Broken Strings

Story One:

The violin beside the piano

Part One

It was a fine summer day in the countryside of Shiratori City. The rooster had just finished to wake up each sleepy head in the ranch with its screeching call. Well, maybe not everyone. For a certain young man was still in his bed, dreaming about pizza and braised beef. His name was Mitsuwa Naoko, an incoming 8th grader in the Science Academy in the city. It was Saturday, so the boy has the whole day to get some rest. But of course in the countryside, too much sleeping is never tolerated.

The floor was trembling like an earthquake was about to wake. Thundering noises could be heard from downstairs. Naoko woke up terrified, not because he taught it was an earthquake, but because of the wet wake up call that he would be experiencing in a few seconds. His face was unreadable from dismay. And just as he grabbed his blanket closer, two furry and big Saint Bernards came in front of his door and jumped on his bed and began to lick his face.

"Hey, cut it out ,Bow and Key! Do you really have to smother me with your saliva?", he said sarcastically as he pat them to calm down.

The two dogs made a cute face and cuddled Naoko, seemingly to convince him to play with them.

"Do you really want to play now, boys?", Naoko said.

The dogs showed their bright faces at Naoko and they both stood up wagging their tails while panting cutely.

"Alright guys, you got me. But let's have breakfast first shall we?", Naoko offered. He wore his slippers and said to the dogs, "last one in the kitchen is Justin Bieber!"

So they all ran downstairs. And as they raced into the kitchen, Naoko tripped on a fold of a carpet and landed on the floor and then glided under a table. The two dogs were already in the kitchen. But as they heard the thump on the floor, they both got back and checked on Naoko.

"Oww... What a ride.", Naoko said as he tried to get up.

The dogs panted peculiarly and barked a few times looking like they were laughing at Naoko.

"Well, I guess am Bieber then", he said jokingly.

He then limped towards the kitchen. There he found breakfast, ready to be served. But just as he reached for some hot buns that were fresh from the oven, his mother came in from the back door.

"Put that down! Those are for Mr. Gaiman.", his mother said. "He is sick today so I'll be bringing some food for him to eat. I'll just bake some for you tomorrow."

"Awww mom..... Can I have one? Please?", Naoko pleaded.

"The answer is no, young man. Am really curious why you have such a large appetite at your age."

"I think it's just part of growing up. Let's leave it at that.", Naoko replied teasingly.

Both of them laughed a bit, and after a few chuckles, they heard the dogs whine while dragging their bowls.

"Ohh you two. I guess your hungry now.", said Naoko's mom.

The two dogs panted cutely and waited for their master to pour some delicious dog food in their big empty bowls.

Soon after that, Naoko and his mom ate their breakfast outside at the garden. There was a small table and two chairs placed at the center of the beautiful rose entwined corral-shaped trellis. While eating, they discussed about Naoko's plans for the summer.

"Dear, do you still want to continue that art class you started last summer?", his mother said as she took a piece of bacon on the tray.

"You're joking right? Am not going to any art class unless the teacher isn't Mr. Pierre", he uttered grudgingly.

"First of all", his mother said, "it's Monsieur Pierre and secondly, why not take his class? He's the best artist that I know and besides, he's a friend of your father so you have to repect him.", she added.

"Whatever. Am not going to an art class then. If it's the only way to avoid that monstrous teacher", Naoko said angrily.

"Be nice dear. But if you're not gonna take an art class, then what in the world do you want to do this summer? Emm.. Just make sure it's something worthwhile though."

Naoko went into a deep state of thinking. It's as if he was thinking for his life. He looked around and saw the never used gazebo near the patches or petunias and violets. Naoko has always wondered why his family built something they never got the chance to use.

"Mom?", Naoko said curiously.

"Yes dear?", his mother replied.

"Why haven't I seen the gazebo used since, well, ever?"

"Oh dear, that isn't true.", his mother answered. "That small gazebo standing at the side of the garden was once the center of entertainment in gatherings and parties during the time when your father was still courting me. Though there was only one act that is permitted to use that gazebo as a stage."

"Only one act? Who are they?", Naoko said.

"Why.. Who else than your grandma and grandpa"

"Wait, your saying that my grandparents are entertainers?", Naoko replied confused.

"I don't know if you've forgotten or what, but your grandparents were the best instrument players here in the countryside."

"Oh yeah. That one. Well I never actually got the chance to meet them. I guess that's the reason why I sometimes forget about it.", he replied arrogantly.

"I suppose so. But I guess I also have a fault for not telling much stories about your grandparents. You see, your grandpa Lewis was a romantic guy, and he wooed the ladies with his violin. But even so, the only girl that he fell in love with was your grandma Bertha.", his mother imparted.

"So if you say that they played together, what instrument did grandma Bertha played?", Naoko curiously replied.

"Well your grandma was a clarinet player but she also loved to play the piano. And yes, the piano wooed your grandpa to your grandma's heart."