Lessons

Alan crossed his arms, his teacher giving another sigh of annoyance. "Come now sweetheart. It's not so hard."

"I don't wanna play." He said, pushing out his bottom lip. "I wanna draw."

"Your father wants you to learn piano. Do you want to disappoint him?"

"…no."

"Then please try? I promise, half an hour more and you'll be done."

Reluctantly unfolding his arms, Alan placed his fingers on the keys; hitting them unceremoniously creating unpleasant sounds that filled the music room. "Alan!" the teacher scolded taking his hands. "That's enough."

"But you said to play. That was playing, right?"

"That wasn't playing at all. That was noise." The teacher gently pushed Alan over a bit more so the teacher now sat in the middle of the piano. "Allow me to show you the basics." Threading his hands together and pushing them out to crack them, he began to show Alan how to play though the child constantly found other things to draw his eyes too. "Alan, are you listening?" the teacher asked.

"…yes." He frowned turning his attention back to the keys.

"If you fail to pay attention I'll have to speak with your father about this. He's paying me good money to teach you."

"But…he'll be angry if I don't learn."

"Then do try to pay attention." For the fifth time the teacher tried and once again Alan's eyes fell somewhere else. "Alan!"

The child jumped. "S-Sorry."

"That's it! My patience is through. I'm speaking to your father about this."

Before Alan could say another word, the teacher stormed off, the doors slamming shut behind him, the loud sound getting the attention of the family butler. "Alan?" William asked cracking open the door. "Are you alright in here?"

"Nu uh. Teachers gonna tell papa that I was bad." He fiddled with his hands. "But I don't wanna learn piano."

William walked to Alan. He lifted the boy into his arms, sat down and placed Alan on his lap. "Remember how you taught me to draw?"

"Uh huh."

"Well why don't I help you with your piano lessons?"

"You would?"

"Of course."

"Okay."

William smiled, taking Alan's small hands and placing them on the keys. "Alright. Just watch." Alan nodded, watching William move his hands over certain keys, teaching him about making the right sound and Alan nodded, watching intently every move William made. It was better leaning with someone he liked rather than the teacher who now stood in the doorway with his father. "But…he was horrible."

The man folded his arms. "Alan's a strong-willed child. He has his mother's personality for sure. When her mind was set on something, she either refused to do it or did it perfectly. It seems it's the same with Alan."

"But the butler-"

"Has been there for Alan since his mother's passing. My wife and William were quite good friends and I know her death still ways heavy on his heart, but he's there for Alan." He gave a small smile. "Almost like I used to be. But now that I have all this work, I can't be there for my boy like I want to anymore."

Hearing voices Alan turned his head. "Papa! William's teaching me to play!"

William paused to bow his head politely. "Master Humphries."

"William."

"I'll return to my-"

"No. Keep teaching Alan. You're doing a far better job."

William nodded, smiling. "Thank you master."

Alan smiled too, eager to return to learning. "Come. I have no need for you anymore." He said to the teacher.

William watched from the corner of his eye, the door close but he could have sworn he saw a smile.