A Better Place to Be- Chapter Nine

The sound of a basketball bouncing echoed down the hallway. It provided an interesting counter medley to the tune House was quietly tapping out on the piano's keys. The sound of both the ball and two boys laughing stopped as soon as the door opened.

"You're late." House kept his back turned to the door his fingers ghosted over the keys playing something that could be taken as the Imperial March.

"I know. I'm sorry. We were…," Taquan trailed off.

"You were downstairs playing basketball."

"Yeah."

"I know. I saw you. Your crossover has improved. You've been practicing." House gripped his leg and maneuvered it over the bench to look at the two boys still huddled in the doorframe. He pointed the head of the cane at Taquan, "Let's see if you've been practicing your scales. 10 extra for being late."

"Oh man."

"Keep complaining and it will be 20. Next time you're late we start with 15. You don't want to see what happens it you're late a third time." House fixed his stare on the second boy who began to look as if he wished he could disappear into the floor, "What are you doing here?"

"Um, well, uh, Taquan told me about the lessons and it sounded pretty cool. I was wondering, well, I was thinking maybe, I could, uh also learn?" The boy asked the question so softly House almost made him repeat himself.

"What's your name?"

"Stephen, Stephen Ross"

"Come over here Stephen, Stephen Ross. " With difficulty House lifted himself off the bench and stood squeezing his cane tightly. Taquan's eyes followed the older man.

"Are you okay House?"

"I'm fine," House replied his tone clipped," It was two for one night at paintball last night. Just overdid it." Taquan began to ask another question but a sharp look from House left the question to die on his lips.

"Taquan, I want you to show Stephen, Stephen Ross the first two major scale sets. Once he has played them through you will play the left hand side and he will play the right hand side."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"You're the teacher, why am I showing him how to play them?"

"See one, do one, teach one."

"What?"

"You learn by observing, by seeing someone else perform the function. Then you perform the function yourself to obtain comfort but if you've gained mastery you will be able to teach another. I taught you the scales, you teach Stephen, and when we get a third student, Stephen will teach them." House leaned against the piano taking pressure off his leg, "Now, begin and stop wasting even more time."

Turning their attention back to the piano Taquan showed Stephen how to sit and place his hands on the ivories. He began to play, slowly showing the other boy which notes to hit. The two worked in quiet concentration for about 15 minutes.

"Good, now Stephen I want you to play the right side notes Taquan just showed you. Don't worry about getting them all correct. Taquan I want you to play the left notes and you do need to get them correct." House made his way over to the drums and lowered himself onto the stool, "I don't hear any playing."

Chastised the two began playing. After a few minutes House picked up the drumsticks and began tapping out a rhythm in time to the playing. The sudden sound caused both boys to stumble, "KEEP PLAYING!" House yelled. So they did.

"And stop," House ordered the two and the sounds of the keys vibrating faded into silence, "Not bad."

"That was so cool!" Taquan's face beamed while Stephen's held a small smile.

Despite himself House cracked a grin, " It was pretty cool but we're done for now. Get out." He gestured to the door. The two boys collected up their things and made their way out. Taquan stopped and turned back, "I looked up that drummer. Rick Allen, he lost his arm in an accident. He seems cool…for an old guy." Taquan began laughing and sprinted out of the room. The sound of the boy's laughing could be heard all the way to the stairs.

House laughed.

AN: I would like to thank two of my former soldier buddies for donating their names for Stephen Ross. Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and reviews. They make this go a lot smoother. Next up- Cuddy and Wilson at the board. dun dun dun