearls.\u201d Mrs. Pettigrew raised her glasses to her eyes and stared straight at Marie\u2019s throat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBenjamin is most generous.\u201d Marie smiled and fingered the strand encircling her neck. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d The smile deepened on her face. \u201cI am indeed a very lucky woman, but these are not the reason.\u201d Marie\u2019s eyes caught sight of Adam dancing with Lily Anne Spenser. \u201cThey are not even the finest present I received tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Amanda Pettigrew\u2019s eyes followed Marie\u2019s. \u201cOh, oh, yes, of course, the boys\u2026 it was quite touching, there were tears in a number of eyes when they sang.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was beautiful, so beautiful.\u201d Marie\u2019s voice was soft and caressed the words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, but that\u2019s no surprise. Adam has such a fine voice, such a very fine voice, and Little Joe, well, he was like a little angel, yes, exactly like a little angel.\u201d Marie nodded agreement. The curtain behind them moved slightly. Mrs. Pettigrew took time to lift a cup of punch to her lips and take a long sip. \u201cI was surprised though at Hoss; I hadn\u2019t realized he could sing, not like Adam, of course, but, well, he did very well, very well indeed. You and Ben must be very proud.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOur sons, they\u2026they make us proud so often.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLike I said, Marie Cartwright, you are a very lucky woman.\u201d Both women set down their cups as they caught sight of their husbands and went to join them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam watched the curtain move and his brother slip from behind it. He saw the cup in Hoss\u2019s hand and was across the room in four strides.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, have you gone stark raving crazy!\u201d The fact that the cups for the \u201cgentlemen\u2019s\u201d punch were distinctly different from those meant to hold the non-alcoholic variety was something Adam had given due consideration earlier in the evening. \u201cIf Pa finds out you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have but a sip or two.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d better hope that\u2019s a sip or two he never knows about.\u201d Adam snorted and grabbed Hoss by the arm maneuvering him to the opposite side of the room. \u201cNow, don\u2019t you dare\u2026\u201d Adam stopped as he got a clear look at his brother\u2019s eyes. He drew in a deep breath. \u201cHe didn\u2019t see, or they\u2019d have heard the bellow in Canada. I\u2019m not going to tell, so you don\u2019t have anything to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t worried.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I can see that you\u2019re not.\u201d Hoss had learned to recognize sarcasm in Adam\u2019s voice years before he\u2019d learned the word itself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI ain\u2019t.\u201d Hoss looked at Adam and rubbed is hand against his pant leg. \u201cThat ain\u2019t why.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen why?\u201d Adam refrained from actually mentioning the tears he had seen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou had a real good idea,\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took a moment to follow his brother\u2019s thought. \u201cMy ideas are always good.\u201d Adam expected Hoss\u2019s elbow to contact his side, but Hoss simply sighed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI almost ruined it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe did good. Mama was real happy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa too.\u201d Adam\u2019s arm came to rest across Hoss\u2019s shoulders. \u201cSo next time you\u2019ll just follow orders?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This time Hoss\u2019s elbow did find Adam\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n